Insights on Graphic Design Flashcards
Who is the president of AIGA in 2014?
Sean Adams is the president of AIGA
What is AIGA?
Largest communication design organization in the world.
How many members does AIGA have?
About 25,000 members, 66 chapters
When did they find AIGA?
1914
What does AIGA do?
Safeguard of excellence in graphic design. Others can contribute to the profession.
What is the AIGA archives?
Sean Adams found materials designed for AIGA by famous designers in the basement. He developed a place of permanent house collection for the work. The work has been designed for events and exhibitions.
How has the technology boom changed teaching design?
The industry is a bit more cross-platform and students are media agnostic (promiscuous) and can knock out design as motion piece or website, code in WordPress. They don’t define themselves. They can update their skills on Lynda.com. The teacher only focuses on PERSONAL EXPRESSION, LARGER CONCEPTS and DESIGN PRINCIPLES.
How does evolving technologies affect your work?
Everyone expect everything immediately. You have to turn out work quickly. Just acknowledge that you can get this done in 2-hours but it will look better, if you design in 2-days. You have to be patient as it takes time to germinate ideas. Otherwise, I will react to first instinct. You do have access to motion, interactive, print but you have to make sure the idea doesn’t get lost because you are making something look really good. The technology did speed things up a bit too fast.
How do you come up with ideas?
Steal ideas from anyone. The client has the best idea but they don’t know how to articulate it. Work and listen to the client and use your filter. Write your ideas down, ask yourself what associations (symbols) are related. Find a way to combine ideas to make a metaphor. Sometimes you have to do something entirely wrong before you break out being trapped.
How does teaching influence your work?
Trying to solve problems with 15 other students really crystalize your thinking process. In reality, you are kinda having to come up with 15 projects. It always keep your mind running and working. You can figure out what you care about and value. It challenges yourself to push your ideas further.
Why does design choose you?
It chooses you because you are in charge of popular culture. You are stuck having to do it. If you can take complex structures and simplify it to the purest form, you want to apply yourself. You just have to get over the hurdle that people think you are some wacky artist, staying in a loft, going broke. Design is what makes capitalism work.
How important is having a degree for a designer?
You get out of it what you put into it. Can you process and think of information and then apply form to it? Can you reference to design history for inspiration?
What is important for first portfolio?
Typography: can you handle it? Is your portfolio, simple, clear. Does it function as a ‘prop’ to present your personality. Does it present your skills?
What are some questions they would ask viewing a portfolio?
What did you do here? How long did you work on this? Did you had any help?
What are some advice for young designers getting started?
Networking, everyone knows each other, work with your teachers + connections, they want to help you find your first job. Be involved + get to know your community.
