Modern Art in a nutshell...

"Duchamp owns everything."

The painter thinks in forms and colors. The aim is not to reconstitute and anecdotal fact but to constitute a pictorial fact.

Hatch Show Print

In all the excitement of getting classes underway and projects started, I forgot to blog about Hatch Show Print's presentation in Greenville a couple weeks ago. Jim Sherraden, chief designer and archivist at Hatch, came to speak about the oldest working letterpress in the U.S. (1879). He was a great speaker, interesting and humble. The prints spoke for themselves and each one was unique and amazing in its own way. I wanted to buy every one of the different designs. 

Sherraden began by saying that Hatch was still a working press today, designing new posters, wedding invitations, etc. while still drawing upon resources from decades back and keeping historical prints alive and in circulation. Despite the invention of the computer and its mass production for most of today's advertisements, Hatch is going strong. Sherraden remarked that the computer has actually helped Hatch establish itself in a specific niche in the design world. 

The computer has made ads so convenient today- compiling the files and adjusting with creative suite programs, and circulating them not only through easier mass printing, but through email and web design. The cleanness of digital representation and exactness is very helpful, but it lacks a kind of personality unique to hand-made design, letterpress, woodcuts, etc. Nice details like the variation of ink density and the indentions from the press give woodblock prints a more personal feel.

I'm the kind of person that cherishes the tactile qualities of paper, books, hand-done design, carefully crafted items that cannot be correctly duplicated in such a "human" way by computer. I'd like to think that as long as there are people like me to appreciate these valuable things, print will never die (or be overcome by the computer). Not to say that computers don't have their place, I just enjoy the unique qualities that can only come from print.

These are the 2 I bought at the Hatch Show Print presentation. I was ecstatic about the Elvis one. I spent days hoping that it would be there, and when I arrived, it was the only one being sold. When I thanked Jim Sherraden for it, he said that it was very rare that they take that one to sell at presentations, but somehow it got there. I'd like to think it was meant for me.

Maya Luz on Project Runway...

reminds me of Mia Wallace off of Pulp Fiction.

cool video

One minute of your time. I think it's worth it.

Rethink Scholarship at Langara 2010 Call for Entries from Rory O'Sullivan on Vimeo.

The Addy Award entries

I've been busy mostly this week getting ready for the Addy Awards! I entered 3 things:

I pretty much completely redesigned my packaging project for sugar (I wasn't happy with the first one at all). I chose to have a container for sugar that would enable the user to either pour the sugar or scoop it when necessary, and the plastic ensures no leakage (unlike the paper bags today). It is refillable too, so the plastic may not just go to waste every time. From the beginning, I wanted to design it in a very kitschy 1950's feel so it appeals to housewives (the major demographic for sugar). It ended up with many kitsch elements, but it's mixed with a contemporary feel.

Do these look familiar? I posted the Faber and Faber film book redesign project earlier, but I made a few improvements. I discussed color combinations a little more in depth with one of my other professors (who's an expert at color theory), and adjusted the colors a bit to the objects on the front. Instead of them being flat shapes, I went back and adjusted the colors to fit with the actual photograph (used on the back cover of the books). It gives more indication to form and adds slight details (but not too much!) that are kind of nice.

I also entered my tea design that I worked on for last Spring's project in branding. It was meant to be a company that would ideally compete with brands like Yogi and Tazo. I wanted the tea to appeal to a contemporary group (instead of just elderly people) and give it a kind of clean, modern feel that also eluded to medicine (indicating the health benefits of tea). Although the design looks simple, these kind of things took so long to reach. 

Preparation for the entries was a long and stressful process that has consumed most of my week, thoughts, and worries. There are a few flaws with the Sugar Mama package (I didn't get the spraypaint even at all, so the overall craftsmanship is lacking because of this), and I wish I could've gotten the tea printed on clear labels (I couldn't find a place to print tiny white lettering on clear). It was a great experience though. Ever since my Sophomore year, I've been looking toward the Seniors and their great designs, hoping that someday I could be in their position as well. I am always so happy for our winners, and Anderson always seems to do well at the competition. Kim, my roommate Sophmore year, won a silver Addy for a soap packaging design. Last year, Savannah, another one of my roommates won with her packaging design for baby food (see Lil'Monsters in her portfolio). Her design went along to win a National Gold Addy. I am so excited about this year because we have a lot of great entries. 

Wood type

just something I came across briefly:

http://www.woodtyper.com/