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

Recently, I spent a solid half hour in the school cafeteria, chatting away with another student. We were table mates by default really, she approaching me and my unoccupied seats in a desperate attempt to find for herself a place to land and enjoy her lunch. I introduced myself, she did the same, and we proceeded to talk about a variety of topics ranging from Detroit to the over-priced sandwiches offered in the cafe. As we casually spoke to one another, I remember thinking to myself, “Wow…how nice; how exciting to be interacting with a student from another discipline.” Then, as we both described the structures of our respected curriculums, along with the type of classes that we each take, something happened. This girl, this seemingly pleasant girl, looked me dead in the eye and said: “You see, the thing I don’t get about graphic design is that you’ll do anything to make money…it’s like you sell yourselves out.”
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By: Megan Deal

What is Good Design? Aubrey and I started to address this question in an earlier conversation, found here. In typical ichat fashion, we began to pose simple questions while exchanging impromptu ideas, barely scraping the surface of what could have evolved into a complex discussion. Our conversation resulted from the aggravating circumstances we deal with “on the job,” where “good” design boils down to one thing: Sophisticated color palette, elegant well-kerned type, simple-structured modular grid, and plenty of white space. Add some iridescent glitter, send it off the the lasar-cutter and you’ve got yourself one “well-designed” greeting card, good enough to sell for at least $3.95. My intention here is not to discredit my place of employment. (I think I’ve done that enough over the past few weeks) My point is simply that “good” design for some merely implies a style. If it looks “designy,” (or rather like it was born straight out of the Modern era), then it must be good. Plain and simple.

This question of “good” design has led me to think about the role of design in society, what it can be used for, and who can be effected by it. Is good design merely a subjective call on style? Is good design, responsible design? Is it socially conscience? Does it reach a broad audience? Can it make a difference? As developing graphic designers, we’re harnessing talents that can be used to greatly effect the way that people perceive the world. Who we choose to work with and what we choose to do with our skill will depend on the individual. But I would suggest that social responsibility has become an inherent part of design; an issue that cannot be neglected, like it or not.

At this point, I have nothing but questions regarding this complex topic. I’m interested in sharing some ideas with one another, and developing the issue further. I’m anxious to learn where others stand on this topic, and how, if at all, you see social responsibility shaping your role as a young designer…

By Ken Blaznek
“I tell you one thing I don’t get. This whole nostalgia for the late 60’s, early 70’s that’s happening right now. The Black Crows wearing bellbottoms again? I don’t think so, ok? I wore them once, they sucked, I didn’t get laid, I’m not wearing them again!”
-Denis Leary

The above quote is from Denis Leary, one of the great comedians of my generation turned network tv darling. It’s from about 1994, when my generation was embracing 70’s cool. Bellbottoms. I wore them, in 1994 they were available for two dollars at Value Village and they were “sweet.” (more…)

By Ken Blaznek

I think it’s fair to say that I’ve developed the reputation as one of the more nervous graphic design seniors at CCS. I know that I am not alone, and that things are not all peachy for some of the rest of you as well, so I feel like it is my duty to take a look at things from this angle. Call it a sacrifice.
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Megs: so why do we question what design SHOULD look like
Aubrey Stalnaker: yes
Aubrey Stalnaker: why?
Megs: just thinking out loud now.
Megs: yes why?
Megs: who determines what GOOD design is.
Megs: ?
Megs: The question becomes…what should GOOD design look like?
Aubrey Stalnaker: right
Aubrey Stalnaker: what is good?
Aubrey Stalnaker: how do we define that?
Megs: right. and who determines it?
Aubrey Stalnaker: who saays great is better than good
Aubrey Stalnaker: ?
Megs: perhaps we shouldn’t use the word “good” when discussing design, but rather “appropriate.”
Megs: how do you save convos on this thing?
Aubrey Stalnaker: who made up these words? and why do we use them in design?
Megs: just save as
Aubrey Stalnaker: im going to post this convo
Aubrey Stalnaker: on the blog
Megs: okay good
Megs: i think posting an existing dialogue is awesome
Megs: DO IT
Aubrey Stalnaker: done and done
Megs: put ur name this time would ya
Aubrey Stalnaker: ha
Aubrey Stalnaker: no
Aubrey Stalnaker: i want to be this invisible contributor
Megs: aubs sometimes I like talking about design more then I do actually designing
Megs: ha not aloud
Megs: develop a voice. you have one that needs to be heard.