Typography Tips and Tricks…

A student (Chris Uran) share this one via FB. Great article (although some of the tips I am not 100% onboard with) but by and large its "on" and a great resource read. Thanks Chris!

An Interview with a Creative Soul {it got me thinking}…

“There’s often a disconnect between being an artist
and actually working as an artist. It’s one thing to 
be creative and not get paid for it—you can create until 
your heart’s content—but when money gets involved, 
it’s a whole different animal.”
                                             -Ike Edeani

---

I came upon this really good quote while reading an interview by Tina Essmaker with photographer Ike Ediani. To {way} over-simplify: Ike is a creative soul. Like many before and after him, he balanced this "love for creativity" initially by being "practical…" which lead him to an education and career as an Architect (arguably one of the highest paying of all the creative careers)… then later an art-director / graphic designer… and then eventually a photographer.

I think the quote by Edeani gets to the heart of some of the discontent behind those pursuing visual communications. You may be doing wonderfully innovative work when it is scholastic or a self-commisioned (or perhaps even self-indulgent) work. The fact is that in all probability career-wise, you often trade off  unfettered creativity for the much more confining reality of a steady job. The "no-limits, open-budget, avant-garde-euro-fashion-magazine cover job" you've dreamed of is in reality the "monotonous-but-steady" job where you generate forms and business cards in a preset format.

Times used to be that kids who wanted to be artists, but worried about steady employment, went into visual communications (or 'graphic design') to meet those goals. It seems the modern equivalent has become kids who want to play video games all day. There is another thread here in that ones loves cannot always equate to the reality of compensation to do what you want. You have to find the balance that fits you (and that you can live with). 

Regardless, it seems to me there has to be a moderation of what the centrally motivating factor is for the individual with a creative soul. Some will move between careers or employers until they find the balance they can live with. Others will transition out of their desire to"work in the field," and instead work at a job/career that can more adequately provide them with money, while practicing what it is they truly love on a personal level. There is no one correct answer.

I recently met up with some college friends, and found one of them was now in a financial career. One of our [well-intentioned perhaps] classmates commented that it was "a shame she couldn't work in design."

She had mentioned trying to work in design, but hating it. The creative profession she had dreamed of during her studies had became yet 'just another job.' After trying different agencies and scenarios, she figured she may as well work at a job that paid her more while requiring less of her time. 

Through happenstance, she began processing payroll and handling investments. After several years and a few promotions,  she had doubled what she made in design while working an actual 40 hour week (design insiders will get that one).

Now she is able to do painting and photography on her own terms, (which was why she originally pursued design studies in the first place–as a compromise to pursuing fine arts more fully) and had even had several joint/group shows of her work, and an a few individual shows at a local galleries (something neither I nor our "well-intentioned" classmate had puled off).

She figured out that, for her, being a creative soul didn't necessary mean working in a creative career.

What Photographers* Really Should Be Learning in School

Note the asterisk. (We'll come back to that later)
I came upon an article in PHOTOSHELTER that caught my attention. The article started out by referencing a previous article where multiple "big time pro photographers" were interviewed about what they feel should have been taught in photography school.

While that direction with the article was interesting (and arguably of the greatest interest for pure photographers), it is certainly subject to the lead established by the interviewees. That article could easily be re-written 100 different times with equally as many different citations of educational grievances  or regrets based on any given professional's perceived deficiencies. (and BTW it has been written a million times)

Instead, it was something else in the article that pushed the conversation into a slightly more "universal" direction that I found the most interesting. The author mentions attending a lecture  by Dr. Yong Zhao.  [HERE COMES THE ASTERISK] This goes waaaay beyond photography to general education (as the author asserts) in Creative Professions.

This turns much of what you've accepted as education upside down, and may explain why some folks can attend the same institution as others, and come out with so much more apparent 'educational benefit' than the student in the chair next to them.

• It’s not about what schools should be teaching, it’s about what you should be learning
• Students should figure out how they can be of value to others
• Problem identification is as important as problem solving
• Traditionally useless people are now useful (and vice versa)
• Realize that people consume psychological and spiritual products.
• Create your own job

If you have the time, I M O  it's definitely worth a read.

ARTICLE:
http://blog.photoshelter.com/2014/11/what-photographers-really-should-be-learning-in-school/

Junk Food News

Another burger alert!
Yeah I know. It's really not the best stuff for you. But I also know as a former college student that cheap and fast is a premium. It is with relative happiness that I stumbled upon the Jalepeño crunch double cheese at McDonald's.
It wasn't a bad burger (probably not great for you if you eat one every day…but tasty). My only wish was that the peppers piled on it were heated up, versus fridge temp. Two bucks at a McD's near you while offer lasts.

"We present information visually"

I was reading a book that included quotes and discussion from some current industry design voices, when part of a proclamation by Paul Sahre caught my eye.
It wasn't even Sahre's main point that caught me, but rather a part of what he said that effectively articulates something I hold to be true as a visual communicator:

“…my role as a designer involves ordering, 

clarifying, and sometimes even prettying-up 

[information]…”

the information has a wide and variable definition. It could be a solitary image, or a full document layout. But whether you are an illustrator or a publication designer, you are effectively: ordering, clarifying, and "prettying up" a visual message of some sort.

It's Camera Season ...

If you know me, you know I love Photography as both a personal form of artistic expression, and as a professional, visually-communicative endeavor. I try to do both as much as possible.

You also know that photography ain't cheap (although I am a little bit cheap).

Every fall (run up to Xmas) Canon has big sales on their refurbished cameras and lenses. Nikon does as well, but since I have the APSC-sized Canon lenses, I amtypically looking towards Canon. [BTW—If I potentially switch to a full-frame camera, Nikon may be a MUCH bigger part of my life– a new investment in glass would be in order anyway, and Nikon's price point on both is lower]
Whether FF or ASPC, I am always looking to save on equipment.

One of the biggest ways to save is FACTORY REFURBISHED equipment. I was always hesitant to buy refurb until I met one of Canon's CS managers from Virginia. She had shared that her son ( a pro PJ ) shoots a 5DIII (the mac-daddy of Canon's line) that he purchased refurb. She mentioned that they inspect and bench test each unit thoroughly (as compared to new where every fourth or fifth off the line is inspected). They also carry a warranty.
At any rate, I have not (with 2 cams and 2 lenses through the program) yet had any issues.  I have also saved a ton over retail and even some "used" sellers.

I have NOT had any refurb dealings with Nikon yet, but heard similar praises from colleagues who have.

Some of the Cameras you may be interested in:
Canon Full Frame:

• the 5DIII (their "top-of-the line") 
• the 6D (less cross-focus pts and different build)
• the 5D II (a few years old now, but still excellent)

Canon APSC ("crop sensor"):
The 7DII is driving the prices down a bit on their upper-tier APSC, and I may wait for the 7DII personally.

• the 70D (which, while it is APSC, has more cross-focus points and is preferred by many "general subject shooters")
• the 7D (sports, and bird shooters... I am a bit leary as the 7D had some issues, but it is a really affordable Camera with the 7DII release, and with a lot of nice features. I heard that on some a simple firmware update eliminated early issues).

NIKON FF (FX):

• the D800 or 810 line (if I did go full frame, I would seriously consider Nikon for features/price ratio)
• the D600 or 610 (the prices are dropping in October on all their refurbs btw)

NIKON crop sensor (DX):

• the D7100 or 7000
• the D5300 or 5200

 

[click on the appropriate image to go to the Canon or Nikon sites]

NOTE: I have NO AFFILIATION or interest with either Nikon or Canon USA, just sharing... 

Do you REALLY want to Visually Communicate?

I think many who go into this field are frustrated fine-artists in their hearts. That's not necessarily a problem as long as you can differentiate the practice of fine art from the profession of visual communication.

Many folks know how I feel about the discipline of being a "Visual Communicator." I shy away from the popularized 1980's term "Graphic Designer," which (beyond being a bit dated) tends to look 'inward' versus 'outward.' Visual Communications feels like a richer and more diverse term for what most professionals in the field engage in.

It's also pretty concise— you are communicating using visual language versus purely written words. Written words are a part of the arsenal, but they are not necessarily the first line of attack.

You are also communicating "on-task" versus self-indulgently. That doesn't preclude you from inserting your unique personality or style as long as you can stay on the communicative message, and be the most effective advocate for your client's message. In fact, that is the primary objective on any assignment. Like a Realtor legally entrusted to represent the best interests of the seller, we are ethically bound to be the best advocate for a client's message.

In my opinion, the actual "verby" activity of the whole process is brand communication; as long as you don't get too bogged down by defining brand in an overly restrictive sense.
I always tell my students to think of brand simply as personality. That can be a person, a product, a company, a service, or even a "sense of ______."

If you are not encapsulating what the assorted target audiences of your communication messages need to know about the brand, you are off the mark.

The Humble Waffle Iron…

I submit for your approval, the humble waffle iron.
Chances are you can pick one up on sale somewhere, or likely inherit one from someone in your family for free. I got mine in a neighborhood near UWM. A bride had a rummage sale nearby and I picked a new one up for 8 bucks.

I'd recommend the kind with adjustable heat setting. I'd also recommend you get a pizza pan larger than the waffle iron to catch any spill-over (especially if you make bacon) and be prepared with a wet towel to wipe up any spillage.

I've made a complete breakfast in the thing: first made the bacon (be prepared with a wet rag to hit the sides of the waffle iron and a pizza pan beneath it to catch the grease), then scrambled eggs, tater-tots pressed into waffle-hash browns, waffles (of course)...and even brownie mix for a midday snack.

Of course, the list has a few more things, and even a few recipe tweaks.

[click the photo to be taken to the ANSWERS.COM "top ten list."]

Beautiful Classic Film Photos to share...

If you know me, you know that I am a graphic designer by educational preparation (BFA). I am also an illustrator by both education and profession, and a (albeit not professional) photographer by choice ;-)

Every once in a while I'll come across something from one of those disciplines that I find interesting, and I'll share it.

In this case, my wife found this site, and shared it with me. I was so captivated by the painterly eye that this photographer held while shooting film. The "urbanscapes" of cities like New York and Chicago are something that I find breathtaking. Check out the  link (click on the photo below) to see what I mean. Shots from the "El" (which those of us with Chicago family roots may know is the Elevated Rail (which converges with the subway system also as a part of mass-transit).

Microwave Cookie

Dorm life. In the day it meant quite a bit of hotpot and microwave cookery. Most dorms had an oven that you could reserve, but baking cookies seemed like too much work for most guys. Along comes this recipe (modified from Molly Alice's recipe blog) to make  chocolate chip (or raisin, or peanut, or whatever) cookies accessible.

ingredients

1/4 c quick-cooking oats
1 tbsp brown sugar (or agave syrup or honey)
1 tbsp peanut butter (or any other nut or seed butter, or coconut oil if you are allergic to nuts)
1 tbsp plain Greek or soy yogurt
1 tsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp optional mix-ins — chocolate chips, raisins, craisins, chopped nuts, etc… get creative!

directions

1. In a small bowl, mix together dry ingredients (oats, sugar, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon). Add wet ingredients (peanut butter or coconut oil, yogurt, and vanilla) and mix to form a thick dough. Fold in any mix-ins.
2. Line a microwave-safe plate with a small piece of parchment paper. Scoop the dough onto the paper and pat it into a 3-4″ disk.
3. Microwave on high for 45 seconds to a minute and 10 seconds, or until just cooked (cooking time will vary depending on the strength of your microwave — don’t overcook, or it may be dry and crumbly or slightly hard). Let cool for two minutes--this is important to making the cookie more solid.

This won't be your traditional cookie, but it will be a satisfying (reasonably healthy) alternative.