Rough Roads

While not related to graphic design, the way roads are laid out and built is definitely design. I recently read an article about the 15 worst roads in the world. We think that snow is bad but imagine winds so high that you are pushed off the road, imagine a dark road where no one turns on their headlights, or even roads with flash floods and wash outs. Here are some of the craziest!

Siberia Road to Yakutsk, Russia

Luxor-Hurghada Road, Egypt (I'm glad headlights are mandatory here, unlike in Egypt)

Coastal Roads, Croatia (My newest travel destination, no driving for me!)

Sichuan-Tibet highway, Tibet

Reuse!

Out of reduce, reuse, recycle; I think that reuse is my favourite. I love to wander around thrift stores, antique shops and discount clothing stores, and find ways to rework a piece of clothing, fix up an old piece of furniture or create something entirely different and new. Today on Design*Sponge I saw a cool way to reduce and reuse at the same time. TourDeFork designs and produces kitchen related items that help you reduce kitchen waste and reuse them for everyday tasks.

The orange peel hanger re-uses orange peels as scent diffusers. Simply skewer the orange peels and attach to you radiator or near a heat source and spread the scent throughout your space. The Coffee Scent Dissipater uses old coffee grinds to neutralize odors in your fridge. Place old coffee grinds in the ceramic holder and hang in your fridge, super easy and entirely natural.

I’m always amazed by the creative things people come up with.

Designing Obama

This week in the slow periods at work (I work at my College's information desk) I started to read Designing Obama. I haven't gotten all that far (it's a 338 page PDF) and couldn't even tell you what page I'm on because of the numbering system. (In grade one my teacher taught me roman numerals, but I have surpassed my range and am now unsure how to read the page numbers.) Regardless, here is a recap of what I have read so far.

• Designers complain that clients are insensitive and ruin our ideas, one designer

interviewed for the book suggested that to avoid this, we should choose our clients carefully and the rest will be easy.

• Many people will study Obama's campaign and try to replicate it's success. You need a good logo, consistent typography and commitment from those involved. These three things will be useless unless the person you are promoting is smart with a unique message and a good product.

• Obama won the design race and used this new level of design to signal change. The Obama campaign was consistent over all platforms; cell phones, websites, email, social network, iPods, laptops, billboards, print ads, campaign events, television, etc..

• Typefaces alone do not make a successful graphics campaign, the public needs something memorable that perpetuates good feelings towards the brand, product or candidate.

• Americans have come to know red as a Republican colour and blue as the Democratic colour. Obama's campaign combined these two colours, with an emphasis on blue, to imply unity and to present the country as one instead of segregated.

• The logo had a number of purposes: help make Obama compelling and credible, demonstrate the campaign's organization, allow supporters to show their excitement, serve as a visual signature in media coverage.

• Three basic criteria were looked at when brainstorming for the logo: tell a simple and authentic story, be stylistically resonant, demonstrate impeccable execution.

Next week I will continue to read and will post more highlights at the end of the week. Hopefully it continues to be as interesting and informative as it has been so far.

Placement Time

In my final semester, along with projects, I also get to do a 3 or 6 week placement. My professor mentioned that we should think about where we would like to do a placement and try to find somewhere to stay or transportation to get there. Over the break I emailed all of the relatives I could think of and eventually found places to stay in London and Toronto. Originally I thought London would be a great option, close to home and not as intimidating as Toronto. Yesterday, after talking to my professor, I found out that the studio I was interested in, wasn't interested in having and students. Luckily he had lots of other options for placements, he mentioned that Underline Studio in Toronto would be an option. I looked at their website and was blown away. I loved all of their work and was extremely excited about the magazines they produce. If things work out I think it would be an excellent opportunity. It would give me a chance to see how studios work and become, for a short time, part of a new team.

Evaluation Time

Evaluation time is upon us (my graphic design class and I) and it is always an interesting experience. This year since we are last in the wing to be evaluated, we have nearly two weeks without classes that we can work on our projects. The extra time is necessary as we were handing in projects right until our last day of classes, but it is interesting to see how everyone manages their time. There is a group of regulars who come throughout the day and then a group who come at night. I like to keep a regular routine, I feel that working regular office hours will help to prepare me for when I graduate.

It is always a stressful time, but looking back the times I got the most stressed was when I didn't take breaks. Going to the gym for an hour might mean I have an hour less time for homework, but it's refreshing and helps you concentrate when you get back to work. Planning out my time and allowing for breaks makes the difference.

Cookie-Cutter

While I’m mildly grossed out by playing with my food, this take on chess is a neat idea. When playing board games snacks are often brought out, this cookie-cutter set skips that step and integrates snacking into the game. Each piece contains your choice of snack and when you take down your opponent, the snack is yours.

Social Networking

I usually use social networking outlets to connect with friends, but I also find them useful for inspiration. Two of my favourite pages to check out are 420 Characters and The Cool Hunter.

420 Characters posts short stories, 420 characters (the maximum status length) in length, about a variety of topics. Although the stories are short, they create vivid images in your mind and make you yearn for a good read. The length is perfect for a quick break from your work day.

The Cool Hunter is an image sharing site, multiple times a day they post photos to their albums. Each album has a theme related to art or design. It’s a great place to find inspiring photos and helps to keep me current with what designers and artist are currently working on.