Pixelgawker

By: Megan Deal

I’m inclined to think that the reading habits of students today are headed toward a slow decline. This, I feel, has little to do with the capability of students, but rather, is due in part to the way that information is received. With more and more intelligible information being posted on blogs and other online sites, the internet is becoming many student’s prime source, and often only source, for obtaining information. But with it’s immediacy and ease of access, I’m left wondering if students are really taking the time to contemplate and assess what they’re reading? (more…)

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

Ok, maybe it isn’t this FIELD that I fear. Really, I have no experience in the field itself, so maybe it’s the weird combination of the field and the formal education of it. Graphic design, or my education of it thus far, seems a very whitewashed art form to me. It falls somewhere in between watercolor and accounting. Nerd Art, if you will. I just haven’t experienced much “feel” in it yet, and right now any kind of feeling or “passion” (sorry, Aubs) is completely overshadowed by the pressure to produce and meet insane deadlines in order to get a grade.

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By: Megan Deal

I live alone. I grocery shop by myself. I prefer to drive without any passengers, and normally, I do. I have, on occasion, dined companionless, and despite constant warning from both of my parents, I sometimes go on an unaccompanied bike ride, (Though never past dark, and always with a keen eye for suspicious looking vans). (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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By: Megan Deal

I’ve come to realize that this blog may be contradicting itself. If it’s ultimate goal is to examine the issues that are emerging from within the exchange of student dialogue, then perhaps this blog should allow an opportunity for more students to instigate conversation. Up until this point, a singe voice has dictated the topics of discussion. If more critical voices are to emerge, then this venue must give all students equal opportunity to test out their ideas and stimulate thoughtful debate. (more…)

A thought from Megan

It occurred to me today that design students can be quite entertaining to observe. We really do a lot of funny things. For an example, we tend to think that we can carry every single thing that we own all at once, sometimes while juggling a cup of coffee, and often while ascending three flights of stairs. We’re really quite ambitious, and adapt well out of necessity.

I’m interested in generating a list of the “observed.” A peer to peer collection of those ridiculous things that we as design students do. Allow this thread to start collecting observations as you observe them. Feel free to post as much as you’d like as often as you like. I’ll start with another recent thing that I’ve observed below:

By Megan Deal

I am sitting at “work” staring blankly at my screen. I periodically move a block of text here…then there…then change the color one more time. I pretend to look completely engaged by the task at hand. My long stares and occasional mouse clicks must be somewhat convincing as my productivity level, (or lack thereof) has gone unquestioned for at least 30 minutes. A new personal record. Wasting away the minutes I find myself wondering, how do design students working or interning in a professional environment develop a personal voice? How do young designers retain the solid level of integrity that we learn in the classroom, when shoved to the bottom of the heap in the “real world?” (more…)