My post from yesterday sparked a bit of interesting discussion. Well, interesting to me at least.
My dear friend Julie noted that she would not want to be stuck in an elevator with a bunch of designers, as a heated argument would no doubt break out over the "elevator button font". Drastic you say? Maybe, but we designers tend to be very serious about our type. In fact, most graphic designers have an intense love affair with type and paper. Just today, in my Typography 2 class, there was a (mock) heated discussion on Futura vs. Helvetica.
I personally love Helvetica, but am an even bigger fan of Univers (I'll give you a sample later). Futura just doesn't turn me on.
So it got me thinking about when this all started for me. I guess it might have been when I was in high school and very serious about how the yearbook should be layed out. And then when I started college and took my first graphic design classes*. Chip Kidd, the rock-star of book cover design, writes in his novel "The Cheese Monkeys"**:
'It's hard to pinpoint exactly when The Difference began, but as I bought my ticket from the Beaver Bus TRavel Company to go home for Easter, I was really, really bothered by the fact that the color and shape of the logo on it (a Chicklet-toothed, dirt brown rodent in a baseball cap, madly waving good-bye with his right hand) did not match those on the sign above the sales booth (dark blue and waving with the left). Which was also completely different from the little bastards painted on the sides of the buses AND stamped on the schedule pamphlets (badly printed on a flimsy paper stock completely ill-suited for the wear and tear of the long-term use they were no doubt intended for). And that's when I realized things like this had been occurring to me a lot lately. All signage - indeed, any typesetting, color schemes, and printed materials my eyes pounced on were automatically dissected and held to Draconian standards of graphic worthiness. It was all I could do to keep from grabbing the station attendant by the shoulders and screaming, "None of it is CONSISTENT! Don't you understand?! Somebody do SOMETHING!!" '
I laughed out loud when I read this because this is very similar to the constant inner monologue that runs through my head. It's second nature now.
My other dear friend, Sumiko, also brought up the interesting point of being willing to go to bat for Arial. I understand, and I think I used to agree. It's actually become sort of a purist thing. Helvetica was created in the 50's by a guy named Max Miedinger. Arial was created by Microsoft, is packaged with every version of Windows, and is basically a cheap (and unauthorized) clone of Helvetica. If you are feeling particularly geeky, check out this site (and I actually own and love the book, 'Helvetica, a Homage to a Typeface'. It's incredibly well designed and beautiful). But I also know that most people, who aren't graphic designers, don't have access to Helvetica. It's incredibly expensive to buy, and really, if you're not a designer, you probably don't really care about the whole 'Microsoft ripping Helvetica off' thing anyway.
Whew. There you have it.
*For those of you who don't know, 10 years ago, when I started college at the dreaded Boise State University, I was studying Graphic Design. The short version of the longer story is that one of the 3 GD teachers was a complete jack-ass and told me (in my first semester) that I didn't have what it takes to be a graphic designer. I was very vulnerable at 18 (as are most people), and believed him. I changed my major. But look at me now! I'm in one of the best schools which has one of the best Graphic Design programs. It was definitely worth the wait.
** This is a really fun and quick read if you're interested.
We spent this past weekend in Newport with our good friends Greg and Camille. Sunday night, we took off for New London for dinner with some other friends (Fabio and Debbie) and the Banff Mountain Film Festival. And might I add I was the only one out of us 6 that didn't graduate from Cornell. Go Cal State Hayward! (or not).
Now, I could tell you about the great films that we saw (and we saw some good ones), but instead, dear Internet, I'm going to give a small Public Service Announcement. Brought on by the fact that not 1, not 2, but 3 of the films we saw used the typeface (if it can even be called that) "Papyrus" in their opening and closing credits.
Thus, I feel it my duty as a Graphic Designer and lover of type to tell all who care to listen: The following typefaces are cliche, overused, and just plain ugly. Avoid them like they are a plague that will rot out your insides (although, in the case of publishing things on the internet, there is a small exception. Keep reading). And never, not even in the most dire of circumstances, ever type an email in a decorative font (I have actually received emails typed entirely in Comic Sans). I don't care if your computer ate all of your other fonts.
You can however, with the blessing of most designers, use these beautiful and gorgeous typefaces (just to name a few) without reservation:
I understand that most people won't have access to Helvetica or Bodoni, so in this case (and because the internet doesn't give too many options), you can use Arial (this blog, in fact in done in Arial because of the three sans serif font available, this one happens to be the better of the three. And I could publish it with a serif font, but I like the clean look that a sans serif provides). But if given a choice...
Thus ends my time on the soap box. Because I don't really care. Not alot anyway.
Any questions?
I've spent my fair share of time over the last year giving my recommendations on movies or music. And you know what? I realized that most of you probably don't give a rat's as-, uh, hiney about what music and movies I like. So, in lieu of yet another painfully written "Great movie....blah, blah, blah" post, I give you "Traci's-abbreviated-version-of-some-movies-she-watched-that-you-probably-don't-give-a-rat's- hiney-about".
Millions - good
The Constant Gardener - good
Junebug - good
Me, You, and Everyone We Know - sorta good
In Her Shoes - good
I Shot Andy Warhol - meh
Thumbsucker - good
Broken Flowers - not even worth the energy to write "meh".
So there you have it. And, oh you would not believe the load of work that got dumped on me the first day of class, so if you want links to those movies, look 'em up yourself because I just don't have the time.
I'm not sure how old I was when I decided to really take drawing seriously, and figured out that I could do it for a living. I had to be around 11 or 12 (and hated math and science, even at that age). I was really into Disney around that time and decided that all I wanted to do was be a Disney animator*.
I started by drawing the comics from the newspaper. I remember Hagar the Horrible and Calvin being among my favorites to draw, as well as my first real achievement (the Chicago Bulls logo was another favorite). I soon moved onto the actual Disney characters, and became so confident that I actually sent some of my drawings to the Disney animation studio (I bet they got 1000's of drawings from kids...). I also don't remember when it was that I lost that love of drawing...I think some ass of a college professor at BSU beat it out of me.
I actually haven't thought about any of this for ages...until my cousin, Nikol, sent me this photo. I must've been around 15 when she was pregnant with her first son, Cody, whom I drew and painted this for.
Thanks for the memories Nik. I really can't believe you still have that.
*I've since grown out of the Disney faze. Great and all at the time, but thank God.
Have I mentioned that my husband is a champion gift giver? I'm not joking - the guy is good.
Knowing that I'm so not into the whole cheesy romanticism of V-Day (but knowing that I still love to get gifts from him), he skillfully picked out some gifts that he knew I'd love. Which, by the way, is not only impressive because he didn't do the old standby of flowers (which he knows I don't like), but also because he's in CHINA right now. Did I mention how good he is?
So this is what I found on V-day:
- A new pair of headphones for my iPod. Ones that are actually nicer than the ones that came with the iPod. And knowing how much asthetics mean to me, he got me white ones.
- A subscription to How Magazine, a great design mag full of super useful information and articles.
- A bag of big M&M's, because, seriously, even though I'm not a romantic and into the schmultz, I still like chocolate. Especially of the mega M&M variety.
- A model kit for a 1967 Shelby GT 500 car. If you don't know, this is my dream car. The one that I would consider selling my kidneys for. And while he wasn't able to get me the actual car, I'm very happy with my model car. And speaking of beautiful cars...have you seen the 2007 Shelby? Supercharged 5.4 liter V8. (By the way, he mentioned starting a Shelby fund for me. I will gladly take donations). See...he knows what really turns me on.
Thank you Herman. I'm glad you're coming home soon.
On a different note, I love how the comment section has a tendency to turn into a discussion on Scrubs. I think we should make it a daily goal to somehow steer the posts back to any mention of Scrubs. Or any of the "Holy S's" (Scrubs, Seinfield, Simpsons) for that matter. Josh, you're a genius for coining that.
Oh, I also wish that I could be one of those noble people who killed their tv. But I'm not. 
Contrary to popular belief (actually, no one has implied this), I'm not just sitting around watching movies all day. Except...for, well, yesterday because the wind was blowing 45 miles an hour and it snowed for 18 straight hours, and quite frankly I just didn't feel like going outside. Otherwise, I'm just averaging one movie a day, and no movies today because I think Netflix has caught on to the whole one movie a day thing.
I'm actually quite busy this week, which sort of makes me sad as this week is going to go by really fast and then it's back to 14 + hours a day / 7 days a week of school work starting next Monday. This week, I have to teach myself to use some design software, I have a few design projects (outside of school) that I'm working on, I have to nail down some things for the Invisible Children screenings, and I need to send out Christmas cards and DVD's to my family. Yes, I realize that it's February. Back off.
Actually, I did take some time today to do something that I've been wanting to do: I went to see Brokeback Mountain. In a nutshell (because I'm not so good at the writing, you see), I thought it was an incredibly beautiful and heartbreaking story. It's been awhile since I've been to a movie that sort of gutted me like that. I just didn't expect it.
I've started working my way through my movie list. Most recent, I watched The Chumscrubber and The Baxter.
The Chumscrubber was pretty great. It has a great cast (Jamie Bell, Glenn Close, Rita Wilson, Ralph Fiennes...just to name a few) and juxtaposes a "supposed" perfect suburban life (which the adults want to keep perfect) with the harsh reality that their kids know. It's about seeking authentic relationships and the need for community. I really liked this one.
The Baxter was alright. The basic premise is that there are people who sort of settle in marriage for someone because they can't be with the one they really love. The poor losers are called "Baxters". I thought it would be a sweet (read: easy watch) little indie film, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out if they were trying to be over the top or if it was just bad acting. I'm leaning towards a weak script and the acting (although it did have the quite yummy Justin Theroux in it, so it wasn't a total bust. Yes, I did say "yummy". Please, let me indulge my girliness just this once. It won't happen again, I promise. Star War rules! [see?])
So the lesson here? Watch Chumscrubber. Pass on the Baxter.
And it seems as if I'm going to be very happy to have netflix, as a huge blizzard is currently heading my way. Just so long as the mail man can make it here.
A few months back, I mentioned a couple of guys I met back in 2005, Bobby and Jason, and the documentary film they made, Invisible Children.
Amazing things are happening for them as more and more people see the film and want to get involved. Currently, there are teams traveling all over the states to do screenings of the film. We're hosting two screenings here in Rhode Island, and if one of the teams will be somewhere close to most of you, please go see it (except for Wesley and Josh...You guys would have to travel to Italy to see it. And Idaho...it doesn't look too good for Idaho). Jason, Bobby, and Laren are currently working on a full length version of the film, and I believe they're hoping to release it sometime next year.
Check out their website for more information. Like what their mission is. Who they are. Frequently asked questions. Who they've partnered with. And you can read journals of sorts from when they were in Africa, as well as what others are saying here.
If you want to see it and can't make it to a screening, let me know, I have extra DVD's. Also, if you want to host a screening, let me know or contact them.
That's all.
In Febuary of 2004, Herman and I made our first trek to Thailand. I shot multiple rolls of film, and ended the trip halfway through a role of black and white. Later that year, we went to Eastern Europe with his family, and I finally managed to finish off that roll of film.
Then...it sat. And sat. And sat some more. I was basically too lazy to take it to the proper developers (Costco doesn't develop "real" black and white film, just so you know).
Then I realized a couple of weeks ago that I could develop it! So, well, I did.
After I finished up my assignment for class, I played in the dark room for awhile with this roll. I basically decided to set a different tone by playing with filters and contrast. I'm super happy with how they turned out. I really like the whole high contrast very graphic look in photography.
I see much more of this type of photo in my future.
What do you think? (click to see larger, of course)
What? You've never seen a crab-cat before?
No there's nothing wrong with him. Yes, he's just weird like that.
And just so we're straight and honest here...I didn't take this picture. Herman did. But I developed and printed it. We're all about the team work here.
There's this episode of Scrubs where JD and Turk like to play tricks on Dr. Hooch. Such as the "soup shower" where they put beef boullion in the shower head (quite brilliant really). Dr. Hooch runs out of the locker room, clothed only in his towel, ranting about finding the person who did it and killing them. JD and Turk sit by, eating popcorn and laughing. They then turn to each other, smile, and say, "Hooch is crazy".
We've sort of adopted this saying about things that are, well...crazy (go figure).
Take, for instance, our downstairs neighbor. Remember the horrible apartment experience, compliments of our downstairs neighbors "leaky" bathroom? I say "leaky" because a couple of weeks ago, the maintence men came back to our apartment (I was fully clothed and my husband was present) to see about a "leak". Upon finding nothing, again, they shook their heads and said "That's Billy*. He just wants us to remodel his bathroom." Thank you Billy. Can I continue to expect the nice maintence men to come by monthly or quarterly?
Hooch is crazy.
But that's nothing compared to what's been going on. Remember Goonies? Psh. Stupid question, of course you remember Goonies (unless you are my husband, who might not remember Goonies, seeing as he didn't see Star Wars until after we started dating. I kid because I love). Anyway, remember that scene when Mikey has to go to the bathroom when they're in the Fratelli hideout? Remember how he finds Sloth chained to the wall, and the hideous sounds he'd make?
Well, aparently, Billy kidnapped Sloth and is keeping him chained to the wall...most likely in his bathroom. Seriously, you would not believe the noises that come out of that apartment. Our apartment shakes from the groans, grunts, and what is obviously something being thrown or smashed.
I don't know what's going on down there, but I'm pretty sure it's outlawed in most civilized societies.
Hooch is crazy.
* I did not change his name to protect his innocence.
I think one of the best places to find new music (or old music that I haven't heard before) is by watching Scrubs. The director and, well, Zach Braff tend to have really great taste (we became aware of Joshua Radin's music from Scrubs).
Anyway, we were watching a couple of weeks ago, and a particularly poignant and incredibly beautiful song came on. Of course, as soon as the episode was over, I was online, trying to find out who it was (note to NBC: you should list the music. Just sayin'.*), but it took a couple days before anyone was posting anything anywhere (anytime, anyhow, blah, blah). Turns out it was a song called "In the Sun" by Joseph Arthur.
It immediately went on my list of "beautiful things that can make me cry", right there next to Joshua Radin's "Closer" (sorry Joshua**). I couldn't get enough of listening to this song.
A couple nights later, some friends were over and we watched "Saved", which is fantastic, and I had seen before, but I had completely forgotten that during one of the emotional scenes "In the Sun" was used. (I swear this all will come to a great point. Really.)
So, just a couple of days ago, I was reading a magazine that mentioned Chris Martin (of Coldplay), and Michael Stipe (of REM) doing a duet of "In the Sun" at a concert in Austin.
Well, I did a bit of investigating, and found out that Michael Stipe has created the In The Sun Foundation in response to Hurricane Katrina, as a way to continue to bring hope and help to those who need it.
In his words:
"The news cycle has moved on and I don't want the public to forget about those who were affected by [Hurricane] Katrina or to believe that everything is fine now," says Stipe, who hails from Georgia and has family roots in the Gulf region. "Things are not fine. The storm is still impacting people's lives in very real ways and many have been left desperate. I want to remind each of us that as humans, and certainly as Americans, it is our responsibility to help those in need."
Incredible.
So Stipe got together with Chris Martin, Joseph Arthur, and a few other artists to record different duets and versions of the song, "In the Sun". They slapped it on an ep, and are selling it on iTunes for $5. All proceeds go to Mercy Corps to aid the Gulf Coast region.
So go. Buy this ep. Seriously, it's only $5. I think that the question of "What can we continue to do after everyone else seems to forget" is an extremely important one. And buying a $5 ep might seem like a small thing, but at least it's something.
And make sure to check out Joseph Arthur's original version. It's beautiful.
*No, NBC doesn't read my blog.
**Neither does Joshua Radin.
Ok, this is quite pitiful. You've been warned.
Herman left today for Asia (China, Thailand, Taiwan), which leaves me alone for the next 2 or so weeks. Usually, I'd be super busy with school without any time to really notice his absence (just kidding, of course), but this trip, I'm finishing up a light wintersession, with my winter break the week after next.
So what's a person to do? Watch lots and lots of movies of course. So we signed up for the free trial of netflix, plus one month. Here's what we recently watched together:
Crash (I'd already seen it, he hadn't. Still incredible.)
Transporter 1 & 2 (guilty pleasures. Handsome Rob. Great car scenes. Absolutely no substance whatsoever)
The Upside of Anger (eh)
Infernal Affairs (Actually a really good movie. They're making an American version, "loosely based" on this one)
Fever Pitch (Jimmy Fallon was surprisingly fun to watch, especially at 2.00 in the morning. Or maybe because it was 2.00 in the morning.)
But now that Herman's gone, I can really dive into some movies that I've been wanting to see. Next up in my queue:
The Baxter
The Constant Gardener
Junebug
The Chumscrubber
Me and You and Everyone We Know
Thumbsucker
Broken Flowers
Yeah, yeah...I'm slacking a bit. But in two weeks I won't have time to watch any tv, so I'm getting my fill now. Seizing the day and all.
