Order of Order Summary

a nice short and sweet article about the endless options and fluidity that are involved in order, design and organization.

"There are endless ways to make sense of the world."

It is so true. Is there a right or a wrong way to organize? or is it really to each his own?

Reading Four Question.

"Design and content processes continually inform each other."

This got me thinking. If design and content are constantly changing and influencing and redefining one another, it is possible to create a contemporary design that will remain timeless? Or will it all become out date and forgotten. I think back to works done by artists before the age of computers, greats such as da Vinci, Warhol, or Monet. Will any lasting work come from our generation? Our century?

Project Briefs. reading 3 summary.

The Creative Brief: What Is It?
-the creative brief usually spans 2-10 pages, depending on the depth and complexity of the project.
-it is a summary incorporating key information that serves to inform the entire team of the project's background, outline, and goals.

Why do we need one?
-you need a plan. a project brief is especially essential when dealing with information design due to the general complexity that comes with the territory of those kinds of projects.
-jumping into a information design project with no brief or plan would be like trying to drive to some other remote part of the country with no map, no spare tire, no cellphone and half a tank of gas. nearly impossible.

The brief should be tailored to the specific project and team that needs to use it. There is no standard outline, nor should there be.

A well thought out project brief serves as a good initial checklist that the client can okay before any work begins.

A brief usually breaks information down into 4 general categories.
1. Client Information
2. Project Information
3. Project Goals and Requirements
4. Project Logistics

Client information includes the full company name, number of years in business, any noteworthy accomplishments, whether it is a regional or national organization, etc. It also includes information about client sector. Is it a competitive marketplace? Have there been any recent industry changes? Next is competitor information. Who are your client's top 3-5 competitors and what are their strengths and weaknesses in relation to your client's. Who is/are your intended audience(s)?

Within the brief, there is project information that, as stated before, is an overview, an outline if you will, with key information and a clear hierarchy.

The brief is usually written by someone who is a good writer (duh) and is generally the person who has had the most initial and detailed contact with the client.

somewhat of an update.

i am really getting discouraged by After Effects.
fiddlestix.

how to avoid wasting excessive amounts of my life.

so i've been sitting in front of the computer in the lab trying to work on after effects and it's just not coming. for me, working at home is impossible because i will do everything BUT work on homework. when i come to the lab, i either work or i don't. tonight was one of those nights where i came with good intentions of making leaps and bounds of progress, but instead worked on type posters.
speaking of, i actually resolved some things in mine but it took sitting and playing with stuff for like 4 hours. they aren't complex or anything, but when i look at where i started and where i am not it's rather astonishing. when i get stuck, it seems as though the only remedy is sitting and messing around with stuff for hours upon hours until a breakthrough occurs.

QUESTION: what do you guys do when you're stuck, when you've hit a creative block?

ps, finally found music for my video...took long enough.


it's like 1 and im sleepy drunk. peace out.

pps. im getting SO excited for halloween. what is everyone thinking about for costumes?

some amazing fashion photography.

these are breathtaking.
photographed by Mario Sorrenti for W magazine.

Us Placers.

I've been thinking a lot about the theory of concepts recently, and how they shape and define a final product.

Caitlin showed me this video of four of my favorite artists collaborating and the concept behind the video blew me away. I think that the concept made for a stronger viewer engagement and impact. I know it's not animated, but enjoy it anyway :)

Update: I just read that this isn't the official video for the song, but rather a fan made video with no actual budget, just some creative peeps with a vision. If that's true, more power to them.

Reading 2 Thoughtful Question.

Infographics are all the rage when it comes to clean, simple, (semi)universal transfer of information and/or understanding.

But.

Can they be too simple? Become too graphic or symbolic? Is important information being lost or disregarded? Are infographics sometimes being used where text and written details should and need to be?

How simplified can something be before vital information and meaning is lost?

moodboard.

the board of mood.

Storyboard.

or lack there of.

after critique today, ill have one for thursday.

Word List.

vote

voter

register

candidates

non-partisan

apathy

republican

democrat

for

against

rely

ignore

youth

white

red

blue

use

issues

effect

secure

passion

you

question

answer

decide

voice

obama 

mccain

prepare

unite

television

engage

educate

choice

influence

responsibility

war

peace

polls

travel

revolution

america

president 

government

challenge

redemption

hope

clarity

propaganda

right

fight

race

president

parties

power

truth

honor 

defend

obviously don't have keywords defined since i have no effing concept. i need a diet coke, stat.

Refined Stories.

Story 1

So far this year, presidential candidates have spent 1.1226 billion dollars on campaigns. BILLIONS of dollars are being spent in a frenzy to secure a vote for themselves, a vote from you. That much money might be slight indication that voting is something that holds a bit of importance, or weight. Are you going to let that money go to waste? Make their money well spent, put in your two

I'm not a huge fan of this one, but there's a solid stat. blah.

Story 2

I was thinking about taking a survey of my peers over eight or so questions, four about random American pop culture, and four about general US trivia and then comparing the results.

Examples:

What is Britney Spears' ex-husband's name?

Who are the three American Idol judges?

What two people represent the word "Brangelina?"

Who's catch phrase is "That's hot?"

vs.

Who is the current Secretary of State?

Who is the Chief Justice?

Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death?"

What year was the Constitution written?

I think that the comparison of these answers have the potential to make a serious point, but I don't have a specific statistic. Help!