Pioneer Modernism

After the World War, the art world changed and evolved as the public's situations and life evolved. Pioneer Modernists were the "go getters" that seeked and searched for this new way of life. Thier mindsets and goals were set on ideas and concepts of communication through vision. Their strong suit was abstraction and manifestos. I respected the effort and visions that the pioneers shared because they broke the standards so that a new fresh life could emerge. But like most strong forces, their weaknesses became obvious and its exposure grew. This group of strong willed intelligent individuals were maybe to good for thier own sake. The unity between the pioneers began to dissolve because everyone had their own opinions and views on certian aspects of life. Each designer wanted to bring something the world has never witnessed before but at the sametime their ideas were migrating from one central idea. Also their abstraction made sense to them but it wouldn't have made sense to the general public. So lack of communication was the main reason why this group never succeeded together. Even though the fianl result was a fail, in a way it was success because future minds and minds of today can look back at this unique group and gain motivation from the work that these pioneers did.

The Marriage & Divorce of Art & Design

M/M delivered interesting opinions about the difference between design and art. Various artists and designers presented their ideas and opinions on the subject. There is also the discussion of what constitutes a gallery and what makes a room a gallery? Also, how does the objects and art work relate with its surrounding environment. As I read this article I realized that design snuck its way into this art discussion because galleries and the way artwork are placed in them send visual messages to the viewers. So in a way the art is relating to the people because the design sends messages. Kees Dorst article explores the boundary between designers and artists' limits and purposes. This reading seems to give an advantage to artists because artists are more free than designers. Artists do not have to follow rules and regulations like designers do. But designers are very professional and strict on their assignment. This article also sought out to see the affect of the crossover of design and art. In a way they compliment each other because in order to produce an art piece you must first brainstorm a design and in order to design you must have a sense of art. The superflex article was a tad bit different from the two other articles I discussed because it focused more on the social side and the relation that art has to the public. After going through these documentations I realized that art and design are definitely compliments of each other.

Buckminster Fuller

Buckminster Fuller was a man with one of those fascinating minds of our time. Based on his readings and sayings, he was probably one of the first futurists and global thinkers. His ideas were unique and one of a kind and he thought beyond design. Fuller thought of things that the average designer wouldn't even think of and his level of creativity was very high. After watching his video I realized that architects of the future and even of today should take his ideas into consideration so that life for people can be easier and more convenient. The most intriguing thing that I discovered about Fuller was the map he made in which he flattened the global map so that all the continents were viewed as one island in one ocean. That really caught my attention because I never viewed the world in that way and when I think about it all the land masses are connected and people just segrated the oceans but they are also one big ocean. Buckminster Fuller to me is like the Einstein of design.

10 Ways To Save Paper

1. Documents could be printed on both sides of the paper
2. There should be paper recyclable bins in every building
3. Do not use a whole page of paper if there is only a small portion of text being written
4. Email more than print as much as possible
5. When sick, get a handkerchief instead of using tissue
6. Teachers, companies and officials at meetings can use a powerpoint projector instead of distributing handouts
7. Use recycled paper
8. Pay bills online
9. Keep any used paper that isn't completely used for future use
10. Use trusted companiesthat really recycle their materials

American Apparel

I found " Innovation and Exploitation- A Critique of American Apparel" a very interesting article because it exposes one of the most popular clothing companies in the country and shows the dark side that the avergae person does not know about. Before this article, I saw American Apparel as a hot store that are flocked to daily by teens everyday I go to the mall. With their appealing advertisements it was like a trap for clothes seeking teenagers and young adults. But Anna Kealey did a great job on showing the downside to this giant. It was very intriguing on how I used to see these american Apparel advertisements and not notice the similiarities that they all shared. As Anna pointed out, women were always sexually presented as if they were a dinner coarse on a canvas for the viewer. As I continued to read the article I learned that one man, CEO Don Charney, did most of the photography so this just added a new dimension. Not only did the same man did most of the sexually depicted pictures and advertisements, but it shows what was going on his mind. Then there were cases of sexual assault and that just poured more salt onto the wound. This shows, in a way, how art revolves and how there are many ways in which people utilize art. This also shows how emotions can be birthed from different art styles. Great essay.

Ethical Design Education

Susan S. Szenasy's "Ethical Design Education" was a well thought out optimistic view on the power of designers and how we can change the world into a better one. She presented many sad ways in which humans abuse materials like killing monkeys for their fur and palm trees that are cut down for little snacks. In this article she is challenging us designers to take a step in action to improve the current state of our worldly community. She showed how alot of designers, especially her students, did not see how designers had the ability to improve the world because most believe that this world is ran by "greed and ego". They view this world as an ugly, untreatable planet that has been damaged beyond repair. But what Susan is trying to show is that designers are able to heal this injured world but we must first use our skills. For an example: Susan brought up the idea about recycling and how materials are used. Designers can create a new resource or material that can be recycled forever. Designers can also create a system in which present day materials are used in a healthy manner for the inhabitants of this Earth and Earth itsself. She brought up various designers that fought for this cause. Artists such as William Morris and Walter Gropius. Im pretty sure that by the end of this seminar Susan's design students have a whole new mentality on what they can each do to save the world. "Ethical Design Education" is a very compelling article that will help give designers motivation and encouragement to try to better their envoironment and society.

Helvetica

Helvetica was the first movie that I watched of its kind. It was the first documentary that I viewed that was about typeface. There aren't many documentaries or movies, especially major movies, based on typeface so when I found out that there was one based on a font, I was suprised. I have to be honest my first impression was, "This is going to be one of the most boring movies ever!" But it ended up being one of the most intriguing movies I ever seen. I never put in alot of thought behind type and fonts because it is one of the most under-appreciated and under rated components in modern day advertising and life period. The movie Helvetica explored this world and showed the viewers the hidden power behind typeface. Helvetica is one of the most popular typefaces and it is used world wide by designers and typographers alike. I learned that most critics believe that helvetica is overabused by alot of people and that might be the reason why there is such a push for a new popular typeface. But whatever the result maybe, typeface should be more appreciated by the public and the education of typeface should be more distributed.