Thursday, November 20, 2008

AIGA: "Is There Anything Funny about Graphic Design?"

Here is a great article I came across, while looking for some motivation for my current projects:

"Is There Anything Funny about Graphic Design?" by Steven Heller

Groucho Marx’s description of diversity in verbal humor applies as well to graphic wit and humor, but one difference between verbal and design humor is apparent: the latter cannot always be measured by laughter alone. As a selling tool, graphic design humor might be described as a loss leader—a means to grab attention and lure the customer or client into the store. Humor, then, cannot be too outrageous, lest the purpose be defeated. Even as a political weapon, humor similarly functions to sell a message, sometimes by ridicule, but is often subtle or sardonic, not side-splittingly funny. At best, humorous design will force a laugh, bring a smile or cause a double-take, which is nothing to be ashamed of. Indeed, like hypnotic suggestions, the goal of graphic wit and design humor is to subvert the subconscious and thereby earn a market share of memory.

...

Play is a kind of abandon, yet, as we know from small children, play is their work. In the initial stages of a project (and possibly throughout), the designer ostensibly becomes an adult child, allowing attachments to shift capriciously from one plaything to another. In design, however, playthings are type and image, which are really puzzle pieces to be more or less instinctively moved, juxtaposed, and even mangled and distorted until a serendipitous relationship between formal and contextual problems is achieved. Even the most rigidly systematic design solutions are born of play.


As I've mentioned previously, I am still very much influenced by these sorts of approaches to design, where the human condition is not just a small component, but the very core of communication. Things like this inspire me, and inform what I would love to do for the rest of my career as a designer-hopeful. It is easy to say this, the idea of touching the viewer in a memorable way, but just as Heller suggests, it takes a certain type of knack, a certain type of outlook, to be truly achieved.

I also believe that this can be developed (it does not require design-magic!), not solely within the confines of design blogs and articles, but through extensive living and consideration, through a crisp observance of every nuance in life and its qualitative... qualities; through health and well-being, intelligence, culture, laughter, loss, children, the elderly, French bulldogs and orange cats, as well as just to be an all-around good person.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Koons at Versailles


I recently returned from a much anticipated trip to Europe and Morocco. I had, of course, expected to see some fabulous art and design while there, however, some of my favorite moments came when I least expected it. Jeff Koons' exhibit at Chateau de Versailles, France, was one of those unexpected pleasures.

Versailles is something I remembered studying in my first few years of Art school so I thought it would be interesting to actually see the massive palace while in France, as an added bonus, Jeff Koons was also holding an exhibition of his work there. Within minutes of arriving to the Chateau I was drawn to the massive Balloon Flower in front of the palace, Versailles quickly became merely a backdrop for which this giant metallic balloon sculpture existed. I couldn't help feeling totally hypnotised by it's smooth metallic surfaces which reflected on them all the
decadence that is Versailles.

I found myself moving quickly through the palace's countless rooms, glancing over stunning ceiling murals, various masterpieces, and elaborate finishings until I found the next shiny oversized balloon puppet to mesmerize my senses. Balloon sculptures weren't the only thing to be seen among the many rooms and corridors, there were also many large blow up pieces, including a lobster hanging from the ceiling (one of my favorites), vacuum cleaners, bunnies, and even a sculpture of Micheal Jackson – something for everyone. However, to be fair, not everyone was as taken with Koons' work as I, I overheard the women next to me telling her husband he was wasting their film by taking a picture of the giant hanging lobster, where I, only a few steps away, was fascinated with it and it's juxtaposition to the chandelier hanging beside it – to each their own I guess.


I have posted a few of my favorite pieces below, but click here to see more of Koons at Versailles. The Exhibit is running until January if you happen to find yourself in the area.

–Lisa



Saturday, November 15, 2008

Julien Vallée


I like looking at what other young whippersnappers like myself are doing with design these days, that wonderful time in our lives where we teeter from student to professional. It is a time where we are still floundering in the remnants of risk and bright-eyed from our humanist educators and philosophies, yet to be tarnished by life! Fortunately, there is much to look at, and it's always fun to catch it before it becomes trendy and overused.

Here is a young garçon from Montreal named Julien Vallée, doing some amazing things with analog means, specifically paper. Catch him!



Not to get into the whole "the medium is dying!" debate, for I think that is quite painful—just as painful as the art vs. design debate, but I think it's an adorable approach, very heartwarming aesthetic that certainly is catching attentions everywhere. Even Stefan Sagmeister is jumping into the bandwagon:


And you know if Sagmeister is into it, everyone will be into it sooner or later: Three-D Graphic Spaces. Best of luck, Vallée!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Mistletoe schmistletoe


As much as I cringe when the holiday displays start appearing in stores (as early as October!), I have to admit, it's one of my favorite holidays of the year. Apple cider, yum! This year, I'm planning to make my cards with my beloved Gocco, but if I weren't, here are a couple top picks from some favorite etsy sellers. If you don't like these there's thousands of options out there! Joy! - k

Reverting back to Pointing and Shooting

Three years ago I traded in my cheap point and shoot camera for a Canon DSLR. What ensued was a time of utter obsession and co-dependence. We became inseparable. God forbid I should ever see something Beautiful and have no record of it. That poor expensive machine has been dropped, scratched up, drowned in spilt milk and run through several intense sensor cleanings, everything that accompanies the dangers of riding shotgun with me everywhere I go, in every shoulder bag I carry, next to my lunch, and my lipgloss. 

That was until two months ago. Two months ago I found myself teetering on the edge of a tippy canoe with the Machine just a centimeter off the splashing salt water, all in the name of simply "documenting a weekend away". So I finally gained some Sense and, with a wistful sideways glance at a uber-costly German-engineered Leica, ran to pick up a "little" Powershot G9 that I affectionately call Tank. He shoots 12.1 MP. In RAW. And can mount my 580EXII flash. Gosh, yesterday I actually attached the little guy to a set of Pocket Wizards and shot using a full studio light set up. Tank is so sturdy I bet you I could kick him across the room and he would still keep ticking. Not that I intend to prove that mind you. (Just FYI, the next-round G10 was introduced last month, if you're finding yourself intrigued.)

Of course, this G9 will never replace my SLR for pro-level shooting, but for play? Well, Tank and I have spent the last few months kayaking, concerting, late-night partying, highway driving, office shenanigan-ing, airplane flying and happily dancing down Vancouver's back alleys to the tunes of George Michael's Freedom. And wonders, after all that there is nary a scratch to be seen on his impenetrable metal casing.

Below are a few random things that caught our eye(s).






- Tracey

Sunday, November 2, 2008

NikePlus Website

I started running so I could eat cookies whenever I felt like it - now I run to hang out on Nikeplus.com.

Nikeplus.com isn’t just a website to track times and distances, it is also a place for runners to compete and trash talk.

For those of you who don’t know, the Nikeplus system is a sensor in your shoe that tracks your speed and distance from a run. That data is collected and sent wirelessly to a receiver attached to an iPod which can then be uploaded to the Nikeplus site.

Even if you don’t use the Nikeplus system, it’s worth signing up for a membership. There is a great “Community” section where you can chat with other Nikeplus users as well as race against them.

They’ve recently added a great tool called “Map It” that uses Google Maps technology to help plan out running routes ahead of time. Before my trip to Tokyo and Manila, I was able to check distances and see my actual route via Google Earth. So cooool.

My favorite cookies are Oreo, Blake’s and the grandma ones with white icing and mystery red jam.