#typehike

Process Image - Messing around with my cover collage, I’ll pick one eventually. I finally got my paper from French Paper and I am SO STOKED.

PODCAST 6: On Writing Well Michael Bierut + Jessica Helfand

Beirut and Helfand discussed how good or bad design affects how consumers view a product. They brought up Dan Brown’s ugly book covers and how Double Day offered a cover contest for a limited edition of Brown’s book. The contest created a question on compensation for the cover. We all do free work for our friends, but limited editions are more revered and is having your name next to it really enough? Double Day most likely chose to do the contest because good design sells. It brings consumers in. If there’s a book with the best story in the world, but it has an ugly cover, we will never open it especially as designers. Beirut and Hefland talked about buying wine based on how good the label design was and that is 100% true for me. My wine purchase depends on if I know the brand and how cool the label is! Good design is important because it’s what gets us the money!

A Response to Principles 28-36 & Podcast 06

This week’s reading was principles 28 through 36 in Layout Essentials by Beth Tondreau. While reading this material, I began to understand some different uses and elements of multicolumn and modular grids. Principle 35 is titled “Modules Do Not Need to Be Squared Off”. On page 70, Tondreau writes, “Within a consistent modular program, it’s possible to vary shapes, sizes, and patterns and maintain a sense of order and delight.” This statement is so true. I was able to see this principle while working through my process in producing my Type Hike NPS 100 Exhibition Catalogue. I have used a modular grid for this project since day one. Using this type of grid for this project was successful because I was able to easily switch up the sizing of the artwork showcased in the catalogue and also create variations within the design of the layouts. On page 11 of the book, Tondreau suggests to use a modular grid for designing charts, tables, newspapers, and calendars. A modular grid worked just fine for this catalogue; I am happy with the end result and can continue to experiment with all types of grids.

We also listened to a podcast, Episode 53 :On Writing Well, with Michael Bierut and Jessica Helfand on their show, The Observatory. They were discussing how important writing is for graphic designers. For example, they talked about avoiding boring marketing jargon. On this subject, Jessica stated:

“The beauty of something that is really well written is that it takes you down some path that is incredibly observant but uses language that is surprising or enlightening or that takes you somewhere that you did not expect to go as opposed to the obvious…”

 I truly enjoy this aspect of writing because when you can think of it in this way writing becomes a more creative, playful experience rather than a chore. Although, writing is never a chore for me. The real chore is finding the time to write. I have always wanted to start a blog or something of the sorts but I have been reluctant. I fear that I will not have enough time, I will not keep up with it, I will not find a main topic to write about, or I will run out of ideas. I really should just go for it instead of worrying about perfection from the start.

A Response to Principles 19-27, Podcast 05 and Type Hike Panel

This week we have been working on production of our Type Hike catalogs. We had an awesome day in class yesterday full of demos. It was super interesting to learn how one might make a pocket or accordion fold. These special design features require a little extra use of our brains because of the planning that goes into it. My design for the catalog is getting close to being done, but I still need to tighten up the illustration on the cover. I think I know exactly what I want to do.

On Tuesday night of this week, I attended the Type Hike Panel Discussion at Schneider Hall. Hearing James Louis Walker talk about how this project started made me realize that, as a designer, everything you do does not have to be some huge, perfectly-orchestrated plan. Sometimes all it takes is one tiny step in a new direction that can cause a massive chain reaction that produces a new great idea and starts a new project. Something as simple as a text message or email can be one of those tiny steps that can change everything.   

We also listened to an episode of Design Matters with Debbie Millman. She talked to Tina Roth Eisenberg about her work space in DUMBO in Brooklyn, New York. She also asked about her blog, SwissMiss, and the teuxdeux app. It was inspiring to hear Tina talk about her work because she loves what she does so much. On the air she said, “ I love my studio. I love going to work every single day; It’s my happy place. I wish everyone could have this.” I really hope that someday I can have this too.