Molly Quinn

This week, I read that we could rant. So, rant I shall.

Copycatting. 

In a class this year, I was told that copying work was the best compliment one could receive... you could imagine how fast my heart fell to the bottom of my stomach and my eyes perked right open. Copying work - is a compliment? 

Let’s talk about it. 

For a group project - I had the idea of a rebrand design for a capsule project. For this rebrand design - my part of this project was to create a rebranding kit. And so - I did that. I carefully chose typefaces, and colors. I explained why the choices would be beneficial. I created image and branding guidelines, and created a new logo. In brainstorming, I noticed other members of my group were having some trouble coming up with ideas. So - I shared my ideas. I shared my ideas about increasing community engagement by starting a podcast, by curating weekly Spotify playlists, specific event ideas and other things. I was proud of these ideas and even worked to create mock up designs and visual artwork for these ideas, after other group members decided to ignore their part of the project. So when it comes time to present - each and every group member said they came up with those ideas, they created those designs, and they were in charge of all visual artwork. You could imagine my surprise. Meanwhile, my brand kit was overshadowed by these other designs - and credit was given to those who did not come up with the ideas, the designs, or the artwork. I was feeling like garbage. The people we were presenting to gravitated to the ideas, and a member of the audience leaned to their social media intern and told them to right those down as they would use them. Because - copying work is the best compliment one could receive. So we continue into group critiques, and I am critiqued on not having done enough of the group project. 

What a disappointing situation. As creatives, are we headed to a point in time where we need to limit collaboration to avoid these types of situations?

But - in the grand scheme of things, such a small example of a large problem. 

Throughout the course, we have learned a wide array of all things art and design. The origins of art and design movements, the development of these movements overtime, the rise of technology and new media, etc. but I am left wondering about this copycat syndrome. 

For me personally - I think there is a clear cut line. Art and design surrounds us, it would be next to impossible to not pull from these every day aspects and use them as inspiration for whatever we choose to create. But when it comes to copy and pasting, or claiming work that isn’t yours - I really just have a zero tolerance policy.

Week 13 – New Media Please expand on the “digital aesthetic” as defined by your textbook and provide contemporary examples. 

I really enjoyed this weeks reading. The Citizen Designer was something that I left feeling inspired by. I find my mind easily cluttered with a creative mess. Separating guidelines from creative expression is something I often battle with myself on - especially when working as a freelance graphic designer and working with multiple clients. 

Citizen Designers were described as professionals that attempt to address societal issues either through/in addition to their commercial work.

With my clothing brand, I feel as if I am addressing societal issues through apparel design/social media graphic design - however it is not quite self sustainable yet which is why I also freelance. When it comes to freelancing, there is truly a lack for that “citizen designer,” energy that I so deeply admire. 

Milwaukee definitely fits into the history of industrial design. One of the obvious reasons is because of the influence Brook Stevens had on Milwaukee’s industrial design. A few notable projects that Stevens designed specific to Milwaukee/the Midwest were: the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and Streamline Truck, and his work with Miller Brewing. Brook Stevens chose to stay in Milwaukee, because that was where his industrial design firm was.

https://www.motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2020/remembering-designer-brooks-stevens-an-industrial-pioneer

Equitable Use : Useful for diverse audience / Provides same amount of usage for all / Emphasis on equality of usage

Flexibility in Use : Accommodating for diverse audience / ex- right hand vs. left hand / Adaptable

Simple and Intuitive Use : Easy to understand for diverse audience despite knowledge / No unnecessary elements

Perceptible Information: Easy to understand for diverse audience despite sensory elements / Contrastive / Legible 

Tolerance for Error: Minimizes chance of error / prevents accidents or unintended situations

Low Physical Effort: Efficient and comfortable / Little to no fatigue

READING : Revolutions in Design p. 178-186, Russian Constructivism p. 190-208, The Bauhaus p. 212- 233 (through "The New Typography"), The Museum of Modern Art p. 259-264, The Second World War p. 275-283

1. German Expressionism was an art movement in the early 20th century focusing on an artist’s inner feelings or ideas vs. reflecting reality in artwork. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a film that best reflects German Expressionism, specifically due to its intensity (contrast, visual style, etc.)

2. I find Bauhaus style design very inspirational, and since taking this class I have noticed the impact it has had on my design styles. Focusing on function, form, and geometric shapes. In contrast to German expressionism, Bauhaus style design features little emotion or sentiment.

White Tile Tables : I DIY-ed this table when I first moved into my apartment, because I had seen them everywhere but they were so expensive! I loved the design of it. This table is functional, as it is extremely sturdy. With a layer of tiles and grout sealed on top of a thrifted wood table. There are four lets, and a sturdy base, allowing me to utilize it in many different ways. Plus, an added benefit to this design is that, I think it looks super cool!

Wood Tables : One of my favorite things in my apartment. These nesting coffee tables have quite an interesting design. From each view, the tables look different - similar to that of an optical illusion. This is a picture from when I first picked them up - however now, it is a great spot for magazines, candles and ceramic trays.Airpod Case : The design of my Airpod case improves my day to day use of my airpods. The silicone case allows for a better grip, and as someone who often drops things, it is very nice. It also has a key ring, allowing me to clip it onto anything, my backpack, keys, wallet, etc. making it difficult to lose! I also have a habit of losing things, and so keeping my airpods in this specific case prevents that issue from happening.  

After reading “Design Thinking”, I would describe design as the process of creating an efficient product while incorporating visual aesthetics to capture the eyes of potential consumers. This can be created technologically, mechanically, visually, digitally, etc.

Coming to this conclusion of what design really is, and the content we’ve learned thus far has been very interesting. Beginning the course, I did not really know the difference between design and art - and combined both into the same category. I am most familiar with graphic design from my freelance work, creating digital content that captures the viewer’s attention and relays information about their product/business - but never took a deeper dive into what design really is, instead just focused on the aesthetic of it - the colors, shapes, even psychology of design to discover what bests captures the attention of the viewer. I think that being able to understand what design actually is gives me a new respect for it, and also a new way of thinking. 

“Empathy. They can imagine the world from multiple perspectives – those of colleagues, clients, end users, and customers (current and prospective). By taking a “people first” approach, design thinkers can imagine solutions that are inherently desirable and meet explicit or latent needs. Great design thinkers observe the world in minute detail. They notice things that others do not and use their insights to inspire innovation.” (HBR, Brown, 2008)

When discussing design thinking, I thought this was a very interesting concept.

I find empathy to be the most relatable way of this type of thinking, both in products I use, and in what I create.

Noticing the little things that others may miss, while being able to reach a wide audience by offering an emotional connection along with the product is something I find to be the most important aspect of design thinking.

When I started my clothing brand, empathizing with our community and promoting a lifestyle/movement/new way of thinking, while offering emotional support was more important than the product (clothing) itself. Building a community is much more valuable and important than a one-time product. There is a level of support that follows, that I believe only empathetic thinkers can truly gain, as they are most relatable. Furthermore, I don’t think you can teach someone empathy. You can learn how to be more analytical, you can work on your optimism, you can ask more questions to inspire a new direction, and you can build a team to inspire collaboration - but with empathy you either have it or you don’t, which is why I find it to be extremely valuable - especially in the design world. 

I find many clothing brands are transitioning into this way of thinking, some brands that come to mind are Lonely Ghost, The Mayfair Group, and Madhappy. 

These brands go above and beyond when discussing empathetic design thinking - incorporating experimentalism and collaboration as well. 

I thought the readings/lecture/content this week was very insightful and offered a new perspective!

Hello everyone!

My name is Molly Quinn Beacom. I am in my Junior year here at UWM, majoring in DAC with a double minor in JAMS and Art and Design!

Although required, I enrolled in this course to further expand my knowledge on all things design! 

I started my own clothing brand, Odd One Out - and in curating new collections and utilizing social media, I enjoy learning new things from classes like this one, and applying it to the brand. I do a little freelance graphic design too. Currently, it is mostly corporate work where I follow a template of brand guidelines and strategies, so I do not utilize as much creativity - something I look forward to doing some day soon! And when that day comes, the knowledge I gain from classes like this one will most definitely be extremely beneficial! But outside of the workforce, having these classes as a way to express that creativity through projects, etc. although educational - it is so FUN! 

I had a hard time reaching this point in my educational and professional career, personal too, in art and design. Growing up I was always told that jobs focused on creativity and expression were not “legit” or “stable” jobs, instead they were hobbies. To this day, I still talk to people that believe that! I closeted the creative energy inside and did not explore those callings as they came. Instead of taking the art classes in high school knowing I wanted to do something with my creativity, I took science or math courses knowing full well I was NOT very good at those... Lol. The goal was to be a Physical Therapist at that time, stemming from my life of being an athlete and playing softball. Deep down, I knew this was something I did not want or desire to do, but it was what would make me feel like I would fit into the mold of what others would want me to do. It wasn’t until I graduated that I realized I did NOT HAVE TO DO THAT. I had a scholarship to play softball in Illinois, I was ready to study physical therapy - and with about a weeks notice I dropped out of that school and applied to UWM where I was admitted to study the creative fields I had always dreamed of. In the mix of that, there was a lot of healing, renewal, and letting go. I realized that this was my life, and I should be doing and exploring what I choose to - not basing my decisions off of the stereotypes and stigmas of society. 

Now, I’ve started a clothing brand where I can express my creativity through designing apparel freely, and am hopeful that one day I will be at a design firm where I can utilize graphic design creatively, or create the brand guidelines and strategies instead of following them. As time goes on, and I surround myself with more people with the same love for art and design, and passion too - there is really no feeling like it. In a way, it feels like home! 

I look forward to working with everyone! If you have read this far... Thank you! I have a tendency to be a little keyboard happy.

Molly Quinn