T 2, 2.29-chance

During type today, we were challenged to design by chance. To simply flip a coin and let it chose our actions. I feel that I really gained a better idea of how to be spontaneous and let go of control. For the bottom version I took inspired pieces from the original chance design, and added my own twists. I tried to give it more order, and honestly, I almost prefer the opposite. I hope to do more of that in my revised designs. 

T 2, 1.29

Moving forward in our first project of the semester, I tried to very my style with each design. What I found to be difficult though, and I am not sure if I have it all right, was designing each box to fit into a attribute: order, energy, comfort, confidence, informational, interdependence, refinement. I also tried to mix up non-computer and computer.

comfort:

confidence/energy:

informational:

T 2, 1.27

Continuing the exploration process, I have tried to add emphasis to different phrases or letters. Currently this is all computer based, but I hope to print them off and change their look physically and then scanning. 

T 2, 1.2 Update

Here are a few extra explorations I have tried. They again are not perfect, nor fully realized, but they are a start. And sometimes, the start is the hardest part.

Looking at the ink drawing, I tried to manipulate it in illustrator. But I am not sure if it is working out, or if it is what you (Mr. Kidwell) had in mind. I would love to get your opinion in class on how to use the ink without it being a predominate piece in the design.

above, I tired to use torn paper to create the jagged "cereal" 

This exploration did not turn out quite as planed, and I am not very interested in it. But I tried to combine computer type with charcoal, pencil, and ink. 

This is my new ink splotch. I tied to manipulate it but am afraid I am missing the wrong note with this one. I feel it needs to go another direction.

Computer based - trying to mess with tone and opacity. 

Computer based

Computer based

photo of cut up letters, layered as a collage. Taken under regular lighting to give shadows

Messing with some hand lettering and type out of Rice Krispy Treats themselves.

"It's the breaks that allow my mind to refresh"

I absolutely love reasearching graphic designers, simply because of the diversity there is. The way someone problem solves, the way they approach a project and even how they live their life, is always different than others. It keeps reminding me that even the Greats are human and they have history, families of their own.

I wanted to post this video of Steve Frykholm. There is very little in it about his work at Herman Miller, but rather, what he does on the side. How he likes to spend his time, and what is important to him. Posted as the title of this is a quote from him that I very much like. It is extremely true for me that I need those little breaks during the day in order to get the chance to look at life through a "normal" lens. I love design, do not get me wrong. But at times all I want is to look at a world without design in it.

Perspective. Life has thousands of perspectives. Design does too. And if you keep yourself focused on the computer screen, and never take time to view the colors and life around you, than your perspective will never change, it will never learn to change. I love design, but I love other things too that make me who I am, and therefore, influence my design (Just as Carson had mentioned). Volleyball, food, outdoors, my friends, family: are things I love that have impacted my life. I hope that never changes.

So thank you Steve Frykholm for making this video, and thank you Mr. Kidwell for having me look him up, for it has been a nice moment to reflect on my life and what makes me happy.

Type 2, 1.22

Typography plays a lead role in the world of design. Fonts allow us to express emotions and give direction while having a constant.

For our first project, we are to design the exterior of a Rice Krispies cereal box using only type. This is much more challenging than I expected it would be, and I realized during our class today that I needed to break free from the computer. I needed to experiment. That being said, I went back to my apartment and grabbed sponges, india ink, charcoal, printer paper and pens to begin crafting.

The pictures below are no where near final products, nor are they all going to be explored to their full potential. But for the mean time, I wanted to show others how I am approaching this project off the computer. Please stay tuned for updates! Thanks for read'n!

A combination of paper cutouts and india ink by sponge. 

Folded, tilted papter

Computer driven, illustrator

The use of paint and cut out.

David Carson

One really unique thing that was discussed in Carson's video was the fact that design is so much more than colors or type placed on a document. Instead, intuition and emotion are key components that lead people to interpret design and to create designs that have meaning and impact. It is the history a person has, their experiences, likes and dislikes that draws them to create, and pulls an individual into a design.

I found his take on legibility vs communication very interesting. I guess it never really occurred to me that everything that is written is not always communicated. It's interpretation can be taken in many different ways by many different people. I guess I have always known that, but the way he put it presented an "aha!" moment.

I was once told by a teacher that critiquing a design is simple another form of critiquing yourself. You are pointing out what you like, what you dislike, what works for your needs/wants and what you will accept because of them. This is why emotions and previous experiences are important, for ignorance can play a role in your interpretation of anything, even design.