INCOMPLETE MANIFESTO > journal 4

click here


BRUCE MAU
Bruce Mau has his own design firm and works with some of the biggest clients in the world: Coca-Cola, McDonald's, MTV, and more. He is set apart from other firms because of how he works. "Since founding his studio in 1985, Mau has used design and optimism to originate, innovate, and renovate businesses, brands, products, and experiences." He works to better the world, not himself. His work is great, but who he is working with and how Mau is working is amazing. Bruce is also an author and publisher of award-winning books. And to top it off, he was awarded the AIGA Gold Medal for Communication Design. He works in Toronto and still lives consistently with his motto, "Now that we can do anything, what will we do?"

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : 

MANTRA

6. Capture accidents.
The wrong answer is the right answer in search of a different question. Collect wrong answers as part of the process. Ask different questions.

I recognized this immediately. I find myself struggling at times and know that I don't have the right answer to what I'm struggling with. But I should use what I have to go forth and explore more until I get to the solution. Solutions don't just appear without thought and exploration.

OPEN LETTER TO DESIGN STUDENTS EVERYWHERE

click here


JESSICA HELFAND
Jessica is a an author, columnist, and lecturer on graphic design. She is the partner of William Drenttel of Winterhouse Studios, Winterhouse Editions and Winterhouse Institute located in Falls Village, Connecticut. She is a critic in graphic design at Yale University, where she earned her M.F.A. in graphic design and her B.A. in graphic design and architectural theory. She is a 1978 graduate of The George School in Newtown, PA. Winterhouse was formerly known as Jessica Helfand | William Drenttel. Its website describes that studio as "a design consultancy in New York that concentrates on editorial design and the development of new models for old and new media." Helfand is also a "founding writer" of the Design Observer weblog. with Michael Bierut, Wiliam Drenttel and Rick Poynor.

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : 

OPEN LETTER TO DESIGN STUDENTS EVERYWHERE

This article addresses challenges to design students across the world focusing on thesis writing. There are tips and truths on how to best conduct yourself in the professional world. Less is more is how we should conceptually think day-to-day. And it also explains that we will never stop learning. College is where we learn how to learn.

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : 

MAIN POINTS

"Get your work online."

"...go that extra mile and send a thank-you note."

"Do not wait to get back to your desk to write things down or, better yet, to draw them."

"...less, in fact, is more."

"There's plenty of time to get complicated later."

"With structure comes freedom."

"...never stop thinking. Never stop asking questions. Never, never stop reading, looking, imagining what else can be done." 

JOURNAL ::: 3

STEPHAN SAGMEISTER SHARES HAPPY DESIGN:

This was a great short video to watch and think about conceptually.  He mentioned how design can be happy visually and how that is accomplished.  Then, happiness can actually be evoked from design.  I really liked some of the work that he has done personally that was generated from those lists he had made.  I wonder if, when he is in this mindset of designing happiness, whether it's better to just let it happen on its own.  In other words, do you have to try to create happiness through design?  Or is it better to let it be created without actually trying to create it.  Again, I really liked the selections he chose to display when talking about happiness in design, I think they all really clicked.

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

GARY LAUDER'S NEW TRAFFIC SIGN: TAKE TURNS

Gary Lauder has observed a problem and attempted to come up with a solution.  Stop and yield signs have been helped in ways and not in other ways.  Lauder detailed a financial plan of why it makes sense for them in certain areas and why it does, in fact, make sense.  He even invented a new sign, "Take Turns".  It's the hybrid between the stop and yield signs.  I wonder if this could ever actually take place, or is it just the concept behind the sign that should take off.  I would ask Lauder if there could be another solution involving stop lights instead of signs.  They are everywhere, and if a simple solution could also cut down in wrecks, injuries, and deaths.

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

SAM MARTIN: THE QUIRKY WORLD OF "MANSPACES"

In one way or another, most people have a space that they can call their own.  Sam Martin had to share a space with an infant son of his, so he built a space in his backyard.  These places are hangout spots, working areas, etc.  But these spaces were designed by men who knew what the purpose of that room was.  The rooms are who these men are.  Sam Martin presents this interesting topic in a well mannered way to make us think about our spaces along with the design.  I'd ask Martin whether the manspace of his has created a better relationship with those who live with him?  Is it better to be able to get away in a space that is your designed area?

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

HOW GOOD IS GOOD:

Sagmeister elaborates on the idea of how and why good design is good.  He simply bullet pointed many aspects of what design does.  Specifically, I enjoyed the equations that he made.  

Good Design + Bad Cause = Bad

Bad Design + Good Cause = Good?

I like how there is a question mark after the second equation.  I guess it could go either way, but I'd say more bad than good.  I would much rather there be both good design and good cause, because either way it is going to equal good.

BRADLEY'S DESIGN EQUATION:

Good Design + Good Cause = Good

JOURNAL // 2

Dieter Rams 10 Principles for Good Design
When you read these 10 principles, you go "duh".  But these are harder to achieve successfully than you'd think.  I'd say these principles can be confined to "simple design for humans".  We change, and so will design.  We have needs, and design should respond to those needs.

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : 

Don Norman: 3 ways good design makes you happy

Don Norman believes that happiness is the result of good design. He referenced the "oo" in Google and explained how it is a solution and kinda fun. He talks about how simple solutions like this can affect design in a positive way. The emotions that he talks about are there, but apparently we are unaware of them.

Visceral, behavioral, and reflective outline the three emotions.

QUESTION FOR DON NORMAN: Does all good design create happiness? It seems like there would be exceptions. Or, is all design that creates happiness good design?

AUDIENCE PERSONAS // bookjackets

Elise is a 16 year old high school sophomore.  She enjoys quality and quantity.  She is a natural over-achiever who has been doing so her entire life.  She enjoys helping out with her three little siblings and reading them books.  She lives in an extremely conservative family but secretly seeks rebellion.  She is constantly restrained by her past and is reminded of it everyday.

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : 

Cameron is a 26 year old who lives in Chicago.  Currently, he is trying to figure out what he is going to do with his life.  He has spent so much time having a good time with his life, he got behind working on his future.  All of his friends are starting their careers and moving on with their lives.  He has all these ideas, but doesn't know how to apply them to the world or a job.  His parents are starting to worry about him, and so is he.

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : 

Jimmy is 80 years old who was the CEO of a billion dollar company for 53 years.  He is "that" guy.  He recently retired and passed the torch to his son.  His company was supposed to fail, but Jimmy turned it into a success.  It is built for his family, and now grand-son or grand-daughter will never run out of money.  But he's loved his job more than his family the last 53 years and is realizing it now.  He is trying to take advantage of the time he still has by spending time with his family.  He is now learning that money can't buy everything in life, especially the most important things.

VISUALS

THESE ARE VISUALS THAT SHOULD HELP ME WHEN I AM STUCK AND GIVE ME SOME DIRECTION OF SUCCESSFUL DESIGNS.

20 RULES FOR GOOD DESIGN

MOST IMPORTANT:
8. Negative space is magical - Create it, don't just fill it up!
9. Treat the type as image, as though it's just as important.
19. Look to history, but don't repeat it.


PRACTICE MORE:
7. If you can do it with less, then do it.
14. Be decisive. Do it on purpose - or don't do it at all.
16. Create Images- don't scavenge.


JUST IGNORE:
15. Measure with your eyes: design is visual.
18. Move it! Static equals dull.
20. Symmetry is the ultimate evil.

JOURNAL ENTRY // 1

The “Writer’s Toolbox” is a guide for designers made to help with the different ways of thinking. It is always important to start with writing when you are designing. Free-writing is almost like brainstorming where are there are no dumb questions.  So, there are no dumb ideas when doing these exercises. Mind mapping, concept mapping, free writing, and word lists are examples of techniques to get the ideas flowing. When complete with these exercises, you are bound to have ideas that are potentially successful and will lead you in the right direction. In the end the whole point is to record all of your thoughts and ideas as they occur, allowing all of them to flow out, the good and the not so good. These writing exercises will help you when you are designing visually, even though they were writing.  And it is a great reference for you to look back at when you need inspiration.  But also, it should be able to improve you design conceptually because it won't just be aesthetically nice, but the ideas could be successful as well.




MY IMAGES WON'T LOAD, SO I AM GOING TO KEEP TRYING OTHER WAYS OF DOING IT.