Pixelgawker

This past summer, I had the pleasure of working among a small group of students to collaboratively design a series of light pole banners for six distinct Detroit neighborhoods. These particular neighborhoods, as it was explained to us, all have a high population of children, and need outside support in order to ensure the continued success of their young inhabitants. Over the 8-week class period, our task would be to design a set of publicly displayed banners that capture the spirit of each community, while also identifying the community to others in the city. The process went as such: We were given a tour of each neighborhood by appointed neighborhood leaders, who educated us on the area’s important cultural and historical details. We then would collectively distill this research, organizing notes and ideas into mind maps and word lists. Then, of course, we would discuss concepts and begin designing, designing, designing. We pumped out version after version, editing nothing. In class, the group would have small critique sessions, though these would generally be focused less on aesthetic and more on idea. We continued cycling through this process until it was time for our first community meeting, where residents of the community would see the designs for the first time. With community members gathered around a long, narrow table, we each stood up and took turns explaining the conceptual basis behind each of our designs. We elaborated on details from our tours and research, expounding upon the reasons behind many of our design decisions. When each of us were through presenting, the door was cordially opened for feedback. After all, none of us lived in the communities for which we were designing, and we understood that the success of this project depended substantially on the communities acceptance of the work. Yet none of us anticipated what happened next. Silence. Not a word. We nervously glanced at one another, half smirking with confidence, half sinking in defeat. A very boisterous and vocal woman eventually spoke up, to begin what we’d later dub “the meeting where we all really sucked.” To put it lightly, they HATED the designs! Comments ranged from “too static,” to “too boring.” Questions followed like “What’s that supposed to represent,” and “Aren’t those McDonald’s colors.” We awkwardly stood rejected and unsure of what to do next. I suppose what we did do would be what any young, tactful designer would do; we thanked everyone for their feedback, regrouped, then went back to the drawing board. (Speaking only for myself, I additionally went home to a glass of red wine and two Excedrin)

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The fall semester is now upon us. Class schedules are being finalized, supplies are being purchased, and the work load, no doubt, will soon be piling up. For those of you who may be new to Pixelgawker, welcome, and thanks for taking the time to peruse. And for all of you returning visitors, thanks for coming back! Created to foster a critical design discussion among students, Pixelgawker celebrates it’s one year anniversary this fall. Since its launch towards the end of 2007, the site has been tastefully redesigned, while the discussion continues to expand. A blog that started with one student’s timid first essay, has now morphed into a full blown student forum, receiving over 100,000 hits in the first 9 months. Just like last year, Chad and I are still seeking contributors who may be willing to write, or have already written on a topic suitable for discussion. Please contact Chad or myself if you’re interested in writing. Let your voice be heard! (Otherwise your stuck with me and my opinions for the next 15 weeks)

Okay, now that the shameless promotional work is out of the way, I’d simply like to encourage everyone to have a FUN and productive semester. As students, we know all to well the high level of commitment that is required from us if we are to learn and better our skills. That commitment to success, along with the pride we each take in our work, are both qualities that we should commend ourselves for possessing. This strange realm of higher education we dabble in, can be challenging, frustrating, exciting, or unbearable; but it can ultimately be fulfilling. It’s fulfilling when you have a useful crit, it’s fulfilling to connect and share with your peers, it’s fulfilling to have a great discussion with your favorite teacher, it’s fulfilling when you finally complete a daunting project and, in time, it’s fulfilling when you leave as a fresh college graduate. So please…as the semester gets underway, and the energy drinks are re-introduced to our clean, summer systems, and the work piles up, and the wireless refuses to work, and the security guards kick us out of labs, and Kinkos can’t print our files, and we feel like we’re being pulled in 97 different directions (and probably are)…please, PLEASE try to stay positive. We have all chosen to be here, and we are all in this together, and with each other we’re all working towards a similar goal. So with that, I say keep the designing on high and the moping turned low. Get ready. For today, it begins.