plloydarts346

[plloydarts346]

Final Reflection

Asking myself these questions again; Was all this work worth it? Who was this all for?

I wasn't too sure what to expect. I took each week as it came along. At the beginning of this semester, I felt like had nothing else to give and then I ended up giving that away too. My story, my time, my thoughts. This semester-long project was a new experience. I have never had to thread a theme throughout varying mediums this way before. If I were to do this again there needs to be more things provided just in case all else fails. Anything goes is too expensive. Especially because I feel like this project starts and ends here. No one outside this classroom really cares.

It’s difficult to express exactly how I felt/feel. I struggled to find a way to keep myself out of the center of the story. Because ideally, I would want someone else to benefit from it. I don't feel as if I told it in a way that people understand fully. Maybe that's ok. Maybe this is a skill that I will have to keep working on. Even though most of my work has been for someone else. As a designer the client's needs come first, right? Always playing to the audience. But who was this all for?

Overall I would say this was a successful semester. I tend to be a wet blanket, it's a habit I developed to keep my expectations low and avoid disappointment. (So doggone serious.) But I think I'm getting better with that. Optimism has been bubbling under the surface the whole time. I wouldn't still be here if it wasn't. I hope that part showed through in my project this semester. It was important to me to balance the weight of my experiences with something lighthearted enough to be entertaining. I'm not sure if that part was done correctly or not. I particularly enjoyed seeing the work everybody else did. Several people seemed to have fostered deep connections with their stories (which I think was the point.) Or came up with very creative and realistic solutions to their stories' demands.

I managed to make it through, I was a little worried at the beginning, but it all worked out in the end. Some things never change.

[plloydarts346]

Reading & Reflection 8

Seeking

This week we read the Seeking chapter of Just Design: Socially Concious Design for Critcal Causes. The very first line rang true, and echoed a senitiment I had a few weeks back when talking about Reacting and the art of noticing. "For most of our education and careers, designers have been trained to think of ourselves as problem solvers..." using those skills, whether taught or natural is the strength of designers. And I feel as if this is a skill that is valuable in any industry. The ability to find problems and solve them in an effective way helps everyone in the long run.

Most of the text recounts specific issues and how a designer has "solved" them. I say "solved" because this book is slightly outdated, yet those same issues persist. Which does not reflect poorly on the graphic designer, but on society as a whole. Designers are artists with goals in mind other than self-fulfillment and, like the reading says "... thinking like a designer may be the most effective tool to identify need,". Identifying need sounds almost comical because it should be obvious, correct? The issues that should be addressed are evident.

"Some we pass by on the street as they ask for food or money, others we pass by without recognizing their need — partly because they don’t ask but mostly because we don’t notice." It is so important to notice things. Take a little time and look around. Find out what people need, and help the best you can.

No progress to show this week. Looking forward to spring break.

[plloydarts346]

Reading & Reflection 7

BalancE

This week's reading, Finding the Balance Between Free Speech and Censorship by Steven Heller discussed the role of designers when it comes to public discourse. I don't have many thoughts on the reading this week, so I mostly came up with questions. However, two quotes stood out to me while reading,"... the design field is either insensitive to or overly sensitive to the power it wields." and, "Designers have a responsibility to do no harm. " Another challenging and weighty commission. In the pursuit to "offend no one" you will inevitably fail at some point. Why has this responsibility been placed on designers? At what point does the nobility of this profession and the compensation/recognition match up? And to connect back to the title, how does "doing no harm" allow for free speech for the designer? Is a designer supposed to be an author or just a mouthpiece?

"The concept of a free society is based on the presumption of relatively unrestrained expression, a notion that is not always easy to swallow but must be exercised within reason."

This week we had an interesting exercise where we had to sell a rotten apple. I was very impressed by some of the pitches made by my classmates. Mine missed the mark, but it's probably because I went with my first idea.

Speaking of ideas, I am still having trouble coming up with one for my packaging/product. This has become much lower on the list of my priorities lately. But hopefully something will come to me soon.

[plloydarts346]

Reading & Reflection 6

Plagiarism

I'd like to begin by using the author's own words, "...deliberately obtuse and provocative,..." (Gunnar Swanson) to describe the vibe I get from reading this and skimming some of his other writing.

"Tell 'em about the dream Martin!" - Mahalia Jackson

the March on Washington, 1963

Plagiarism to me is easier to quantify in writing. It is harder to differentiate in design unless it's stolen outright (used unchanged) or directly copied. The reading flip-flops back and forth between using moral and ethical examples. Which only managed to add more murkiness to an already confusing subject. However, the definition that I agree with the most is one of the "liar", or fraud. (I created the title before even reading this week, thought that was ironic.) The irony is also not lost on me that much of this writing is quotations and my reactions to them. Later in the text, it describes plagiarism through the lens of a liar, a fraud, or a cheat. Lying is morally wrong and like all of the other mentioned examples. It only does harm, to both the perpetrator and the ones experiencing it.

It’s difficult to be “original”. At some point, I can guarantee someone has made something similar and you just haven't seen it yet. Even when we try our hardest, there's "nothing new under the sun" - Ecclesiastes 1:9 (citing sources). That made me think, it becomes more about what it means to you and not the artwork or words themselves. Correct?

And finally, near the end of the article, I read one thing that I actually agreed with. "For many of us, the important part is the part that is a small sample of our souls." Design is a difficult dance of straddling the line between art and business. I have yet to experience the true soul-crushing weight of that exchange. However, I have witnessed firsthand what it feels like to create things that have very little purpose. Spending hours working on something, and adding my personal touch, only for it not to be used.

This week, we also had a talk about AI technology with Helen Armstrong. And we discussed how it could affect both design and society as a whole. I was mostly left with questions. Ones that I don't quite know how to ask yet. The issue of plagiarism certainly applies here. From what I understand, the AI does not think for itself. It only replicates parts of things. That goes for everything, not just images. It replicates parts of human interaction. I feel as if the people who created them have missed the mark. They're trying to solve the wrong problems. Technology should be used to make our lives easier, by doing things like eliminating manual labor. Using technology to solve loneliness only creates more loneliness. One company is literally trying to sell friendship. Imagine if we had to pay monthly subscriptions to people for being our friends.

Lastly, by using "human language" it becomes hard to differentiate between real communication and artificial (a voice or otherwise). Doesn't that mean we are being manipulated? I could see how it would be easy to fall into that line of thinking. The chatbot is always available and doesn't need to eat or sleep. It has no emotions and only responds. That is an ultimately flawed system. Communication is the superpower of the human race. One of the only things separating us from animals.

I still feel like I don’t have any new ideas for the packaging portion of the project. I have found myself struggling to make something applicable without it being corny. Above is a sample of the idea I started with. I have begun to want to move away from having the story be so personal. Because when receiving feedback, and someone says it's not good enough or needs to be changed/improved. It's about my current life, like today.... so you're saying I'm not good enough. That may require me to develop tougher skin. All in due time.

[plloydarts346]

Reading & Reflection 5

Reacting

The reading this week was an interesting take on "the ways design responds to the human condition." This is a lofty goal, and many of the examples from the reading included using it for a political voice and charity work. Throughout the reading, it became increasingly evident how outdated and yet still relevant the issues we face are. It is still baffling to me how much of the responsibility of public discourse rests on the shoulders of designers. Design doesn't seem to carry such weight. Thanks to my internship, design feels like a quickly made social media graphic that a few people will see and never look at again.

Later on in the text, it says something I resonated with. It shifted the focus to the need to be kind, and compassionate first. "Let’s forget graphic design,... it’s our responsibility to help each other out.” I think that this is an essential part of being just a good person in general. I have seen and experienced so much struggle. That is one thing most people can relate to. It is important to remember to be considerate of others. In any way possible.

And finally "Designers notice things." It is a very useful, but frustrating fact. I catch myself scrutinizing things. Sometimes out of spite, sometimes out of curiosity. I've always had that "How can I make this better?" mentality. For everything, not just design, and it is exhausting sometimes. Because there seems to be no end. The important thing to keep in mind is that there are always solutions. Some are good, some are bad. But there is always an answer.

"Our abilities to communicate and to make — as well as our propensity to network — are tools that can be made to serve our visceral reaction to circumstances, events and situations."

*On a personal note*

Since this week was about reacting. It made me think of my mother. During my therapy, my dad remarked about how he wished he had been there when I took my first few steps free from a mobility aid. My mom (who was with me all day) said she wasn’t watching either.

"You didn't film it??!!"

“I’ve seen him walk before.” She said in her honest, matter-of-fact way. And it’s true, she was there when I took my first steps as a child. She's always been there. We laughed after that. Pure joy. Something like walking is so mundane, yet it has been so difficult. What a reaction.

After critique earlier this week, I have decided the on-screen portion of the project will be a sort of final piece. There was an unintentional element of joy that showed through. The animation was a big undertaking, but I had fun. Hopefully, I will continue to do so. I do not enjoy crafts.

The next phase of our project involves packaging. The direction I have started to create in my mind is still fuzzy. It is not so much something to sell as it is trying to elicit emotion. Our most recent critique just left me frustrated and now I think I want to shift the focus a little. Not sure how yet.

Exploitation vs Celebration

How can I package my pain? How can I package my joy?

Who is this all for?

[plloydarts346]

Reading & Reflection 4

Responsible to Whom?

Ken Garland

Short but sweet. The reading this week was a commentary on a designers a experiences with "professionalism." Garland essentially pokes fun at business executives. (Ones whom he is privileged enough to work with.) It is a humorous but legitimate critique of how corporations function. Just keep a few people happy and make money. Nothing else matters.

"Responsibility" means consorting with captains of industry in order to take appropriate action while conning the shareholders into letting it through on the nod. "Irresponsibility" means sounding off in public about anything you don't happen to like about The Way Things Are."

I've included the progress for this week below. Blender is a beast. The number of tutorials I’ve watched to find one singular button to check is insane. I kind of like how it’s turning out right now. So that helps. Someone suggested having music to go with it. But that might be a little too challenging. It's hard enough getting the ball to flow, keeping on the beat would be much more difficult. But I definitely think that having some music, (even if it wasn't made by me) would help further the project.

[plloydarts346]

Reading & Reflection 3

"Weaving of Design + Community" - Citizen Designer

The reading this week (like it says in the title) was about meshing together design (and designers) with their communities. I think that this is an interesting notion. Mostly because I don't see this sentiment (or responsibility) reflected in many other industries. Becoming a designer does not seem important enough to be held to such standards. Good design is both pervasive and invisible. It can serve no purpose, or be crucial to the safety and wellbeing of millions. This reminded me of the dilemma I face occasionally, am I an artist or not? Art is for beauty, joy, and preservation. Design can be fleeting. Which is more important? I feel like I'm going back and forth, but it is complicated. I think the reading presents an excellent reason why, "Design is no longer about methodically and physically cutting and pasting materials together. It is a fast operation of pressing, clicking, and sending, thus without deep thinking and/or meaning." So is design art or not? Is it a commodity that is bought and sold? I would say no, what is being sold is my creativity. There has to be some exchange, some give and take. All I want is my fair share. But I can't rock the boat if I don't have one. The text goes on to discuss how designers shouldn't feed into "capitalism." Is there any other way?

"They determine value not by money, fame, or hype, but by meaningful, useful exchange."

This week seemed to go by very quickly. But the process has gone slowly. I am focused on remaining patient. The ideas will come. The highlight of my week was honestly receiving (and giving) feedback. It makes me feel like all the work is worth it.

Below is a rough animation test. If I can't make the method I want work out, I may just do the whole animation this way. I need a little motivation. I don't want to let this project siphon the one joyful thing out of my life.

"Keep moving forward!" (Meet the Robinsons reference)

[plloydarts346]

Reading & Reflection 2

Citizen Scholar & Sarah Matthews

The reading this week discussed design as a social force and how impactful design it can be. Citizen Scholar itself is a design studio run by Randy J. Hunt. My biggest takeaway overall was responsibility. It is crucial to be responsible with design, especially when you are working with/for important causes. Such as in the reading where it talks about redesigning cigarette packaging to include more warnings of its danger. Another socially conscious design aspect was the AIGA posters that were brought up later on. These posters serve the purpose of encouraging people to vote. Political involvement and voting are definitely a responsibility that should be taken seriously. I created some last semester and enjoyed that process. Below is one I liked from the reading (left) and the other is one I created.

"Always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context." -Eilel Saarinen

Sarah Matthews

This week we also had a great guest speaker. I enjoyed her talk and was encouraged/inspired by her work. The title of her presentation was "Finding Faith in Print." Her story was interesting and engaging, it is amazing to me how you can start out on a certain path and end up going somewhere completely different. I sort of related to the fact that her path to "design" was not linear. I appreciated her hands-on approach to design. This is something that I would like to do (in theory), but can't quite seem to figure out how in practice. The part of her talk when she discussed the project about her grandmother was very moving. The photograph was poignant and the work was simply beautiful. I lost my grandmother over the summer of last year. She never quite understood what I did for school. It was never out of a place of contempt, she never even owned a cellphone. All I wanted was for her to be proud of me, I didn't know how much until after she passed.

Mrs. Matthews connection to the NMAAHC also stood out to me. I plan to visit this year. Hopefully, I will be up to it. I also liked where she discussed using an offset press and the processes associated with that. I have used a single-color offset press before. It was an old one that had to be cleaned manually. Which was both fun and very messy.

Finally, I would like to end with a list of quotes/tips she gave us that I wrote down:

Do something fun every day.

Play and then apply what you learned to your “serious work.”

Keep everything that you make.

Make models, there are always issues.

Make what you want to make. Don’t copy/settle.

Try everything.

This week I have been mulling over my options. The process has not been linear. But I started with some sketches and then went to the computer to see what I could actually accomplish. Specifically using 3d tools in Illustrator and Blender. At this point, I have spent a lot of time trying to get Blender to cooperate. We will see who wins. Below are some process images, and a sketch. If I were being honest, I am beginning to get a little worried about running out of time. I can see what I want to make in little bits and pieces, but nothing is turning out quite right yet.

[plloydarts346]

Reading & Reflection 1

Good Citizenship: Design as a Social and Political Force By Katherine McCoy

This was an engaging and thought-provoking read. It examines the role of designers in society. And presents the notion that it is necessary to integrate social and political values into design practice. The author uses the phrase "Crisis of Values" which I think is both dramatic and accurate. You would think that since this was written a while ago, it wouldn't still be applicable. But nothing much has changed. If anything disagreements over values have heightened.

The point was made that designers should not be passive participants in society. But rather use their skills to engage in public discourse. My first reaction to that was "How does that make money?" Which might be the wrong approach. But at the end of the day, that is what I need right now. The question "What is a professional?" was also discussed. Who gets to say? The reading identifies them as a detached, rational, and objective person. Which I feel is debatable. You can be professional and not be cold or distant. The word "Disinterest" stood out to me. It is a perfect word to describe my generation. It's not "cool" to care. I have felt this way personally, and have experienced it. It hurts both people involved. One misses out on a good story, and the other misses out on telling it. I had a wonderful conversation with one of the cleaning ladies this week. She was so happy for me. It meant a lot because she didn't have to care. In exchange, I told myself I'd remember her name and speak when I saw her. Because she matters just as much as I do. 

"Design is not a neutral, value-free process."

Finally, I thought it was interesting how the writer directs some of the blame to the educators. It says they should incorporate values and "value clarification" in their lessons. I feel as if this is not an educator's purpose. The student should bring their own set of values. That is what makes each one stand apart. Teaching values will always inevitably turn out biased. Or rather some things will be emphasized depending on personal preference.

My big takeaway was the Need for Compassionate Design.

(If I were being honest, I am not certain how that looks in practice.)

The first week is over. I'm not certain how this is going to go. But I would say this is the best first week of school I've had in a long time. I am concerned about my creativity, the way I’d describe it is to compare it to a wounded animal. It’s quiet and can’t be rushed. It’s unruly and feeble. (I’ll admit that’s a lil dramatic, but how I feel.)

Things will get better from here.

Above is a painting I made last week. Just for fun. (Acrylic on Canvas)