Sour grapes

Yesterday I received word that two people I cherish deeply perished resulting from an auto accident. Jan and Don Berg. Jan died on impact and Don died at the hospital hours later.

As for blogging about my internships, I made post cards on Monday and worked on the summer schedule on Tuesday. I will be out until Monday.

Second Course

I plan on getting my Bachelors degree after I graduate in May. However, I was torn as to where to go. The majority of the 4 year universities will not accept the workforce degree from HCC (they will transfer some but not all courses). I spoke with Lloyd Schuh and he informed me that there is a program at U of H that will accept the full degree. The College of Technology at U of H has a program called Graphic Communications Technology. I called and spoke to Dr. Waite at U of H, filled out my application, and resubmitted my fafsa. I still have to speak to a counselor and get all the particulars but the ball is rolling. To learn more about the program go to: http://graphics.tech.uh.edu/

the recipe

When I cook, it is usually the same rotation (pork chops, spaghetti, tacos/tostadas, and steak). However, sometimes I want to try something different so I look for a recipe. Now, I could deviate from the recipe but I am not guaranteed the same results. To perfect the dish I may have to repeat the recipe multiple times. I might even get tired of eating the same dish over and over... This is what it is like to design with a brand standards manual.

I have been doing an internship/work study with HCC which happens to be right next door from the HTV office. I have been there for 3 weeks now. I have made 3 brochures, 2 flyers, and a poster. Now dont get me wrong, I am not saying that the brand standard is a bad thing. I think every organization should have some kind of cohesive look and that is exactly what HCC is doing.

I love to cook, so perfecting a dish is an enjoyable experience. I am very pleased working here as this is basically production. The print collateral has templates and is plug and play. What I enjoy most is having the opportunity to perfect my typography. I have been asked by several people if I would consider working there and the answer is emphatically yes. I know that whatever I do in graphic design, I will start with production and have to work my way up the ladder. I dont mind at all.

One thing that does bother me is the confusion I have with what I have learned in class and what I am being told to do at work. I have a person that tells me not to use the glyphs pallette in InDesign to make ellipsis and don't use the templates that are in the brand standard. I just follow the instructions my boss gives me.

Best assignment of the week: HCC uses a company called jupiter images unlimited to get their stock photography. So, my boss asked me to look up male models for the fashion design school at HCC. Just because you are male and striking a pose DOES NOT mean that you are a male model! I laughed so hard I cried. I also saw some cute guys, but not any of these! This is a sample of the many images that come up.

last supper

(originally slated to post Wed. Feb 11.)

Well this was the last lecture (sob sob). I was inspired and entertained. This weeks guest was Michael Rock of 2x4. He showed some of their work and talked about what inspires him. He had many installations around the world, many of them dealt with LEDs. and the main concern is content. How do you make the content new and fresh for these installations? after seeing the logo appear through bubbles 3 times, it gets old. Dystopian future sci-fi movies seemed to be the predominant crux of the first part of the lecture... Basically, the idea of the truth behind the design. How we see the advert versus what the advert really means.

I was very enlightened by the whole series of lectures. I am looking for more events to attend. I think that I should seize every opportunity to glean every piece of creative inspiration that I can.

Reccomended daily allowance of laughter

This weeks lecture was very entertaining. Ellen Lupton was smart and funny. She told us of her "do it yourself" philosophy. This enables the layperson to be their own designer. She touched on the topic of self publishing and the importance of a toaster.

To be honest, I cannot remember much for all the laughing. she was so funny.

After the lecture we went to eat at Goode Company Seafood. It was amazing! The conversation was intense as well. We discussed the lack of connection with students and concept. We also talked about the need for unification in the city with design schools. The influx of ill prepared students is growing and the industry professionals could stem the tide by teaching. I am not so sure that is the problem. As a student myself I am trying to get my hands on anything that will inspire me to be a better designer. Lupton said photoshop was a gateway drug. Once a person learns how to use it they have the mentality that they are a graphic designer. The call themselves designers but they have no idea what that means.

I am now working in the HCC communications department. It s a production job making flyers, brochures, and posters. Everything has to be brand standard. The templates are all set up and it is basically plug and play. There is some creativity involved but not much. Right now i am taking this as an opportunity to refine my typography and get production experience. I really like what I am doing... so far.

Day Two

More work on the annual report. Although the annual report will not actually have any financials in it. I would say that it was more of a newsletter, albeit a very long one, but it is demonstrating the changes that have been made and the goals they are working toward.

I have to admit that when I was anticipating the internship, I had a little trepidation as I had not used InDesign in a long time. But I have to say that it was old hat. It all came back to me. I was relieved.

I have to thank the following people who played a very important part of my interning at 3100 Main:

Jana Ortega
Celeste Wheatley
Pat Porcynaluk
Carolyn Moseley
Carolyn Tan
David Little

These people know what they have contributed to this endeavor and for all the help and support I am forever grateful.

Tomorrow is the next lecture in the rice design alliance lecture series. I found that I am learning so much by just sitting and listening to what they have to say. The most important thing I have learned from this series is you can NEVER stop seeking knowledge. I am reading as many design books as possible, I have subscribed to Print, How, and ID, and I am trying to surround myself with inspiring people, music, art, movies, and experiences.

Day one

They say it is not what you know, but who you know. and I am beginning to believe that is true. I know someone who got their internship when they unintentionally mentioned a teacher she had. And after weeks of not knowing if I would get an internship, I got on when I posted my need on Facebook. Jana contacted me and offered me the internship. She and I went to high school together; although we never really hung out, we had the same friends. Now don't get me wrong, I still had to interview and show my portfolio, but it made it easier.

Jana is still as convivial as I remember her. She is so excited about her job and is eager to make it the best she can. She has inspired me to want to produce great work to help her with her goals. The office is a friendly place and everyone seems very nice. I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the future.

I was given the job that strikes fear into the hearts of graphic design students... the dreaded annual report. LOL it is not that bad, but I am researching other annual reports for layout and content. I have made some headway and will see if this is something that Jana will like. Some of the other assignments are business cards and brochures. Since this is for the City of Houston I do not know if I am able to post the work I am doing until it is approved, so it will have to wait.

RDA serving up more gourmet talent

This past Wednesday the RDA showcased yet another amazing graphic designer. Andy Altman of why not associates in London came to our fair city and lectured on what his company has been up to. One of the pieces he showed us was commissioned by Nike for retail stores on the theme of Heroism in sports. The work is inspiring and phenomenal. After the lecture I went up to him and told him that the piece touched me, and that it brought me to tears. He asked me why?


The typography in the videos is thus:

All great heroes think alike.
I believe it is the nature of people to be heroes.
Self trust is the essence of heroism.
Calculation never mad a hero.
Heroism is... enduring one moment more.
We can't all be heroes because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.

This was very poignant to me. Even though it was about sports, the video made me realize that I am very hard on myself and I have trouble allowing my work to be less than perfect. I don't trust my creative judgment and I expect too much. Right now I can allow myself to "sit on the curb and clap" as the graphic design heroes go by and be happy and content to learn from them; all the while paying my dues and growing as a graphic designer. Or I can be miserable and try to be something that requires the talent that only comes with experience. It was very humbling to watch. But, it was also very hopeful. If that makes any sense.

Tomorrow I begin my internship with HTV. It is unpaid but I think it will be okay. They need new collateral and various items (business cards, etc...). I got a new laptop this weekend and I can't wait to begin my internship.