Dissect the Design

Typography Addict

2011-12-01T00:14:00.001-08:00

New idea was just inspired by the title of this post. It's time I share this addiction with the world. I am not 100% sure that I want to share my secret vault of fonts and expose them to wider circulation -- but I guess as a designer it is my duty to share what is wonderful. With that being said, be on the lookout - I will get it up soon enough (just remind me if I forget)

Typography is really something, it is addicting, enlightening, and time consuming. Once you get sucked in you end up in a downward whirlwind of time -- loosing track of hours in a matter of what you think is minutes. I sit here and give myself time limits of when I will stop and get back to work. These times are usually rounded numbers like :30 or :05 but see here's the problem with my little system.. If I go over by even ONE minute I have to wait till the next even number. Sweet! Perfect! I just bought myself another four minutes. Well the not so sweet part is where I have tricked myself into spending 3hours exploring the wonderful points, serifs, and cross-bars that people turn into reality. Well the good thing is that I usually have picked up about 15 fonts and that I probably even am obsessed with one and will use it all the time until I get lost in another typographical rampage!

LSAT & DESIGN - YES THEY JIVE!

2011-11-28T11:20:00.001-08:00

Some of you may already be aware of this, while some of you may not --- The LSAT is in five days! And I am taking it. How is this relevant? Well you see, being a double major has opened my eyes to the far spread breadth of the world of DESIGN. It is literally everywhere - Even in the LSAT.

LSAT stands for Law School Admissions Test and it is like the SATs on crack. The test is designed in a way that the skills needed may be acquired, basically it is learnable. The questions are designed in a way to confuse and daze it's opponent, but the way to look at it is you are the hunter and it is your prey. It is a challenge to be conquered and dare I say: I will conquer it!

Being a design major the term dedication becomes engrained in your skin. The countless hours you spend revising, troubleshooting, brainstorming, etc. far exceeds any other major. The ambiguous grading is also unlike any other major (well except maybe the fine arts, dramas, etc) it is subjective rather than objective. And so you see although Design doesn't really seem to match with the logical world of law it does, they need each other -- and I need them both.

From these couple sentances about structure you can see the existance of design even in the logical and rational world. And so to conclude -- let me just say -- we live and breathe design and those who appreciate that are those who see the world in a different way, and those who don't are just plain stupid.

Calling All Shoppers!!!

2011-11-25T21:31:00.000-08:00

With the madness and mayhem of Black Friday I find this to be the perfect topic of the day! For all of you who decided to take a step out into the madness I applaud you, for I hid in PJs with my cup of coffee and books all day. The appeal was not high enough, and the lazyness brought on by Thanksgiving Feasting did not help as motivation either. I found the warmth of my home to be just what I needed.

I did however check out my favorite stores online to see exactly what they were dishing out and I was not too impressed. A whole $41.00 savings on an IPad 2 from Apple. I guess it's all about keeping product value for apple, because otherwise you would think that they would be bringing more saving to the table. But the "apple identity" of a luxury, high demand product does not exactly jive with the idea of Black Friday Savings! Well that's too bad, because I really wanted a big screen to connect my lap top to and I was hoping I would be able to achieve this. But for now, this remains a Hope.

Now --- I need your help! All the savvy fashionistas of the world. I need boots... not just any boots I need Winter boots. I have the look in my head, but I am yet to find them in reality. So all you people participating in reality PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! help me find them, I am dying.

The boots in my head are super sexy, chunky, faux fur boots. Length preferably to the knee or lower. Heel can be part platform, part heel or wedge -- just chunky -- no skinny stiletto business. Color - I don't care. Fur location -- anywhere, on the trim, inside -- As you can see I am pretty open to suggestions I am yet to find any pair to give me that chunky sexy feel so anyone with ideas please speak out!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all and their families, I am thankful for who and what I have and for those (if any) who are reading -- and especially those who bring me by boots!

The Fabulosity of Hunter Boots!

2011-08-25T10:04:00.000-07:00

Seeing that it is now the end of August and winter is quickly approaching, I found it mildly appropriate to bring talk rain boots…. In particular, the ergonomics of the ones that have swept me off my feet (;-) …Hunter Boots.

I have never had much luck with rain boots.. other then collecting them in mass quantities for the fun and flirty designs. As I ran in the rain, and stomped the puddles of Gerry Lane I always found myself pulling off my boots to find soggy discolored socks and cold feet. Although they looked like rain boots, and walked like rain boots, they definitely didn’t do the job of rain boots.

I had lost my faith in the rain boot population until I stumbled across Hunter Boots one day. Although I was very cynical I decided to test the Hunter’s since Nordstrom’s has the most wonderful return policy of no return policy at all! I put them through rigorous tests and was able to come to a decision. The main categories they were tested and evaluated on were safety, comfort, ease of use, performance, and aesthetics.

First up… Safety.

“Rubber suffocates your feet, they can’t breathe,” both my mother and grandmother constantly yell my way when they see me in my rain boots. And no matter how good the quality, their statements seem to be true to fact. Even in my Hunter’s my feet always emerge clammy. But it is something I am willing to sacrifice because frankly, I can’t breathe without my Hunter’s. Since they are a “symbol of British country life” and were first designed and used during World War I one can only imagine that these boots had souls that can survive the muddiest swamps and most slippery slopes. And I agree, I always feel secure in my Hunter’s with their deep grooves on the bottom strategically etched to provide a fool proof walk for even the biggest fool!

Next we have.. Comfort.

Worn for an approximate 10 hours without removal, I decided that not only were my Hunter’s comfortable, but my feet were also cozy. The lining on the inside combined with the “multilayer cushioning sponge” of the foot-bed resulted in unprecedented comfort in my rain boots. I have a relatively plump foot for the average 7.5 so I do often find my feet being squeezed, but not with the Hunter’s. It actually felt like the Hunter’s had molded to my feet and I could move freely with complete stability. Another A+ on my evaluation.

After comfort, it only seems right to discuss the Ease of Use.

This may be the one area where Hunter lost a few points, but then again I don’t think that any living rain boot has successfully dominated the “ease of use” category. Its usually pretty easy to get into them – as long as you have socks on. But, it is the taking off part that requires a little more effort. One must either have an assistant clutch the boot and pull until she is suddenly jerked back with a “POP” noise and a sigh of relief from the wearing party or one must almost dislocate their ankle because of the incredible angle that must be used to pull off the boots… I’ll leave this decision up to you – I will recommend the assistant, though. So here, I would have to give Hunter a B because of the difficulty of removal.

Now for the best part of my evaluation… Performance.

Will they sustain my water tests?! This was the question that I wanted answered immediately. I am no moderate rain boot wearer – the saying “work hard but play harder” holds a dear place in my heart so one can only imagine the things I do with my rain boots on. Yes the occasional skip through the rain is pleasant, but my favorite part of the rain is that I get to Puddle Jump. Something that my sisters and I have been doing with many repercussions for years; including but not limited to colds, ruined clothes, and soggy feet. So.. I wound up and started my run towards the big puddles, hitting a few smaller ones on the way. And as I came up to the big one, I jumped up (as if I was trying to hit a slam dunk) and came crashing down smack in the middle – the splash was pretty wild and my boots were definitely smack dap in the epicenter of it. I did this a few more times and then I sat down with my fingers crossed and pulled... No soggy socks, no wet feet, just smiles – A+++++ Hunter!

And to wrap up my crazy rant about the fabulosity of rain boots (yes I just made up a word, and to my defense I think it is a functional fashionable word).. Aesthetics.

The best part of the Hunter boots is they are sleek, fitted, and come in a wild array of colors to please any person who dare. They have a nice strap on the top of each boot, functionality or aesthetics -- I think you should check them out and decide. But the bottom line is that not only are these functionally rain boots, they are super cute and trendy. They match with anything while giving you the lasting protection of their rubber exterior.

So we thank you Hunter for providing the world with your functional AND trend worthy assemblage of rain boots.

Perfection is boring: Deconstructivism

2011-06-05T20:30:00.000-07:00

The Deconstructive Movement that began in the 1980s is still ubiquitous and influential to this day. The origins of this movement came from Jacques Derrida, a French philosopher, who applied his idea of “deconstruction” to literary works. The principles of deconstruction were later adapted by many other mediums of art as an innovative yet controversial style. This movement especially dominated the avant-garde architects and graphic designers who aspired to, and successfully did, move away from functional form and perfect balance; and instead produced designs that emulated unconventional art and exploration.

Frank Gehry was a revolutionary leader of this style bringing buildings to life with his unconventional forms.

French philosopher, Jacques Derrida’s approach for analyzing literary works led to the emergence of the Deconstructive Movement. Derrida coined the term “deconstruction” which meant “…to draw out conflicting logics of sense and implication, with the object of showing that the text never exactly means what is says or says what it means” (Benjamin & Norris. 1988. p. 7). What Derrida was emphasizing was a deeper meaning that lay below the superficial top layer that often contradicted or was not in perfect alignment with the initial conceptualization. Deconstruction emphasized the value of what is evoked rather than the simply intended statement.

David Carson changed ideas in graphic design opening up the existing constraints of the time with his layering and variations of color and font.

The movement became initially predominant in architecture, which sought to “break the automatic link between architecture and habitation” (Benjamin & Norris. 1988. p. 37). Deconstructive architecture idealized a style that was against the principles and rules of predominant architectural thinking. It was the fusion of fantasy and function, which brought architecture to be recognized as an art. This idea of constructing buildings that had elements of fantasy and imagination while still being functional made this new style revolutionary. Deconstructive architecture could be recognized by many elements; including the twisted geometries, warped and overlapped planes, and shards of glass and metal. Aesthetic fragmentation is also a key indicator of the deconstructive style. The idea, again, combining principles that have been seen as indefinitely dissociated from one another. These elements stretched the boundaries of architecture to be more than just functional and efficient designs but to contain a deeper purpose, one of intrinsic beauty merged with functionality. Deconstructivism exemplified that these two components could coexist in architecture indefinitely.

The Performing Arts Center in Abu Dhabai is Zaba Hadid's innovative deconstructive inspired design! h

The stylistic features of architecture were soon transformed and adapted to another medium; graphic design. With the increasing popularity of computers, especially with the release of Macintosh computers graphic design was ready for modification. The development of software and rendering methods like blurring and multi-layering also helped transform graphic design (Dong-Sik Hong. 2006.). These technological advancements paired with the deconstructive movement resulted in a revolutionary transformation of graphic design and typography. The once orthodox methodology for creating logos, ads, magazines, etc. was shifted out of its constraining boundaries and into free space. Many designers were influenced by deconstructive ideology and aspired to achieve more then a superficial viewing of their work revolutionized the proper procedures and formats of conventional graphic design. The deconstructive movement resulted in the release of type from its classic linear structure. Type was no longer confined to adhere to rules like same type size, horizontal print, capitalized first letter of a sentence, etc. The idea of emotional response and perception were now engulfed in the formation of designs. There was more than just a textual context; there was a deeper meaning, a conjured feeling.

The Deconstructive Movement, my favorite in design history changed the meaning of design. There was no longer a necessity for following the established constraints or rules and a new freedom that embraced experimentation was born. When you look at any object/building/ad/anything and it evokes a reaction.... say thank you to the Deconstructive Movement.

Byzantine Beauty Turned Couture!

2011-03-08T09:55:00.000-08:00

The mosaic of Empress Eirine of the Byzantine Empire captures the quintessence of a very lavish culture that we can often see in ours today. The Empress is encrusted with exquisite jewelry and a heavily jeweled crown with strands of pearls hanging from it, because there is no such thing as excess.

The modern day images from the Chanel 2011 Spring Collection are a captivating homage of Byzantine jewelry, taste, and culture. This also just so happens to be Coco Chanel’s favorite style of jewelry - regal, lavish, intricate designs that are stunningly beautiful. There is nothing simple about them. They transcend power and confidence which were two ideas that motivated Chanel to open her house of fashion (millinery to start) in 1913. Although, Coco has left us - her influence on the fashion world will continue to be everlasting.

Lavish pearl strands, a huge encrusted crown - the perfect adornment - especially for a queen. This top image reflects royalty and power. The crown has multiple long strands of pearls hanging from both sides of the piece, just as the Byzantine crowns did. It's the ideal woman's hat ;-) Chanel’s headdress in the bottom image is like a helmet- a warrior's helmet. It cups the head with an enormous jewel at the middle of the forehead and at the top of head. The top piece of the headdress looks like a peacock’s mating stance. It appears that the metal is woven into intricate shapes. The large necklace resembles that of a superhumeral, or a large jeweled collar of the Byzantine Era. The model has decadent jewelry on both wrists as well as a ring. These elements of extreme ornamentation were a large part of the Byzantine culture and we see them breathtakingly transpired into the couture fashion of today. Of course we don’t see this in day to day wear, but deep inside of us – and especially me – I long to own that, to prance around my home in it and just to have a beautiful piece of art and jewelry. It is unique, it is one of a kind, it is Chanel.

Life is What YOU Make it!

2011-02-20T22:28:00.000-08:00

Waiting for things to happen isn't going to get you anywhere in this world. It's too competitive filled with too many people that are driven - sitting back and letting things fall into place is no longer a plausible action for success. It used to be... but not any more.

It's like driving in San Francisco... you must drive aggressively if you ever want to get anywhere, you can't just drive in the defense mode. That's what it has come down to. Are you motivated? Driven? Enthusiastic? Willing to take that extra step? Do that extra project that kills your Saturday night? -- Well the reality of it all there are a million other people that also answered "yes" to all of these things.

So what do you do now? Well I would say, that is entirely up to Y O U - because only you have the ability to showcase that you are different from everybody else ... and even if you think you aren't let me just tell you -- you are -- you just haven't figured it out yet... so figure it out already and get to the next step.

Especially for those who are interested in any aspect of the design world including but definitely not limited to; interiors, events, fashion, furniture, etc. Design is growing as a field and opportunities are expanding as the importance that we have all known for so long becomes more obvious to those who were once skeptical. But the field has not expanded enough to fit us all in where we want to be so give yourself an edge!

I know this is different then my typical posts, if anyone is even out there! But today is a different day, a sad day but a day that has led to revelation so I guess it's also a good day.

Thank You For the CMYK!

2010-11-29T23:56:00.000-08:00

Being a transfer student I didn’t really know what to expect from UC Davis... I can certainly tell you that I did not expect the creative and interactive ways of Design 01. Not many people can say that they got to experience their Professor and mentors gettin’ down to the “YMCA” transformed into the “CMYK!” All to teach us the colors used for printing; Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black! Boy, did my mouth drop to the floor -- almost as quickly as Professor Housefield did with his groovy dance moves. And to think I was worried that I was going to get bored in class because it would be all lecture with no interaction. Well, Des01 was the exact opposite of that and for that, I thank you.

There is no one like a designer, designers really are the most creative people! Ask the average UCD student to get up in front of a class of 180 students and dance around to the “YMCA” and I’ll bet you a $100 they laugh and walk away thinking “what a crazy person!”

Design is everywhere submerged into our lives. A group of students coming together to ensure that we remember the “CMYK” for the rest of our lives -- design at its finest. It was simple, entertaining, got the point across, and is forever lodged into my mind... and my iPhone! Successful? I think so! That is what designers strive to do everyday. They try to present something to the audience that they will not forget!

Thank you for all of your dedication to ensure that I will always remember “CMYK”

The Magic of Color

2010-11-29T23:12:00.000-08:00

Color brings everything to life - especially photography. Since color is subjective, as Josef Albers brilliantly points out, it allows you to take away the parts that catch your eye - whether it be a huge green flower or bright blue eyes color transpires feeling, emotion, and relation. Color is relative to what you are looking at. It personalizes the experience and lets the viewer connect. The intensity, chroma, and interaction of colors all play a huge role on the experience of what you see.

A picture with no color is dull and lifeless. It may be timeless but you also are unable to extract any emotion from it. Once you add color the picture lives on its own. You can feel the energy, remember the moment the picture was taken, and sense the emotions. Color is a very powerful tool for designers because if you use it properly the outcome can be breathtaking.

Look at the flower in each picture.

In the colorless photo the flower is mundane and unnoticeable. In the full color photo you notice the flower but it is just an accessory to the whole photo, your main attention here is gorgeous Arielle (my niece). Now look at the picture on the very right where the flower is the only colored part of the picture. It becomes the central focus of the photo, your eyes automatically are drawn to it. In this way color is a tool for designers. They are able to play with colors to emphasize the things they want you to pick up on as the viewer. As Albers put it; Color is the most relative medium.

The Utopian Prius!

2010-11-29T21:06:00.000-08:00

“Harmony between man, nature, and machine” now that is a utopian design.. What is it you may be thinking.... I will give you one guess..

If you guessed the Toyota Prius Hybrid, you are right. Toyota started the movement towards providing a car that was not only earth friendly but was a perfect alternative for the standard car. Since standard cars only get about 17-23 miles per gallon filling up is expected pretty frequently, and we all know the price of gas is not cheap! The Toyota Prius on the other hand gets 51 miles per gallon which means that you get to save a whole lot of gas money, not pollute the air as much, and have a modern well designed car all for an affordable price.

The Prius is also loaded with new features to ensure the safety and provide convenience to its owner. The new aerodynamic shape of the car was designed at an almost perfect drag so things flying at your windshield wont actually hit your windshield but glide over the top of the car. They have park assist to help you park your car. And they have Lane Keep Assist which uses cameras mounted on the car to detect the lane markers and when you approach those lane markers accidentally there is a corrective steering force that helps you out! How amazing is that!

Toyota has done its best to make sure that the Prius stays ahead of the rest of the troops! They truly have made a vehicle that does provide “Harmony between man, nature, and machine.”

The Beautiful, The Dangerous: Butterfly Knife

2010-11-29T20:20:00.000-08:00

The name “Butterfly Knife” is very appropriate to this sleek and marvelously designed unit. Since its creation the butterfly knife has actually been outlawed in many countries because it is considered so dangerous. If you can imagine a butterfly flying by you that is exactly how the butterfly knife works. Its blades are hidden between the handles and you can quickly swing it open with one hand. The more skilled butterfly knife owners are able to fan it around and mimics the form of the flying butterfly.

This knife is considered especially dangerous because of the speed you can open it with. Also the fact that you only need one hand adds an extra element of surprise and this defense mechanism can be turned into a sabotaging gadget. The long blade, which is usually over 3 inches (thats the legal length of a blade you can carry in California), is hidden within the arms and makes for easy storing and disguise.

The danger of the butterfly knife was an intentional consequence. It was designed in the Philippines where it was used as a weapon in martial arts. It was also often used in ancient duels in the Philippines. People need a form of protection and some prefer the knife, and more specifically the butterfly knife. It was not created to purposefully harm the innocent so ethically it is justifiable as a means of protection. The purpose of this design was to protect and therefore it did not aim to bring harm upon the innocent.

Pictures borrowed from:

http://www.kaswords.com/browseproducts/Knuckle-Crusher-Guard-Butterfly-Knife.html

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=spb02gp

House to Home

2010-11-15T23:00:00.000-08:00

What is the difference between House and Home?

House -- a structure that provides shelter, a roof over your head, keeps you from freezing, a necessity.

Home -- when one transforms the shelter into a place of love, comfort, safety, and stability by personifying this home as the “extended family.”

I am sure you are thinking.. “what kind of definition is that” but if you think hard about your home or your parents home or anyones home it will start to make sense. Personification, meaning that something non-human (your home) takes on characteristics -- these characteristics are the items you place in your home that reflect you in some way, shape, or form. This was the definition that seemed to best fit my town home.

After decorating my new town home, I have spent a lot of time picking and choosing what things will become a part of my new home.... discovering along the way that my taste is not exactly cheap! From dishes, to candles, to pillows every item was chosen upon instant connection between me and that item. It was a part of me, it reflected something about me, or just symbolized me. And this is something that I became aware of through this shopping process.

Even the items bought for the home are significant. They transformed my empty rental into a cozy place where I am completely comfortable and at ease. I found places for my paintings, bought pillows for my balcony, and vinyl wall art to bring some character. I would describe my home as bright, creative, customized, and cozy -- all either characteristics of me or things I like to be surrounded with.

As I continue to travel down this road of enlightenment to the brilliance and complexity of design I seem to become more aware of the design that almost clutters my life. No decision is ever simple, no item is ever just an item. Everything has a purpose of either convenience, comfortability, or aesthetics -- all major aspects that define good design.

Pictures borrowed from webdevster.com

Ephemeral Beauty

2010-11-08T23:33:00.000-08:00

Yahoo! is the like snapple facts of the web! You open your browser and here pops up 20 stories about various things. Scrolling through my usually quick news update I came across an amazing story about an artist named Robin Barcus Slonina who is traveling through the 50 states and creating ephemeral dresses from symbolic items of the state. For example; her Nevada dress is made of poker chips, the New York dress of garbage bags, Minnesota of corn, and on her way she continues.

Slonina creates beautiful dresses from resources available to her like many other artists we have come across in the studies of Des01. Like Friedman she uses items that most people would not normally see as art and makes clothing out of them. She has used whiffle balls, dusters, inflatable balls, and many other original items that have produced one of a kind unique pieces. She is involved in community projects and overall is a brilliant artist who uses the most original mediums.

As quoted from her resume Slonina is a “multidisciplinary artist who concentrates on site-specific sculpture and performance art.” Her art deals with social issues like environment, sexuality, and gender. She also creates interactive pieces where the observer can actually experience and be a part of the art. Slonina brings together her ability to create amazing pieces with her views on social issues in order to send a message to her viewers and followers -- a true designer.

Images from www.robinbarcus.com

Image & Word -- A picture is Worth a Million Words..

2010-11-08T22:37:00.000-08:00

They says a picture is worth a million words.... How does that hold when the picture is made up of words, letters, typography to make a bigger picture.

Typographical portraits MAKE A STATEMENT. They bring together two very powerful mediums to make an image that makes you sit there and really dissect what the message is. Because here its not that simple, its not just words and its not just image... it is the two combined and together they present a stronger message that the designer is trying to get across to the viewer.

www. DesignersRevolution .com

This beautiful woman is not just a woman she is standing up and opening her mouth, using her voice to advocate what she believes. “Make love not war because we dont need no more trouble” is the rim to her sunglasses which exposes her eyes. Now if this picture was just a woman taking off her sunglasses would you see the same things. Would this picture be in persuasion of peace and standing up for what you believe or would it just be an image of a woman? ... That is the power of bring image and word together to make a statement.

I came across these images while I was exploring the world wide web for typographical images -- because these are my favorites! They make you think and they make you dig deeper then just taking things at face value.

So when looking for things that stand out to you.... find the pieces that Make A Statement.

Images borrowed from www.DesignersRevolution.com

Word & Image Mastered by Brian Fies

2010-11-08T21:50:00.000-08:00

On November 2, 2010 I had the pleasure of hearing guest speaker Brian Fies discuss his journey to successful graphic novels. Through his passionate and informative talk I was able to learn a lot about graphic novels, especially a new found sense of respect for comics..

I have never really been a fan of comics.. Well actually, I have never been interested enough in comics to give them a fair chance but after hearing Fies speak today I have discovered the long and hard process of making a successful graphic novel and just how much meaning there is to every piece of it. Fies discussed how he is able to create allusions which he uses to invoke reaction from the reader and how the content of the comic is so important because it has been stripped down to the most simplified version.

Comics allow you to bring image and word together to make 1 strong statement. Rather then just saying what you mean, the artist, like Fies takes certain aspects and makes them into a visual picture and then takes other aspects and uses words to make a much stronger, lingering statement. Comics are just that.. they are formed by combining word and image -- without one the full story cannot be told. It is like having yin without the yang; its purpose is not understood without both parts of the puzzle.

To be able to fully understand one needs to have all the pieces to the puzzle and that is what a successful graphic novelist is able to do. They can put together significant images and words to make a stronger point then just drawing or just writing. And this is exactly what Brian Fies explained to us so marvelously.

**Pictures from Brian Fies

Halloween... Get Creative!

2010-11-01T21:25:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of one of my favorite holidays, Halloween, and the continuous discussion about customization Alice in Wonderland is the theme. Well... it was for me and my friends this year! But we aren’t the type of people that just buy something and put it on. We spend meticulous hours putting together an outfit that is ours, and ours only. Scanning through pictures after the weekend we noticed that every one of our outfits reflects exactly who we are. Although I won’t go into that breakdown because it will bore you, I will say that each of us; consciously or subconsciously made an outfit that only we would construct the way we did.

Simply, we were the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, White Rabbit, and Alice and that is quite clear -- but in further detail you see who is what and why. You see that each person’s personality flared through their costume, no one else would wear it the way each one of us did and that is the beauty of design.

There can and will be a million Alice’s but only one who took the time to get a wig and tie a perfect bow, wear peep-toe shoes with white stockings protruding. The concept of design is to be able to make something that many will love and be able to add their personal touch to it. Some people are satisfied with your design... but I want my design and that is how many of us are. So although there are a million... there is only one like yours.

Happy Halloween! :-)

OBJECTIFIED: Content & Form

2010-11-01T21:14:00.000-07:00

How often do you use your potato peeler or garden scissors and think... “Hmm that was actually really comfortable and that tool is just so pretty..” You don’t really think that because we are spoiled, spoiled with options and designs and innovations that are released daily. But what we forget is that companies like Smart Design and IDEO are actually here re-designing all these products that we already have and use on a daily basis and making them better.

It is through the brilliant documentary OBJECTIFIED that this concept is really exposed and we are reminded that the simple things we use everyday were designed with purpose and aesthetics; this is the subject matter and purpose of OBJECTIFIED. Focus on the objects, the designs; not the people. The documentary is filmed zoomed in on the tools so you can’t help but really focus on the focal points here; the objects. The focus is completely on the objects and it is with this filming the documentary enables its viewer to really understand the concept that they were trying to portray, and did so successfully.

In a day and age where everything is coming to customization this documentary reminds us that we surround ourselves with things that are a little piece of us. Every object we own somehow represents a little part of who we are and what we aspire to be.

Is your toothbrush green or yellow or pink? Is your backpack a backpack or a purse or briefcase? Is your mug customized with pictures or does it have a purple handle?... Every choice we make is a reflection of who we are, even when we choose what we think are the simplest things. OBJECTIFIED allows you to reexamine the typical items that you are surrounded by and reminds you that even though they are simple, they are also brilliant.

Mass-Produced Perfection

2010-11-01T20:39:00.000-07:00

The 2011 BMW 335ci Hard Top Convertible is literally a sight for sore eyes. She was so aesthetically designed that it is deemed perfection. Her lean and sporty composition quintessentially balanced with her beautiful curves and fierce eyes makes heads turn as it zooms by. The sweet sound of her N55 turbocharged engine unifies this machine into the sports luxury vehicle on top. With a sleekly designed hard-top convertible that quickly folds into 3 pieces and into its storage compartment allows you to experience this machine to full potential every...single...day... rain and shine.

Every detail to the BMW vehicle has been meticulously designed to be a living symbol and icon of the BMW brand. From every perfectly placed groove on each side and nose, to the fin at the rear every aspect has been considered, thought out, designed and redesigned. It is for this reason that BMW has successfully built a line of cars that compare to no other , including their versatile ability to produce a sports car drive with luxury features. Ladies and Gentlemen... I proudly present to you aesthetics and performance perfected.

What's on a Man's Mind by Freud

2010-10-18T23:51:00.000-07:00

Many of you may be familiar with the name Sigmund Freud from history classes, psychology classes, books, or any other number of things. I know Sigmund Freud because of an image of his that is framed in my grandpa’s office. Growing up I could never understand what was the point of this old man framed on my grandpa’s wall but as I grew up, to my surprise I no longer only saw an old man... but I also saw a lady and this is what you call a bistable image.

Earlier in class we talked about Gestalt and about understanding of perception. How the brain tries to group everything in a single unified way, not wanting to see the parts that make up the whole. It makes it harder to recognize when a picture actually contains two images combined into one picture.

When I finally figured out Freud’s picture I ran up to my grandpa and grabbed him by the hand and dragged him over to his office (I played lines on his computer as a part of my visits always!). As we entered the room I pointed to the picture and said “Grandpa why do you have this on your wall” he couldn’t help but burst out into laughter and say “Well what do you think is on a man’s mind.”

I think this day was partially a breaking of my innocence because even my amazing angel grandpa enjoyed a little humor. When we learned about Gestalt and bistable images it triggered this memory which allowed for me to now put a name to the image that I still see when I visit my grandparents!

Compare & Contrast:: 70s now vs then?!

2010-10-18T23:31:00.000-07:00

Past or Present?!?

If you guessed past.... You are incorrect because this here is Cheryl Lloyd in a picture just taken!

It has been said that Fashion reflects the past with a twist of innovation.... but does our current retro hipster, punk movement have a twist or is it a blatant copycat of the days many are either jealous they did not get to experience or parents laugh at because it brings them back to the “good ol’ days!”

From micro minis, to retro prints, to jumpers, to funky shoes, mini dresses, and breasted jackets I would have to say the 60s and 70s are back! Not to say we are disappointed... but we were hoping that there would be a little more innovation and creativity that came with these funky trends. Although a few designers have taken the designs to the chop shop and spat out a “new look” the look of today is so similar to that of 50 years ago that I am starting to get confused!

Not everyone has jumped in the time machine and headed back to those good ol’ days but many have...

I was never a big fan of the style of the 60s and 70s--- Although I am a huge fan of that time period; always dreaming of what it would have been like to grow up in that time... again where is that time machine when you need it!

As we continue to see more designers releasing their winter and spring collections a few reoccurring themes lead me to believe that many designers have lost their creative touch or maybe just got to lazy to transcend it onto these collections... I hope that as the next piles of clothes hit the runways they will be more then a blast from the past, and will have some flare that makes it look like you didn’t just find it in the back of your mom’s old cedar closet!

*We all recognize the faces of Duff and Hilton -- but did you recognize their borrowed dresses from the 60s!

*The picture of the supermodel in the red retro dress is fashion legend Barbara Hulanicki, the woman behind the 60s and 70s cult London emporium Biba

*The picture of Supermodel Twiggy in the white jacket is one of my favorite images of Twiggy

Pictures borrowed from:

http://www.phamous69.com/article.php?article=articles/bread/hulanickif.xml

http://glamandtonic.blogspot.com/2007/08/in-mood-for-mod.html

http://www.shinystyle.tv/2010/10/x-factor-fashion-face-off-cher-lloyd-katie-waissel-and-rebecca-ferguson.html

Design is a Universal Conversation for the Beatles!

2010-10-18T22:19:00.000-07:00

Call and Response is a very powerful way to engage your customer, fan, hater, any person for that matter who hears or sees what you are doing and reacts to it. The Beatles instantly popped into my head when I was reflecting on this idea because they were able to call on the world and have the whole world respond -- utter brilliance!

The legendary Beatles are one of my favorite bands of all times because their music has so much life, feeling, and power to it. They are the greatest rock n’ roll band of the twentieth century. They created a new era of music, a revolution. Within their songs they have conversations with one another. They have musical riffs bouncing off one another, “yeah yeah yeah” responses, and all other types of call and responses within their songs. Their songs are filled with more power and energy then any other music I have ever heard.

Not only did the Beatles use call and response within their music they also called out to the world and received an instantaneous reaction from the world - which to say the least is absolutely astonishing. They brought motivation and cause to the people and got the attention of over 72 million people on their first debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. They were able to get 72 million people to react, across the board - all genders, age groups, races, etc - to their music. The Beatles started a “conversation” that was understood universally. The messages in their songs were not only meaningful, but started a movement in response to them.

The Rolling Stone Magazine said this about The Beatles:

“In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked The Beatles #1 on its list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. According to that same magazine, The Beatles' innovative music and cultural impact helped define the 1960s, and their influence on pop culture is still evident today.”

Paris Fashion Week: Mainstreaming Individuality

2010-10-11T23:47:00.000-07:00

After looking over Paris’ Fashion Week it has become clearly obvious that the perspectives of designers have drastically shifted. From what used to be a conservative approach to fashion and design there is now a more open, free flowing approach which allows for more individuality to seep through each design. The complete look of a piece was what used to be a main critiquing point for onlookers. Now it seems that the emphasis has changed from completion to incompletion.

Some may think...What can you do with a piece that seems imperfectly constructed? A piece that is imperfect means that it is one of a kind. It does not strive to achieve perfection through meticulous measurement and precision but rather through distinctiveness, originality, and complimenting the body it covers. What was once a more bland even “khaki” industry has transformed into a Cavalli type industry. Going against the norms, experimenting with designs, fabrics, colors, etc. The flow that is stressed in the industry is that of boldness, originality, and color.

Gray has even become the new black, meaning that things are no longer completely black or white but in between. From jagged zig-zag edges of a coat, to “holes” in a jacket, to changing the placement of where your hands go customization has boomed. It is the new “in,” it is inspired. Inspired by looks of the past combined with ideas of the present.

True fashion is that which is unlike anything else. It is not the standard Abercrombie & Fitch or the Gap’s bland choices of “convenient” popular clothes. It is, however, the one of a kind pieces that transcend true art and beauty that are the most divine of their nature that represent the essence of design in fashion. The Alexander McQueen’s and Roberto Cavalli’s of this generation of designers are finally emerging. But even then so, they did not emerge individually -- they rather flooded the market all at once and turned the concept of individuality and customization into a mainstream idea. Now is this positive or negative, that decision is up to you..

All Photos by Courtney D'Alesio

http://www.elle.com/Fashion/Street-Chic/French-Twist

Design from Without -- SkullyBoom

2010-10-11T22:08:00.000-07:00

Inspiration is not always internal, it is often the surroundings and pieces of your life that inspire. Inspiration often leads to Invention and that is exactly what my friend and founder of SkullyBoom did. Being a former Davis student he rode his bike, skateboard, longboard - basically any type of transportation besides his car, everywhere in Davis. Along with his love for sports, was his passion for music -- Always cruisin’ around with a pair of big headphones on his ears and his playlist blasted at full strength. Although there was nothing that he enjoyed more then the combination of his travels and music, the headphones hindered his ability to talk to the people around him and he was unable to hear what was coming up behind him. Everyday he traveled he thought about this inconvenience and it stayed in the back of his mind even after he graduated from Davis. It was after working with SkullCandy that his full inspiration was tapped and the concept of the SkullyBoom was formalized. He decided to pursue his need to combine the ability to listen to music, interact with others, and travel. After brainstorming, he designed the SkullyBoom - a portable speaker, that lasts 5-7 hours with a rechargeable battery, is customizable, and allowed for him to Ski, Skateboard, Bike Ride, Walk without a set of headphones muzzling out the world around him.

His inspiration stemmed from Davis. It was the community of green friendly travelers that made him think about an alternative solution. One that not only got you pumped but got the people around you pumped because you flew by them with a great beat bumpin’. His inspiration was so strong that it led him to pursue it and design a speaker that not only is eye catching but allows for anyone (especially active people) to do what they do with the convenience of having a portable lightweight speaker that “knocks.”

“SkullyBoom is what happens when art and technology get intoxicated and hook up.”

Stone Soup

2010-10-11T21:07:00.000-07:00

Stone Soup is about the idea of collaborating what one already has with the people surrounding them. Although, individually these possessions may not be great or make anything great putting them together with other things could make something brilliant. As Michael Beirut says in his article Warning: May Contain Non-Design Content, “Not everything is design. But design is about everything.” There is no limit on what design can and cannot be and therefore it is around us all, it is a part of everything we do from what we choose to wear to writing with a paper and pen. Even the most simple thing; like a pen, was designed as a tool to write with. Brilliance often comes when it is least expected and it is with projects like Stone Soup that allow for brilliance to arise from something you did not necessarily expect anything from.

Despite the fact that brilliance did not exactly surface in our collaboration of Stone Soup, it did allow for our group to put together a piece of eight different people onto one "canvas". Everyone contributed and although it was nothing spectacular we were able to design something along the way that we found inspiring because although it did not look like anything in particular, to us it was “Shrine to the Parrot that Crashed.”

After walking around and looking at the outcomes of other groups we were able to distinguish our project from all the rest. The “Shrine to the Parrot that Crashed” was covered with glitter, feathers, scrap-booking materials, sparkly tulle, gems, and beads. It was clearly obvious that we were an all female collaboration and instead of designing something constructive we built our design starting with the materials we liked best and expanding outward. Although we did not make a sitting scarecrow or a garden from tissue we put together our materials as well as some materials we found around our area and created something colorful and entertaining. It was created not from precision or timely design but from available materials and team effort and sometimes this becomes the best way to be inspired.

Marvel that is M.O.M.A.

2010-10-04T23:38:00.000-07:00

First impressions are everything. It is from the very first moment that one see’s something or someone that they decide whether to engage or pass by. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Arts entices one to engage because of its visual aesthetics. It is the SFMOMA that not only holds a brilliant collection of art within its walls but the design of the building itself is its own art. The museum, which opened in 1935, displays a phenomenal array of art, which is ever changing. The art for this museum began with the exterior of the building, which is chiseled away with beautifully patterned brickwork and three-dimensional shapes, layer on top of layer. If that isn’t enough, it has a huge circular piece at the very top, which looks almost as if you are about to look down the neck of a microscope to find the marvels inside. The SFMOMA was constructed with tasteful design and is aesthetically perfect in every sense. It is distinguishable from all the buildings in the city of San Francisco and lures a passer by in because of its exterior finesse and extraordinary size. This salient building itself is a piece of art and as one begins to explore this 225,000 square foot museum they find that the interior is just as masterfully crafted as the exterior including its gigantic rooftop garden which is often the holder of bulging sculptures. The SFMOMA has an enormous variety of contemporary art from photography, media art, sculptures, and paintings. Every atom that has constructed this building or the pieces it embraces within its screams modern design!

Olafur Eliasson One-Way Colour Tunnel, 2007 Take your time:

Olafur Eliasson, installation view at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art;

This tunnel is my favorite, most captivating part of the museum. Strategically placed near the beginning of your journey through the museum it puts your mindset outside of its usual boundaries because of the mere beauty and brilliance of this mind-blowing piece. The first impression when one looks at this, naturally takes your breath away because of the complexity, beauty, and symmetrical perfection of the wave of deep shades of blue and purple. Perfectly constructed in a form that allows one to literally loose track of time and be mesmerized by its beauty.

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Arts not only holds some of modern art’s most precious pieces but is itself a precious piece with exquisite curb appeal.

www.jungyul.com/photoblog/free-wall-papers-hd-1920x1200

*information and photos gathered from SFMOMA.org*