Film Friday at the INK group...

My Fav

Well here is my latest baby. I'v really enjoyed working on this job (though its not done). So, to respond to the prompt, challenges:

The number of items to organize in this small space was a headache at first. To use regular spacing between the titles, photos, and descriptions was creating a really cramped layout and it wasn't particularly attractive. When I laid out the photos it quickly looked like a contact sheet and I knew right away the grid was in, I just didn't know how to fit it all in. Brian had a look and suggested text over the photos and this system was birthed. I'm excited about it because I think its hierarchy is successful letting the person get the most important stuff immediately, especially since there will probably be front / back page referencing.

The second challenge was the upper left of this spread. The space was so awkward and I didn't know what to do with it. I didn't want to just go adding design elements to fill the space, I really wanted everything to be functional. After a lot of mulling with Brian and Bri, pushing up the size and giving some new color really helped fill the space in a meaningful way that is useful to the reader. I think it also helps the reader know to start top left rather than top top (obviously the "START HERE" icon helps with that too).

This project was a really fun challenge. I've never really done information design of any kind, so this was pretty fun. I really enjoyed challenging myself to think about the user experience, I hope this is a good one. Please share your thoughts (since it is out for client review now...)

The work of Arthur Mount

Arthur Mount, steadily holding a BFA in Drawing from the Caifornia Colege of the Arts (Oakland), is definitely a name to check. His works include lots of characters, among them known ones, in a style that makes them easy to recognize, while not being overtly ‘too’ realistic, ‘too’ detailed. They have also appeared in many publications around the world, including the USA, Canada, Japan and France.

Brilliant work from a brilliant man. Here's a great resource for you as we dive deeper into our class. Arthur Mount is a master in his field.

Impressive information design

For anyone tired of Quicken and spreadsheets to track personal finances, check out mint.com. So fresh and so cleeeaan!!

Diggin' It?!

I'm assuming some of you have already read the piece Diggin' It?! by Nick Shinn because it is part the current typography curriculum and I bet it has been for some years now. If you haven't and are interested you can view it here.

In his essay Shinn quotes Robert Bringhurst, "Typography exists to honour content." Shinn then says, somewhat less elegantly, "In other words, read the friggin copy. And care about it."

I never guessed this would be a problem, how could you not read the copy before designing? Right? Hello, my name is Justin Rusk and I designed without reading the copy.

Film Grain

I found this book The Art of Advertising by george Lois above my desk the other day. The book was published in the late seventies which means that there is a whole ton of film grain in everything. I think film grain is kind of annoying because like digital noise, I'm constantly fighting it in my digital photography, but its also kind of charming and it does something kind of unique to the look of everything, gives it a more hand-done look. Anyway, I was really interested in using this look in some new designs for fun. With this in the back of my head I went to Easy Street Records and I saw this glorious piece. I don't know anything about the artist but there it was, film grain, in the age of crispy everything. What I saw was actually a huge sign but here is the album art which has the same look. I love this piece because, like the work from the seventies, it incorporates really nice type with a bit of film grunge–crispy with dirty.

NEW Illustrator CS4 Features

IN CASE ANY of you are interested, here's a link to a summary of the new features in Illustrator CS4 that will enhance your experience in the program and your design work. ALL I CAN SAY is "multiple artboards" – Finally!
vectips.com

Here is a new innovative way to get you name up and get some recognition. Apparently Graffitti Research Lab (a company who assists graffiti writers with new tools and ways to get your name up) created and pen that can be written on buildings called L.A.S.E.R Tag.

Be a part of it?



Here is one more video.

Greetings, INK group. Recent geeky -and inspiring- design conversations here at UC have made me evermore grateful to be here working among such talented designers. I’m learning that design is personal and the ups and downs should be embraced. This is why –thank God- each day will be different from the one before.

I found this articulates some things and deemed it blogworthy. Sorry for the lengthy post - I've reached my word quota!

Designers are unique. Our days demand an unusual combination of qualities: exceptional competence, creative instincts, intelligence and savvy. As professionals, we offer the ability to reason, strategize and create. We are motivated by challenge and risk. We have the power to inspire others – and the courage to try.

Designers dream on the job. Nothing is ordinary. We carry a different definition of important. We’re curious, fragile, resilient, unpredictable. And in the process of our work and our lives, we strive to make things better for the world around us.

Don’t let on, but this job isn’t as glamorous as people make it out to be. Reality checks are constant. But we have our moments. Sometimes frightening, never boring. We face questions of struggle and doubt, and suddenly, marvelous times of clarity and conviction. These are our secret moments. The moments that unite us.
Designers take on a daily journey. We travel through new worlds, new events, new possibilities. Where will I go today? What dragons will I slay? And why would I do anything else? This is the spirit of our days, the spirit of our work, the spirit of our lives. Amazing.

Jim Ales

A Design Manifesto

Well I just thought I would at least try to push my photo down a little.

I read this small block of text in my Type book and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I think its such an elegant three lines that sum up the aspiration of my design.

*Credit for the manifesto belongs to following authors: Louis Sullivan, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Louis Kahn, and John Kane.