Sunday, February 27, 2005

* the future of graphic design *

Every week, I spend a little time going thru the pages of Design Observer.
I enjoy most articles and always learn something! I just finished reading Designing Under the Influence, by Michael Bierut He starts out the article recalling an interview he had with a designer fresh out of college. While looking thru her portfolio he noticed one of her pieces resembled that of Barbara Kruger. It had a similar graphic style. When he asked if Kruger was of any influence, the young designer said "who". She had no clue who Kruger was! How can one attain a graphic design degree and have no clue who Barbara Kruger is? This not being the point of his article, but it was all I could think while getting thru the rest of it. Where is graphic design heading? If this is an example ladies and gents we are in BIG trouble! What is even scarier is their are people who think this is ok! One persons comment was,

" OMG. I'm a beginning design student myself and all I can say is "you arrogant snob". WTF Do you know how many million artists and designers exist in the world today? The population explosion has attained such unprecedented levels that there really is no longer any room for pretentious snobbery. You must be over 40 is all I can say."

Can you imagine calling Bierut a "arrogant snob" - not that I putting a halo around his head, but come on! My guess is she did not know Kruger, but she also was not familiar with the writing of Bierut. What is more amazing is someone that had no clue about Kruger, actually got to interview at Pentagram.

Sorry, I had to have a little rant!

Saturday, February 26, 2005

* southbound *

Just like the Allman Brothers song!
uhhh, it has been so long since I have blasted the Allman Brothers while screaming at the top of my lungs. It's quite a sight. I rather go to the Bayou in Savannah on River Street and hear Chief whale the lyrics. His voice always puts me to ease.

I arrived in Savannah on Thursday. I ended up heading to the airport around 6am for a 10am flight. The snow was coming down and not expected to stop until later that night. When I finally got on to the plane we had to sit in line to be deiced, which took about 45 minutes. I must admit it was my 1st deicing experience. When I arrived to Savannah I walked off the plane and it was 70 degrees. WOW! I was in heaven! I took a deep breath of the Savannah air and it sent a warm sensation all over my body. It was great to be back, at least for now!

That night all the girls got together and had dinner at Moon RIver. Rebecca reminded me, I should show them my branding concept. Regardless, of what others think, I really think my concept would work great in there. Then Rebecca and Donna went home to work like the good students they are and Holly and I went out. We just went to B&B, to play a little pool. It was the first time I have ever been out and felt too old to be there. Everyone seemed so young! All the guys looked like little boys. The selection of men in Savannah is little to none. All the better for me, I don't need that in my life right now. I just want to help the fam and finish school with a bang.

Tonight everyone is getting together and heading to Stogies! It will be nice to see some of my classmates that I have not hung out with in a while. I am heading back to Maryland on Tuesday and will return to Savannah by march 21st to start school again. (sigh)

* Mother Update- today I got a call from my sisters. My mother walked down the stairs, out the door and all the way to the car that is taking them to NYC. This was great news! I hope to get even better news on Monday after the doctors appointment.

Monday, February 21, 2005

* yummy *

Well we made it home in one piece. If funny how much stuff you can accumulate in less than two months. The car was completely packed. We even have to go back for more.

As I have mentioned before, NYC has always been one of my parents favorite cities. I wanted to make sure that it remained that way. They were both stuck inside most days, except our daily trek to the hospital. The both of them eventually began to feel claustrophobic. One of things they love is trying out all the great restaurants NYC has to offer. On this trip they did not have that opportunity. I decided that on the day of my mothers last treatment, a celebration was in order. I called Aureole on 61st street, and asked if they would create a special dinner for my parents. I told the GM I knew they did not ordinarily do carry-out, but this was special situation. It did not take any convincing they were more than happy to make a fabulous dinner. I told my parents, I was going out to find something for them to eat and I came home with Aureole. They were ectatic, this being their favorite NY restaurant. The smile on their faces will always stay with me.

I have learned it is the small things you do for people that they will remember most. Telling them you love them everyday or remembering their favorite restaurant. It’s not the big present under the tree, it’s how you live your life everyday.

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

* Cheetos *

I know, I know! I don’t know what’s going on with the blogg. There seems to be some tech. difficulties.

I have been craving Cheetos for over a week now! Gross! I don’t know what sparked such a disgusting craving. What are Cheetos made of anyway? They are just these puffy things covered in fake cheese. I guess I will have to blame it on stress, it has to be. If the craving is still lingering tomorrow, I may have to give in. I guess I could be craving worse things. At least Cheetos are legal.

We are leaving NYC on Friday. I am sorta sad about this. At the same time my mother and father can’t wait! Seeing them so happy about it makes it all worth it. It is nice to think my mother is not going to have to go through radiation and chemo any longer. I don’t know what they will do if the cancer is still there. It’s a scarry thought. She knows that it will return and I hope she can get past that worry.

Here are some of my daily pictures!












Monday, February 14, 2005

* Christo & Jeanne Claude *

What a great day. My mother started walking again this weekend. Just out of the blue she has more energy and movement. It is only 7 or 8 steps to and from the wheelchair, but it is so much more than in the last month. My sister Steph came in this weekend with my nephews. It was great to have them around and I think my parents really enjoyed it. My father stayed in the apt. almost the entire weekend. On Sunday I talked him into going to Central Park with me to see Christo’s new creation. It was amazing to be part of such a huge moment in history. He too enjoyed it more than he thought he would.
Christo has been working on this project for 26 years and spent $20 million of his own money to produce this work of art. Each gate is 16 feet high but vary in width from 6 to 18 feet. The Gate stretches for 23 miles along the sidewalks of the park. There are more than 7,500 saffron colored panels made of vinyl. All material will be recycled.

















thanks boys for making me smile when it seems impossible

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

* PosterRama *

Walking the streets of New York, you are constantly having Ads forced down your throat. This is one of the many things I love about being in New York. I guess I am quite opposite of most AdBuster readers. The Ads come in all forms. Some of the subway have huge screens advertising with commercials playing constantly. But, my fav. is the array of posters plastered all over the city. For the most part they are just randomly placed, not centered or straight. Many times repeated over and over again. Also, very interesting is the remainder of old hand painted signs that remain, but faded.
This is a lost craft that I would love to see brought back. Rebecca is doing her thesis on Savannah hand painted signs. Watch out she may be responsible for bringing back the old trade.



This MTV2 poster is part of a series that is posted all over the city. Trying to figure out the message drives me crazy every time. They act as some kind of teaser. You will notice it says nothing about MTV2. Someone, please take these down!




I would say this is a good example of “Impact and then Inform”.




Look closer!




Here is a great row of posters!







These are looking a little Paul Rand, but not as great - Of course!




Very cool hand painted sign!



Had to toss this in! I ran in to this the other day. It’s not a train, it’s not the bus, it’s the Tram. This huge thing transfers people back and forth from Roosevelt Island.


Sunday, February 06, 2005

* just another poster *

I have been working on this poster for breast cancer awareness. I put it aside for a while because I am not in tune with it. Maybe it’s because my heart is really in Brain cancer awareness. If I had a scanner available I would post my sketches but I don't. I don't know if I should just trash this and start over or continue to work it out.


Wednesday, February 02, 2005

* Stroll down 5th Ave. *

I try to get out everyday and walk around NYC. It helps me organize my thoughts. On Tuesday I walked down 5th Ave. The street is filled with over priced shops, tons of people and The New York Public Library. It stands out from all the other buildings. Maybe it's because it sit back off the sidewalk or maybe because it's beauty. You read all about it's history here





















Tuesday, February 01, 2005

* womb talk *

I sleep most nights with my mother. My father would never hear in the middle of the night. Last night we spooned. As a child,
if I was sick she would sleep with me and we always slept like this. Always with one arm over my torso. It always made me feel warm and protected knowing she was there. Last night, I had that same feeling. This may sound strange to some of you to hear a 28 year old girl is still spooning with her mother. But to me it’s her way of saying ‘don’t be scared, I am right here’.
I was talking to Holly about it and she remarked how special it was and how she never had this closeness with her own
mother.Even though they have a great relationship and her mother is very supportive - she still couldn't imagine cuddling with her mother. She compared it to being in the womb. Even if a little strange, I can see where she is coming from. I just
feel so lucky to have this time right NOW with my mother at a time when her life feels like it’s upside down.

* It seems I have no contol over the look of this text *