it’s worth the risk

By chad reichert
March 24th, 2009

a laboratory is a very appropriate comparison for detroit because it suggests an environment where research, experimentation and teaching are encouraged. a laboratory, given the right set of conditions, can produce very exciting yet potentially dangerous outcomes. the results all depend on the motive of the scientist or researcher and what they are trying to accomplish. with hard work and motivation, scientists have the potential for results that can solve some of the world’s biggest problems. with perseverance, humility and the willingness to make mistakes, scientists and designers alike can be innovative. the reward of success far outweigh the risk of failure. (more…)

Detroit, Detroit

By colleen hill
March 12th, 2009

For days I ’ve had the lyrics of the Smashing Pumpkins’ Tonight, Tonight running through my head. Once a part of the soundtrack to windows down, summer sing-a-long nights during my high school years, those words have found a new relevance to my adult life. Perhaps I am being sentimental, but the words still won’t leave my mind:

You can never ever leave,

without leaving a piece of youth. And our lives are forever changed,

we will never be the same

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A New York Minute, A Detroit Hour

By megan deal
March 5th, 2009

Perspectives on Detroit from a designer who always thought she’d leave.

Since the beginning of my move to Detroit, I’ve been counting down the days until I could leave. “I want to expand my horizons,” I’d say, “broaden my design perspectives and see the world!” But the real reason behind my desire to escape this place that has for five years now been my home, is simply the idea of moving towards a more prosperous, energetic place, crawling with boundless opportunity. Excitement for a big move grew rapidly this December as I finished up my undergraduate education at CCS. Diploma in hand, my head told me that I could go anywhere, see everything, and be anything that I wanted. The entire winter break saw me sending out portfolios and resumes to every studio that I’d ever known and loved. When I wasn’t soliciting future employers I was online scoping out new/old apartments in Brooklyn, or in Bucktown, or in Boston; anywhere but here. Any place but Detroit. I had already worked out the details hat would allow for an early termination to my current apartment lease. I was slowly but surely boxing up small things around my one-bedroom and shipping them home on weekend trips to my parent’s house. I was certain that I was moving and I couldn’t wait to do so.

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Transitions

By chad reichert
March 3rd, 2009

As you all have probably noticed, Pixelgawker has seen nothing resembling new content in several months. This long-lasting dry spell is due in part to the onset of new life transitions that both Megan and myself have recently undergone. Since our last post, Megan’s tenure at CCS has come to a close, while I myself have become the father of two twin daughters. Needless-to-say, we have each been adjusting to our new lives.
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