Growing up, my parents always had a daily newspaper. To me a physical newspaper meant sophistication and education of the world around us. It’s interesting to me now, that those same traits are what seem to power so much of the technology frenzy we’re constantly being surrounded by. Our televisions, computers and phones make us feel like established human beings (sophistication); the newer the version the better. Today, we are connected to the world around us at hyper speeds that the newspaper of yesterday simply cannot keep up with. We’ve been desensitized to anything slow and don’t have the patience to wait for information. When it comes to print in general, I don’t think it’s dying, but it’s purpose has shifted. In the past, printed media fulfilled our need of connection with the outside world. Print provided news and information we couldn’t get from our classmates or co-workers. With those needs being met by digital means now, print has become less about necessity and more about fun! I don’t think print is dying because as it’s purpose changes, we’re learning to appreciate the qualities that makes it different from anything else; qualities that digital media does not have. Like we discussed in class after reading the death-of-print articles, print will always be around, people will just play off of it’s strengths. For me print is special because you can hold it in your hands, feel it, keep it, give it, send it, crumple it, cut it and so much more! In marketing and in everyday life, print will definitely be around forever.

As people, what do you feel we’re “missing out on” today by being so in tune with technology?

The level of patience has most definitely declined from the days when one had to send snail mail and meet up in person to find out what was going on in a friends life. Tweeting and texting allow the younger generation to have all sorts of information at the tips of their fingertips. As a group we discussed how, for many questions we have, it wouldn’t be worth it to us to trek to the library and look up the answer in a book. We are so accustomed to having information, and having it fast, it’s almost as if it takes longer than a minute to find out, it’s not even worth it. Among other things we’re missing out on these days due to tweets and texts, person to person communication skills came up in conversation. It’s much more common for us to email someone, or even use video chatting instead of meeting face to face. Skills that were once so common have now disintegrated into something very rare. Reading body language, completing a sentence without spell check, and being polite are things we are doing less and less of.

As a designer, what kind of work can we do that enables long-term meditation? 

This is a tough one. For such a popular question in response to the article, it seems that the answer is pretty unclear. I think that if, as designers, we can create pieces that will stick in people’s minds long enough for them revisit the concept even after they’ve stopped looking at it; that has the potential to enable long-term meditation. I think this question is hard to answer mainly because each individual is affected by design differently, and a specific design may cause one viewer to never forget, while another may never even fully see. Perhaps the goal of our design (if we desire it to make a lasting impression) should be to connect with people where their at and to be presented in a way that they can relate to. Then, the design will make sense, make an impression, and be remembered.

When McLuhan states that “technology is an extension of our body,” he means that advances in technology intensify the things that our bodes already do. Technology amplifies human ability, making it faster or more precise. The artist’s relationship with the media is to relay information to the world; they can make realizations about current situations and communicate it with others. The way people live is often very much past-oriented. As a society, we understand the past better than the present because hindsight is typically 20/20; it’s complete and we can see the whole picture so it’s easier to put ourselves there than in the present, even if their realities vary. According to McLuhan, the invention of the alphabet flipped tribal man’s world upside down. The alphabet reduced the equal usage of tribal man’s senses, created social classes, and eventually lead to detribalization. Compared to western man, tribal man is much more complex because they’re much more in tune with their senses and surroundings. The western man on the other hand, is constantly trying to simplify meanings (through the alphabet mainly) and reduce incorporation of all of the senses in everyday life. McLuhan discusses the difference between hot and cool media; hot media excludes the audience while cool media includes them. This concept is very interesting, especially with the level of technology today compared to when this interview took place. Also interesting is the idea McLuhan discussed about the education system being built around a society completely different than the current one; leaving kids in school today lacking in many ways. It’s scary to think about what the education system will look like in the years to come. This TED talk touches on the same topic and I think gives a fresh look at what has been standard in the world of learning for so long.

RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms

[ONE] T-SHIRT DESIGN. I think I would find myself really enjoying any type of apparel design, but so far this has come about in the form of t-shirts. There’s something fulfilling about designing a t-shirt and then seeing people walking around wearing it later on. It’s a real compliment when someone actually looks at their closet and picks your design to put on their body above everything else that day (maybe that’s a little deep for t-shirts, but still).

[TWO] PARTY THEMES. I enjoy designing all of the pieces of a party or get together. From the initial invite received in the mail to welcome signs, decorations, food labels, and party favors; it’s fun to create design that works to make an atmosphere and give people a unique experience.

[THREE] DESIGNING A HOME. To design a home and choose everything that goes inside of it would be a “dream project.” Interior design is intriguing to me and I think it would be a good test of 3-dimentional awareness to not only design a physical space, but fill each room with specific materials (furniture, décor, etc.) that fit together to make a lovely living space.

[FOUR] PHOTOGRAPHY OF FAR AWAY PLACES. Any project with great photos is exciting to work on, however it would be really exciting if it were a project that called for imagery from places overseas. Capturing different landscapes, cultures, color pallets, and architecture with a camera would inspire me in other areas too I think.

[FIVE] EVERYDAY ITEMS. There’s something amusing about walking through a grocery store and realizing all of the designs for all of the random items that the average Joe probably wouldn’t even notice. I like the idea of designing packaging for everyday items that people use.

[SIX] BILLBOARD. I’ve always wanted to design a billboard. I actually believe that I told my husband if I never get a design project for a billboard I’m funding my own. I think doing some sort of simple, super thought provoking billboard campaign would be fun and reach lots of people. Also, working on such a large scale would be a fun challenge.

[SEVEN] ALBUM COVER. I’ve had an opportunity or two to design album covers for local musicians. It would be really awesome to design an album sleeve and booklet for a popular artist or emerging artist who gets big. Looking at the visual elements of a CD always seems to set the mood for when I listen to it.

[EIGHT] MAGAZINE OR BOOKLET LAYOUT. Multi-page layouts are fun to design because they always seem to tell some sort of a story. I think designing for a magazine or booklet would be a rad project to work on. With different pages, you get to explore using different views and sizes and styles – it can be within the same structure and have the same theme, but the ending piece is much more dynamic than one page could be.

[NINE] PROJECTS FOR PEOPLE. It’s really rewarding to work on design projects that impact people in a big way. Whether it’s for a non-profit or a friend in need of a flyer, I enjoy helping others with my gift of design. These types of jobs may seem small and fairly insignificant, but i\I think sometimes “the little things” are some of the most important.

[TEN] SURF POSTER. The colors and dynamic nature of waves and surfers never fails to look beautiful to me. Working on a poster project with surf content would be fun and be something that I think I would really like to show off. I have lots of friends who cover their walls with surf/skate posters and it would be awesome to design something that that group of individuals would appreciate.

Do you think the field of GD has changed due to the recession? Do you think there is a link between DIY culture and the recession or is DIY culture a reaction to technology or both? Why? Whether or not the field of GD has changed due to the recession is somewhat difficult for me to answer, not because I haven’t noticed changes in recent years, but because I wasn’t incredibly in-tune with the world of GD before the recession. Recent trends in DIY culture are no doubt pouring into the world of GD. There is a generation of individuals learning how to live creatively and colorfully without spending much money. Where lack of funding has left emptiness, many have found ways to fill space up with new and creative ideas. When I planned my own wedding last year, the DIY movement became incredibly apparent to me; as I looked at theme after theme focusing on all things handmade and repurposed. The look and it’s popularity have enabled designers to get away with a more hands on, organic look, and move away from a sort of seamless design commonly seen in the previous decade. As far as culture’s reaction to technology goes; I think that there will always be people trying to ignore the newest tech trend and refuse to upgrade. The DIY culture however, seems to consist of just as many techies as hippies. Perhaps the constant awareness of technology for techies creates a get-away-from-it-all appeal in DIY projects though. There’s something really stimulating about creating something very “handmade” looking, but then posting it on your blog as soon as it’s photographed.

What good can come out of a recession for GD? Well, people get more creative in general (if they don’t go crazy). In many cases, it seems that marketing reverts to the basics and graphic designers are needed to design and redesign campaigns for companies hoping to stay afloat.

If there are fewer jobs available for designers, what do you need to do to get noticed? In today’s world it’s not just a good portfolio that gets a designer noticed. They way an individual presents their work and themselves is incredibly important. From physical portfolios, to online versions, to a designer’s Facebook page; all must represent the designer in the best light for employers to consider requesting an interview. Getting noticed now means that in addition to being great, you can’t afford to put anything else on the table; one error or lack of punctuality could cost you the job.

EXPLORING THE GRAPHIC DESIGN WORK ENVIRONMENT

Interview questions for graphic designers currently working in in-house situations

[ONE] How does the mission of your company influence your design work?

[TWO] What kind of knowledge have you gained from working alongside non-designers, and how has that influenced your design work?

[THREE] How do you express yourself within a company brand or any existing guidelines?

[FOUR] Is the physical space you design in what you imagined it would be? Why or why not?

[FIVE] Outside of your job, what kinds of design projects do you tend to take on?

LIST OF DESIGNERS

IN-HOUSE

Portland Trail Blazers : Portland, Oregon

            Lead Designer (also freelance), Rosy Harris - www.rosyharris.com /

            Graphic Designer, Mario Milosevic - www.mariomilosevic.com /

Nike : Portland, Oregon

            Adam R. Garcia / www.thepressure.org

Knowledge Universe

            Mark Kirby / mark@kirbydesignworks.com

Columbia Sportswear / Portland, Oregon

            Cheryl Grilli

STUDIO

Jason Duerr (Dropkick Design Studio) / hello@jduerr.com

[ONE] DIY DECORATIONS. Seeing what people make by hand for parties and to sell really get me excited. When I was planning my own wedding, I got hooked on the 100-Layer Cake blog and still check it to see the creative, crafty decorations people come up with and post there. I am constantly critiquing store-bought decorations and saying to myself, “I could do that better.”

[TWO] REPURPOSED JUNK. Maybe it’s because my parents inherited quite a few antiques that were stored uselessly in our basement growing up; but I always have a sense of joy when something gets refurbished for the better. I love watching before and after type, makeover shows for people or homes or anything. There’s something so magical to me about something getting a fresh start when it was once thought hopeless.

[THREE] MY MAN. My husband, Kristopher, has a handful of hobbies that have been an ever-growing part of my own life since the day we met. Surfing, playing guitar, sushi, Croatia, and the Trail Blazers have all had their share of influence in my life thanks to my beloved Fur-Fur. Kris inspires me to have fun, to do what I love, and to not worry about falling short of perfection because in his eyes it’s all good!

[FOUR] MY FAITH. At the soul of who I am as a person are the things that I believe and stand for. The things that I’ve learned in life so far about why I exist, inspire me to move onward on difficult days and nurture hurting friendships. My faith in Jesus Christ inspires me to love the way that I am so wonderfully loved.

[FIVE] SPRINGTIME. Walking around the Oregon State campus is especially beautiful in the Springtime. The colors of Spring are always vibrant and it reminds me that the original beauty is nature itself. I always find myself wanting to go outside and take pictures in the Spring and attempt to capture the moment in time. The sun starts to warm up the World and makes my skin tingle!

[SIX] OLD PHOTOGRAPHS. Last week I found myself in my grandparents’ living room going through old slides with my family. It was such a hoot for everyone to reminisce about the days when hair was big and shorts were short. I’m fascinated by photographs taken years ago and how they remind us of where we’ve been and what has changed. Old photographs are like treasures. In design old photos add something special from the past, something historical that is difficult to recreate visually.

[SEVEN] PAULA FUGA. Paula is a singer with a beautiful voice but what inspires me the most about her is how comfortable she is in her own skin. She does not look like the typical female singer, but she carries herself in confidence and seems to know what true beauty entails. When Paula tried out for American Idol, she was rejected; but with friends like Jack Johnson she has made a name for herself as a musician regardless.

[EIGHT] WELL ORGANIZED OFFICE SPACES.            When I see a color coordinated, functional office space in Ikea or in a Sunset magazine it inspires me to stay organized myself. I like when things have a designated space and an office (or any room for that matter) can act as an area for creating. My dream office space is clean and contemporary looking with an awesome organizational system that allows me to find what I’m looking for without hunting through drawers and cubbies.           

[NINE] ARCHITECTURE. Bridges, skyscrapers, museums, and especially residential homes, give off a unique feeling with the way they stand. The structures of buildings sometimes inspire me with their various lines and forms. It’s fun to think of how a 2D grid might look when based off of lines from a 3D piece of architecture.

[TEN] EVERYDAY OBJECTS. Band-Aids, tacks, coffee mugs, buttons, and shoes (to name a few) are random objects I see on a daily basis that tend to inspire me. There’s something so simple about these seemingly insignificant items that makes them very interesting when they’re focused on. Items like this are such a big part of the way we live and our culture. They’re easily recognizable and used by many; it’s inspiring to think, “someone designed that.”

Reading the two articles this week about humanitarian design got me thinking about a couple of things more deeply. First, the idea that many Americans today feel the need to go overseas to “help” others but look past so many issues in our own country. And second, the importance of relationships when helping others; especially outside of your own community.

The concept of “volunteering” always takes me back to high school where lots of students were searching for ways to better their résumé through serving others. It’s very interesting to me how people seem to use those in need to make gains themselves. Community service and volunteer work is an awesome thing, and it’s great for kids to get involved at an early age. However, I think the way our society works encourages us to set ourselves apart from others by proving how charitable we are; a way of thinking that sticks with many adults and influences the true reason they give to others later on in life.

It seems to me, some the most failed attempts at helping others are the circumstances where a group (or person) inserts themselves into a community on a whim, does their good deed, declares that the job is done, and heads home. If someone popped into my life uninvited and gave me a “how to cook better” video to watch, then left as quickly as they entered; I would be slightly insulted, confused, and frustrated (even though I know I’m not that great of a cook). The key to truly helping someone is to get to know them and build a RELATIONSHIP with that person until the solution comes about naturally.

There is a non-profit in Corvallis called SouthSide Youth Outreach. The individuals who run the organization have poured their heart and soul into what they do for years; getting to know children and their families in the community. The type of program that SSYO has is more of a lifestyle choice for those who run it, than a job or a project. I think this is what sets apart the programs that are making the biggest difference in others’ lives. The idea that you need to build a relationship with someone before you can become part of their life is huge when discussing humanitarian design.

In response to mash ups in general, I’m going to side with whoever said, “if this is a crime, then we have a whole generation of criminals.” Girl talk is a prime example of the American “Melting Pot” now represents; a mixture of styles, tid-bits from various parts of society put together as a new way. The “copyrights” have made a much bigger ordeal out of creative rights than ever necessary on a sane level of thought (at least my thought). I feel that the “copywrongs” have so much more potential as they focus on sharing ideas and working together, rather than trying to figure out who should get the credit (or dollar) for any findings. I like to think that I am a fairly business savvy individual, understanding why an artist would want to protect their work. However, the line between originality and plagiarism is so fine, I’m starting to feel that there is no longer a way to regulate copyright laws that benefits society. One individual in the documentary expressed, “copyright is out of control…” and after learning that the Happy Birthday song is copyrighted, I couldn’t agree more. It’s ridiculous.

People who are currently too caught up in the idea war going on, are missing out on the joys that come from collaboration; demonstrated by the people of Brazil. Communal creativity allows more individuals to be involved in the creative process. Gregg Gillis of Girl Talk said, “Let’s do the best we can and see what we can come up with.” This statement sums up how I feel about the situation pretty well. I think our focus as Americans should be on doing our best to build on the past and take steps towards a better future.

In the documentary, the Brazilian musician reminded viewers that, “everything comes from something else; it’s a chain reaction.” As a graphic designer who is very familiar with the creative process, I honestly cannot think of a time I had an idea that didn’t come from something else. Everything in the world that already exists is influencing the new things we make. But I don’t think that makes them a copy, just a furthered realization or a different way of solving an old problem.

Name: SouthSide Youth Outreach

Location: Corvallis, Oregon

Description: SSYO is a local program that developed from a weekly youth program held at SouthSide Community Church. The program focuses on aiding youth of all ages as they grow up, supporting them academically, socially, and spiritually. Volunteers at SSYO aim to positively encourage children as they develop into adults through weekly events and after-school opportunities. SSYO’s main weekly event is Tuesday Club and has grown from 12 to 120 kids on average since it started in 1997.

How I would help: SouthSide Youth Outreach is a great program that is making a huge difference in the lives of many children in Corvallis. Many people in the community, however, don’t know about the program and everything that they are doing. I think that it would benefit SSYO and the amount of people they can reach if they had an awareness campaign within the community. Simply getting the word out about SSYO through brochures and posters would encourage more people to get involved. It seems that the few volunteers currently helping at SSYO are so involved with the kids that they don’t have time to recruit extra help. An awareness campaign would help more people in the community to get involved as mentors and volunteers, in time allowing more children to be reached.

Name: Solar Oregon

Location: Portland, Oregon

Description: Solar Oregon is an organization that has been promoting Oregonians to use the renewable resource of solar energy since it was founded in 1979. The group of volunteers and staff provides educational opportunities for both residential and commercial groups. The organization even reaches out to kids in school and brings greener thinking into the classroom. Solar Oregon aims at encouraging individuals to utilize solar power in their homes, and consider the benefits of building green.

How I would help: I think that Solar Oregon is promoting a cause that is growingly more important in our state. I would help this organization through designing educational materials to aid Solar Oregon in what they’ve already started; telling people about solar power and getting them excited about living green! I love the idea of reaching out to kids at the elementary level; it would be useful, I think, to develop a kid-friendly booklet that would help Solar Oregon get their message across. A take-home booklet would also have the potential to stay with kids as they grow up and start making their own decisions about living green.