Friday, May 1, 2009

Noteworthy: Studio On Fire




Studio on Fire is a "design and letterpress workspace" in Minneaplolis, Minnesota whose internet presence I happened upon, and if you're like me, you'll bookmark their blog Beast Pieces just to drool over letterpress, great design and letterpressed great design.


Observations: Social Design

No. This is not an entry on how to design/market/invade/assault social networking avenues. 

(Enough of that already.)

This is about something more important. Something that has to do with socializing, designing and influencing, but on a more humane level.

Social design is an avenue not many pursue for the fact that revenue received does not meet the effort or time given. But those who take that route might just say that the returns are immense. It's worth considering not only what it does for your agency's PR, but the deeper ripple it produces in the community you're in. 

It's amazing to see how the advertising/marketing industry affects so many lives by influencing opinions, ideas and decisions. Unfortunately we see it happen on more superficial levels for the benefit of our polishing the little boxes we live in. But imagine the world outside that box and how your efforts could be polishing it instead. Imagine taking the opportunity to influence people to a greater level. Imagine the possibilities... 

No. Complete change in society will never come of this, but for those who feel their time and talent is worth more than investing in what this industry truly offers, then social design is worth learning more about. 

Some places to start:
Design 21 
http://www.design21sdn.com/

Designism Connects

Illustration Friday: Impossibility

I am not very good at keeping up or making time for Illustration Friday. When I remember and have a chance, I like to at least doodle something even if it's not submitted. 

That is the case with last week's topic. The word was "Impossibility" and so I thought a pig flying was suitable. 

Here is an unfinished, not submitted sketch: