‘This is for Art’ Video Project

Nov 13, 2009 | Written in: Video | 5 Comments

I recently stumbled upon the following video I made for a video class two years ago using Final Cut Pro, a fun set of roommates, and co-workers I illustrated with at UCSB’s paper. It’s a comment on using art for opinion and the role convention and conformity play in opposition. It stemmed from an urban art photography project (for another class) that at the last minute became a video shot and put together in one night during finals week with minimal equipment, lots of frantic drawing, and all the fun people I could round up. It had been compressed, burnt, ripped, then compressed for web so the quality has diminished, but I hope you still enjoy it.

(As for the slaptagging, there was no act of vandalization (that I know of) that occured in the making of this video. Owners of the stickers took down their work, and I never knew what the result of each piece became.)
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To be a Lennon or a McCartney

Nov 10, 2009 | Written in: Graphic/Web Design, Notes | Leave a Comment

paul-mccartney-and-john-lennon

According to New York designer, Dan Cassaro,

“There are two types of designers: Lennons and McCartneys. As a John Lennon, you create work that is message-driven, stark and serious, but you run the risk of seeming pretentious and/or naïve. (In John Lennon’s defense, he was unfortunately married to the world’s worst art director.) To be a Paul McCartney, on the other hand, means creating beautiful, meticulously crafted graphic design pop music, heavy on style but light on content. While either can be successful on its own (I fucking love Wings), the best design employs both ideology and style. (See: popular music group “The Beatles”).”

I reference this because I am a big Beatles fan, and Cassaro’s tip (#5. entitled Suck It, Yoko from 1000 Tips from 100 Graphic Designers) made me wonder. Knowing the music John and Paul had each written, I imagined their songs transformed into posters or brochures and it did seem clear to me. (It almost seemed like fine art vs. design, but that’s just in my head perhaps.) Since George Harrison is my favorite Beatle, I’ll have to say I’m neither a Lennon or a McCartney, and that’s perfectly fine with me.

Catch all of Dan Cassaro’s 10 tips here.

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‘We are Always On’

Nov 09, 2009 | Written in: Graphic/Web Design, Notes | Leave a Comment

Moving Brands/ Moving World from Moving Brands on Vimeo.
A piece by independent brand agency, Moving Brands.

It visually describes how I have been thinking/feeling lately, which is not uncommon in graphic design. Keeping up with society’s desires and ideas of what is good design vs. what is successful design from a designer’s point of view is repeatedly overwhelming. When you learn one thing, how long does it have ’til it becomes obsolete? Perhaps that’s why innovation is so sought after. One step ahead.

Speaking of repetition, my little brother and I had an interesting conversation last night while watching Family Guy (which, for some reason, causes one to think a great deal). We wondered if everything humans had ever made had already been made a previous time, but buried beneath oceans and earth, destroyed in war, and covered in ice and that this whole thing called technology–mobile connections, social networking, internet–is a process we constantly try to outdo each time it’s been done and redone? Or, what if this happens one day?

It reminds me of design. It’s an ongoing process, headache and adventure all rolled into one… one work day, one project, one cycle. How and when will ideas become recycled, or bad trends become ‘retro’? Picasso said, “Good artists copy. Great artists steal.” With all these influences, access, and guidelines when will stealing be all there is left to do? Is stealing a facet of innovation? Whatever the answers may be, change never ends.

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Art has a Function

Oct 16, 2009 | Written in: Graphic/Web Design, Notes | Leave a Comment

I never usually post about my job, let alone talk about it when the clock hits 3:30, but today, I sat back and realized (even more so) that art does have a function–contrary to popular belief.

Today I am officially, well, discombobulated (like people at Milwaukee airport after security). Designing for one of the largest marine research organizations in the world in the daytime, and working freelance for musicians, photographers and all around art lovers in my free time is natural to me. I can separate the two–leaving work at work, and freelance at home. But, today, oh today, I felt like I was a Biology major again (which I was, for a short stint).

nceasmockups

salmon-website-mockups

Site mock-ups and revisions in their very early stages. Long, long process.

I’ve been designing a website for salmon monitoring (then eating salmon when i get home… does that correlate?), creating 75+ illustrations for a climate change textbook, designing a flow diagram for a really complex system, and designing a logo that involves, yes, more fish. It’s all great fun, but what’s more, knowing that art has a function (as most complainers argue that it does not beyond selfish ones), makes me leave the studio at the end of the day happy that some people can realize the value in good visual communication. It’s not about money and how much one’s time costs–it’s all about what you need to say, and how you’re going to say it successfully.

Just something to think about.

Today’s quote: “It starts with an air pump connected to a condensing coil, that connects to a water removal unit, two drying columns, a particle filter, releasing CO2 free air which enters Air MFC’s through three backflow prevention valves. Then, here is the MFC DAQ that connects to a computer that connects to 5 Solenoid Valves, a flow meter and a CO2 Analyzer.”

Sure. I’ll draw that.

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Philippine Custom Vans – Cory and Ninoy Aquino

Oct 01, 2009 | Written in: Artwork, In Photos | 7 Comments

I received a request shortly following the death of former Philippine president, Corazon Aquino, to put art on a pair of canvas shoes as a tribute to her and her husband, Benigno Aquino, also a former Philippine president. They were two of the most influential figures in Philippine history and politics.

No matter what the surface, art is a connection, and it makes me happy that it can be spread anywhere, anyhow, and for any reason. RIP Corazon Aquino.

Ninoy and Cory Aquino custom Vans shoes

Ninoy and Cory Aquino custom Vans shoes

Ninoy and Cory Aquino custom Vans shoes

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Waterproof and smooth.

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The Philippine Islands to be connected by a side of each shoe.

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Sprayed with a finish, laced, and ready to be shipped.

Also, to all the victims of Typhoon Ondoy, my heart and prayers go out to you.

Help for Typhoon Ondoy Victims in the Philippines.

If you’d like to make a request, order a pair of custom Vans shoes, or receive a quote, email me at karoleen AT karoleendesign DOT com or visit the contact page to send a message from there. Prices vary depending on the type of shoe.

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