Final video

Design Observer

Futura:

This article is similar to the 2nd one that I read, now coming back to it, in that just saying that you used the typeface isn't a good enough reason. I'm not sure why students supposedly love Futura, as I haven't found any strong attraction to it. I think that design in general, a lot of people don't realize, always has (or should have) some kind of purpose or reasoning behind it, other than because I like it, or wanted to. It what makes design good, having meaning. Otherwise, why does it even exist? Why should anyone care? Other fonts to use instead of Futura...Personally, I've been drawn to Fruitger. It's an interesting font in that the different types aren't all the same. The Extra black has some different characters which keeps it interesting. Of course also there is Helvetica, can't go wrong with that one.

13 ways:

This article was pretty interesting, the 13 ways he explained I thought were unique. One that stuck out to me was 'Because its ugly.' It doesn't really make sense at first glance. Why would you want to use a typeface that you know looks ugly? Most would say you wouldn't. But Bierut apparently can find beauty in even an ugly typeface. I guess it would really expand a designer's mind to be able to see and accept an ugly typeface if used corectly, as beautiful. Reminds me of "beauty and the beast" somehow...The one I didn't really like was 'because you like its name' I really don't think a typeface's name should have any influence in a decision to use it in a piece of work. It has nothing to do with whether or not it looks good, works for what is trying to be communicated, or is even appropriate. The description under that one sort of made it seem like he was making fun of that reason...but he still put it on his list so who knows...For the most part I think the list is fairly appropriate, and seems to make sense for the most part.

prefinal speech video

Prefinal!

next step in speech video

Refined video

A windy walk

I didn't put all the pictures up because it was taking too long and I'm impatient..but here are some :)

speech: render 1

Speech Video

good is good and sagmeister

Sagmeister: I enjoyed watching the talk, not only was his accent interesting, I think it added to his humor. It's kind of a cheesy humor, but he has valid, good points about design and being happy. I agree completely. To me, if i'm not excited about what I'm working on, it usually won't turn out as good as if I am. So I try to find something in every project that I like, so I have the best chances of making the best design I can. The reason he is so popular is for obvious reasons for his album covers for likes of the rolling stones, but I think for a large part because of his humor. Everyone likes to laugh, so when he brings humor into his design, it makes it more attractive to people because they enjoy laughing, and therefore they are more likely to remember it, and enjoy it.



JJ Abrams: "Mystery is the catalyst for imagination" "Mystery more important than knowledge" Those are two pretty cool quotes. I think that what I took away from his talk was that just knowing a bunch of stuff is useless if there is no desire to discover. Especially for a creative person, no matter what field they may be in, they all need a desire and a drive to discover possibilites. Knowing a bunch of stuff isn't going to help the creative process if the person is completely uninterested and not inspired to find out this mystery.



Paula Scher: Her talk was a bit more structured then the other two, but I still think that it was pretty good. It was kind of funny that right at the begining of her speech she mentioned playing when designing because recently we've kind of taken that motto at work, we're supposed to 'play' and have fun at work. Easier said than done a lot of the time, but playing while designing, there are more oportunities to do so, especially if you like what you do. I found it interesting that she starts off with playing, then the next she talks about is serious design. To me they are kind of opposite ideas. However, they both are valid. If you don't take it serious, then no one else will. I do think there is a line that allows you to play, while being serious. A lot of time you've got to experiment, play, and sometimes go crazy in order to find that one piece that will allow you to create a great piece of work. Once you've got that piece, seriousness takes over and the "work" begins to truly happen.

How Good is Good: Again, even though he's hitting a different point, I think he's trying to slide in that design should be fun, but also helpful. His points aren't profound or amazing, they're kind of common sense. If someone is promoting a bad cause no matter how good the design, its bad. But the better the design, the more impact its going to have. Therefore, if it's great design for a bad cause, more people will take notice, and possibly join the "bad" cause. On the other hand, if its design for a good cause, then the better the design, the better for everyone. It's not rocket science, but sometimes the obvious needs to be pointed out for people to notice. Sad, but true.

refined speech posters