Encouraging Bullshit

Posted on May 8, 2012 in creativity, education, professionalism | 0 comments

When I was growing up my mother would often yell “bullshit” during dinner time discussions. In fact she used it so often it’s become a bit of a legacy for her. Now in her 80s, those who were present for those lively discussions—typically involving politics, the Viet Nam war, women’s rights, or other hot topics  during the sixties and seventies—fondly recall hearing her use her “favorite” word. As I remember it what prompted my mother to say bullshit was when anyone tried to use sensationalism, emotional appeal, fear mongering, or other tactics besides hardcore facts to win their argument.

Is using Pinterest in your best interest?

Posted on Apr 17, 2012 in copyright, image usage rights | 12 comments

“Woe to you! You thieves and imitators of other people’s labour and talents.
Beware of laying your audacious hand on this artwork.”
—Albrecht Durer

Interest and use of Pintinterest, a relatively new social media tool, has grown exponentially over the past few months. The site drew 23.7 million unique visitors in February, up from 3.5 million in September, according to research firm Nielsen. Another firm, Experian Marketing Services, ranks Pinterest as the third-most-popular social networking site, behind Facebook and Twitter.(1) From blog posts like “16 Ways Educators Use Pinterest,” to online advice from Inc, “9 Tips: Boost Your Business with Pinterest,” Pinterest is being touted as the latest and greatest social media tool.

Keeping Score of Sustainable Design

Posted on Apr 3, 2012 in sustainability | 0 comments

With Earth Day 2012 less than 3 weeks away, it’s the perfect time to question how sustainable your graphic design practices are.

Is Kony 2012 tony, or phony?

Posted on Mar 16, 2012 in branding, social responsibility | 0 comments

Kony 2012—the slick and emotional video by Invisible Children that has been circling the internet through Facebook posts, reblogs, and other forms of viral marketing—has been under attack this week. Critics are claiming that is irresponsible, self-serving, and a ploy for mass merchandising.

Does Super Tuesday = Super Branding?

Posted on Mar 5, 2012 in branding | 0 comments

Super (aka—very good; pleasant; excellent; extreme; huge; superficial)

This Super Tuesday is “make it or break” for the Republican primary candidates. With elections in 10 states across the country they’ve pulled out all the stops and there’s been a huge surge in branding for each of them.

When do labels become too much of a green thing?

Posted on Feb 7, 2012 in greenwashing, sustainability | 2 comments

Source: Greenbiz.com

When does green labeling become so ubiquitous that it loses all effectiveness? The Eco Label Index lists 426 different green logos. It also provides a database with filtering that lets you search by region, find out what research they are doing, and compare them—for a fee.

Embracing Kingian Principles to Promote Nonviolence

Posted on Jan 13, 2012 in education, social responsibility | 3 comments

"Upper Albany Nonviolence Mural" by Design Global Change

This mural was painted on Albany Ave. in the North End of Hartford, Connecticut in November 2010. It was a Design Global Change project, an organization founded by Professor Natacha Poggio of Hartford Art School that is a creative think-tank that uses design to develop projects that bring positive change to communities around the world.

WANTED: Jack of all trades (aka Graphic Artist)

Posted on Jan 3, 2012 in crowdsourcing, professionalism | 4 comments

This ad is pretty standard in terms of the laundry list of skills required of a graphic artist these days. Design skills, plus technical skills—and being well versed in all the software and hardware that goes with them—is expected. Writing and editing skills are often on the wishlist too. So where does a young graphic designer begin figuring out their worth?

’Tis the Season for Giving Back

Posted on Dec 15, 2011 in social responsibility | 0 comments

Graphic design with social responsibility goes on all year round, but the holiday season shines an even brighter light on how graphic designers are giving back. Following are just a few examples:

Censorship: a sign of the “Times?”

Posted on Dec 6, 2011 in cultural influence | 0 comments

This week Time magazine reported that last week’s story “The Two Faces of Anxiety” elicited the most mail. Readers wanted to “Why is anxiety the most pressing issue in the U.S. while the Egyptian revolution gets front page treatment internationally?”

Time covers, Dec. 5, 2011 | Vol. 178 No. 22

Time said that they are glad to be held to high expectations. Some readers were not so happy and called the cover treatment censorship.