Here is an animated infographic created by Jorge R. Canedo Estrada of Buck for an upcoming documentary called “Waiting for Superman.” The documentary highlights serious issues in America today that are based in our current education system. Through his infographic, Canedo Estrada is able to use his design skills to influence change.
According to their website, Buck uses “animation, visual effects and live action to collaborate with clients, from concept to delivery, producing work that is visceral, innovative, and diverse.”
Just today, GOOD writer Adam Starr furthered the validity of last semester’s capstone project. He posted an article about the problematic link of fast food restaurants and childhood obesity. His article suggests that effective marketing strategies (namely those revolving around free toys) have contributed to the rise of American childhood obesity. While these strategies have built restaurant empires, they have also hurt the well-being of our country.
Either designers and marketers need to be more aware of the implications of their work, or they need to use their strategies to affect positive change.
Starr brings attention to the problem of marketing that works against the health of our nation. He suggests that we kill the strategy to prevent the consequences. I suggest a different route. Since the strategy is effective, I suggest that our society uses a similar strategy (the fun factor) to entice children to eat more healthy. Our society needs food sources that value the culture of kids + the health of good nutrition + the affordability and the accessibility of fast food dining.
It is absolutely amazing what the content-aware fill in the upcoming Photoshop CS5 will be able to do. If it really works as well as the video shows, I can start thinking about all of the new things I will be able to do in the amount of time it saves…edit 5 times as many photos, shoot images for a new project, go on a bike ride…
Laura Seargeant Richardson from Frog Design gives advice to new designers. As I am getting ready to graduate to the “real world,” her advice inspires me (both as a visual communicator and as a human being) to responsibly become an inquisitive, creative person who is always seeking innovation.
She writes,
We are all designers. Without taking anything away from the design industry, we need more people in all industries to recognize the impact that comes from their “designs”—whether it’s a doctor’s diagnosis or a teacher’s curriculum or a government employee—every human is a designer. As a discipline, we are trained to creatively solve challenges, to consider the future implications, to consider those other than ourselves. Our world is by design and we need more designers than ever before to handle the evolving world. I ask one thing of you in closing—teach one child design thinking or empower an adult by telling them they are a designer. We can all make a difference.
Milton Glaser was awarded a Medal in Arts and Humanities for ”a lifetime devoted to improving the way people communicate through innovation in graphic design, and for memorable visual artifacts that challenge contemporary artists and delight all Americans.”
“I wish my mother was alive to see this,” Milton Glaser told me about receiving the 2009 National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama last Thursday (the first time for a graphic designer). He was one of twelve to receive the honor for their outstanding achievements and support of the arts. The medals were presented by the president and Mrs. Michele Obama in an East Room ceremony at the White House.
Click here to read the rest of the Steven Heller article.
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!
Interestingly enough, Studio 360 underwent the challenge of redesigning Valentine’s Day … everything from the hearts, to the roses, to the chocolates, to the expensive dinners, to Cupid.
Is it possible to redesign the timeless cultural icons of a national holiday? To read more about their process and final solution, visit their blog entry. In keeping with the age of social media, their new brand even has meaning when applied to Facebook!
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.
My senior capstone project directly relates to Michelle Obama’s newly launched campaign Let’s Move. Specifically, my proposed restaurant Beanstalk corresponds to the third component of the initiative: improving the access and affordability of healthy food.
