GRDS 701: Unit 3, Blog Entry 1- Project A

Since the quarter began, I have thought about what I would like to focus on for my Lit Review. When I first started the graduate program, my knowledge outside of the day to day practice of design was limited to the aesthetic and communication value of graphic design – although I knew there was more to design than that. Last Fall I completed a research paper on the value of design education, focusing on the advantages, struggles, outcomes and even experience of different people in the field. It really challenged my beliefs in the system, but ay this point I still believe in the value of my undergrad and grad education thus far. That is why I have chosen to continue reviewing this area for my review. I want to zoom in on the ways the design community (educators, students and practicing designers) can help change design eduction to integrate more real world projects, particularly on the undergrad level. Project A is providing a foundation in research and development to analyze the ideas and approaches those in the design community have taken to evaluate the current issue in design education.

I have enjoyed reading the different articles, but the concept map has me a little stuck – organizing ideas and associations between concepts with words is not an area I am good at apparently. I think I am just getting overwhelmed trying to balance the various components of the project with other things like work. This would be a great area to include in what to teach design students.

GRDS 701 Unit 2, Blog Entry 2: Jason Mayden

Since my last post was about being talented and cocky I wanted to share this talented designer’s humble journey. Jason Mayden is a former Jordan Brand designer and current Nike Digital Sports Innovation. Not only is he talented but his journey is truly inspirational. He is a great example of a dreamer how actually set out on a path to achieve what he wanted – to design Jordans. Despite growing up in the South Side of Chicago and no real guidance and resource to gain insight about design, Jason used what he had – a pencil and paper. I started on a similar path. I loved to sketch ideas for products and shoes, but my parents and guidance counselor said I should be an architect based on there understanding of the program. I knew there had to be more options so I continued to sketch. My new art teacher actually introduced me to Industrial Design. Like Jason I majored in ID and graphic design.

Reading interviews with him and watching him present during a TEDx conference you see he is driven and confident, but not cocky. He recognizes the people that got him where is today as well where he came from and is willing to share his journey. Can you imagine walking into a meeting to present a shoe design to Michael Jordan and then seeing that same design in shoe stores all over the world? That could really puff someone up – he just beams with pride. When asked what his biggest accomplishment is so far he does not talk about all the shoes he has designed or all the top athletes he has met and designed for. Instead he says it is all the people he was able to help getting into the industry, especially bringing design awareness to aspiring designer

From street violence to Stanford Business School to designing Nike

GRDS 701 Unit 2, Blog Entry 1: Leadership

Some of the best insight and writing that I have received have come from my design friends. One was my roommate Ariana from college who majored in graphic design and English. She has a blog where she shares her experience, advice and a few humorous occurrences with clients. Her latest series is called “Get Up, Get Out, and Get Hired”. The topic in the series I read this week deals with egos. I had seen this egos issue while in school and on shows such as The Pitch. Initially I  though the real world would tone done the egos of my studio mates – even the ones who are really good.  But seeing this on the The Pitch and even Mad Men made me question my decision to enter the field. I am pretty passive, especially about my work. Over the years I feel my work has improved and have even had offers for freelance work and jobs, but I don’t let it go to my head. This is particularly important as I work with design students. I would not want to give them a negative impression of the industry before they even step into it. One great point Ariana made in her post was the difference between a very talented cocky designer and a designer who is adaptable. The adaptable designer may not be on the same level talent wise but they can adjust they style to trends and technology and most of all they listen. At some point in a designers career they will have to work with someone – be it a member of a creative team or a client. We have to be able to adjust and listen to make sure the best solution is made. Enjoying our work is one of benefits of designing – its a great feeling, but we must understand the lines between confident and cocky.

Unit 1, Blog Entry 2: Design Education

The content presented in the course notes reminded me of a paper I completed this past fall for my GRDS 502 course where I discussed the value of design education. It has been a subject I have been researching for a while, particularly in the area of graphic design. In Unit 1 we are provided with 5 criteria for an established profession: full-time occupation, formal training/educational programs, national professional organization, established code of ethics and licenses/certifications for practice. Graphic design covers all criteria with the exception of the last bit. This one of the main reasons design education has been place aside for many entering the field. Today it seems all you really need is a computer loaded with typefaces and the latest Adobe CS. Without certification the gates are wide open for anyone to use the title “designer”. This does not mean a formal education make someone a better designer, but I do believe some training particularly on the subjects of design thinking and theory are needed to develop the way designers create and solve problems.

On the other hand, I have also seen the need for more practice-based design to be pushed in the classroom – especially during undergrad. As an undergraduate student I had the opportunity to take an industrial design studio that provided real-world design problems and helped me apply my classroom experiences to solve them. We had a chance to work as teams with engineers, MBAs and directly with the clients to help develop products that would be presented to manufactures. The studio helped be see more of the design process, how to research and what questions to ask.

I can’t say if I am totally for a required license to practice push for graphic design – I can’t image a person being charged with designing without a license – but I do feel an educational base of some sort is needed to create a stronger designer. I used the following quote from Massimo Vignelli to close out my paper and I believe it provides a great point on what makes a good designer:

“There is no design without discipline. There is no discipline without intelligence.”

 

Graphic Design Defined

My definition of graphic design has seen many changes and additions over the years. During my time as a undergrad majoring in Industrial design I saw graphic design as simply making posters. While simple by definition it intrigued me enough to pursue a minor in graphic design to supplement my ID background. As I stepped into my first graphic design course (Graphic Design Theory with Meredith Davis) I was exposed to a larger component of graphic design – the art of communication. This course almost made me change my mind about pursuing graphic design. It was more than posters or even logos and cool type, the “fun” stuff. As I read more and really listened, I bagan to have greater appreciation and respect for it. I saw graphic design as a tool to get messages across. I tried to keep this with me when I entered the work force after graduating. I started working in the newly formed marketing department at UNC Charlotte in their student union. I was also working as a freelance designer part time. Working provided me with another aspect of graphic design – problem solving. Unlike undergrad where we receive a project brief for a project that list expected outcomes and requirements, in the professional setting we are presented with a problem and left to determine the best method to communicate the idea or message. To solve these “problems” I need to understand culture, language, composition, even some areas of psychology to ensure the message reaches the audience. As a graduate student I am gaining a better understanding of the historic definition of design. From how revolution influenced how designers created and the impact it had on language (Fall of Imperial Russia) to the impact of technology on how we create and who can be deemed a “designer” (crowdsourcing, computers, etc). Graphic design is communication, influence, social change and more. Each reading, project and discussion contributes to my growing definition of the subject.