‘Warm Bodies’ designs deliberately
Friday I gave you my mini-review of the new zombie comedy ‘Warm Bodies.’ It’s a must see on Valentine’s Day–action for the guys, romance for the girls, comedy for everyone, and even gross out alerts for the squeamish. Think ‘Shaun of the Dead’ + ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ Now as much as I loved the movie … Read more
Chocolate Date: May 20
Chocolate Date: May 20 My best friend started a coffee date column. I detest the thought of coffee, but liked the idea. So I’ve dubbed mine the chocolate date. So here’s the ramblings of a 20-something transplant in the South. Grab a cupcake and a stool and we’ll chat.
New York drizzles designers with inspiration
I don’t usually write on the weekends but this one is an exception. Today marks the opening of the second New York Design Week. And yes I know New York seems to make up whole week themes to have a bunch of parties, but I’m really jealous I’m too broke to jet up there to … Read more
novum narrates printing processes without words
Despite the dire warnings of print is dying it isn’t going anywhere for a while. It’s just shifting. Print is getting more creative and becoming more of a fine art. Just look at this video on the making of the November issue of German/English magazine novum.
AAF Birmingham celebrates stunning students
Alabama university students take the floor this afternoon at Vulcan Park. A University of Alabama creative team will make their national presentation. University of Alabama at Birmingham students will be presented with scholarships for their respective wins during the 2012 ADDY Award Show.
Orée du Bois brings Belgium wine to the table
Look at this label. It’s well-done branding like this that makes it hard to swallow wineries going to tap. It’s sleek and simple like many other good Belgian designs. The type and color palettes are appropriately limited. There is a single typeface using a thinner, probably book, weight and the highlights are bold and in … Read more
Packaging pitted against taps
Packaging purveyors are put to the test recently with the trend that eliminates the classic wine bottle. Personally I can’t imagine drinking wine on tap like beer because it has to age longer to give it a richer flavor.
Surviving as a Creative in Corporate Environments
As another school year draws to a close there are several of my friends who have hit the ground running in the job market and are employed in-house as designers or creatives, and often by themselves. Such a feat is pretty cool to think that as a young 20-something to be the only one to … Read more
Cayenne’s Creativity casts a shadow at District ADDYs
A hearty congratulations to Cayenne Creative for taking home the Best of Show prize in the District 7 ADDY Awards. There is a considerable amount of design talent throughout town, and this bunch is consistently among the best.
Disruptive Wonder for a Change
Design is everywhere. Good design is harder to find to the untrained eye, but it’s there. It’s just much more subtle. One of my icons, Kelli Anderson, does a talk about looking at the small things for inspiration. TEDxPhoenix – Kelli Anderson – Disruptive Wonder for a Change – YouTube. #amforshort
What Does Teaching Creativity Look Like?
Starbuck’s Good website/blog/magazine mongol has recently featured a series of design related posts. This one I found particularly insightful as I’ve been explaining to my engineering major father just what all this “creative” business is following my success at the recent Addy show. He was just getting used to the idea I was going to … Read more
Birmingham presents best of local advertising
Today’s edition of Friday Fun features last night’s ADDY Award Show winners. UAB students stole the show in most of the categories they entered. Yours truly walked away with a gold and a silver trophy for back-to-back winning years, but I’m not alone. Fellow partner-in-crime Brittany Fox will also be headed for a consecutive run at … Read more
Alphabet notecards beguile
Letterpress projects are really great, but lasers do interesting intricate work as well. Take a look at this recent example of experimental pieces from Nando Costa. The detailing in these cards is razor sharp and the design is fascinating. It takes a while to notice all 26 letters in the English alphabet, and the fantasy … Read more
8 Secrets To Creative Thinking (Hint: Steal From Others)
Powerhouse graphic design firm IDEO is known for championing design thinking ranging from their client list to their in-house products such as the “Eyes Open” map series or “The Ten Faces of Innovation.” It’s not surprising then to see them post this commentary from the legendary Bob Gill now of Pentagram. 8 Secrets To Creative … Read more
‘Designer’ teas make big splash
There are two reasons why UAB Asscioate Design Professor Doug Barrett now assigns students a designer to emulate. Oe reason is because the first time several people chose David Carson. The other is because so many of us chose such obscure designers we had trouble figuring out the hallmarks of another’s style. I fell into … Read more
Steve Jobs of Apple Dies at 56
There’s this photo my Mom has on me playing at this computer that covered a quarter of our kitchen table. I don’t remember what it was, but it took floppy disks. You know the kind that were actually floppy. My first computer memory was this horrifically heavy “laptop” my father brought home for me to … Read more
Students Help Redesign the Designer’s Role
As much as I like to poke fun of the Public Relations driven UAB Magazine they did something neat in the September issue. Why yes we do some really awesome things in art department, and usually don’t get any recognition for it–not that we ask mind you. It is nice to get noticed for doing something … Read more
Adobe Muse inspires easier web design
I admit I’m still not too good at coding websites even if this site is doing rather well for no more than it has been running. I don’t know if its just me, or has quite a steep learning curve, or if there were just way too many people in my web design class for … Read more
The functionality of the mass mailout
Yesterday I posted an essay from Underconsideration about pizza flyers, and the need to design for a target audience. Today you get my opinion. So are there good pizza designs? Pizza flyers are usually horribly designed, but its a utilitarian sort of thing relying on function, rather than aesthetics. It could be pretty or as … Read more
Power by Design
Posted by amARTS&MEDIA on May 26, 2012 · 1 Comment
What kind of influence do designers actually have?
Filed under graphic design, reporting and commentary · Tagged with culture, design, graphic design, power, Rick Poynor