ISSUES IN DESIGN

After reading the article by Clive Thompson, we discussed a few topics in small groups. First I wanted to pull out a few of my favorite quotes: “The torrent of short-form thinking is actually a catalyst for more long-form meditation.” and “This is what the weeklies like Time and Newsweek have historically offered: reportage and essays produced a few days after major events, with a bit of analysis sprinkled on top. They’re neither fast enough to be conversational nor slow enough to be truly deep. The Internet has essentially demonstrated how unsatisfying that sort of thinking can be.”

After discussing things further with my small group, I came up with these questions: “Is the Internet really hindering our abilities to learn and explore?” and “How do you think global communication will transform our lives in the future?”

So I guess I will go ahead and explain why I fell upon these questions and what my thoughts are on the topics.

When I say learn and explore with the Internet, I mean using google as a tool. We all agreed that when we have a question about something our initial reaction is to go google it. We admitted that we would definitely not go to the library and look it up, we would just let it go and never know our answer. Granted, we all grew up learning how to use a catalog and make our way around that sea of books at the library. But, we would all agree that google is our new best friend. I think we have all learned more and broadened our intellectual horizons because of this great Internet tool.

I asked about global communication because with this new age of technology, we have more devices and capabilities to connect us with people halfway across the world in an instant. And most likely, via video. We all agreed we are somewhat scared for the next generation because all they know is social networking and being attached to their devices. I believe our generation is lucky to have grown up during the transformation and evolution of this technology because we have know how to step back and get away from all of it. In our group, we remenisced about growing up with dial-tone cord phones that you had to talk on in the kitchen. Then the age of cordless phones and how cool they were. Now who has home phones these days? Well, my mom. But, I probably won’t think to get one when I move out into the world.

TyPoGrApHy.

some websites I have found with blogs, articles, etc.

http://thecoolhunter.net/

http://typeinspire.com/

http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/search?searchTxt=expressive+typography&x=0&y=0

“Today, in the electronic age of instantaneous communication, I believe that our survival, and at the very least our comfort and happiness, is predicated on understanding the nature of our new environment, because unlike previous environmental changes, the electric media constitute a total and near-instantaneous transformation of culture, values and attitudes. This upheaval generates great pain and identity loss, which can be ameliorated only through a conscious awareness of its dynamics. If we understand the revolutionary transformations caused by new media, we can anticipate and control them; but if we continue in our self-induced subliminal trance, we will be their slaves.”

I originally pulled out this quote before we discussed in class. I found it interesting because this article was written in the 60s but still somehow seems to apply to our world today. No matter what technology is constantly evolving and we are evolving with it.

McLuhan also talks about the caveman, early man, and how they lost some of their senses when the phonetic alphabet was invented. There is something to be said about our world today with the invention of the technological alphabet/lingo. It has broken down and evolved our alphabet even more and I believe it takes the personal touch out of our words. But, the upside I believe is the immediacy of our words nowadays. It is no horse and buggie carrying a telegram that is 2 weeks behind with its words. Everything is at our fingertips. What is next?

in no particular order

[one] Identity system: this would include logos, letterheads, etc. I really enjoy working based off a system, but also helping to come up with that system. It probably has something to do with the structure and giving myself a guideline. But, I also love to find those systems in designs that I come across on a regular basis.

[two] Magazine Cover: This goes along with my love for type and photos and the greatness that comes out of merging the two. I am always drawn to the covers at the checkout line at the grocery store and sometimes buy them just because they are inspiring. Maybe one day I’ll get the chance to do one of my own!

[three] Multi-page document: I am always super stoked to work on some sort of magazine layout. Incorporating images with text and creating some sort of constant in the system is exciting to me. I love it!

[four] Photography: I still quite the amateur when it comes to photography, but I have always had a passion and appreciation for it. It is a hobby that I try to exercise within my design projects as much as I can. This would explain my love for magazine layouts and covers.

[five] Advertising Campaign (ish): This would be something I haven’t officially worked on, but ads have always intrigued me. Whether it is in print, on billboards, or commercials, I always think how it would be cool to be a fly on the wall in the boardroom while that particular campaign was being hatched up.

[six] Expressive Typography: I love typography and anything text-based. For our Identities class, I chose to make my icons all text. I find such beauty in the forms that happens with them individually and put together in interesting ways. I love type posters and logos based off types. Can’t get enough of it.

[seven] Posters: It seems almost too typical for a graphic designer to love to do poster

designs, but who I would be without that obsession? They are like a painter’s canvas. Posters are our way to express our medium at its finest. They will never get old, even if I just design it for personal interest.

[eight] T-shirt/shoes: This isn’t something I would want to get into for a career, but I always love admiring t-shirt and shoe designs. I think what attracts me the most is the color schemes and the different ways designers come up with to utilize all the planes of the shirt.

[nine] Photo Montage: Whether it is in video form or hand crafted, I love to work with real photos, old and new.

[ten] Fine Art: This is what I grew up doing, and I will always have a love for it. Yes, I know I could never cut it in the real world as a fine artist, but I will always do it for personal pleasure. It is a nice break from the computer, and is sometimes inspiring for those graphic projects. When combined, it is also a beautiful thing.

WHAT?

Here are the first set of questions I have come up with, they are completely open for editing and tweaking:

If you could have a dream work environment, what/where would it be? What/would you change anything about your work environment?

Does your work environment ever influence your design work or ideas? how so?

What do you do to stay inspired outside of work-related jobs? When you get stuck/blocked on an idea for a job, what do you do to help that/get out of it?

Do you deal with a group of designers? If so, What role do you play in that “team” atmosphere? Is it ever frustrating?


Is your process a personal journey or do you feed off your co-workers?

Would you prefer to be given direction on projects or be there from initial concept to finish?

WHO?

List of companies, no specific names yet, to address these questions:

Companies:
    Portland Trailblazers
    Portland Timbers
    SagaCity Media Inc, (Portland Monthly)
    CMD (Advertising/Marketing company)

Caroline VanDemortal: freelance designer
Ben Little: In-house designer

no particular order.

1  (Running)

When  I am able to go for a run and zone out, I sometimes come up with some of my greatest ideas. Whether it is just the beginning concept, or the solution I was looking for in a design I was stuck on. It allows me to take a step away from my work, and clear my head.

2  (Nature)

Nature is one of the most incredible things we have, but take for granted. Since moving to Oregon, I have learned to appreciate it so much more. A sunset or sunrise, a drive to the coast, the sun shining through the trees after a rainstorm, the sights, the smells. It is all so amazing to me. It is powerful and can always take your breath away.

3  (Movies)

I love all kinds of movies: action, comedy, romance, sci-fi. But, there is something about those movies that don’t necessarily take millions of dollars to make. It could be the camera angles, the aesthetic qualities of the film, even the music that accompanies those incredible shots. After studying graphic design for a couple years now, I am always drawn to the opening credits of the films and even TV shows, as well.

4  (Geometry)

Structures and Architecture could be included in this topic as well. I love clean lines and geometric shapes. I will always be a clean designer, but I try to push myself away from that so I can achieve that variety as a designer.

5  (Photographs)

Old or New. Picture frames or collages. I love them all. My room is full of them. Mostly of friends and family. They are all moments in time hanging on my wall, and I can go back to any of those moments just by looking at the images.

6  (Photography)

I did not include this with photographs, because I think they are very different.  Being behind a camera and capturing an angle or shot that most people will never get to see normally, or producing an image that makes someone ask “what is that?” Capturing that candid moment, or that glimpse of sun in the trees is a moment saved and a moment lost if not taken advantage of.

7  (Family&Friends)

Since I don’t see my family as much anymore, being in different states and all, those times we get to spend together are always that much more worth it. Whether a great picture, or inside joke comes out of it, I can usually look back and be inspired by something. There support is also a big deal. My dad is a huge part of that because he knows that it is a tough field, but I see how excited he gets for me and that makes it all worth it.

8  (Comedy)

Humor, comedy and being silly is a huge part of my life. Stand-up comedy is my dream job and it is always in the back of my mind. having a sense of humor helps with designing in that it allows me to have fun and be silly and embrace those unexpected moments.

9  (Music)

While some people would maybe put on a season of Friends or The Office (while I love them both) just to have some background noise while working on homework or something, I would rather have music on. It can be anything from country to pop to rock to alternative to rap, just depends on my mood or task at hand. I always catch lyrics that might mean something to me that day or that week, I will play the song again or look up the lyrics. It more or less helps me focus on my work and get things done.

10  (Magazines, other Designs)

When out in the world, I am constantly looking around at posters, packaging, magazines, anything a normal person would probably brush past, I look at. I have bought magazines before just because I was so inspired by the covers. The things I find can be good or worthy of praise, it doesn’t matter. All I know is that I am looking around and my design juices are flowing.