* mail order education *

I loved used book stores. Even the lingering smell signals my serotonin level and it gushes out my pores. I can never quickly pop in and out. It’s one of my favorite places to linger when I am procrastinating. All this because I once found a great set of books a few years ago. Since that day, I have not found anything to gush over. I still have hope, one day I will find the rest of the Modern Illustrating, my great find.





Federal Schools Inc., out of Minneapolis Minn, had a series of mail order classes you could take during the early part of the 20th century. The student would read this magazine - type booklet and then complete a series of projects on bristol board, then submit for a crit. In return, an instructor would review the work and send the student a typed response. I guess it’s similar to our modern day online courses.





What about peer involvement? In any type of correspondence class that involvement is lost. I signed up for a online class SCAD had to offer and realized it was not for me. It had a forum type setup via what seem to be 100’s of emails flying back in forth. I quickly realized the importance of sitting in a class room with a teacher and other students.





While trying to find a bit of information on my great find, I found that one of our greatest pulp artist, Norman Saunders, was a student of the Federal Schools. The skilled Saunders perfected the art of half naked chicks and graphic skulls. His comic book cover art was a little more family appropriate, showing the popular themed cowboys and indians. Saunders also work on a series of trading cards that had images of aliens attacking various cities. All of Saunders art was very detailed and imaginative to say the least. I can’t even think of a single artist to compare his style to.




I have so much more to share, but once again my eyes hurt!!

* paint drips in Iraq *

Even in time of war and turmoil, typography and communication plays an important role in daily living. My special friend Fred, sent me pictures of his recent creation. He has been painting the walls of the post office in Iraq. I can imagine the post office is crucial to the soldiers well being. It’s here were they receive letters from their loved ones. Fred, we are thinking of you. Please keep the pictures coming. We can’t wait to see the final.

* crossed eye *

Vladimir Mayakovsky
Pro Eto. Ei i Mne
About This. To Her and to Me, 1923
Book design:
Aleksandr Rodchenko



Have you ever noticed, the only time you find yourself crossed eye is when you are reading because you have to? Is it just me? When I am reading for pleasure I never think, “my eyes are going to pop out of my head any minute now”.

Today, I sent my parents to my sisters house for the afternoon. I am sitting at the kitchen table with my laptop and a stack of books. When I was in High School, I had to sit here and do my homework every night. Many nights with my mother using ‘old math’ to teach me ‘new math’. No wonder I never picked up on Algebra. I am having bad flashbacks of those vocab. flash cards my english teacher made me make. Just me, no one else. Even with the new red kitchen and although I am better equipped with a laptop, I feel the same way sitting here - some 14 years ago.

Of course, I am not memorizing vocab words at the moment even though, it would do me some good. I am sitting here trying to figure out the difference between Formalism, Structuralism and Constructivism. One seems to flow into the other, but all three seem similar. The same people involved in Russian Formalism are the same as the people involved in Russian Constructivism. Even with my book obsession, I am finding it hard to distinguish one from the other. It is even impossible for me to find anything online that helps me distinguish the three. Is there a lack of interest in these important movements? Is this telling me it is a worthless cause to write about such differences. I think not! It is telling me there is a true need to see why these movements played such a large role in graphic design and the society they were portraying. This may be my call for help. HELP! Anyone?

So far, I am enjoying the works of Aleksandr Rodchenko. Before many he saw the usefulness of photographs in his layouts. He knew how to grab ones eye with the use of unusual Photographic perspectives. The best part was most of his work was calling for social change.

ahhhh, just some random uncomplete thoughts for the day!