You all know that I am not a native English speaker and that I am always using the resources around me to help me succeed at school. I absolutely hate standardized test, I think they are one of the hardest things that I've done in my life, and I think they are evil! Before I started the AHRD program, I didn't realize the importance of images and how critical it is to relate images to the content. I have to say that I don't consider myself creative at all, but this class forces me to make an effort and use all the tools that make an image better.
Burmark's article touches on a topic that really catches my attention and I'm really curious to see what you all think.
So my question to you is: do you think with today's technology availability to teachers, should it be mandatory to use visuals? do you think visuals help students achieve academic success? should art be mandatory and not an elective in high school?
This class has been a very interesting extension of my undgrad studies. Just to give you all a perspective of where I am coming from I majored in cultural communication and minored in studio art. Both topics have become a very passionate part of my life, and I truly enjoy learning more about anything remotely associated with either.
Cultural studies focuses on identity and how it is created, maintained and understood. Since we are working on creating logos, which is a visual representation of a groups identity, some of things that I have previously studied really seem to apply here.
Like we have talked about in class, and read about, most of the visuals we are surrounded by on a daily basis are purposely created in order to make us feel, think, or obtain something specific. Through these messages individuals and groups create and share identities for many reasons. There is a man, Philippe Starck who is an all around designer. His work includes industrial design, interior, fashion, graphic and many more types of design. check out his website www.starck.com
Starck is an interesting character, he is very outspoken about his design practices which involve all kinds of theories about democratizing design among other things. But, what is interesting here is to look how he has branded himself based on these theories.
He talks about designing not for the elite and really designing objects, rooms, clothing etc. with very specific purpose, and very specific thought about the consumer and market place.
Starck has not only branded his objects but he has branded himself based on these ideas. He names his designs things like my "juicy salif" which is a lemon squeezer, but by calling it my "juicy salif" it becomes something else it sends a different message.
After looking at some of Starck's work and his website what do you think about his branding? What design tools does he use, and are they effective? Do you think that his visual rhetoric is cohesive with this verbal messages about design? Does any of this change how you thought about branding?
First off, apologies for the late post. I was absolutely convinced that next week was my week! Comps is destroying my mind! :)
Over the course of this semester, I've been introduced to the concept of wayfinding. David Gibson, author of The Wayfinding Handbook: Information Design for Public Places, defines wayfinding roughly as the process that people undergo when they're navigating public places, basically to find their way...a system of using various implicit & explicit cues in the environment to help people find destinations. Wayfinding projects can be a simple, single landmark or feature sign, or complex systems of signage and maps for a hospital complex, university campus, or an entire municipality. According to Gibson, "an effective wayfinding program can easily balance the needs of the different constituencies, supporting and enabling a positive experience" (18). 1
Often, we don't notice an effective system, but we definitely notice an ineffective one! Ever tried to find the restroom in a foreign country? Fifteen years ago, I went on a class trip to Europe. After several weeks of cunfusion and bumbling, tourist-like behavior, I was thrilled to arrive on the United Kingdom leg of our trip. Finally! I could speak the language! Navigation was going to be a snap. But what on earth did all those "W.C." signs mean?...
it's gotten better. I was in the U.K. again over Christmas this year, and the trend seems to have moved to more iconic representations. Still not the same as here in the U.S., but at least recognizable.
I recently listened to a podcast with Gibson about his book, and the question came up about the effect of globalization on wayfinding. 2 Different cultures have different meanings for colors, symbols, and framework of information display. Whithin our own culture, there is a movement to eliminate displays of "sexism" in communication, so forget your pink vs. blue, or skirt vs. pants signage.
What methods can a designer use to create systmes for a culture that they are not familiar with, or for an international audience?
And just for fun, a few examples of interpretations of important signage:
http://sensemaya.org/files/toilet_signs_57_3.jpg
