Noam Chompsky

Noam Chompsky

-        is an Linguistics professor and political activist and is best known for his writings, presentations and other internationally published work criticizing the corrupt practices of the political-corporate world and its abuse and manipulation of the media.

-        Important linguistic work focuses on why and how children learn languages as quickly as they do.

-        He is best know for his political views and activism. His political writings and other contributions cover issues of criticisms of war and media manipulation to encouraging new forms of social structures.

Project 5 – Design is…

I choose to be a designer because I am fascinated with the different types of design fields, especially interior design and graphic design. I enjoy the creative aspect and love the great feeling you get when a project has been completed successfully.

Design is about anything and everything. Design is what you want it to be and can be found anywhere. There will always be a concept or will convey some sort of message.

Design is important because it causes discussion. Whether it's good or bad it will draw attention. Design is seen everywhere and from one design another can be inspired.

Design is created by you, me, everyone.

When I design I feel inspired to design something else. Every design is different and when I design I learn new information about that topic. I’m constantly learning and it sometimes takes my mind off of anything that may be bugging me. It’s fun, relaxing (when I don’t have 20 projects running) and it gets me thinking.

When I experience good design I let other people become aware of it. I become inspired and take note of it. I refer to these designs in the future for reference.

Design is a process. Designs always start somewhere and develops over a period of time.

Favourite Designer – Marian Bantjes

Marian Bantjes is a designer, typographer, writer and illustrator. I first learned of Marian through a typography class and after seeing examples of her work I become inspired and absolutely loved how detailed and how precise she is with her work. Marian is important as she takes care in her work. She asks herself questions and wonders how to make something better. She strives for the best. 

http://www.ted.com/talks/marian_bantjes_intricate_beauty_by_design.html

It's great to see how she appreciates detail and will work hard to make sure that everything is perfect. 

Among her international clients, she counts Saks Fifth Avenue, Penguin Books, GRANTA, Wallpaper*, The Guardian, WIRED, Stefan Sagmeister, Winterhouse (Bill Drenttel & Jessica Helfand), Maharam, Ogilvy & Mather Chicago, Young & Rubicam Chicago, Random House, Houghton Mifflin, Print Magazine, GQ Italia, and The New York Times, among others from Europe, Australia and South America.

http://www.bantjes.com/project/seduction-yale-poster

Project 4C – 10 Most Favourite Things in the World

1.     Soccer

2.     Fruit Loops

3.     Running

4.     Bright tops

5.     Sleeping (When I actually get to sleep)

6.     Ear rings

7.     Architecture

8.     Post Cards

9.     Scarves

10.  Cookies  

Project 4A - My Week of Media Consumption

Blog Assignment Journal Entry 6 – Cool Information Graphics

Some pretty cool information graphics:

Think Differently Journal Entry 8 – A Successful Makeover

This past weekend I went back to Brampton and hung out with my family. While I was there my brothers helped me changed the tires on my car. While they were cleaning the rims on my tires I was cleaning out the trunk of my car. Usually my brothers would clean the interior of the car, but this time they had some other plans for the day. They showed me some quick techniques and where to use some of the products on the car. I thought it was going to be boring and going to take a lot of time, however, it was quick, easy and I actually enjoyed it as it took my mind off school and work. 

Blog Assignment Journal Entry 5 – Design Process… Is it important?

Coming from an Interior Design and Graphic Design background, I believe the design process is extremely important. The flow of ideas is what gets you to that brilliant final design/outcome. The process makes it proof of it being yours with your step by step ideas to back up the final outcome. These processes can be used again and may give you ideas for future designs. The design process shows how you think as a designer and how you get from step A to B to C to D, so on and so forth. 

Blog Assignment Journal Entry 4 – My Favourite (so far) Vacation Hot Spots

Travelling is something I do on a regular basis. Here are my (so far) top 10 vacation hot spots and some fun activities you can enjoy.

1.     Rome, Italy – Coliseum, St. Peters Basilica, Sistine Chapel. Pantheon, Trevi Fountain

2.     Hawaii, The Big Island – Kilauea Volcano, Zip Line Canopy Tours, Surfing, Snorkeling, Waterfalls 

3.     Cape Town, South Africa – Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, Whale Watching, Cape point, Boulders Beach (penguins), Robben Island

4.     Cairo, Egypt – The Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Pyramids, Camel Rides

5.     Crete Island, Greece - Beaches, Samaria Gorge, Knossos, Boat Cruise (Fort & Lagoon)

6.     Mombasa, Kenya – Fort Jesus, Beach water activities, Gedi Ruins, Hindu Temples, Mombasa Tusks, Old Town

7.     Vancouver, Canada – Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain, Stanley Park

8.     Paris, France – Eiffel Tower, Versailles Palace, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral,

9.     Rajasthan, India – Mount Abu, Nakki Lake, Temples, Umaid Bhawan Palace, City Palace Jaipur

10.  Budapest, Hungary – Buda Castle, Chain Bridge, Fisherman’s Bastlon, Parliament House, Heroes’ Square, Central Market Hall, St, Ste­­phen’s Basilica­­

Think Differently Journal Entry 7– Speak Up

This week I had an ad centre client presentation for a gala event. I designed two different art deco posters that could be displayed as their overall theme for the gala. One of my concepts had to do with geometric shapes and dancing while the second idea focused on buildings and a classy 1920’s style car. I made a few changes to the final design for the second idea and had to drive to Kinko’s to have it printed as a large colour drawing. When they finished printing my poster I noticed that the colours were off. I was a little shy to say something as I didn’t want to cause a big scene, but then I figured I’m paying quite a bit for a print that turned out to be inaccurate. I finally said something and the manager came out, argued with me and said it has to do with your CMYK colours. I had told him I knew all about CMYK colour and that my file I gave him and the one that printed look way off. He finally asked someone to calibrate the large printer, but he was so sure that it wasn’t the printer and it was my file. After my poster printed for the second time it came out perfect to what I had expected. He was shocked and apologized. If I never stuck up for myself I would have walked out with a bad print. I learned that I need to speak up if I know something isn’t right.

Designer Time-Line - Steven Heller…

A Little about Steven Heller...

-        -Steven is an American art director, journalist, critic, author and editor who specialized on topics related to graphic design

-       - He is an author and co-author of many works on the history of illustration, typography and many subjects related to graphic design

-       - Published many articles (over 80) and written articles for magazines including Affiche, Baseline, Creation, Design, Design Issues and much more

-       - For 33 years he was an art director at the New York Times

-        -For almost 30 years Steven was with the New York Times Book Review

-       - Currently, he is Co-Chair of the MFA Designer in the Author Department, special consultant to the President of SVA for new programs and he writes the visual column for the New York Times Book Review.

-        -His interest in design is playing with type and images to create a fascinating page

-        -Influenced by magazines like Esquire, Playboy, Avant Garde and the National Lampoon. He was also influenced by an illustrator, Brad Holland, who persuaded Steven that page layout and type choices actually matter.

Steven describes himself as a workaholic – he’s a very hard worker who also teaches, does symposiums, edit the AIGA journal and writing books and articles. He’s happy when people approve his work, but if someone finds a hole in his work, he’s just as happy as it’s an area for improvement. This helps better his work.

“Criticism is important because it gives us a language (indeed a lens) by which to discuss and view design.”

I agree with this quote and admire it. In order to improve your work and excel in the design field, you have to be able to take criticism and use it to your advantage to re-work your design to make it all that more better.

Steven Heller is important as he has documented and critiqued the history of graphic design, capturing narratives which could have been lost. His work is phenomenal and everyone can learn a lot from seeing his work and interviews.


Some of his books include:

Think Differently Journal Entry 6 – And there goes my life…

I’ve had a very intense week: going to classes, catching up on school work and making time to go to work. Normally I’m always up to date with everything, but as I was going to class on Monday I was walking down the stairs to the basement in the F building and my phone somehow slipped out of my pocket, fell down a whole story and smashed at the bottom. I could feel my heart break as it crashed. I still had a little bit of hope and went to go see if it would turn on. I waited for a while and still nothing. It felt like my life had stopped. At that moment I decided to go to Fido to get another phone after class. As class ended I forgot about going to Fido and started walking home making plans for the night (which consisted of making dinner and doing homework). I realized when I was starting to do homework that I didn’t have a phone. It was at that moment that it didn’t bother me about not having a phone. It was quite peaceful and I was able to get some work done without being interrupted by a text message or the ring tone. The next day I went to get a new phone as I needed to contact my parents. I realized that the world wont end because of a phone -  it’s just a phone and it can eventually be replaced.

Discussion Paper 2 – Design is… Ellen Lupton Interview

After reading the Ellen Lupton article I learned that Ellen has always been fascinated with type from an early age. One interesting point she makes is “the field of typeface design is an enormous stinky mess”. She feels that people can make their own typefaces if they have the equipment, but most of them are not designed well. They don’t have much experience or thoughts about the font they are actually creating. Some people take a typeface, change a few aspects of it and call it their own. This is something that is unacceptable as the designers who create the basis of the typeface “get a bad rap.” It’s not fair for people to steal a font and change a few things. Ellen says “That’s not design.”

I completely agree with this. If your going to take someone’s work I believe you should credit the designer. Taking aspects of someone’s work and using it in your work is okay, but using an entire alphabet and changing a few things isn’t. I believe you should come up with your own concept and idea’s and use references to create your own, but not copy it. 

Blog Assignment Journal Entry 3 – Writing is design

Of course writing is design. Everyone has their own style of writing. Whether it is cursive, architectural or just printed, everyone has a different writing style and no one can duplicate it unless you trace it. Someone’s writing can be taken to create a design. It could be used on almost anything. Sometimes when I’m browsing through magazines I see children’s writing on some ads to give it some character instead of using the usual serif or sans serif type. Sometimes your handwriting style can be used to create new ideas for future projects. You may look at your writing style and notice something that can be used in other designs. Your writing style is the basis of your own design and from there it can take you to many different design possibilities. 

Think Differently Journal Entry 5 – Oh No.. Country music

Since I’ve moved out I’m enjoying living in a new area with a room mate. I’ve known her since the beginning of the program and we get along great. One thing I didn’t know was that she’s really into country music and I’m more of a r&b, hip-hop, house type of person. I’ve never really listened to country music, but as I was sitting one day doing homework, she had the music going and then it switched to country music. At first I was a little annoyed, but after awhile I didn’t mind it. I think it was just because I was never exposed to it. Now, I’m actually liking it and don’t mind it at all. I realized you don’t know what your missing until you’ve actually tried it. 

Blog Assignment Journal Entry 2 – What I have learned so far…

During the last few years I have learned quite a bit about myself. While backpacking in Europe with crutches, I learned that I am extremely strong and able to still get around by myself, communicate well with others and travel using maps and different modes of transportation to reach my next destination. I’ve learned that anything can happen in life at any time. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes your not as fortunate, but even so, regardless of how bad a situation may be, it can only get better. I’ve learned to think positive, even at the worst times which has helped me get out of sticky situations. 

Think Differently Journal Entry 4 – Family comes first…

I received some unfortunate news about my grandfather. He had past away in England. I had two options: missing classes to attend his funeral or continue with school and maybe regret not going. I decided that being with family was much more important and booked a flight as soon as I could. Now that I’m back to school and bogged down with school work, I don’t regret leaving as I was able to see him one last time. Eventually I’ll dig my way out of the pool of work I’ve made fore myself, but being with family, sharing memories and just supporting one another is well worth the pile of homework.  

Blog Assignment Journal Entry 1 – 10 things that make me happy…

1.  Eating my Fruit Loops in the morning (or in class)

2. Waking up to having my lunch ready

3. Going to the park with my little cousins (I don’t feel silly going on the slides and swings since I’m with the little ones)

4. When Smart Food (cheddar popcorn) is on sale. (It’s way to expensive, but tastes really yummy)

5. Receiving random texts from friends

6. Going for runs and discovering new places and beautiful scenic route

7. Travelling and learning about different cultures

8. Playing soccer at the park

9. When I get paid 

10. Going for walks and taking random pictures of the areas that surrounds me