Totally Inspired by Design
Monday, November 17th, 2008Last week I went to amazing sessions at Refresh Pittsbugh where Val Head give a talk on client relationships and Samatha Warren presented on Web Typography. Both presentations inspired me to inspect keynote a little closer (more on that later) and to get back on track to my personal design mission.
My Mission
Last year I started a trek down graphic design lane. As a cartoonist turned web developer in the late 90’s I’ve accumulated a Swiss cheese knowledge of graphic design and layout in general. I thought I knew whats up but then it happened, as it does so often in my life. I was knocked on my ass.
I was introduced to screen printing. I don’t know why I wasn’t aware of how cool it was, but somehow I missed it. There was this image of a Morrissey poster that floored me hanging at a North Side studio called AIR.
At this screen printing function I was surrounded by graphic designers in the true sense of the word and they were designing these magnificent posters with so much care and beauty. The type was astounding, the layouts so well done, and the graphics made me just about weep. And all of this brought to you by hand I must add! I felt like a pixel pushing hack. It was then I realized my knowledge was more in the software than the craft. And it was then that I craved the culture of design. I set a vow to learn the craft of type, layout and screen printing not as a computer user but as a visual problem solver and communicator. Then as a developer I could fuse my applications with a strong visual communication that reaches my audience.
That journey lead me to some great events and talks this past year such as SPX in Baltimore and countless guidance from Val, Rachel, and Deef. Anyway, the Refresh Pittsburgh talks got me going again and I started to read Making and Breaking the Grid by Timothy Samara. Now I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older or if Europe has really changed my perspective on things, but I’m now utterly fascinated with the history of graphic design. The book doesn’t start at the genesis of graphic design but more like the mainstream use of grid layout for print production. Since it’s new to me I’ve been trying to keep track of some of the major players. To help guide me I made a flow chart of the main points and major players.
Early Major Players of Grid Design
It’s funny because I’ve been seeking out this kind of knowledge but I’ve been looking in the wrong places. Motsly mainstream book stores… In the computer section… and maybe the comics section too… I know shame on me. But now that I’ve heard the whispers of where to look I feel an entire universe is now at my disposal.
In response to this I’m setting out to screen print some give-a-way cards for my band The Jim Dandies. I think I’m going to pull the trigger on it and try it out next Tuesday at AIR. So if you’re down there say hello, but if you know what you’re doing, please lend me a hand. I’d love to learn from you.
