Besides brainstorming ideas to redesign the "Faces of the Economy" feature and cover, as well as sketching out ideas for the 2/19 cover of VOX, I have been working on a side project this past week. One of my friends, who is graduating in May with a broadcast journalism degree, asked me if I would design a DVD cover for her. On this DVD she has compiled all of her broadcast clips and will be sending it out to hopeful future employers. This project was different from anything I have ever designed before, so in that way, I highly enjoyed thinking it through. I ended up putting together about five different versions for both the front cover and the back cover. One of my friend's main concerns was that this needed to not be flashy and look as if she was applying for a graphic designer position. It needed to look professional, not too "girly," but yet still be bold and clearly stand out. She also told me that it is to her knowledge that it is uncommon for this type of DVD "resume-tape" to have a cover design. It made it more exciting for me to be able to design without any preconception of what this is "supposed" to look like.
Side note: please don't stalk her.
Here is the final result! (Keep in mind that this is a DVD...therefore the front cover image is on the right and the back cover image is on the left:
Coming up this week: My redesign of the "Economy" story, which ran last Thursday (Jan. 29) will be posted by the end of this week! Also, I have 3 cover designs that I am working on to be presented tomorrow. I will have my designs for those posted when they are finished as well! I have been brainstorming since Monday about this cover (which is for the Feb. 19 issue), including sketches and preliminary layouts so I am excited to see some of the final products and get a chance to present them in class tomorrow.
RESPONSE
I had the opportunity to watch the film, "Helvetica," on Tuesday, which has ultimately succeeded in making me pay attention to every storefront, billboard ad, menu; basically anything and everything that uses some form of typography. I have also been driving my roommates crazy by pointing out to them all of the "Helveticas" that are seen on a daily basis. The film was a great documentary on a topic that has not been investigated to any great extent; the untold story of a font type that had grown to be the default type in many societies. It is accepted by some as "the ULTIMATE font." These people do not see any reason why any other font would every be used when they have access to a perfect font, such as Helvetica. Others completely disagree and say that Helvetica has outstayed its welcome and is boring, blah, ordinary, without emotion, etc. In between the interviewees, the film showed images of not only the United States, but also various places in Europe that have been completely submersed with Helvetica. It was an interesting look into the ways in which design and typography make it into everyday life and unknowingly to us, affect our society.
Image courtesy of flickr.com
"YOU CAN'T MISS!" BLOG.EYEMAGAZINE.COM
A must-read blog entry entitled, "Teach them to network or be damned," focuses on how design education is changing for future generations.
Image courtesy of blog.eyemagazine.com
The article argues that, while design students today are well educated in the history of design, technology, typography, web design, etc, curriculums are,"ignoring the complex skills necessary for their creation and production and the situated contexts in which they reside." The author argues that design students are currently taught to work in isolation, lone at a computer, without any team efforts whatsoever. The idea is introduced that students need to become active participants in collaborating with their peers, thus reducing learning in isolation (hmm..I never would have thought this would be a good idea?).
"From this perspective, students are not just individualized learners, the computer is not just another production tool, and the classroom studio is not a self-contained entity where students acquire knowledge to be applied later outside in the ‘real world’"
I encourage everyone to read this entire article because it is basically written about design students. Maybe it is just because I go to "the best journalism school in the world" (I put that in " " not because I do not believe it...but I don't want to be arrogant), but our design curriculum has already incorporated collaborative efforts and real-world experience. We are fortunate enough to be able to work at actual publications before we graduate, which is more experience than the majority of other design students get at other Universities. This article made me realize that just because I am having a certain experience at Mizzou does not mean that the curriculum is taught in the same way other places. It made me feel like I will be more qualified for jobs after graduation than a student who attended a different journalism institution.
END ART
Courtesy of http://www.raquelissima.com/
Have a great day!
~Christy
A must-read blog entry entitled, "Teach them to network or be damned," focuses on how design education is changing for future generations.
Image courtesy of blog.eyemagazine.comThe article argues that, while design students today are well educated in the history of design, technology, typography, web design, etc, curriculums are,"ignoring the complex skills necessary for their creation and production and the situated contexts in which they reside." The author argues that design students are currently taught to work in isolation, lone at a computer, without any team efforts whatsoever. The idea is introduced that students need to become active participants in collaborating with their peers, thus reducing learning in isolation (hmm..I never would have thought this would be a good idea?).
"From this perspective, students are not just individualized learners, the computer is not just another production tool, and the classroom studio is not a self-contained entity where students acquire knowledge to be applied later outside in the ‘real world’"
I encourage everyone to read this entire article because it is basically written about design students. Maybe it is just because I go to "the best journalism school in the world" (I put that in " " not because I do not believe it...but I don't want to be arrogant), but our design curriculum has already incorporated collaborative efforts and real-world experience. We are fortunate enough to be able to work at actual publications before we graduate, which is more experience than the majority of other design students get at other Universities. This article made me realize that just because I am having a certain experience at Mizzou does not mean that the curriculum is taught in the same way other places. It made me feel like I will be more qualified for jobs after graduation than a student who attended a different journalism institution.
END ART
Courtesy of http://www.raquelissima.com/Have a great day!
~Christy
I love the zebra. I think it's so interesting how some designers can think that creatively as to create an illusion like that. I wish I had that innate talent. It definitely would be something interesting to sit down and try sometime, just to see what you could come up with.
ReplyDeleteChristy,
ReplyDeleteI love using different images to create something original like the zebra image. It reminds me of a typography video set to the song "Let the Drummer Kick" by Citizen Cope. Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAuQmJzt_q0. It is a very cool video done with Adobe After Effects.
Kudos on finding that article - gives a whole new perspective to how general graphic design students are taught vs. journalism students emphasizing in design. I can't imagine heading into the real world without working collaboratively or in a real industry experience. Putting it that way it makes the lack of sleep seem totally feasible for another three months. Good job Christy.
ReplyDeleteChristy: I also loved reading the article about design students because it makes me realize (even more than i already had) how valuable our education as design students really is at our university. We're getting one of the best educations there is to offer here.
ReplyDeleteThird! Thirded? Thriced? Whatever. I agree, too. Awesome article. I don't know if I can say I feel confident we are getting the best education here (my failure to come up with the correct exclamatory phrase being evidence of that. Really, what is it that people say?? I can't remember), but at least we are learning to work in teams and given great networking opportunities. My fear is that actual graphic design students have a leg up on us when it comes to experience with technology. Aren't we all just so lucky we get to spend every waking moment working at Vox this semester! Otherwise, we'd be doomed.
ReplyDeleteWe definitely hear a lot about networking at this school, but it apparent how important that is to getting ahead in this field. I worry about not getting in the door just because I don't know the right person. Either way, the ability to work with the people around you can only help. I have both the University and a long career in retail to thank for those skills!
ReplyDeleteNice post. I'm adding you to my blogroll btw.
ReplyDeleteThanks brother
ReplyDeleteI think it's really cool that a friend asked you to help her out with your skills. She got your free help and you got a portfolio piece; what a great collaboration. I wish more of my friends needed my design skills so that I could get some practice designing outside of Vox.
ReplyDelete