journal 5

JOURNAL 5: TED TALK

Stefan Sagmeister: Happy Design

Sagmeister made many interesting points during the 'Happy Design' presentation he gave. During the talk, Sagmeister discussed various moments in his life that brought him happiness,things he's learned in his life, and points out how many of those moments were related to good design. Sagmeister admits to being a list-maker and shares from his list  these moments of happiness, while adding in his own sense of humor that seems to make him even more appealing and charming to his audience. Of the points that made his list and were mentioned during his talk, the following are ones I particularly related to and that stood out to me:

+Being happy while experiencing design

+Can I do more of the things I like doing in design and less of the things I don't like doing?

+Working without pressure/ working concentrated without being frazzled, really immerse yourself in the design

+Trying to not get stuck doing the same thing-or not getting stuck behind the computer all day

+Getting out of the studio

+Everything I do Always comes back to me

Another part of his presentation I found humorous and noteworthy was the subway signs that an artist in New York hung up. I think it is interesting how no one looks at these signs until they notice they don't say what they normally do. 

TED TALK: KEN ROBINSON SCHOOL KILLS CREATIVITY

During this Ted Talk, Robinson talks about the school systems and how they effect creativity. He thinks creativity is as important as literacy and that we should treat them with the same amount of importance. Below are some of the points he made during the presentation. 

+He believes we get educated out of creativity

+Dance is just as important as math, and should be taught everyday in school too

+Intelligence is diverse,dynamic, & distinct

 +Children have such a vast capacity of creativity and  innovation, and that their talents are squandered through the education system

+Children aren't frightened about being wrong, if your not prepared to be wrong you wont come up with anything creative.

+Kids will take a chance, if they don't know, they'll have a go at it.

+All children are born artist and the challenge is to remain artists as we grow up.

+We are running school systems where mistakes are the worst things we could make.

I thought Robinson made a lot of valid statements, and I enjoyed the humor he added throughout the presentation.  

TED TALK:SCOTT McCLOUD ON COMICS

Scott McCloud is the author of Understanding Comics, and says that comics are more than just "kid's stuff," and are a valid literary form. During his presentation, McCloud talks about his childhood experiences and his role in comics, he says when he started making comics, he started trying to understand them too. I found him to be entertaining to listen to, and listed a few of the main points he made that stood out to me:

3 forms of vision: 

vision of the unseen/unknown

vision that can be proven

vision that can be based on knowledge, but is yet unproven 

+Learn from everyone

+Follow no one

+Look for patterns

+Work like hell

+comics embody all of the senses within it.

+comics capture sound through visuals

+comic vision represents time, 

sequence is very important in comics

+space=time in comics

HOW GOOD IS GOOD?

In this article,Sagmeister begins by saying he wanted part of his studio to move from creating cool things, to significant things. Throughout the article, Sagmeister gives examples, and ask questions about what makes design "good," and how design can be be made better and have a positive effect on society. This article really makes you think differently about design and the potential/opportunity you have as a designer to use design to promote a cause and help and benefit others, not just yourself and your career.

Here are some of the main points:

Bad design can harm our lives....but STRONG design for bad causes/products can harm us even more.

GOOD DESIGN + BAD CAUSE= BAD

HOW TO BE GOOD?

"Most of current graphic design is done by professional design companies is used to promote or sell, which is fine, but design can also do so much more..."

GOOD DESIGN + GOOD CAUSE = GOOD

+DESIGN CAN UNIFY

+DESIGN CAN HELP US REMEMBER

+DESIGN CAN SIMPLIFY OUR LIVES

example: Everyone who had to buy tokens in the NY subway system would agree that the Metro card eased the way we go around the city.

+DESIGN CAN MAKE SOMEONE FEEL BETTER 

example: How Sagmeister wore a t-shirt that said "Happy Birthday Mom" while on television promoting his work on her birthday

+DESIGN CAN MAKE THE WORLD A SAFER PLACE

+DESIGN CAN HELP PEOPLE RALLY BEHIND A CAUSE

+DESIGN CAN INFORM/TEACH

+DESIGN CAN RAISE MONEY

+DESIGN CAN MAKE US TOLERANT

-UNCLE SAM IS COMMERCIAL ART

-THE AMERICAN FLAG IS GRAPHIC DESIGN

-COMMERCIAL ART MAKES YOU BUY THINGS,GRAPHIC DESIGN GIVES YOU IDEAS.

Sagmeister concludes by saying "If I am able to do that, to give ideas, that would be a good reason to get out of bed in the morning."