Pattern & Texture in Video

Since we are doing a study on Pattern & Texture this week in Design class, I've been keeping my eye out for these things. When I saw this video, it really stood out for me as a good use of both pattern and texture to draw people in and create focal points and movement.

Half Way There

I've hit the half way point of the quarter. 5 weeks down, 5 weeks to go. I'm really enjoying drawing class these days, so I thought I would share some of my sketches from class so far.

Oh Snap!

My cousin is an awesome photographer and graphic designer in the Seattle area. I really like his style and soon I'll be getting my own personal photoshoot, compliments of Mike Folden of Joe Photo & Design.

Here are some of my favorite photos from his collection:

A Personal Advertisement

Attending design school isn't cheap. Luckily between working full-time and going to school most nights of the week I don't have much time to spend money. Nevertheless, let me beg for just a moment.

I've started a little shop where you can buy some things with some photos of mine stuck right on the front. This way we're all winners. You get something cool like a mug with a beach on it (the beach from the Twilight series, folks) and I get some money to buy new sharpies.

If you don't want any more junk filling up your closet... well then, just click that little donate button over there on the right.

Thanks for your support!

Contrast Collages

The assignment for this week's Design class was to create a collage that effectively draws the eye in and creates some sort of order through contrasting images/shapes/colors/etc. Mine is ok. Not the best collage I've ever made (since I used to make them all the time). I only wish I could create something as interesting as these collages by Robert Mars.

Drawrings

I swear I had a breakthrough in my drawing class yesterday. We talked a bit about pre-concieved notions and how they can create walls that are seemingly impenetrable. The great news is - they can be broken down! I guess you just have to let go.. or something like that. Basically, I realized that I'm a messy drawer and I kind of like it so I'm just going to go with that and stop trying to be perfect.

Anyhow, I actually enjoyed drawing for once and I can't wait to draw more! I'll post pics soon but until then I discovered this site Odosketch. You can draw online with different colors and lines. It's pretty sweet and the drawings some people create are AMAZING. I don't know how they do it.


This one is mine. The other cool part is that once you draw it, you can rewatch how you did it! So cool. Just one tip: save your drawing and then go back to the main page to start another. I lost a few when I just saved and then trashed the drawing to start over. Boo.

Senior Class

The boomers are on their way to old age... how are we catering to their needs? An article about Senior Hair Salons caught my eye today in the Seattle Times.

Think of the opportunities! Most good and intelligent design seems to focus itself on the youngest generations and technology, but soon we'll have a generation of senior citizens with new needs and preferences and concerns.

In the case of the hair salon, they thought about the design details that would draw in the elderly - from the cape to the decor on the wall to the sounds and sensations around the salon.

What other services could be changed to accomadate a clientele a bit advanced in age?

A Love Letter For You

This is the kind of thing I really enjoy about art: using it to make the world a more enjoyable place.

This is a project from Stephen Powers called "A Love Letter for You," a series of wall murals across his home town of West Philadelphia.

Idea: learn how to design advertisements and then design ads that promote nothing other than happiness.

The Powers of 10

This short video has been recommended to me multiple times by a variety of people involved in the design world. I finally watched it today. It's slightly mind-blowing.

(via thatswhatmarielsaid)

Long Time No See

I'm back from my trip! It was so nice to relax with friends and play in the sun (and heat - 83 degrees on Saturday!). I flew Virgin America and it was a really great flight. I've heard of a lot of people flying to CA from here lately so they must have some cheap tickets right now... or have I missed some new advertising campaign and I just happened to stumble onto their plane by accident?

Anyway, back to reality. I'm completely obsessed with TED talks online. You must see them. I posted one last week, but there are so so so many good ones. I'll refrain from posting them all here so this doesn't become some TED commentary blog.

However I will post some pictures from my vacation. Enjoy!

No Posts for the Weekend

I'll be spending my weekend remembering what sun feels like. Maybe it's a little premature to post this, but it's pretty safe to say that I've already checked out.

I leave tomorrow! See you in....
(via bedbungalow)

Rory Sutherland: Life Lessons from an Ad Man

Watch it!!!

I got a new phone yesterday. It's NOT an iPhone. Condemn me if you must.

Pepsi Pickup Lines

Oh Pepsi...

It is quite troubling to hear that there is quite the controversy over your new iPhone app.

I actually think the base idea is pretty great and funny, but maybe you chose a few words and images that turned over half of the population against you.

First of all, don't use the word "score" if you want women to approve. Second, maybe putting up a "brag board" is just a bad idea. Save it for the locker room... or wherever you guys partake in gossiping.

Here's a way to rework this. Create something more like "dating tips" and a "discussion board." I think that women could appreciate an app that would help the male species to step up their game.

And where's the app that tells women how to talk to men? Or... maybe... a rejection app?

Here's an idea! An online dating app with people who are in the same room! Discuss.

Desperate times call for Creativity

I wish more business people would see the potential of what they have and use creativity to actually make money when it seems impossible as well as help the community.

Here's an article in today's NY Times about landlords who are renting out vacant (and difficult to sell) space to local artists. Good business people are creative and this is a prime example. Sometimes to survive, you have to think outside of the box and remember, any money (even a little) is still good money. Especially when you have high fixed costs such as a mortgage, electricity, and taxes.

Can we see this in Seattle, please?

Milton Glaser

For those of us who need a little encouragement in the world of drawing.

MILTON GLASER DRAWS & LECTURES from C. Coy on Vimeo.

Drawings and Logos

Finally! Some pictures...
Here's a hot mess of my drawings. Most of the time we are encouraged to doodle to open up our minds. They are so random but also kind of fun.

In Design class, we studied Figure and Ground this week. The homework was to create a logo using our initials - one in white, one in black. I came up with this classy one:

And this one that is more fun and playful:

Chaos

Whoa, it's Saturday?! Sorry for not updating in the last few days. My apartment shows the wreckage of my whirlwind schedule - drawings cover the table, newspapers and flyers on the floor, glasses of water everywhere (I can never keep track of those). I did finally hang up some clothes that I washed 2 weeks ago. Anyway, I'll post pics soon of my new personal logo design a of my drawings.

Good things of the week:
-Major compliments on some posters I made for a raffle at work.
-Improvements on my drawing and creativity skills

Not so great:
-My brain hurts while stretching my thoughts during drawing class
-Macs are not my friend, I'm a PC apparently.

More later. I'm off to a Windows 7 House Party (jealous?)... I'll take some pics and post soon.

Studio Tours

Tour 4 of Seattle's super creative design agencies this Thursday, October 8th. More info here.