RDA Spring Lecture Series- Transparency Exposing Graphic Design Ellen Lupton

Tonight I attended the 3rd in the series of four lectures given by the Rice Design Alliance. Tonight's speaker was Ellen Lupton. Ellen is the director of the Graphic Design MFA program at MICA as well as a writer, twin, mom, D.I.Y evangelist, bra fitting aficionado and curator of contemporary design at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.

I grabbed one of her books at the lecture, "D.I.Y. Design it Yourself". I had looked up her site before attending and was crossing my fingers that the books would be available since there was a book signing. I was happy to find out, this was the case. And of course, I had to get it signed as a gift to my alter ego, nom de plume Katsola. Yeah, thank you Ellen!

Her lecture focused on supporting the statement "think more. design less" and the concept of 'Design it Yourself' as it relates to both designers and non designers. I found this juxtaposition very interesting. While some might balk at the thought of everyone being a designer, it's important to note that sometimes the best design comes from keeping things streamlined and focused. As an example, Ellen spoke about a topic in a forthcoming book, 'Is a Toaster Necessary?'. To sum it up Yes... if you want or love toast, you do need a toaster to make fabulous toast. She and her twin did the leg work and found the standard basic issue toaster will out as the pontiff of crispy toastyness. She also made the point to all the women in the audience that the cup of a bra is all about the fad and fashion and the band of the bra was, you guessed it the 'foundation' of nice breast display. And to further illustrate this point she shared with us some of her lovely illustrations. Which I must say were quite fun. I have charge myself with creating an illustration, inspired by Ellen.

I really enjoyed this lecture so this is part 1 of 2 since I am tired and needing to get to bed.

Andy Altmann lecture on the 28th

I had fun creating something fun inspired by Andy Altmann

I attended the second lecture in the RDA Spring Lecture Series: Transparency Exposing Graphic Design last night with guest speaker, Andy Altmann, founder of Why Not Associates, London. Lately, I have been wondering if I still want to be a graphic designer, and this series is just what I needed to refresh my perspective.

I loved 'Andy's Shite' box, a menagerie of matchbooks, prostitute calling cards, slides of random ebay sellers, found objects and anything that would fit into a small photo album. He pointed out that as designers we commonly love all kinds of design, most especially bad design.

There is nothing like getting an inside peak inside the mind and process of an accomplished an innovative designer. His work is incredible and illuminating. Plus he had a 'right randy sense of humor', which is the mark of any great communicator.