Who do you want to hear from in Memphis?
Thank you to all who suggested speakers and topics for “Make/Think: AIGA Design Conference 2009.” Programming announcements will begin by late January. Register now!
“Make/Think”
Virtually every designer has in his or her DNA a love of making beautiful things that engage others. This is the legacy of great design, applied to the needs of business and society. Yet in recent years, it has become apparent that the designer’s talents, experience, education and instinctive creativity form a way of thinking about problems and strategies that yield value for businesses and the civic experience well beyond the impact of individual objects, particularly as “innovation” becomes the benchmark of the 21st-century economy.
This conference will provide examples of both roles for the designer and the interaction between the two, in ways that engage, provoke, inspire and enlighten. And, of course, scores of presentations and breakout sessions will stimulate every attendee across the range of disciplines and interests pursued by today’s designers.
The call for speakers and topics has closed
Michelle Stanek, program curator, and the Design Conference advisory committee are reviewing suggestions and programming the event.
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Abstract:
THE TAXONOMY OF URGENT WAYFINDING:
ASSESSING GRAPHIC VARIABLES, COMPONENTS AND
“RULES OF LEGIBILITY” USED IN CITY EVACUATION MAPS
Claudine Jaenichen, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design
Chapman University
Dept of Art • One University Drive
Orange, California 92866 • United States
Email: jaenichenstudio@yahoo.com
Phone: (626) 590-7721 (714) 744-7034
Fax: (714) 997-6744
ABSTRACT
“Over the course of history, the ability to venture out in search of food, water, and companionship, and then find our way home again has been central to survival. For animals and humans alike, getting lost has typically been a very dangerous prospect.” —Peter Morville (2005)
From office building escape routes to countywide evacuation plans, wayfinding design provides a continuous dialogue of instructions and directional leadership for its users. Wayfinding provides spatial orientation that help people develop and sustain accurate mental maps. Accuracy and clarity is especially critical in enabling good decision-making for the best outcomes (Wurman 2001, Golledge 1999, MacEachren 1995, Phillips 1979).
Confusion arises when evacuation maps sharing similar objectives are created differently among various states, counties and cities. Some maps contain small type sizes that only readers with perfect vision can access the information, while other maps display complicated layers of coding that they exclude the evacuee they were intended to assist. The shortage of measurable research dedicated to cognitive acuity due to high levels of stress makes it difficult to determine the effect of good design on wayfinding performance. However, addressing wayfinding performance using design principals already established in semiotic research and wayfinding cognition allows evacuation maps to be assessed prior to use in an urgent scenario.
This paper summarizes the evaluation of twelve city evacuation maps currently used in the United States for hurricane, fire, flooding or other scenarios requiring area evacuation. Each map is assessed by its use of components, graphic variables, and “general rules of legibility” as defined by Jacques Bertin in Semiology of Graphics (1983). Components include external and internal identification, level of organization, and length of components; variables include size, value, texture, color, orientation, and shape variation; and the general rules of legibility include graphic density, angular legibility and retinal legibility. The influential effect of mental health and physical stress will also be identified as key components in wayfinding design for urgent and emergency situations. The psychology of emergency ingress/egress and disaster psychology will provide a better understanding of decision-making challenges placed on people involved in distressed scenarios.
Wayshowing strategies need to consider mental and physical distress as well as theories from disaster psychology and the psychology of emergency egress/ingress. This taxonomy provides insight to current graphic usage in evacuation maps to facilitate the assessment of visual variables, consistency and methodology, as well as aid in potential development for a benchmarking process toward a national standard, and maybe a semiology of its own. -
I would love to hear a presentation from Daniel Pink, author of a Whole New Mind – Why Right Brainers Will Rule the Future.
From Publishers Weekly:
"Just as information workers surpassed physical laborers in economic importance, Pink claims, the workplace terrain is changing yet again, and power will inevitably shift to people who possess strong right brain qualities. His advocacy of "R-directed thinking" begins with a bit of neuroscience tourism to a brain lab that will be extremely familiar to those who read Steven Johnson's Mind Wide Open last year, but while Johnson was fascinated by the brain's internal processes, Pink is more concerned with how certain skill sets can be harnessed effectively in the dawning "Conceptual Age." The second half of the book details the six "senses" Pink identifies as crucial to success in the new economy-design, story, symphony, empathy, play and meaning-while "portfolio" sections offer practical (and sometimes whimsical) advice on how to cultivate these skills within oneself. Thought-provoking moments abound-from the results of an intensive drawing workshop to the claim that "bad design" created the chaos of the 2000 presidential election-but the basic premise may still strike some as unproven. Furthermore, the warning that people who don't nurture their right brains "may miss out, or worse, suffer" in the economy of tomorrow comes off as alarmist. But since Pink's last big idea (Free Agent Nation) has become a cornerstone of employee-management relations, expect just as much buzz around his latest theory." -
I've been speaking to students here in Canada, showing my work and have been getting good reviews. Some comments here on my blog ("Guest lecturer" post) http://benweeks.tumblr.com/page/4
Would look forward to coming to your conference! -
I went to the 2008 Event Apart conference and thought Dan Cederholm, Jeremy Keith, Kelly Goto, Jason Santa Maria, and Jeffrey Zeldman were all fantastic speakers. They were insightful and engaging. I would love to see any of them on the conference list!
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Margo Chase!!!!!!
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I would highly recommend Peter Koch, letterpress/fine printer and founder of the Codex Foundation, a new fine press and book arts organization.
peter@codexfoundation.org
510.849.0673 -
I would like to see topics on in-house design; how to influence corporate executives to support design & take design risks. Any topics related to "tips & tricks" on any Adobe software is also helpful.
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I'd love to see a presentation by one or more of the best design pimps on selling design. How to define an accurate picture of the client's expectations. How to persuade a client that you are worth more than they may believe you are. Essentially it's how to evangelize design to business. I've see it done, and done well. But it's something I still struggle with. I'd love an inspired "how to" on this.
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Janet Froelich, NYT Magazine. If you get her, I'm coming!
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I think that the topic of transition planning would be of great interest to those firm owners that are in the 40+ range. I would love to know how larger firms like Pentagram or VSA are handling their transitions as their partners near retirement. I would like to hear about different financial models. I know that the DC area has had numerous cases of firms just ending when their principles decided to stop work. What are other options for firms that want to continue?
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I think another interesting topic would be to explore what other avenues designers use for self-expression after hours- especially those that may be in management positions and do not have direct design responsibilities. Again- I know of several designers, myself included, that find inspiration in painting, sewing, etc and would like to know how others find outlets in out of the office creative pursuits.
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Stefan G. Bucher!
I saw him speak at the Social Studies conference at MICA, and he was wonderful! -
William Espey, the Creative Manager of Chipotle Mexican Grill does an amazing presentation on the company's take on branding. They have a great in-house design team and also use freelancers and agencies for a perfect blend of communication and design (I used to be on their in-house design team.) This is not your average branding presentation, Chipotle has a unique way of communicating with their cult-like following of customers and his speaking style is funny and motivational. Plus, his presentation speaks to in-house designers as well as agencies, and as an in-house designer for 12 years, I feel that approach is often lacking at the national conference level. I have his contact info if you're interested.
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Oops, you can get my contact info through idahostew.com or the email I attached with this submission. ;)
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After almost a year of research, design and writing, we published what we think is a unique resource guide for designers and printers.
Our objective was to create an environmental book for Drupa—the world’s largest print show. The goal was to establish Komori as an industry leader with respect to green initiatives in the print industry. By targeting both designers and printers, we decided to show the entire life cycle of a printed piece, from start to finish and
demonstrate that through creative collaboration, we can achieve sustainability and positive environmental results.
Through extensive research into five major sections (messaging, paper, ink, products,
finishing techniques and environmental initiatives), we provided hard-hitting statistics
and useful, easy-to-implement tips and tools that would help guide printers and designers into going green. By demonstrating the tips in action through intelligent design and beautiful printing, we also highlighted the achievements Komori has made in advancing the environmental effectiveness of their printing presses.
GD USA has recognized this book with a 2008 American Graphic Design Award and the piece will be featured in the December 2008 Design Annual.
We feel that the information that we learned during this process was so valuable that we would like to share it with everyone in the community. The lecture would contain information from the book and basically break down in easy-to-understand information for how designers and printers can go green and still do great work.
Please contact me at lguthrie@atlastmarketing.com for more information. -
Sylvia Harris does great design to help the masses. It's particularly great to hear her experience redesigning/branding the 2000 US Census and signage for a hospital in NY. She's also been involved in a NY taxi campaign too, but I think that project may not be completed yet.
http://sylviaharris.com/
Not sure if anyone would want to speak from here but the Center for Urban Pedagogy is doing some very interesting work. http://www.makingpolicypublic.net/ -
Thanks for the opportunity to make these suggestions. Topics that I believe would be relevant to the conference include:
The collaborative nature of design - a discussion of effective processes and models
How design culture can positively change corporate culture
Design theory vs. design practice
How to embed/integrate designers in the corporate world - Based on an interview I conducted with Brad Weed and Stanley Hainsworth I believe they would make for an interesting panel on this topic. -
How to incorporate experimentation and lateral thinking into your everyday projects and activities as well as communicate the value of that to clients.
Margo Chase, Tim Girvin, and Charles Anderson are all great speakers. -
Margo Chase!!!
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The National Design Conference needs a way for those that teach design to present. Especially tenure track faculty.
This is essential for design to be recognized as a legitimate field of study and academic inquiry.
While the regional design education conferences are good too, a single large national/international conference other than CAA (which ignores design almost entirely) is very important.
Typically conferences have a call for abstracts followed by a later deadline for full papers (each of these is separate - so not the same submission although the same person can submit an abstract and later a different paper or more than one of each). Readers review and mark the presentations on various scales from loved it to no thanks. From the abstracts and later the separate call for papers, a group of presentations is picked. Typically these are not main stage presentations (although, maybe a few qualify, depends). Usually they are in other sessions.
If you like, you can combine abstract and papers and all have one deadline.
There are variations on this but this would be a way to do academic papers at a conference.
Also, you can have a graduate student session for papers too. -
I love Margo, Sean, Irene, Steve, Michael, Catherine, et al but, taking a break from the usual in crowd would be good. Some out of the box thinkers would be very good indeed!
Here are a few I saw at a conference recently:
Cameron Sinclair
ARCHITECTURE FOR HUMANITY AND OPEN ARCHITECTURE NETWORK
Cameron Sinclair is the co-founder and executive director of Architecture for Humanity, a charitable organization which seeks architecture and design solutions to humanitarian crises and provides design services to communities in need. Currently the organization working in fourteen countries on projects ranging from school, health clinics, affordable housing and long term sustainable reconstruction.
Sinclair and Architecture for Humanity co-founder Kate Stohr have compiled a compendium on socially conscious design titled Design Like You Give A Damn: Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises. As a result of receiving the TED Prize, he and Stohr launched the Open Architecture Network, the worlds' first open source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design.
Sinclair is a regular lecturer and visiting professor at schools in the United States and abroad and has contributed to a number of exhibitions dealing with social justice and design. He has spoken at a number of international conferences and forums on sustainable development and post disaster reconstruction, including appearances on BBC World Service and CNN International, National Public Radio and PBS.
Erik Hersman
AFRIGADGET, WHITE AFRICAN, AND USHAHIDI
Erik Hersman is the founder of AfriGadget, a multi-author website that showcases stories of Africans solving everyday problems with little more than their creativity and ingenuity. Fascinated by micro-entrepreneurs, gadgets and improvisation, he is proving that technology is changing Africa — daily.
Erik is also the co-founder of Ushahidi ("testimony" in Swahili), a website created to map the reported incidents of violence happening during the post-election crisis in Kenya. Currently, he is working with a team of mostly-African programmers to use what they have learned from building Ushahidi to create a free and open source engine that makes it easier to crowdsource crisis information and visualize data.
Raised in Sudan and Kenya, Erik brings unique energy and insight to the world of technology and innovation — bridging the gap between Africa and Silicon Valley. An avid blogger Erik writes two different technology blogs including: AfriGadget and WhiteAfrican. One dedicated to low-tech African ingenuity, and the other to high-tech mobile and web changes happening throughout Africa.
Paul Polak
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISES AND D-REV
Paul Polak—founder of Colorado-based non-profit International Development Enterprises (IDE)—is dedicated to developing practical solutions that attack poverty at its roots. For the past 25 years, Paul has worked with thousands of farmers in countries around the world—including Bangladesh, India, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Nepal, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe—to help design and produce low-cost, income-generating products that have already moved 17 million people out of poverty.
In his recent book, Out of Poverty, Paul poses this challenge: 90 percent of the world's designers focus on solutions for the richest 10 percent of the world's customers rather than the other 90 percent who need it most. Currently, Paul is spearheading D-Rev: Design for the Other 90% with the intent of igniting a design revolution. D-Rev will help multinational corporations develop affordable products for dollar-a-day customers, continuing Paul's mission—bringing prosperity to the world's poor. -
A friend of mine mentioned a talk he saw at South by Southwest on Sci Fi interfaces called Make It So. From what I heard it sounded really cool and I would love to see it. Chris Noessel and Nathan Shedroff were the presenters. Seems like a perfect topic for us!
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At TypeCon 2008 I presented "ETIQUETTE & TYPOGRAPHY". To my surprise and delight it was enormously well received, it struck a definite chord.
Here is a brief description:
"I have been engaged with the process of commercial engraving for the purpose of making social stationery since 1977. Since then I have watched the rich polish of polite society decline to a harsh commercial glare."--Artist's Statement, "History in Small Places" solo exhibition of large format archival prints, 2008, Abingdon 12, New York City and TypeCon 2008, Buffalo, New York and Hill Memorial Library, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
We burned our bras and the traditions of polite society in the 1960s. Perhaps these post-Victorian, war-torn, Democracy-mongering notions of social form became outmoded, but, with the ruin of rules for civil engagement, how have three generations of Americans learned to get along.
By looking at examples of the communication tools for written correspondence we can perhaps get a glimpse at what we have learned about interpersonal communications and what we have lost.
http://typophile.com/node/47625
http://www.nancysharoncollinsstationer.com -
It would be great to see some topics related to copywriting - it's really difficult to find motivated, passionate individuals who are willing to talk about writing in more of a capacity than just sentence structure at a mainstream creative conference.
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A negative suggestion: invite no speakers/presenters that have been featured in the past 3 conferences.
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I second Kenneth FitzGerald's suggestion but would modify it.
Invite no main stage speaker who has been at the last 2 conferences consecutively. Something like that... I think we just want to limit repeated appearances year after year. Some repetition (speaking at one then the next one) will happen but, more than 3 in a row? This should be avoided or it becomes repetitious and dull. -
This past week I attended an InSource event that included a presentation by Emily Cohen (www.emilycohen.com). The presentation was insightful and contained information that was relevant to in-house creatives and design agencies alike. I would very much enjoy attending another presentation by Emily through the AIGA.
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I also attended a conference where Emily Cohen spoke, the How MYOB conference in San Diego. Her lecture was definitely focused on the business of being a great designer. For most of us the creative part of our business comes easily while the actual aspects of running a business do not. Following Emily's advice, I have made small shifts in my daily work process that have not only increased my bottom line but have also provided clients with success in measurable results. I would highly recommend Emily Cohen for your next conference.
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I propose this as a topic:
Because of the internet, designers have more access to the public (like through Twitter, networking sites and blogs, etc). What effect does this new form of interaction have on designers? How are designers using this as an advantage? Where may it take design in the future?
Some good examples are:
http://arthousecoop.com/
Two college students are using the web to create collaborative design/art projects. The internet audience participates to create the artifacts.
http://ifyoudontseeit.com/
Created by Bernard Canniffe and Piece Theory, it uses the web to draw attention to social problems facing our cities.
http://twitter.com/jennyholzer
Jenny Holzer is on Twitter. She uses Twitter to tweet her truisms. She has over 3,000 followers.
http://bmorecreatives.collectivex.com/
B'more Creatives is a very active networking site for designers in Baltimore. The group never really meets formally in person, but is very open and sharing online.
http://www.threadless.com/ (many of you have probably heard of this one)
People upload their designs and get voted on by their peers. Winning designs are printed on shirts for sale.
I am sure there are many more examples....but the more interesting part I find fascinating is the effect this can have on design. -
Second topic
Is poster art dead? Or could it be rejuvinated by the green movement. If cities become more friendly of public transportation, then posters may find a purpose again.
This could be discussed more thoroughly by reviewing poster history and comparing it to forms of popular transportation of that time. In addition, it would be also helpful to evaluate places with good public transportation like Japan, New York City and some places in Europe. I would suspect some trends would appear with public transportation and the use of the poster format. -
Photographer and writer Eric Etheridge. I have seen him speak, and it would be perfect for AIGA.
Breach of Peace is a book about the 1961 Mississippi Freedom Riders, a photo-history told in images old and new. The book features new portraits of 80 Riders and the mug shots of all 328 Riders arrested in Jackson that year, along with excerpts of interviews with the featured Riders.
http://bit.ly/iz3l
http://breachofpeace.com/blog/
I have access to the speaker. -
I recently attended an InSource event where Emily Cohen was a presenter, she was FANTASTIC!!! I love attending conferences and seminars where the speaker actually provides usable examples, ideas and solutions that you can take back and apply to your team or business. Emily was not only entertaining, but incredibly informative and has a wealth of knowledge to offer. I only wish the seminar had been a few more hours!
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Maggie Macnab
Macnab Design • University of NM/Albuquerque
P.O. Box 59
Sandia Park, New Mexico 87047
505.286.8558
macnab@macnabdesign.com
http://www.decodingdesign.com
http://www.macnabdesign.com
ABSTRACT
Decoding Design: Understanding and Using Symbols in Visual Communication
Human beings have always collaborated with nature. Only in recent history has this common sense approach been distorted by a disconnection to source and misunderstanding of place. Patterns of nature are the deeply rich and symbolic language of a world that sustains us. Reading pattern is our way-finder through it. Whether we use symbols and patterns to navigate our survival–-or to question our origin and end–-our strength as the “symbolizing” animal has always been our ability to create meaning through connection. From the wholeness of the “one” in its affable shape of the circle, to the peak experience of “nine” in the puzzle of the magic square, universal principles of nature are expressed as pattern, number and shape, and can be matched and integrated into messages that articulate visual authenticity. Awareness of subliminal imagery also fortifies us against manipulation as consumers and citizens.
The presentation is based on my book--a culmination of 30 years as an identity designer and 15 years as an educator in design theory and logo design. With an interdisciplinary perspective, it touches on theoretical physics, mathematics, psychology, anthropology, sacred geometry and semiotics in a way that any of us can understand, and reveals how symbols are intrinsic to human expression. This approach creates logos that are understood instantly and cross culturally, resulting in widespread recognition and retention. It also creates ethical and critically thought out communications that develop more connected, thoughtful, and responsible designers. I use examples from the international design community illustrating the cross-cultural value of symbolic design along with my own work process. Some well-known corporate logos are also deconstructed to uncover the subliminal messages contained within. "Decoding Design" explores the relationships that all of us--regardless of culture--have in our personal experience of living through and with nature. -
A silent art auction during the reception with proceeds benefiting AIGA Worldstudio scholarships. With all this talent in one conference center, the halls would be filled with inspiring original artwork and design. We would all have a chance to add interesting pieces to our collections while supporting the next generation of designers. To make the artwork specific to this conference or location there could be a theme assigned to the call for art or leave it to chance for a show as eclectic as the attendees.
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I went to the Smart Models NYC presentation and I loved all of the speakers, in particular Douglas Riccardi, who I'd love to hear speak again. I'd also love to see who else Emily Cohen could bring together (she was a fantastic moderator).
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I highly recommend that you consider re-creating our AIGA/NY business event from last year.It was one of our best.
Here is a short description:
SMART/MODELS: BUSINESS PRINCIPLES FOR DESIGN PRINCIPALS
Five design firms. Five business models. Five departures from the expected. This one-day conference examines the overlap between smart design and smart business. Crossing the business divide requires designers to grow from steadfast practitioner to streetwise business person. And SMART/MODELS looks at design-minded businesses through the eyes of five firms: Jason Fried from 37signals, Matt Owens from Athletics, Joe Duffy and Eric Block from Duffy & Partners, Sylvia Harris from Sylvia Harris LLC, and Douglas Riccardi from Memo Productions. Moderated by Emily Ruth Cohen, a business consultant to creative firms.
At the very least I would invite Emily Cohen and Douglas Riccardi to speak. Fantastic content, accessible ideas and very inspirational and smart presentations.
Carin Goldberg
Past President AIGA/NY 2006-2008 -
The Curse of Branding
I propose both a provocation/paper and a panel that takes a critical look at the overuse of the term branding and the confusion between branding and identity. Anyone game? In October of 2007 at the ICOGRADA Biennial in Havana, Wally Olins gave an engaging and humorous presentation about his project to brand Poland. Many of us (in animated conversation over tea at break) were both offended and not amused but his view that there were superficial (even facile) approaches to branding a nation, and then there were those that provided well-researched insight and significance.
I'd like to look more closely at his assertion.
My provocation is not so much a critique of a company seeking to attract and retain consumer loyalty. I am raising questions about the way branding as a means to convey ownership has taken hold in the language of university recruiters and non-profit organizations seeking visibility and support for their mission. I think the confusion between branding and identity reveals how insidiously a consumer mentality is taking over the very important mission of education and other no-profits. Identity is fluid. Especially in education, the goal should be to send graduates into the world with the tools for critical thinking, the ability to integrate experience and knowledge, adaptability and "life-long learning". Branding suggest we crank out products representing a way of thinking or doing. Let's look more closely at how a consumer mentality is eroding the values and ideals of institutions and organizations whose mission is not to produce a produce but to dignify, enrich, provoke, raise questions, invite dissent, and create dialogue. -
This is a presentation I have given at several national design conferences. It seems to be a topic of interest in the design community. I have a book on this topic coming out next year.
ABSTRACT:
The 360° Designer
The design profession has been asking itself some important questions lately.
How do designers deal with the increasing complexity of design problems?
What skills do designers need to be competitive in the future?
How do designers become co-creators with clients and audiences?
How do designers prove their value to business?
The answer to many of these questions can be found in the framework of visual design process. As designers look for ways to stay competitive in the conceptual economy and address the increasing complexity of design problems, they are seeing that they must not only be experts in form, but must also have the ability to collaborate, to design “in context” to their target audiences and be accountable through measurement. By adopting a process that considers collaboration, context and accountability, designers move from “makers of things” to “design strategists.”
The 360° Designer presentation uses visual design methodology as a framework for considering collaboration, context and accountability in design problem solving. The presentation offers accepted professional practices and acts as a design process body of knowledge, guiding the audience through each step of the process. Designers will learn how to build strong client relationships, elevate their standing with clients, increase project success rates, boost efficiency and enhance their creativity. -
Emily Cohen, thought you might be interested in a lecture on blogging we have given to many organizations. Recently we gave this same lecture in a more round table format at the AIGA NY chapter's breakfast series.
Topics we cover include:
How we use our blog (http://mslk.com/reactions/) to allow our clients to get to know us and thoughts on design more.
How we use our blog to inspire our clients and ourselves.
How a blog can aid a longer sales cycle and build relationships.
How our blog has generated press, made new introductions, and landed us new business.
How we choose topics and content for our blog and how that relates to our overall company marketing plan and strategic positioning.
Technical tips for blogging including content length, SEO optimization, tagging, linking, etc. -
I saw the guys from dresscode ny (Dan Covert and Andre Andreev) speak at the 2007 Creative Summit and was really impressed. Their casual, fresh approach, great work and humour were really impressive. I'd love to hear them speak again and finally see their book that's suppose to be out soon.
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I'd love to hear a talk from Brett Yasko on how he keeps his unique vision alive. Designing I've found takes so much of my creative (personal) energy that I would love to have some ideas of how to maintain it and not get burned out.
It seems to me that having a very unique vision and following your own path is what leads to really surprising and beautiful works of art that take courage. But you need the energy to do that so I guess another part of the talk could be about maintaining creative/personal boundaries.
And what happens when you don't play "the game" or just can't.
Also, I would love to hear from Yokoland or Camilla Engman on that topic.
Thanks-
Sincerely,
Jessica H.
Speaking4lines@gmail.com
-http://www.brettyasko.com/
-http://www.yokoland.com/
-http://www.camillaengman.com/ -
I propose :
Jonathon Rosen.
http://www.jrosen.org/
Illustration, design, animation, inspiration.
Access, yes. -
"Selling Design", is more crucial than ever in the current state of our economy. As a Designer who has provided solutions to Fortune 500 companies worldwide, I've spoken to and moderated several debates on the subject. It would be an honor for me to do so again at the 2009 AIGA Design Conference. Topic summary below:
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Often referred to as “the thought leader on Design ROI”, Rob Wallace will share his process and his data. He then will lead an active discussion or Q&A on the impact of proving design’s value. Can it be done? Should design be quantified? And what do we do with this information once we have it? Rob's goal is to lead the audience in quantifying how design can be structured into the Client's best practices.
Key elements of the presentation:
• how to structure the process of proving design’s ROI
• how and when design’s specific impact can be isolated from that of all other marketing communications
• how to “position” the results within FP executive management
• how to use this information to justify an incremental investment in design
• how this information might change the client/consultant partnership and its “fee structure” compensation paradigm. -
Custom Website Design vs. Templates: Degrading the Value of Design?
A company's online presence/marketing deserves more than slapping a logo on template #185.
How can we translate the value of design beyond "that site looks cool"?
Each business has a unique vision for their website, but are tempted by good looking (poor functioning) template houses to save $$. How do we compete in the GROWING market of template designs made available for less than $100. Is this degrading the value of design?
It also applies to "company name here" logo houses, and "insert logo here" print material.
Addressing this issue in general or specific to web would be great.
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"This isn't like buying the generic milk brand to save 50 cents at the grocery store. Your website should be as unique as your business. Period." - back40design.com -
Richard Seymour, co-founder Seymour Powell, UK.
Engaging, visionary and confronting design polymath. www.seymourpowell.com
I recently interviewed him for Design Victoria following his lecture at the AGIdeas Conference in Melbourne, Australia.
http://www.designvic.com/Knowledge/HotTopics/RichardSeymour.aspx -
I'm a professor at Northern Illinois University. It would be my pleasure to give a lecture on "Metaphor Synergy and the Power of Comparison." Meaning is a compelling force in visual communication and we need to harness it. My presentation illustrates easy methods that can be used in applying metaphor in a variety of visual modes. I would be happy to produce an abstract on this topic.
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Abstract:
IN DESIGN WE TRUST: THE MAKING/THINKING OF A U.S. NATIONAL DESIGN POLICY
Elizabeth (Dori) Tunstall, Associate Professor Design Anthropology
University of Illinois at Chicago
School of Art and Design
Chicago, IL 60607
Email: etunst (at) uic (dot) edu
ABSTRACT
What does it mean to say “In Design We Trust”? What are the relationships among the values of economic competition and democracy, the design of tangible communications and objects, and people’s actual experiences of those values? What does it mean to take those experiences and translate them back into government policy?
From an academic pursuit, a designed workshop Summit experience, an official policy proposal, and finally, the making of design policy ideas manifest in everyday reality, Dr. Dori Tunstall will address the relationship between design, trust, and the thinking and making of a U.S. National Design Policy.
The presentation/performance will showcase how everyday people experience government policy through tangible “things” and how the intentional design of those things affect one’s sense of trust, citizenship, and the values of economic competition and democratic governance.
Framed by a holistic model of design policy, the presentation will take the audience through the designed experience of the U.S. National Design Policy Summit held in November 2008, and the making of the formal design policy proposal document.
The presentation/performance will conclude with an overview of some of implemented outcomes of the design policy proposals.
Based on Dori’s forthcoming book, In Design We Trust, the intention of the performance/presentation is to demonstrate the intricate relationship between design making and thinking in the experience of American economic and civic life. -
Networking for all personality types and effective communication strategies. We all need to focus on building relationships with peers and clients. When times like these are upon us and FEAR is the main emotion, people naturally gravitate towards those they trust and those who display confidence. It would be especially helpful for our more introverted designers if we could find someone to address networking for the wallflowers, as it were.
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Don't Cave: The deadly trap of Spec Work
Explore the various meanings of spec work and it's many disguises as well as share strategies for preventing clients and possibly other designers from falling into this profession-killing trap. -
Not sure who to contact or where to post this.
I would like to volunteer my abilities as a recent grad. student and now a College Portfolio Course Instructor as someone willing to coordinate the Student Portfolio Review for this 2009 AIGA Conference. I do not know where else to post this inquiry so I hope if I put it here it will be passed through the proper channels.
I look forward to October 2009.
Rachele McGinty-Mock -
Why content trumps design online: a designers guide to Web 2.0
Abstract: While great design and good typography are slowly coming to the web, using Flash isn't a responsible way to get your client to the top of Google.
Designers need to understand how Google really works- and the secrets to share with their clients on how to get and stay at the top of Google, without paying for adwords.
Like it or not, Google is here to stay. If you want to keep designing websites, you need to know learn how to use open source content management tools like Drupal, Joomla and Wordpress - and teach your clients to manage their own content and communities.
From a look at so many designers own sites- the concepts of search, RSS and interactive communication are still missing. It's goog to see that AIGA has a clue with this site.
David Esrati runs an award winning full-service creative agency in Dayton OH and has spoken at Web Content 2007 and the DocTrain conferences. -
I have an idea to propose, not necessarily any particular speakers.
Round up some business executives from the Memphis area, possibly from companies who don't seem to "get" the value of great design work. Invite them to participate in a panel discussion centered around the question of "what is graphic design?"
It seems that we often lament the lack of "understanding" from the business world. Why not open this topic up to potential clients? Perhaps we will learn something from the experience, and in the process find some inspiration for better communicating what it is that we offer. -
To coincide with the publication of my new book ‘Designing Sustainable Packages’ (Laurence King, 2009), I’d be thrilled to make a presentation on the exciting developments taking place in the realm of sustainable package design. There is great change occurring at this very moment, and businesses that are not prepared to evolve with the quickly changing landscape of truly green production will be left behind; this talk will aim to codify a pragmatic way forward.
This presentation will feature innovative professional solutions from around the world, along with a clearly articulated framework for infusing sustainable thinking into any print project. Focus will be placed on innovative material usage, material re-use, closed loop thinking, and systems-based holistic design. The clear-eyed and visionary influence of industrial ecology advocates like Cradle to Cradle and Rocky Mountain Institute (Natural Capitalism) will be acknowledged as a foundation, and some exciting explorations in the after-market value of packages (also known as package-as-product) will be presented.
This talk aims to empower graphic designers to promote responsible change in an industry in need of new ways of thinking. In doing so, it also addresses the challenges faced by any print designer who strives for sustainable change. Make/Think, indeed! (think/make/think/make/think...) -
Jay Ryan, poster artist is a wonderful handletterer, illustrator and wise businessman.
www.thebirdmachine.com -
Documentaries On Four AIGA Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients.
I propose to show the complete interviews of Four AIGA Lifetime Achievement Award recipients: Saul Bass, Jim Cross, April Greiman, and Louis Danziger, over several breakout sessions during the conference from my collection of "20 Outstanding Los Angeles Designers Documentaries", that I made in 1986. I transferred the videotaped interviews to DVD in 2007. You can view short movie clips of all of the designers at:
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=archieboston
Some of the questions asked were: What school did you attend? Who were your idols? What is more important, making money or doing quality work? What is your advice to students? What is your advice to teachers? How do you relax? How would you like to be remembered? Each designer also showed examples of their work in their studio.
I will give a brief introduction and answer any questions the audience might have about each designer after showing the documentary. The Documentaries are from 20 minutes to 50 minutes. However, the longest can be edited to fit within the session time limit.
I will also donate a complete set of my collection to the AIGA Archives in Denver after the presentation. The complete set is a visual historical documentary on graphic design in Los Angeles during the second half of the 20th Century. There is no video documentation in existence on so many incredible graphic designers in a major city from that era. -
I would like to talk about the Customer Experience Economy and the role of design in shaping this phenomenon.
Here's my background and research focus:
As a part of Forrester Research’s customer experience practice, I advice firms on branding and user-centered design to help them understand the organization changes, new processes, and enabling technologies that can help them create and deliver compelling experiences that drive brand engagement and loyalty in a world of fragmented media and new marketing channels. My recent work includes work for clients as diverse as: Timex, HSBC, Bank of America, Rolex, Pew Charitable Trusts, and Walgreens.
Areas of specialization:
1) Creating superior customer experiences that enhance brand equity and long-term brand loyalty.
2) How design and design thinking in products and service development can lead to superior customer experiences – which in turn, can ensure long-term customer loyalty and profitability. -
Howard Nourmand
http://www.grand-jete.com
http://www.apple.com/pro/profiles/nourmand/
Saw him speak at several schools and conferences and he has a really great handle on what it's like to start a company from scratch and how to flourish even through today's economic crisis. -
I have to echo the calls for Margo Chase. You can't go wrong.
Also, a thoughtful session on design for new media for print-media purists would be especially tasty. Thanks! -
I know of a world renowned sociologist and professor at Princeton, Miguel Centeno, who has been pursuing the investigation of globalization trends through the use of imaginative, strategic and well-designed maps. Having a non-designer who has actively employed design to support academic pursuits in such a powerful way would make for a slightly different presentation to the usual designer-focused dog and pony shows.
-
Dori Tunstall's talk was my favorite part of the 2007 conference. I would love to hear her speak again.
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I would love to hear Sol Sender, the designer of the Barack Obama logo, and the company he worked through to do the design.
In an article by Steven Heller that I pulled from the New York Times, he says:
"At the end of 2006, Mode, a motion design studio in Chicago, approached Sol Sender, a graphic designer, to create a logo for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. The resulting “O” became one of the most recognizable political logos in recent history. I spoke with Mr. Sender a few days after the election to discuss the evolution of his design."
I think it would be a really great presentation! -
How about somebody interesting like Elliot Earls from Cranbrook. He seems to broaden the scope of design in unusual ways.
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I concur with Joe Coates' earlier statement about AIGA needing to make some room for design educators to participate and present. My institution will not allow any funding otherwise, which means I can no longer afford to attend the national conferences. Not only do I miss them terribly, I miss relaying what I’ve experienced on to my students, who can’t afford to go either.
Some presenters/topics that might make me reach for my credit card (but only briefly before reality sets in) : Chris Ware, Yee Haw Industries, Kate Bingaman-Burt, Marian Bantjes, the Hamilton Wood Type Museum in Two Rivers, WI, the handmade in the design classroom, teaching sustainability in the design classroom, introducing new media into a traditional print-based program, and the lovely new craft movement (see "Handmade Nation" by Faythe Levine). -
Regarding Judy Kirpich's post on 11/12, I would like to suggest Vercor's Managing Principal, Mark Jordan, to speak about transitional planning and retirement planning. There is a wide range of information that he can provide on both of these topics, and more!
You can contact me for more information. Thank you for your consideration! -
Abstract
Innovation, Design, and so on…: inspired design network
Authors
Paulo Maldonado (Portugal)
Professor/researcher/architect/designer. Master of Design (Faculty of Architecture/OPorto University). Preparing “Innovation, Design and so on…” doctorate at the Faculty of Architecture/Technical University of Lisbon (FA/UTL). Design professor – Master’s Product Design (FA/UTL). Consultant in design strategies, design management and design, for companies, institutions and for the Portuguese Design Center.
Fernando Moreira da Silva (Portugal)
Architecture PhD (University of Salford). Associate professor/architect. Design PhD course coordinator (FA/UTL). Maldonado, Paulo, “Innovation, Design and so on…” Design PhD by thesis supervisor.
Key-words
Design; innovation; design policies; strategic vision; insight
Abstract
An empirical analysis of examples of design and design management integrated in three contexts – institutional, corporate and academic – makes it possible, first of all, to identify creative and operative methodologies and processes aimed at innovation in design and through design; and, secondly, to build a theoretical model aimed at good design and/or design management practices and excellence in the global environment – SPES (HOPE).
The fact that these contexts are real and not ideal scenarios signifies that there will be no omission of eventual differences between expectations created and achievements obtained – REAL CONTEXTS.
Managing design and innovation processes in multicultural contexts, in a permanently changing global environment, is a proactive and collaborative task involving wide experience, skill and knowledge – PEOPLE.
The individual and the collective attitudes, inspired by strong leadership, should be militantly curious, avid when collecting, filtering and processing data, critically observant, aware of tendencies, discerning when detecting opportunities and attentive to detail without losing sight of the big picture. They should reinvent using new means and methods, use imagination and intuition to envision the future and thereby actively contribute towards accomplishing the spirit of the mission, with social responsibility and sustainability – VISION.
In the first instance, create virtual scenarios for discussion and pre-validation of the concepts involved in order to identify problems, re-define goals and estimate operation risks. The next step is to act and define strict implementation strategies for a new business design process – DESIGN STRATEGIES.
Design methodologies can be reviewed and redesigned using megatrends and benchmarking, by studying behaviour patterns of individuals and groups in their natural habitats, by analysing media content and messages aimed at these target groups and other processes induced by productive thinking – DISTINCTIVE DESIGN COMPETENCIES.
The proposed systematization requires rapid definition of potentially effective ideas and concepts: distinctive or innovative concepts that, in principle, reunite conditions necessary to stimulate, create empathy, produce strong emotions, create desire - offer unforgettable and wonderful experiences: Notice board items – UNIQUENESS.
This concept, which depends on creative ability as its operating tool for management and design management, will be placed in context by talking about our perceived or true experience as initiators of design processes, leading to innovation – INTEGRATION COMPETENCES.
Our research in preparing for a PhD has two main objectives:
Develop a theoretical support that will establish well-defined, socially responsible and sustainable design and design management practices;
Contribute towards implementing a culture of innovation and design within the industry and other design scenarios, already recognised or to be introduced in the EU and globally.
The hypotheses are as follows:
Designing innovation by taking into consideration various meanings will make it more effective;
Innovation can be customized to fit each specific case;
With this theoretical model it will be possible to tailor strategies and models for innovation and functional design diagnosis and to develop firm plans for action and implementation that will offer organizations competitive advantages and success on a global level. -
Dear Ms. Michelle Stanek:
My name is Rahul Siddharth and I am the Executive Creative Director at One Source VMS. I'd like to be considered a speaker at this year's AIGA.org conference. I have three possible areas of expertise I'd like to present:
TOP DESIGNER: MOTIVATING THE CREATIVE GROUP
"Weekly Techniques" For Creative Directors and Managers
Part of my responsibility as Creative Director is to challenge and nurture designers to better themselves. But after clocking over 50 hours a week on client work, fatigue becomes a factor for personal growth. I've developed a series of fun competitions that take place within weekly thirty minute meetings - a sort of "Top Chef's Quick-Fire Challenge" meets Design. The out-of-the-box exercises focuses on knowledge-sharing of industry trends as well as design principles in color theory, typography, concept, size, frequency, medium, contrast, etc. This is a great workshop for Creative Directors and Managers who are looking for creative ways to motivate and develop their art teams to be sharper thinkers and better designers.
THE ART OF PRESENTATION: PORTFOLIO AND RESUME WORKSHOP
For Designers of all levels
It astonishes me today on how designers are still ill-prepared and neglect to brand themselves when it comes to the job process. I've seen messy resumes, sloppy portfolios, and clumsy websites. Taking my years of experience working in HR and Recruitment Marketing and after reviewing thousands of resumes and candidates, I've developed a workshop to help candidates make a better application. I cover the best practice in cover letters, resumes, portfolios, interviews, referrals, salary negotiations, social media, and career websites, I help designers at every level showcase their best work, that leads them to better gigs. I've given this workshop previously at Parsons School of Design.
TWEAK THIS!
The Absurdity of Design & Marketing
Quite simply, I present the most ridiculous advertisements and marketing messages of the year, deconstruct them and ask "what were they thinking!" Part stand up comedy and part Powerpoint, I take the best of the worst in this interactive presentation. I've presented this program previously as a guest lecturer at New York University.
BIOGRAPHY:
Rahul Siddharth is the Executive Creative Director at One Source VMS. If you stop by Rahul’s office, you quickly understand his creative passions – where the intersection of concepts and strategy meet. He excels at taking everyday products and services and shaping them into brands that matter – lifetime brands. His approach creates interactive customer experiences (online and offline) to positively impact sales.
Rahul has over twelve years of agency experience, including Bernard Hodes Group (Omnicom), Bayard Advertising, and Grey Entertainment. Clients such as Tiffany, Hodes Global, Disney’s The Lion King, American Express, HugoBossWoman, Aventis, Kforce, BannerHealth, and Fluor have all benefited from his unique talents, knowledge, and experience in branding, interactive, and integrated marketing. He has won 17 Creative Excellence Awards in the last 7 years. He has an MFA in Design and Technology from Parsons School of Design and a BS in Marketing from Fairfield University.
Rahul also has been performing standup comedy for over 10 years and has been seen at such LA clubs as The Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory, Cobbs in San Francisco and NYC clubs: Gotham, Carolines, Stand-Up NY, and The Comic Strip. Rahul, has developed an interactive dating workshop recently shown at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Titled, "Boy meets Girl", the one hour intellectual, informative, and hilarious presentation is formated like "An Inconvenient Truth" -only all about dating, mating, and relating!
RELATED LINKS:
www.rahulsiddharth.com
www.rsvpdesign.com
www.onesourcevms.com
CONTACT:
rahul@rsvpdesign.com
917-531-8185 -
Are designers getting trained in a "trade"?
Do we as designers still believe in liberal education as one of the goals of design education? How can one look at learning objectives/goals for 2015 in context of undergraduate education reform in this country.
I will love to talk/hear about this issue. -
I just returned from a workshop in Dallas where I heard an amazing speaker who would be perfect for this year's AIGA Conference. His name is James Kane, and he speaks about how to build and maintain loyal relationships - with clients, consultants, freelancers, suppliers, even employees and employers. In these tough economic times when we all are more than a little worried about our revenues, our expenses and our jobs, this topic was so encouraging to me. Before walking into his presentation, I wasn't quite sure whether you can make someone loyal. Like most designers, I have had clients who I thought were loyal, only to see them leave and hook-up with another firm. I have had the same thing happen with some of my best employees. I thought they were loyal, but found out how easily they were lured away by more money. Mr. Kane's presentation showed me exactly what I was doing wrong and how I was confusing satisfaction with loyalty. They aren't the same thing. His research, which I think came out of Harvard, shows that loyalty is a behavior that has been developing in humans for millions of years. He explained how we all look for clues in one another that tell us whether or not we should be loyal. When we don't see those clues, we aren't loyal and tend to move from one business relationship to another. When we are loyal, however, we continue to give that relationship more opportunities and/or more business. We forgive them when they make mistakes, and we become vocal advocates for them by encouraging others to hire them or use their services. It was an incredible presentation that gave me renewed energy and an encouraging outlook on how i would approach 2009 with my clients, freelancers and employees.
The other attendees at the Dallas workshop agreed with me that James Kane was probably the best speaker we've ever heard and that the 90 minute presentation flew by. We could have easily sat through another 90 minutes. It was interesting, insightful, practical, prescriptive (which meant I knew what I needed to do when I left there), funny and very entertaining. What was really interesting was that Mr. Kane has a design, as well as a business background!!!! He knew exactly what a creative agency struggles with and understood the challenges we face every day. As you can probably tell from reading this description that I can't say enough about James kane and would highly encourage AIGA contact him about speaking at this year's event in Memphis. I guarantee that it will be well worth it for all who attend. I don't have access to Mr. Kane, but you can probably contact him through his website, www.jameskaneDOTcom. There is a sample video of him speaking, along with a list of the international media coverage he has received. -
I think a discussion on design thinking for social impact in Africa would open an engaging dialogue for the 2009 conference. The discussion would focus on how designers and artisans are thinking creatively to communicate and help solve problems in Africa. A further discussion on how companies and designers can partner strategically to create products that contribute to sustainable development in Africa would be of interest for product producers.
Having experience on this topic I would be happy to organize a panel of experts or a presentation. I can be reached through the contact link submitted or at http://www.annansi.com. -
DESIGNVERTISING: MAKING THE RELATIONSHIP WORK
What is the status of the ad agency-owned design firm? Was it a trend? Is it over? What has worked and what hasn't? What value does an internal design group play in an integrated agency? Why have agencies struggled to get it right and who has it figured out?? ?
With input and insight from industry leaders including Brian Collins and Chuck Porter, Ed Bennett, design director of Colle+McVoy, will explore the present and future of the design firm within an ad agency. Learn from people who have lived through the rise of in house design firms, the demise of some and the rebirth of others.? ?
For a large part of his career Ed Bennett has worked directly with ad agencies and seen first hand how design is admired, scorned, lionized and vilified within the walls of the ad agency world. As design director of an integrated agency in Minneapolis, Ed has helped shaped the agency to become an internationally recognized design discipline that offers holistic integrated agency services. Ed works internally and externally to bridge the understanding and involvement of design as a communication and branding solution and alternative for their clients.?
Please contact me for more information. Thank you for your consideration! -
Creative director Ross Patrick helped retail giant Tesco launch a chain of grocery stores on the west coast this past year. The undertaking required hiring an entire design staff and designing over 2000 private label packaging designs. The team also designed the logo, store interiors, uniforms, websites, newsletters, flyers and more.
www.freshandeasy.com
----------------------------------------
Ross Patrick is passionate about brand integration and the various facets that make up a brand, from product development, packaging and retail design, to offline and online consumer advertising.
During his 20 years in the business, Ross has worked on broadcast, print and online campaigns for some amazing brands, big and small. He cut his teeth as a designer at Nike, headed of advertising dept. at Capitol Records and most recently was head of design and integration at Deutsch. His clients have included such names as Microsoft, TGI Friday’s, Mitsubishi, Coors and DirecTV. -
As a recent graduate I would love to hear from younger designers not the same old same old. Or about how I can land my dream job. Or how designers are faring in this dismal economic time.
I saw a post on many stuff about a book called Never Sleep by Dress Code taking about transitioning from school to work, I think it would be useful for the up and coming designers to hear more about this topic. -
You might consider Barry Maher, http://www.barrymaher.com. Besides being a great speaker, he's probably the most affordable speaker of his caliber and credentials out there.
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I have several topics on my wish-list for the upcoming conference.
1. I would like AIGA to address the role of great copy in great — and effective — design. We find outstanding writing to be a key factor in the success of our work, and this topic has been neglected at previous conferences. I would be glad to work on putting a panel together to speak about this.
2. I am eager to learn more about the process of developing strategies for design to solve problems and meet business/civic/organizational objectives.
3. I would like to hear about how designers (and AIGA) are promoting the value of design to business. The power of design goes far beyond creating beautiful products. It would be great to hear about and discuss the ways we can all help to accomplish this.
4. I would appreciate hearing about the role of design in marketing services — making the intangible tangible — rather than more usual mass-consumer and product-oriented perspectives. I would be glad to work on putting a panel together to speak about this.
Thanks! -
I would love to see you feature Rick Griffith from MATTER in Denver. He's well into some very interesting work generation and manages to be simultaneously confounding, inspiring and entertaining every time he opens his mouth. He might even get me to step foot in Tennessee for the very first time.
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Hello Michael Stanek and/or AIGA,
What do Apple Computers, NASA, Disney, Deepak Chopra, Santana and Madonna all have in common? They have all benefited from the customized training and musical gifts of Freddie Ravel.
My name is Paul Rodriguez and I assist Mr. Freddie Ravel who is a GRAMMY nominated pianist, speaker and founder of "Tune Up To Success" - a company that presents Keynote Concerts, trainings and customized events that utilizes music and it's precise link to listening and communication tools to empower peoples personal and professional success in business, corporate and family life.
Please visit www.freddieravel.com and click "Launch Video" on the home page; you'll get a quick sense of how powerful and inspiring Freddie is. I have a hunch that he would be a valuable collaborator/presenter for your conference.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call; We are all about service.
Sincerely,
P a u l R o d r i g u e z
Director
Freddie Ravel & Tune Up To Success®
Transformational Keynote Concerts,
GRAMMY nominated Production & Performance Events
T: +1 818 386 5866
F: +1 818 999 0159
E: manager@freddieravel.com
U: www.TuneUptoSuccess.com
U: www.freddieravel.com -
Title:
RESOLVING DIFFICULTIES: A PROTOCOL FOR DESIGN PROBLEM REPRESENTATION
Spencer Barnes, BGD, MID
Adjunct Assistant Professor
College of Design
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
Email: srbarne3@ncsu.edu
Phone: (919) 515-8323
Fax: (919) 515-7330
KEYWORDS
Problem representation; Protocol; Delphi method
ABSTRACT
When attempting to solve a problem designers sometimes come to a standstill prior to discovering a solution. This can occur for a number of reasons including one’s level of design experience, the degree of understanding, or a failure to effectively represent the problem. Yarlas and Sloutsky (2000) suggest that a problem must be clearly defined or represented in order to be understood and solved. In order to combat this inefficiency I propose a protocol based on the Delphi method of forecasting to assist designers in constructing effective problem representations. The Delphi method is a forecasting technique employed for prediction or problem isolation. This protocol was derived from practice within academia and a synthesis of literature on problem solving and design education. This paper delineates the structure and implementation of the protocol and its implications for the design process. -
Title:
ARE DESIGNERS INVESTING IN CREATIVITY? APPLYING THE FRAMEWORK OF THE INVESTMENT THEORY OF CREATIVITY TO THE DESIGN PROCESS
Spencer Barnes, BGD, MID
Adjunct Assistant Professor
College of Design
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
Email: srbarne3@ncsu.edu
Phone: (919) 515-8323
Fax: (919) 515-7330
KEYWORDS
Creativity; Design Education; Process; Investment Theory of Creativity
ABSTRACT
A study examining the creativity of design students was conducted. The study utilized survey research to investigate the degree to which designers are investing time and effort in creative acts employed to produce designed artifacts. Designers create artifacts intended to visually communicate messages through the use of the design process. The framework of the Investment Theory of Creativity was used to analyze the results of designers’ creative efforts and their design process. Sternberg (2006) proposed that the Investment Theory of Creativity seeks to understand how a person and the artifact which they produce interrelate regarding creativity. The framework of the theory attempts to account for how people generate, recognize, and decide to pursue undervalued ideas. The results of the study indicate that designers are “investing” in creativity (i.e., pursuing divergent thinking and various undervalued design concepts) and that there are stages within the standard design process that should be given more consideration and revision in order to enable designers to drive the design process more effectively. -
The 15 Below Project
Taxi's 15 Below project is what happens when leaders in communication and fashion joined forces to take on a big problem. Steve Mykolyn, Executive Creative Director of TAXI worked with fashion icon Lida Baday to create a top quality coat designed for year round protection from the elements for Canada's homeless using newspaper for insulation. This session perfectly embodies the 'Make/Think' theme and follows the journey to making 15 Below a reality and why 15 celebrities including Michael Caine, Robert Plant and Norman Jewison are getting behind this unique effort.
15 Below is a concept that emerged from the anniversary of TAXI’s 15 years in business. Our desire was, not to celebrate our own success and privilege but to give to those who have less.The idea had to express the beliefs that have been the foundation of TAXI’s success: Creativity. Generosity. Collaboration.
What is 15 BELOW?
A most basic human need is for warmth and shelter from the elements and yet many homeless are without protection from the harshest cold. 15 below zero is the temperature at which the extreme cold warming is issued for the homeless to find shelter indoors. The synergy of this number with our anniversary was the unavoidable call to develop a two fold solution for the homeless: protection in the form of outer-wear against the elements; and awareness of their plight.
What did we do?
TAXI developed and produced an innovative coat whose 15 pockets in its lining can be stuffed with newsprint to provide a variable layer of insulation for all weather. The coat was designed in collaboration with Lida Baday respected Canadian fashion designer. The coats were manufactured in Asia under fair work conditions. The fabrics and finishes used are of the highest quality assuring the coat is water proof, breathable and flame resistant, it even has details like a beard protector. The lightweight coat when not stuffed folds into the hood and can be carried as a backpack or used as a pillow.
Does it work?
Many research sources confirmed the effectiveness of newsprint as an insulator, yet it had never been used in clothing. TAXI conducted a test in a meat locker facility whereby a subject spent 8 hours wearing the stuffed coat at a temperature of 18 degrees below zero. He was wired for heart rate and body temperature, both of which remained constant during that period. The temperature was reduced to 30 below for the last 45 minutes.
For more information, check out www.15belowproject.org
The speakers are Steve Mykolyn, ECD of TAXI and Jason McCann, CD, TAXI New York. Jason can also juggle. -
PRESENTATION ABSTRACT:
Convenience Versus Convention; (c. 16-18c Incised Letterforms)
by Lynne and William Baggett.
Based upon a line of personal research that began in 1997, we will present a diverse selection of carved examples of incised letterforms that appear on stone grave markers in the British Isles (c. 16-18 centuries).
During this era, the vocation of letterform carving was dominated by local traditions in matters of bereavement, commemoration and worship. Tradesmen typically spent their entire lives isolated in the same village or county where they were born, were trained by senior craftsmen, often of the same family; who had in turn spent their lifetime in the same situation. It was a vocation that required minimal literacy and tended to focus on passing along essential technical expertise as well as vernacular mannerisms and attitudes concerning issues of style and quality.
It is our summation that many of the unusual approaches to this craft have been caused by bizarre circumstances and localized idiosyncrasies which exposed many innovative letterform creations. Such graphic attributes of the vernacular carved letter have been overshadowed with the vastly more accessible and popular examination of the written and the printed letterform; which in effect have existed in a parallel, but distinctly separate universe of typographic methods, ideals, and conventions.
In hindsight however, the innovative stone carver of the period held little if any concern for the realm of print. Instead, it is arguable that the letter carvers’ freedom with line and letter spacing, as well as body style variations with letterforms themselves, permitted a higher level of manipulation of form and space than was seen with the printed letter until the advent of lithography in the late 18th century.
For today’s vastly resourced designers, further examination of the inscribed stones hold considerable potential to more positively impact our modern sensibilities of graphic and typographical richness and diversity. This presentation seeks to enhance the interest in these often forgotten examples in stone and to reveal them as innovative masterpieces in their own right.
BIOGRAPHIES:
Lynne and William Baggett
Bill Baggett is a second-generation artist/designer and has taught graphic design at the university level for over 35 years. In addition, his paintings and printmaking work are included in collections throughout the US, Europe and Japan. He currently serves as Chair of the Department of Art
and Design at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Lynne Joddrell Baggett spent five years in London as a graphic designer before moving to the US where she has taught at three universities and now serves as Associate Professor of Art, in the Graphic Design area at Louisiana State University. Lynne has received several grants and fellowships for her research on the subject of incised letterforms.
Both share a mutual enthusiasm for letterforms and typography and enjoy collaborating on various design projects. Their research and inspired artworks have been presented both nationally and internationally for professional organizations, including: Association Typographique Internationale (ATypI), Brighton, UK; St Bride Library, London, UK; and Typevents LLP, Birmingham, UK.
RELATED LINKS:
http://www.atypi.org/30_past_conferences/05_Brighton/20_main_program/view_presentation_html?presentid=376
http://stbride.org/public/friends/conference/badtype/covering-ground.html
http://www.typevents.com/index.php?id=242,0,0,1,0,0
http://www.usm.edu/visualarts/baggett.php
http://www.joddrellbaggett.us -
Hi Michelle,
I'm the multimedia developer at Upstatement -- we're a web design + development firm located in Cambridge. This fall we spoke about Flash graphics at the Society of News Design conference in Vegas. We've got two sessions for the AIGA we'd love to present:
Covering an Election in the Digital Era: A Designer and a Graphic Developer Discuss Making Data Magic On-The-Fly
This year, the country not only watched election night returns on their televisions, but also on their computers. Tito Bottitta and Jared Novack of Upstatement take the audience on a behind-the-scenes look at how they brought the election to the laptop, orchestrating Boston.com's online presentation and making live, interactive maps and charts. While reporters were on the ground filing stories, Jared & Tito tamed a giant Content Management System and parsed AP data feeds to deliver the returns in real-time. They'll walk through strategies for communicating complex data and making numbers sing through smart production, technical and visual techniques.
Stop using Flash, by a Flash Developer
While the era of Flash intros is over, the era of superflous Flash is still underway. For MIT Media Lab, Upstatatement created a Flash-based UI for users to build interactive stories with photos, shapes, video and type. Jared Novack, multimedia developer at Upstatement, walks though projects like these that require Flash's versitility and power. We'll demo (and give away) our in-house code that makes doing the basics a breeze. Then we will ridicule (the audience will boo) the backwards and inefficent uses of Flash all across the web that are bad for users, clients and the designers stuck making them.
Please, let us know your thoughts
Best,
Jared Novack
--
upstatement.com
617 245 0175 -
Hi Michelle,
You've got a lot of reading to do, having just scanned the suggestions. And here's one more. As you know I was with a paper company for many years and besides the usual paper company promotions, I was fortunate to direct their Ideas that Matter initiative. ItM was developed by Cheryl Heller and Mervyn Kurlansky as a challenge to get designers involved in social awareness marketing issues. I'm not suggesting Cheryl or Mervyn, though I've read many articles and interviews.
I recommend DOUG HEBERT (hay-bear) of Savage Design in Houston. When he wasn't producing annual reports, he developed two award-winning campaigns - one for Neonatal Development Education and one for Adoption Awareness. I gave a copy of the neonatal book to my daughter when my latest granddaughter was born. Doug spoke at HOW in Las Vegas to about 1,000 people and at STEP.
I could go on but will spare you my bad typing on the iPhone. You may reach me at 952.381.2798 or email above. Doug Hebert is at dhebert@savagedesign.com and 832.428.7742. Happy New Year! joe -
We are nominating ourselves for the following talk:
A Rally for Copy-left
Have you ever wanted to use someone else’s work in your own production? Of course you have – we have all gained inspiration from others and have had moments where we wished we could use what has already been done so well. Have you ever tried to explain copyright laws to new design students, only to count endless image results from Google searches in the final projects of Graphics 101 classes? If you’re an art or design educator, then I’m sure we share a similar challenge. Do you talk about Creative Commons in your classes or use materials from the public domain in your own work? Have you ever protected your own work with an alternative copyright license (CC, GNU or something else)?
We just published our first design textbook, Digital Foundations Intro to Media Design with the Adobe Creative Suite (New Riders/AIGA Design Press) at the end of 2008. We used a Creative Commons license (CC+by-nc-sa) on the textbook and on the wiki where the entire book will remain available for free viewing and usage. We used loads of images from the Public Domain to illustrate significant images from the history of art and design, including Egon Schiele, Marcel Duchamp, Joseph Albers, Vincent Van Gogh, Theo van Doesburg , Leonardo da Vinci, Anna Atkins, Nicéphore Niépce, Dorothea Lange, Hippolyte Bayard, El Lissitzky, Kurt Schwitters, a NY Times front page, a spread from one of the Gutenberg Bibles, and more. After finishing our first book we have realized just how important the Public Domain and Creative Commons have become for artists, designers, publishers, educators, historians and students. In this talk we will share our own stories about publishing using a CC license (a first for New Riders!) and why we think it is essential that artists and designers continue to add elements of their contemporary portfolios to the Wikimedia Commons. -
As a non-traditional designer (I work solely on designing for email and emarketing strategy) I sometimes struggle to find my place in AIGA, and I have a feeling there are others like me out there.
There is much to be learned about designing for emarketing, whether that's email, a banner ad, twitter, facebook, etc. I'd love to hear more about the increasingly important role design plays in these nontraditional and often over-looked mediums.
As for potential speakers or companies whose resources you may want to tap:
ExactTarget (my employer)
CampaignMonitor
MailChimp
SmithHarmon (Lisa Harmon or Chad White)
Email Experience Council
Jason Kottke (kottke.org)
MarketingSherpa
ClickZ -
Designing Direct Mail -
I've been working in direct mail for 20+ years. I was previously a Mailpiece Design Analyst with the US Postal Service, and am now working in the Printing/Mailing Industry -
I've given many presentations on Designing Direct Mail, and there are many changes coming in the requirements from the US Postal Service -
If there is an interest, I'd be happy to provide an outline -
Best,
Christine -
In these challenging times for the press and the print word, I would like to hear more about how newspapers and magazines will deliver a content driven design in the future, and how technology could help.
For the last couple of years, I've been thinking of a new platform where to read, view, listen to, share and store newspapers, magazines and books. It retains the rationale behind reading and browsing in print. Perhaps it is the next step forward.
I would love to have a round table with the editor of New York Magazine, Adam Moss, the creative director of The Guardian in London, Mark Porter and the multimedia editor of the New York Times, Andrew De Vigal, to talk about the future. I'm far away from their expertise but would be happy to join them.
Very best
Al
(Membership number 166916)
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