The Perks of Joining

We're back for another semester and the club is going to be running full-time very soon. Why become a member? First, read AIGA's official benefits page and if that doesn't convince you continue reading below.

It's too early for concrete details about a lot of the activities but as of now we have Paul Carew set to speak to the group in February on topics such as the design history of Boise and how to get a job. We have several other activities planned which we hope to unveil shortly.

As for last year, we were only running for a month or so and in that brief time we had the opportunity to coordinate with the professional design community in Boise. They presented Helvetica the movie at the Flicks and they let us design the ticket stub. (see above)

To summarize, in our incredibly brief past we've already done actual design work for the professional community. This year we're looking to expand with guest speakers, more opportunities to participate in graphic design at the professional level, and, if we can find them, conferences to attend. This all adds up to the primary goal of being part of a community of graphic designers, illustrators, and artists looking to take themselves to the next level. I look forward to seeing you all.

How long should design assignments last?

Answer at Be A Design Group.

In case you haven't heard the host's of the podcast and blog authors of Be A Design Group, Donovan Beery and Nate Voss, came and spoke in Boise at the Senior Portfolio show last semester. They mention the visit in their podcast 49.5, complete with photo's from the blue.

In one of their posts, Live Design/Blog: I Fail to Design A Chip Kidd Poster for N00bz, takes us through the creative process. One of the biggest questions I had as a student was how to approach the creative process. While professors always talk about teaching the "creative process" I don't remember any good lessons on it. It seemed as though they always seemed to talk around the process instead of delving into it, or, heaven forbid, showing us how they work creatively. I get really frustrated from projects dragging on too long, especially in the beginning phases. I would rather get on with it. Especially in the upper classes, where you assume people know what a thumbnail is, what benefit does scribbling in a little box 100 times do. The only bigger waste of time is looking at other peoples 100 scribbles. Sketching is a very important part of the creative process, and thumbnails are great ways to create visual notes to concepts and ideas, but not the best way to communicate them. Ideas can be talked about. If you can't verbalize your idea, you don't have one. I think the best way to learn and perfect the way you work creatively is by working creatively. Put even simpler, to work. That's why Nate Voss had it right by setting a time limit (even if he didn't make it) of 4 hours, not 4 weeks. I would rather do a 4 hour project that I analyze for 4 weeks, than work 4 weeks on a 4 hour project.

Blogs You Should Read (besides this one)

For those of you that are new to the blogosphere, or even seasoned veterans here are a couple of great design related blogs. I'll include them in the links, but I'll go into some detail about what they are.

The Design Journals,

Graphic design has always been the bastard child of art criticism, and especially with the dissolution of Emigre, it has become difficult to find printed design journals giving interesting, insightful and relevant design criticism. I've found the best place are the online magazines, blogs and company websites.

AIGA - the big person (gender is not p.c.) on campus, they have great articles by great designers talking about great things.

Speak Up - I find this site a little more approachable, with great articles frequently quoted elsewhere. They seem to be the design blog/journal standard.

Design Observer - I always mean to read more of this blog than I do. I is a very insightful and interesting site.

The Design Blogs,

It seems like a lot of blogs mine the internet for interesting stuff, put some links next to commentary and expect people to read it. So I try and do what's expected of me and here are a few of my favorites.

Be A Design Group - Mostly a podcast, the blog also has interesting posts that are design directed and has a very interesting voice. So listen to the podcast, read the blog and look forward to a guest appearance by your favorite BSU professors.

Pica and Pixel - My favorite new blog, it always has really interesting and concise post, I have it on my reader and always end up clicking over to read more and follow it. I think I is a great up and coming blog.

Other Blogs,

Ze Frank - it has a blog attached to it, but is just a really cool site that deserves checking out. He became more famous with his "the Show" project, which has a best of podcast that is worth subscribing to, if that's the kind of thing your into.

These are a few of the RSS's I feed out of; check them out, post about what you thought and what other blogs/sites you are inspired by.

Winter Break Extravaganza

It's been settled. We are going to meet up for a winter break rendezvous at Donnie Mac's this coming Tuesday the 8th for dinner and general hanging out purposes. Donnie Mac's is in the Linen District downtown and we're gonna be there at 6:45 pm. If you don't know how to find Donnie Mac's we are meeting up at the REC Center on campus at 6:30 and then going. It's going to be fun and their food is tasty. (Cheap beer too!) See you all down there.