Reflections on AIGA part one

Wow, they’re spicing up the world of student design competition and adding another step by challenging students in real life scenarios. It’s funny that the emcee had made a reference to the show Project Runway, which I think was an influencing factor in the way that the AIGA had approached the 2007 student design competition. If you haven’t seen Project Runway it’s a fashion design competition hosted by Heidi Klum that challenges the best of designers to design and make clothes with certain themes or clients in mind while dealing with time and budge constraints.

So back to the matter at hand, the Command + X student design competition part one, which challenged seven students to redesign the Denver Broncos’ logo. I felt that some of the designers seem to just take elements from past logos and simply passed them off as a redesign with simple tweaks here and there. The evolutionary designs seemed to lack execution while the revolutionary designs were on point with execution and fresh ideas. These designers took the past logos into consideration to direct them in their redesign, which looked and felt fresher.

On another note I thought the judges pointed out some valid points with some of the elements in each design but I felt that they didn’t have a clear direction in their judging and felt that they were looking at the designs based on their personal tastes instead of looking at the designs objectively as clients representing the Denver Broncos franchise. I thought the “Farrah Fawcett” design that was put in the two truly showed there bias and the clear fact that they criteria when they were judging because the “Farrah Fawcett” design in my opinion lacked in execution and appeared to be an easy solution to the challenge.

Overall, I’m excited to see how each student will meet the challenges. It’s like American Idol for designers. lol


Image from: http://designconference2007.aiga.org/dc-commandx

Are ad'g and graphic design moving toward delivering 'experience'...

Yes, I think that advertising and design is moving toward delivering “experience” as the end product for the simple reason that we as a society are constantly inundated with hundreds of different ads at every turn we take. It only makes sense that advertisers and designers try to deliver to their audience in the only way that will catch, hold and influence their opinion. I keep hearing that it’s all about the experience because then you have a story to tell and memories to look back on. When you look at it from the point – of - view that an “experience” can be passed onto family and friends it creates a far better reach then advertisers have ever imagined. Look at the whole history of oral stories that have been passed on from generation to generation having an effect on what we believe and think for example “Urban Legends” and “old wives tales”.

So what better way to get into the already clouded minds of the public by creating an “experience” that can be used as jump off to create more buzz around a product. It sort of like the way viral ads work in the way it spreads like a virus with the simple form of communication.

Headstart 2008 - Yesterday was the day

So I’m writing this blog on my way to Headstart 2008 at CNIB. I have to be there at 8:30 am put it doesn’t look like I’ll be getting there on time. The workshops don’t start till 9am but I’m volunteering for the morning then going to the afternoon workshops. Maybe I’ll come back to post about each workshop that I’ll be attending today. The workshops include:

Networking – This is definitely an important part in making a name for ourselves so I’ll be listening carefully.
Freelancing – This will come in very handy.
Working Abroad – This should be interesting because I’ve always wanted to work in England or even the States for that matter.

Hopefully, I’ll learn something that I’ll be able to pass on to you. I’ll be taking notes.

What I’ve learned so far is…

• Those things that appear easy are difficult. And the things that appear difficult are easy.
• That nothing worthwhile is easy.
• People want to help and see me succeed even though I can’t see it for myself yet.
• That talking to people is better then ignoring the problem.
• That working hard is not a chore.
• I need time to understand and fully grasp things.
• I can’t keep doing stupid things.
• Procrastinating is not something I should be proud of.
• I’m not as scared to speak in front of others.
• I spend more time doing nothing then I do doing something.
• I am capable.
  

Image by: Bethany Carlson

Things that make me happy :D

• My Zen V
  
• My Macbook
  
• Good music
  
• Great design
  
• Figuring something out
  
• Finishing my homework
  
• Making other people smile
  
• Sleeping
  
• Great Food
  
• Free Food
  
• Spending time with good friends
  
• Dancing my butt off in my room
  
• Candy or Chocolate
  
• Long Weekends/Vacations
  
• Going camping and getting away from the city with friends
  
• Campfires
  

Image by: Rodolfo Clix

Design is...

Understanding the process and nature of our society.

When examining the idea of what design is to me I think it’s about understanding the needs and wants of the audience. It’s about being able to find solutions to problems that affect our society. It’s about understanding the individuals we are trying to reach on a psychological level to reach them on a personal level instead of an artificial level.

Do Designers have Environmental Responsibilities?

Yes, I think designers have a responsibility to be informed and educated about the impact that their designs may have on the environment. Being a designer is not simply designing it has transformed into a career that has many different job descriptions. And being environmentally aware or at least informed should be an important part of the design process. As they say“ it only takes one to make a difference” because that one can teach the rest that we should be taking responsibility for our work on a larger scale. I think people fail to see the importance of this matter in the long run because it doesn’t directly affect us in the present. Look at the natural disasters that have occurred over the past seven years, which have been linked to global warming. We create this illusion of this ideal world in our designs and the impact that has on society is phenomenal because of the reach and influence that we possess. I think my taking that into consideration we should be conscious of the effect that one designers have on the world.

What about Print?!...Will Print die?

What print do you consume?

I found that over the last couple of years I’ve subscribed to about four different design magazines, which consist of Applied Arts, Communication Arts, Photoshop and IdN magazine. I not going to lie and say that I look at them for the articles but for the different imagery that they contain and for the inspiration that they provide. I love the fact that I have a physical copy of all these wonderful works in my house. Along with the design magazines I find myself currently reading P.S I love you by Cecelia Ahern during my free time. I usually read it on the bus to and from school/home. On occasion you might fine me reading the Metro, or looking at flyers like Best Buy, Future shop or No Frills for deals and sales. And on an even rarer occasion you might catch reading notes or textbooks for class.

How will design change print media?

I think design will shift print media into a new realm of accessibility through on demand technology where users are able to access any form of medium instantly, which will become the primary form of delivering print. It will become a world of options that would allow users the right to decide what they do and don’t want in printed format. Design has the power to change the way we perceive and think and it will be a force to reckon with ten years down the line when we have the option to get any publication through the click of a button.

Will Print die?

No, I don’t think print will die it will simply become a secondary medium, an alternative to high tech technology. I say this because there are those that aren’t computer literate and to simply ignore that portion of the population would be a mistake if print became obsolete. I also feel that people will need to have print in some shape or form because as much as technology has come there is always the threat of computer viruses and programs that could potentially erase and destroy peoples records. As long as there is that threat print will exist in our digitized world of high definition and instant access.

Image by: Zsuzsanna Kilin 

Time Spent

So I’ve finally figured out that I spend too much time on the web doing nothing productive with my time. If you want to see how I spend my time look below and I’ll bet you’ll be surprised at what you find.

Reading
Books – 4hrs
Fanfiction – 20hrs

Radio
none

Music
MP3 Player – 15hrs
Computer – 28hrs

Email
Checking – 2hrs
Replying – 45mins

Web
Surfing – 20hrs
Msn – 21hrs
Facebook – 2hrs

Video Games
None

Cell Phone
Text – 1hr
Calls – 30 mins

Total: 114 hrs 15 mins

Image by: Rodolfo Clix

Who is Melissa Hombrebueno?

Hold on, I’m trying to figure that out. Give me a few minutes to talk to her and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible to answer all your Melissa related questions. Alright, so I just finished talking to her and I must remind you that anything I say here is strictly between me and you.

Disclaimer: I will deny everything if questioned.

AUDITORY

When conversing with Melissa her tone is calm and the pitch is low, which doesn’t command attention to herself from those around her. She speaks to the person in front of her instead of the whole class with her even tone of voice.

VISUAL

Looking at Melissa I see that she is dressed neatly with blue jeans, a black coat (because it’s really cold in this room), black air walks, glasses and a black and grey scarf. Her hair was combed into a ponytail with the loose strands and tucked behind her ears. When we were talking she made eye contact and was sitting up straight but I did notice that she had a nervous habit of shaking her leg and tapping her finger on the desk when concentrating on a reply. Occasionally, she will smile when talking.

TACTILE

I noticed that she held her pen in her hand when talking or would tap on the desk or shake her leg. It didn’t appear to be a conscious thing but more of a nervous habit or even a form of stress release. She seemed to have something within arms reach throughout our conversation. She seems like a very active person because of the fact that she couldn’t sit completely still throughout our conversation. She would also brace her arms on the desk leaning forward slightly.

OLFACTORY

There was no distinguished odour or perfume that I could smell. So I’m assuming that she doesn’t wear any or uses a small amount that is not noticeable to those around her.

Image by: Gabriella Fabbri