Detaching from the reef

I am a person who devours information.  Some idea will cause a spark and the only thing I wish to do is learn everything there is to know about it.  My mind races and I feel like I am skating on the edge of a blade, fast; throwing myself into a subject until the fire dies down enough for me to pull away.  To have knowledge is good, obtaining knowledge is the peak of existence.  Not just obtaining it, but incorporating it into a growing psyche.  But even though I do this, I don't always look for it.  Most of the things that I learn about, I happen on.  What would I be able to obtain if I were to look for it?  What would happen if I actively search for that spark?

I was reminded of my complacency today when I was given the assignment to write this blog on the gallery show in our school.  I have been in this gallery before, but it was only once, and I wasn't even enrolled yet.  I remember a time when I would go to see exhibits at least once a week.  I didn't always find something that was inspiring, but there were times that I would come across something that was just fantastic.  I don't go to many events that the school hosts, and I don't always take advantage of the extra-curricular workshops and facilities.  Between classes, responsibilities at home, and now work; I find that I have plenty to blame for not spending an extra half-hour or hour a week to notice what is happening around me.  This is not something new; I am often the anemone and not the fish.  Loving new and interesting things that happen to float by, but totally unaware of the coral just a few feet away.  Changing your own habits is very difficult.  I know this to be a fact.  I know this because I have done it, and I know that it is also a fact that change can be rewarding and exciting.  The very sensation I look for is at the heart of change.  So, Mr. Jones, the suggestion has been noted.

CARE - Student and Faculty co-operative projects for non-profit organizations.

I don't want to talk about the whole show, so I will just make some quick observations before talking about the piece that, in my opinion, stole the show. The physical presences of the dresses had the most immediate impact.  I was sad to see that the dress with balloons was much deflated by the time I made it to the gallery.  By the pictures, it was quite an impressive piece.  I am not moved much by fashion, however, I can appreciate and respect the craftsmanship and design considerations that went into each piece.

The web designs were quite nice.  The usability of the interfaces and overall tone of each site was appropriate and professional.  I often think that the real artistry of web-design is information architecture and visual display of data.  This is not something that can be easily appreciated at first glance, and often is not appreciated by users unless they encounter a poorly designed site.  So, for the designers, "I see what you did there. I see and I like it."  Not all websites can or should be rock-stars, some of them are outstanding studio musicians.

The advertisers, those bunch of show offs!  That logo, "I am one in a billion."  What a magnificent logo!  Just looking at it make my mind race.  So simple and powerful at the same time.  What would I do with myself if I could create a logo or icon like that.  The typeface chosen was perfect and the idea of a mathematical abbreviation of one billion was brilliant.  With a strong, solid "1" representing the person who is making the declaration,  and a "0" that looks like someone picked up a leaking paint can leaving just the paint circle in its wake; it so graphically represents many of the concepts of the IMTD organization, without being too obvious.  Ten to the ninth power. Wow.  This is the winner. (not that there was a competition...)  The rest of the campaign is anchored around this powerful, elegant logo.  I think it is a good campaign but it will go away.  The logo is something that can last and maintain an identity for the duration of the project throughout several campaigns.

http://iamoneinabillion.org/ 

Corporate web design

Looking at a few web designs that are attempting to appeal to the corporate world I came across this site:
http://headscape.co.uk/services/

This site is actually a minimalistic, organic style meant to appeal to an individual who is already in over their head with there website management.  The wood element gives the homepage banner an "old-school" office desk feel.  One thing about the layout of this site is that it is very scan-able.  This is perfect for someone who is looking for solutions in simplicity.  There are not that many interior pages therefore a very simplified navigation. I both like and dislike the use of the use of the basic san-serif font for the navigation.  On one hand it lends itself to the simplicity of the site, however, visually it doesn't quite flow with the typeface of the logotype.

Viewing it again, I think the reason it clashes with the logotype is because it is on the same level.  Dropping the navigation lower would put it at a more appropriate hierarchy level.

This speaks to me that audience is the top priority for design.  Companies that have "corporate" looks are not necessarily trying to appeal to other corporations.  The look sets the tone which should be entirely dictated by the audience that the site is trying to appeal to.

Grunge Aesthetic

In  discussing web design trends, I find that I am most attracted to the Grunge aesthetics.  I like using clean, simple designs in my own work, however in viewing other designers I can appreciate the skillful application of distressed and damaged looking elements.  The feel of the design is edgy and can be used to add either a dynamic mood or a more subdued feel.  This versatility makes the aesthetic most useful in a variety of artistic themes.  The aesthetic would probably be most useful in reaching a younger audience and not have a place in a corporate or institutional environment.  The anti-establishment feel of the style makes this extremely inappropriate for businesses and organizations appealing to a more conservative clientele.  Some businesses may benefit from this style if they are appealing to a clientele that is likely to appreciate individuality, self expression and have a somewhat jaded outlook.

A good example of a website that uses this aesthetic is http://www.riders-network.com.  The overall distressed look to the site appeals to the motorcycle riding community.  This community has a certain stigma attached to it due to the "one percenters," a group of riders associated with anti-establishment and illegal activities.  Most riders don't follow this ideology, however, they don't necessarily cast off the image connected to the one percenter reputation.  I like the fact that the site is able to maintain the damaged look while keeping a lighter color palette, this increases the legibility of the content.