Earlier this week our AIGA student group hosted a film screening of Art & Copy, accompanied by a Q&A with its film editor Philip Owens. I was really pleased with the event. We were able to fill the room with a wide range of students, branching out beyond graphic design students to the Communication and Business majors. The film went beyond my expectations and Philip Owens provided us with wonderful insight.
The film talked about successful visual “messaging” by speaking of how advertising can transform brands for the better. As stated by the film, “You can be more than just a car company. More than just a pet food company…You can speak honestly and use this profession to do that.” In turn, I believe that as designers, we have a responsibility to our society to design honestly. To help corporations become more. To improve the content of our visual culture.
Next Monday, our AIGA student group will be sponsoring a film screening of Art & Copy. It is quite exciting what you can do if you only ask. Several months ago, we applied for and received university funding to make this event a reality. Film editor Philip Owens will be flying in to Kirksville to present the film. He has been involved with clients from Brad Pitt to Obama. It will be interesting to see what insights he has to bring to our campus community.
WHY OUR GROUP CHOSE TO SHOW THIS FILM
For better and for worse, advertising infiltrates our modern society, becoming an important factor in the fiber of our culture and point of reference. Sometimes perceived as white noise, advertising can manipulate consumers into acting according to the wishes of corporations. In fact, it has been stated that about 98% of today’s advertising is trash.
The film Art & Copy explores the other 2%. It speaks of the great creative minds that have convinced brands (and society) to become more. In the words of the film’s director Doug Pray, “Art & Copy inspires artists and writers to strive to make more meaningful, more entertaining, or more socially uplifting ads.” The film reveals the work that resulted from the creative revolution of the 1960s; it reveals the work that was created to rise above the association of mediocrity or manipulation. In the documentary, creatives such as George Lois, Mary Wells, Dan Wieden, Lee Clow, and Hal Riney explain their motivations and inspirations for campaigns such as “Just Do It,” “I Love NY,” “Where’s the Beef?,” “Got Milk,” and “Think Different.” Art & Copy explores the connection between communication, art, commerce, and human emotion in an effort to make a difference.
Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the St. Louis AIGA Student Conference and show my portfolio to professionals. I also was able to hear a talk by Andre and Dan of Never Sleep. It was quite inspiring to hear about their transition from their student to professional lives. I had received their book last April from participating in the Practice Sessions at the National Student Conference in Dallas. It was extremely amazing to finally meet them!
Every semester, our AIGA student group travels to a different city to visit its design community. We traveled to Kansas City last semester, and we visited Saint Louis and Chicago last year. A week ago, I led our university’s AIGA student group to the wonderful city of Minneapolis. It was amazing to see how connected and passionate the design community is there! AIGA Minneapolis was very helpful with giving us contacts and ideas for places to visit. As a senior getting ready to make the steps towards graduation, it was very helpful to look at the wide range of design and visit different types of design environments.
