Donovan Lee's Little Blog

 Recently looked more into #BreakFreeFromPlastic and an interview of Shilpy Chhotray about the trend. When it comes to Chhotray's job as an ocean advocate and environment manager, it is very similar to an art director as the job has a major focus on directing and managing projects around finding solutions around pain points and problem statements, such as issues around environmental issues. What Chhotray is doing currently doing the job, researching and surveying ways to solve the issues around the environment. Graphics are an important aspect of the movement as it really "paints" a picture and scale of the issues the movement is meaning to solve.

 Recently viewed presentations of many portfolios and reviews from Ellen Lupton.  Thoughts on the interviews, viewing the portfolios through Lupton's lenses gives a brand new perspective on what makes a good portfolio and which works.  What came first would be simpler projects made mostly as ways to test the designer's skills on making their works. What came last are much larger projects that have real cost behind their production, with great intimate detail and effort placed into them.  Each portfolio create a story arc centering around the person's specialties, strengths, and growth as a designer to the viewers.

 Recently viewed the Ira Glass interview, discussing about effective and ineffective ways of storytelling.  The main message is centering around how difficult it is to find the perfect fit for telling a narrative on a work, whether it is the tone or delivery of the work. If I were to either paraphrase or rewrite the message, it would be: " The importance of drafts is to improve upon the work. Even when the project is finished, lessons can still be learnt the time after. " When it comes to designing heroes, I don't really have one in mind, given many of them give great inspirations with their work, ensuring future works get higher in quality. Ira Glass does seem to see are project that gives a consistency with its design, with work adding more progression in quality.  What I personally consider as a design/art hero are designers more willing to create works to help inspire future works and even give a new perspective in make designs/arts.

 Recently viewed websites created by Julie Campbell, Shantell Martin, and Maggie Edelman, displaying their works. The strengths of the works that make them stand out is the vibrant color schemes presented. First impressions give each designer an uplifting tone to their works, giving an eye-catching feel to them.  I want my first impressions with my work to give a similar feel, a sense of comfort, yet confidence in my works. A tone that comforts casual viewers and gives businesses some confidence.

Recently have looked into "The Food Change", provided by Jane Hamersky.  Viewing the design process is interesting. Looking at many opportunity to create a new element to the branding. Anne's process through photography, viewing many opportunities to evolve "The Food Change" brand even further. Being a photographer having a great driving factor into designing, with the photographs giving great potential and inspirations for the designer on how to design your work.  The size of the posters looks around 6 by 6 foot big.

     From 99U's YouTube channel, they showcase a presentation from activist and  entrepreneur Antionette D. Carroll, discussing about Design Leadership and the responsibilities of leading design projects. Within the presentation, what makes it effective is the presentation putting the viewer into perspective of many design project leaders, seeing their process in leadership through each interview.       Parts of the presentation that strikes as the most effective is learning more about how each design leader process the projects, giving a more diverse view on design leadership. The presentation do also mention a "re-designer", which could center around a role of reiterating on a design.

     " Some Rules and Hints for Students and Teachers or Anybody Else " is a ruleset originally created by Sister Corita Kent for her class back around 1967-1968, but revised and popularized by American composer and musician John Cage.      Looking more into the context and premise of the set of rules, one that resonates with my experiences as a designer is the first rule: "Find a place you trust and then, try trusting it for awhile". Though not much of an "outdoorsy" type of person, the moment I do get around exploring the places I get a sense of immersion. Giving trust to many of these locations, whether they're parks, beaches, libraries, etc. adds a newer feel and more intimate connection to the place one really trusts.