Design Blogs

I am not a big follower of blogs so before this there were not any particular design blogs that I followed on a regular basis. So I did some research and was able to discover some very fun and interesting blogs on design. The are full of products that I would immediately purchase if I were do win the lottery. The furniture and knick-knacks they write about are very creative. the ideas are simple but the resulting product is either wild, fun, practical or innovative. After finding these blogs I am probably going to visit them again and put some of the objects they write about on my wish list.

I found the following blogs and recent entries very interesting:

• Shelterrific http://www.shelterrific.com/ I'd be very frightened if I used a bathroom with the shower curtain and the shadowy figure. But the idea is very creative.
• Hatch http://blog.designpublic.com/ I loved the Inspiration Monday entries, they gave me a lot of ideas and the pictures are so vibrant and colorful.
• Freshome http://freshome.com/ The article discussing the floating house in Seattle was so cool. I'd love to see this in person. That or live in my very own floating house.

How Kids Create

I've always been fascinated by how young children do artwork. Its something I can't fathom. To adults quite often it may seem like a mess of just about anything they can get their hands on. To the little artist, they but a lot of hard work into making their creation. My younger cousins always create some amazing piece of artwork for me when I visit them. I have numerous finger paintings and drawings of their "people" at home. It's so hard to figure out what is going on in their heads as they are developing their design process. I've learned to love it though. I proudly display their artwork throughout my house, some of it is even framed and "refrigerator worthy". Their work is always so happy and fun, it really can brighten anybody's day? But really what goes on when they are making it? Here's a fun example of a special door hanger designed especially for me:

What went on in her design process? Why did she decide to create it this way?

Graffiti Tunnel

Sydney and the surrounding suburbs are filled with public art. It's something that I really learned to appreciate while visiting. One thing though that I found very interesting was that the city did not seem to be as graffiti-ridden as many cities here in the U.S. are. I think that this is partially because people who make graffiti art are given places to do their work. While there, I discovered the Graffiti Tunnel at the University of Sydney campus. It was fascinating. It was full of color and the artists that made their work there were very creative. It was away to keep graffiti of the street while still showing appreciating for the art for that is graffiti. Below are some pictures that I took of the graffiti tunnel:

Pixar Typography

I think many Pixar films use creative typography in their advertisements and movie posters. They often incorporate a part of the film, besides just the main characters into them. For example, in Monsters Inc., they use the company's logo for the title in the posters. Another Pixar film that does this is Finding Nemo, with the aquatic like curve at the bottom of the title and the fish acting as the center of the "O". The typography that Pixar uses for its titles is both memorable and creative.

sources:

Finding Nemo Poster: http://www.dan-dare.org/freefun/Images/CartoonsMoviesTV/FindingNemoPoster.jpg

Monsters Inc Poster: http://www.luciddreamexplorers.com/images/monsters_inc.jpg

Reflection on Bruce Mau

I found Bruce Mau's Incomplete Manifesto very interesting. All of the points, while different, are connected with one other. Essentially what I think is being presented to reader, is that we should all be open to growth in life. We shouldn't be afraid of new things in life, and although these new things may not turn out the way we want, they too, will help us grow.

Some points that really inspired me:

• Allow events to change you: We have to think outside the box sometimes, and be open to new things. If we open our eyes then we may see something, we never have before, which in turn, can help us creatively.
• Slow down: Look around and don't rush through life. If we rush to get through life we may miss something very special. While it may be simple, it may be inspiring and we don't want to miss it.
• Collaborate: I am a huge proponent of working with others. When we do so we are introduced to new ideas. Also we can get an honest opinion of what others may think of our ideas, and if it works or not.

Product (Red) as Propoganda

The Product (RED) brand is a good use of propaganda in today's society. Its everywhere. From the Gap clothing line, to Nike products, to a special Apple iPod. Product (RED) is not the most apparent form of propaganda but it is still a call to action for consumers. The group uses a bright and vibrant red color to catch consumers eyes. Additionally with the Gap line, they use (RED) to create other words on the clothing. These include words such as: powe(RED), desi(RED), and inspi(RED). The call for action that the Product (RED) line promotes the global fight against AIDS in Africa.

Sources:

Product Red Logo: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZqByYJdO8M1bx2iuPdBav-zFnMi_gW0Hc_d6Xr9eMJZVlzzHhW14pABVp1BL5qODwNuuc8z_YEExw3T_AXXjr0u_FbpP20ptZhKhm5oI_2vlDP26647aH2LrQFfXvm3-9ghfIUDe5K0/s320/Home_Left_(RED)Africa.sflb.gif

April Greiman Research Paper

In today’s using technology in the creation seems almost second nature. This, though, has not always been the case. With the development of computers in the 20^th century, also came the development of using technology to create art. April Greiman was one of the first people to embrace this technology. Today she is a world famous graphic designer and award-winning professor.

Much of April Greiman’s personal life is kept private. She was born in New York on Long Island in 1948. She has a very extensive education and is very knowledgeable in her field. She received her bachelor’s degree in graphic design and attended the Kansas City Arts Institute. April Greiman had an adventurous and curious personality and she wanted to know what the rest of the world had to offer her. Her parents encouraged this curiosity and supported her in her endeavors and adventures. Wanting to continue her education she left the United States for Basal Switzerland. There she attended the Allegmeine Kunstgewerbeschule (the General Arts Trade School). Eventually, after finishing her education, she would return home.

In the mid 1970’s Greiman returned to her home state of New York. She had the opportunity to work and study in New York City under Emilio Ambasz, curator of the Museum of Modern Art. It was here that her career in design really began to flourish. One of the first major projects she participated in was in conjunction with the curator. The work is titled the Taxi Project. Ambasz’s goal with the Taxi Project was to create a new sort of vehicle that could be used to replace the thousands of disgusting and uncomfortable taxicabs, making traveling by car in the city less chaotic and more comfortable. This project became one of the most iconic and famous exhibits at MoMA in recent history.

© 2003, The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Eventually, April Greiman decided that she wanted to do something different and expand her career. So she decided to head to the opposite end of the country. Greiman moved to Los Angeles and opened her own design firm, Made in Space in 1976. It is here where the designer has produced some of her most iconic pieces. In Los Angeles, She started her work with technology and digital art. She embraced what companies such as Macintosh had to offer her. Not only is she one of the first major female graphic designers, she became one of the pioneers in her field of digital design overall. Throughout her career she helped to create the posters for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles as well as the logo for Lifetime Television used thoughout the 1980’s.

Many major companies have recruited Greiman and Made in Space for new and innovative design projects. Such major clients include California State University, Los Angeles and the United States Postal Service. A large-scale project that Greiman designed was the student union at the California State University, Los Angeles. The project was developed in 1997 after the Los Angeles earthquake three years earlier, where a number of buildings in the area were deemed unsafe. Greiman brought a new modern design to the campus. The student campus is full of bright colors and a multitude of building materials. Such elements are visually appealing and include brick, glass, wood and concrete. The resulting building was equivalent to six stories in height and surrounded by colorful banners.

Another recognizable and major project that Greiman headed was a stamp design for the United States Postal Service. The stamp was designed to honor the 19^th amendment of the United States Constitution. The 19^th amendments gave women in the United States the right to vote. The stamp celebrated the 75^th anniversary of the ratification of the amendment in 1995. The stamp depicts a digitally designed image of a women’s suffrage march.

http://www.usps.com/images/stamps/95/equality.gif

Greiman has written or contributed to many pieces of literature illustrating her career path in design and some of the projects she has taken part in or headed. Some of these works include Floating Ideas Though Time and Space. In this book she and author Liz Farrelly describes her design process as well as discusses some of her most famous and recognizable pieces of art. Another book that she authored is titled Something from Nothing, where she talks about some of her designs since starting her design firm, Made in Space. In addition to her writings, in her time as a designer and digital artist, April Greiman has won numerous prestigious awards. Some of these award include Apple Master from Apple Computers in 2000 as well as the American Institute of Graphic Arts Medal for Innovation awarded to her in 1998.

Today, April Greiman continues her work in digital design. While still the head of the firm, Made in Space, she became a partner of Pentagram in the year 2000. The design firm Pentagram works with companies such as United Airlines, Polaroid and also Nike. Currently April Greiman and her firm have a digital photography exhibit titled “Drive-by Shooting” at the Pasendena Muesem of California Art. The photographs are mostly blurry pictures of moving vehicles of street signs. To the viewer it looks as though the photograph is moving in front of their eyes. The exhibit can be seen here: http://drive-byshooting.com/ . During her career and life, April Greiman has made significant contributions to the design and art world.

Portrait:

http://www.thedetroiter.com/v3/2009/02/toyota-lecture-series-features-april-greiman/

Poster: http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/image_galleries/towerhamlets_olympic_posters_gallery.shtml?7

Bibliography

"April Greiman." AIGA. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2010.

content.cfm/medalist-aprilgreiman>.

"April Greiman." Art Directory. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2010.

.

"Drive-by Shooting." Drive-by Shooting: April Greiman. N.p., n.d. Web. 1

Mar. 2010.

Farrelly, Liz, and April Greiman. April Greiman: Floating Ideas into Time and Space. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications, 1998.

Goldberger, Paul. "Wanted: New Cabs." MetropolisMag.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Mar.

2010. .

Greiman, April. aprilgreiman. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2010.

1053655_Wilshire_Vermont_Hand_Holding_a_Bowl_of.html>.

Greiman, April, and Aris Janigian. Something from Nothing. Crans-Près-Céligny: RotoVision, 2001.

Dreams and Goals Mind Map:

Visual Metaphor

We live in a society where we seem to be tied to our electronics. Although they allow us to reach places and people that we otherwise would not be able to, the also have the ability to separate us from the things and people that surround us. In this case, with the cell phone we are separated from the things around us by trapping ourselves in the world of electronics. We don't have any contacts with the people around us and face to face contact decreases significantly. These advancements in electronics have advantages in allowing us to contact far away loved ones but they can also have disadvantages by preventing us from having relationships with those closest to us.

Illustrating with Words: Paula Scher

In the HIllman Curtis video on artist Paula Scher, she discuss how she develops her ideas very quickly. To me, I think this ability is very special. Not everyone can think of the perfect design right on the spot. For example she discusses how she was able to come up with the design for the Citi Bank logo by the end of the meeting. I found this very surprising. Paula Scher and her talent for coming up with a successful idea in a matter of minutes is worth commending.

Another part of this video that I found interesting was about the advice she received about "illustrating with words". I believe that this advice has become her philosophy on design. Her job is to make advertisements and words eye catching and in her case, drawings aren't always the most successful. So by illustrating with words, her designs can be the most attractive and get the most attention from society. Illustrating with words allows her to create images and still getting information out to her audience. Her "illustrations" are very appealing and has lead to much success for the Public Theater for example and also the Citi Bank logo is a very recognizable one in today's society.

Defining Design, Culture, and Language

Defining the terms design, culture and language is a difficult thing to do because these words mean many different things to different people. Here's how I define the terms.

Design: taking an idea that we see in our minds and presenting it visually.

Culture: the ideas and beliefs that surround us everyday.

Language: the words that society uses to convey ideas and beliefs and thoughts.

Design, Culture and Language are all intertwined together. Each one influences the other. Often times certain slang that people use in their communities are a product and are developed within a particular culture. Culture influences design. A structure with modern influences probably wouldn't fit well in a historic neighborhood of Philadelphia, for instance. The culture doesn't reflect this.

Design, Culture, and Language our everywhere in our society, and they all have an effect on and reflect one another.

Here's an example of how culture influences design:

The Sydney Opera House is influenced by the beachside culture of Australia. The design of the Opera House is intended to resemble a shell.