Pixelgawker

I’m a transplant. I was born and raised on the southside of Chicago. Until I moved to Michigan 3 years ago, I didn’t know a tremendous amount about the state. Sure, I spent time at the beaches on the “west coast,” I knew that a place like Frankenmuth scared me and Detroit was a place that I thought I would never want to visit. I now work in Detroit and call SE Michigan my home. I commute downtown every day and live in the shadow of a city struggling to rediscover itself. To outsiders, Detroit is defined by high crime, misery (see Forbes) and a sinking automotive industry. To those same outsiders, Michigan is characterized by foreclosures and the mass exodus of unemployed individuals. Unfortunately, I have learned that most of these are accurate assessments. What I have also learned is that many of these characterizations can be applied to other states throughout the country. The difference is Michigan has done a better job of mismanaging their economy and a poor job of diversification.

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By: Megan Deal

We have reached that interesting point in the semester. Time is running out. The semester is ending, and deadlines are fast approaching. As time disappears our days get longer, and before we know it the line between dusk and dawn becomes blurred. We begin to shoot coffee by the gallons and intake sugar by the pounds. Projects must be complete and there is no room for error; not from the individual or from the accompanying machine. (more…)

As many of you know, Ellen Lupton visited the area earlier this semester, holding a lecture in Ann Arbor and a Family Day event at MOCAD. During her visit she was kind enough to meet a handful of CCS students for dinner and agreed to assist as she could with the development of this blog. As I began exploring the topic of “cultural literacy” in design education, I thought that Ms. Lupton would be a prime candidate to contribute. She thoughtfully took some time out of her day to answer a few of my questions. Below is our conversation:

Megan: I have drawn my own conclusion, based upon both observation reading other sources, that many design students today focus their attention solely towards graphic design.They’re looking at books, blogs, and mags, all of which are exploding with various forms of the most recent visual communication. Though I recognize the importance of staying “current” with so-called design “trends,” I am concerned that young designers are limiting themselves by focusing on such a small part of our culture. Rarely do I see a design student reading a science journal, an architectural annual, or for God’s sake, even a newspaper, and more often then not, liberal arts classes are treated as the “fillers” between are “more important” studio courses. (more…)