Eagle Eye Screening

Just got back from the Eagle Eye screening. It's a great film! Go see it! There is an interesting twist in the plot that I won't ruin but it's exciting and filled with action. The only thing that I didn't like was the connection that was associated with earlier films. I won't say what it is, go see it and you will see what I mean. 

Eagle Eye Design Competition

The Eagle Eye film is based on the concept of "big brother" and how he is always watching. This includes the potential danger of technology. It reflects that fear through the stories of two characters. For the premiere of the film, a design contest was held in which students were asked to submit a symbol, or other design that represented the film. The only direction that was given was to watch the trailer and then interpret the film in a visual way.

My entry consisted of two pieces. First, the poster to the left that depicts the feeling of fear knowing, although we cannot see these people, we know they are constantly watching us. The silhouetted figures and thick window panes reflect the trapped feeling that exists in this state of fear.

The second of the two entries is consists of logotype in which the unseen people that are "everywhere" are silhouetted in a blur behind the films logotype. This sort of suggests an other worldly feel. It also possesses an X-Files feel with the figures not completely rendered.

I ended up winning second place in the competition with the poster design. This is really exciting to know my design will be presented at the premiere of a real feature film. Eagle Eye is even a DreamWorks picture which is an incredible opportunity to even get the chance to be involved with.

Company Logo Design: Style Board

The second section of the first phase of the Company Logo Design consists of a style board which reflects the potential company in a purely graphic way. It is not a digitally generated image, but more a compilation of found items that represent the style and attitude of the company.

I chose to use photographs, text and actual materials as my company is focused on raising money for the donation of quality art supplies. There are photographs of high school age children participating in some kind of art project juxtaposed to a photograph of an artistic event. In addition to the photographs, there is real paint splattered on the surface or the board and pastel rubbed on various areas around the edges. This reflects the materials that would ultimately be donated.

Company Logo Design: Design Breif

From the research and critiques was created this design brief. It reflects the feelings, efforts and goals of my fictional company entitled.

Creativeright

It is the Creativeright of each and every student have an outlet for creative expression within his or her high school. This organization strives to enforce that idea by hosting events that translate to money and supplies for Twin Cities schools. More specifically, we hold art and design events to raise money for art supplies that we then donate to schools. These events include gallery receptions, lectures and other art and design events in which admission and donations will be collected.

In order to put on these events, we contact area vendors to donate what is needed for these events including refreshments, lecturers, and activities. We will create mailers, brochures, t-shirts and other print materials in order to spread our cause and promote our design events. These pieces will be sent to design firms, college campuses, art retailers, and the general public in order to effectively make our cause known.

The audience for this organization consists of area art and design creatives and professionals that want to help cultivate and advance creativity within Twin Cities schools while attending exciting and hip design events.

Copyright shows ownership and pride in one’s work. This audience recognizes and appreciates this ideal. The title Creativeright supports that idea while supporting the idea of helping others, especially those in a creative field such as art oriented high school students,. This in turn encourages attendance to the events and make this organization a creative and social success.

Although there are several art initiatives in practice within the art world that are geared towards getting art programs funded within schools, Creativeright is unique. “Rock the Arts” and “Americans for the Arts” programs act as advocates for local schools but do not offer a physical means with which to increase actual supplies in our schools. Creativeright successfully fills this niche by raising money that translates into quality art supplies for Twin Cities high schools.

Identity

The identity of Creativeright must possess sophisticated and smart design style in order to appeal to area design and art professionals but still reflect the philanthropic effort to raise money for art supplies in Twin Cities high schools.

Company Logo Design: Research

This assignment begins with an example of the research I have done on the education industry. I am very passionate about art programs in middle schools and high schools. More and more funding for art programs are being reallocated for different programs such as reading and math help. The article  on CNN.com explains the affects the recession and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 on art programs. It describes the loss of experience and creativity as art education fades.

Also, in the article from boston.com it shows the benefits of art education. "In a recent study of several art classes in Boston-area schools, we found that arts programs teach a specific set of thinking skills rarely addressed elsewhere in the curriculum - and that far from being irrelevant in a test-driven education system, arts education is becoming even more important as standardized tests like the MCAS exert a narrowing influence over what schools teach."

From this research and my own feelings and opinions on art education, I decided to create a company/non-profit organization that focuses on fundraising to get art programs back into schools where they are rapidly disappearing. There are some organizations in action that support the influence and value of art in the lives of children and young adults. The "Rock The Arts" program celebrates art of young people and attempts to foster inspiration among this group. The Americans for the Arts and Keep Arts in Schools groups focus on creating awareness and advocacy for the need for arts education but do not present a way to actually raise money to do so.

The organization I plan to create presents a means for money to be raised through community events and fundraisers. These events, in addition to efforts to meet with school boards and state representatives, would help art programs stay in schools.

Logo Redesign Final

This is the final design for our first assignment! It was really exciting project in that we were assigned to find disappointing logos and then choose one to redesign. The new Dakota Lettering logo now reflects the company's relationship to Sioux Falls, South Dakota with the Statue of David landmark, an artistic abstraction of the statue and a representation of the printer's primary cyan in the spot color used.

Milwaukee Brewers Logo

The Milwaukee Brewers logo is strong due to the B and W shape that make up the image of the catcher's mitt. A symbol such as this can easily stand alone and be understood as a baseball team logo. Upon further study, the Brewers team is represented.

Back to Basics: Dakota Lettering Logo Re-Design

Dakota Lettering is a company specializing in primarily screen prints,
vinyl transfers and embroidery on shirts, jackets, caps etc. With this in
mind, their target audience is both companies within the Sioux Falls, South
Dakota area as well as smaller groups including school teams and
individuals. Dakota Lettering has even worked on shirts for Sanford Health
down to a local race track. They strive to produce a quality product in an
efficient amount of time.

The logo I am recreating for Dakota Lettering conveys the connection to
Sioux Falls, SD. Dakota Lettering has been in business in Sioux Falls for
nearly thirty years and primarily works with clients from the Sioux Falls
area. Their attitude towards their work focuses on moving forward and
staying current. The current logo attempts to portray this idea with the
bold colors and type, but fails as the inconsistencies within the type and
symbol are seen.

Both the Statue of David and the registration mark designs utilize their
previous color palette but brings forth their modern thinking better.
Either logo could effectively relate to the Dakota Lettering brand as both ideas consist of logotype and a symbol. As their company grows they could utilize the symbol on its own to represent the company.

These ideas reflect the company's mission to quality and timeliness in that they are very clean which suggests professionalism that their original logo lacked. The connection to Sioux Falls also fits with the company's goals. Both ideas show the company as a producer of quality, which is what Dakota Lettering aims to do.

bad logos

Painted Prairie is a company that personalizes products for their customers. This includes lunch boxes, dog bowls, mugs etc. They paint fun letters using simple paint pens in bright colors. The Painted Prairie logo does not fit that idea at all. It's tan and maroon colors suggest a country living idea. Script type does not fit the fun style but rather supports a formal and more sophisticated look. Also, the texture in the background is a textile. Painted Prairie work on plastics and ceramics, not textiles.

Moberly's is a printing company. It's hard to beleive but true. This would fit better with a mechanic than a printer. The overused and nostalgic type suggests a vintage and traditional style. A printer should provoke an idea of modernity and forward thinking.

This ISEP logo is for a school, but the viewer would never know it unless a lengthy description is included. In terms of design, it is alright, however, this logo does nothing for the company or its mission as an educational institution. The logo looks somewhat template-like in that this idea could suit a large amount of companies. This is a problem because if the logo lends itself so well to other companies, it makes it more difficult to effectively connect the logo to the school.

Dakota Lettering is a screen-printing company, this is obvious by the large t-shirt in the center of the logo. The worst part of this logo, by far, is the destruction of the type used. The letter-forms have been stretched lengthwise and smashed vertically. Also, the curved words do not follow the outline of the circle. In looking at the word "lettering" the G is much closer to the edge of the circle than that of the L.

First off is the Minnesota State Fair logo. With the muted color sheme and clipart imagry surrounding the logotype, it protrays a tacky and unsophisticated look.

first day, first assignment

This is a new year and and a new process blog! This time it's Graphic
Design II the class is looking like an interesting course focusing on logo
and brand identity.

Our first assignment was is to search for bad logos and to articulate why
the logo is not working. I'm thinking of logos that consist of a block of
poorly set type in a disappointing typeface. Also, I'm thinking of logos
with a symbol that does not relate to the company or organization.