Here’s a little treat we created at the DW lab almost 2 years ago! It’s an iPhone/iPod/iPad app by the name of “Baby’s First Music™.” We (DW) created it for my wife while we were pregnant with our son, Jameson. Simply put, the app plays a collection of Mozart (either via internal speaker or external headphones) directly onto mommy’s tummy. Hooray for early childhood development!

My wife recently had the bright idea to post the app to the iTunes store with hopes of generating a little extra savings for Sonny’s college fund. What a smart mommy! The app is currently awaiting approval in the itunes store and proceeds from each purchase of Baby’s First Music™ are being saved in Sonny’s college fun!

This past Saturday, I attended the annual AIGA Student Portfolio Review at MassArt, Boston.

The event started with all the reviewers, corralled, anticipating and chit-chatting amongst each other about what they do and what they expect to see. As the doors opened, the sight of all the students, looking nice and nervous at the same time, was quite exhilarating. It reminded me of a time not to long ago, when I was on their side of the table.

As I went from person to person, looking at posters, books, and corporate stationery, I quickly realized that the most needed advice to the students, was that of the so-called “Big-Picture”. There were obvious signs that the students have diligently practiced their craft; typography was tight and craft was clean. So after seeing this, I began to tell the students to relax, and that I was not there to nit-pick about un-kerned 12 point type.

I was very interested in hearing what the plans were for these students post-graduation. Where would they take their design skills? A job? Graduate Program? Freelance?

Because of the economy, most students had no idea what was in store next. They did understand however, how important it is to create valuable connections not only to other designers, but companies as well.

I felt I was able to provide some insight to the value of creating connections, and some of the methods that connections can be made. The first buzz word to arise is “Facebook”, then “Twitter”, then the common phrase “I need a website, but don’t want to learn Dreamweaver.” When I here this, I smile politely, and recommend a more realistic approach that is content management based. I explain that HTML websites are OK at best, and then go on to explain the power and simplicity of systems like WordPress and Indexhibit. Their eyes go wide.

One student in particular, I found was looking for the Big Picture talk. Michael Deal is a design student who loves information graphics and the Beatles.

He found in his design class, while working on an information graphics project, that lots of connections can be made withing a particular subject. He told me quite a few times, that he wished he had an entire class about this subject (information design).

We talked for quite some time about how he could apply his skills in design to not just posters of information, but to business models, products, and events. Probably the best conversation about design happening in the room.

These students at the MassArt Review seemed like fast paced, social network savvy individuals who seem satisfied with their schooling. I could see the wanting though, to take on not just design projects, but larger goals. Overall, a feeling I got from many of the students: “I can do graphic design…now what? How do I make an impact?”

I guess my last bit of advice here would be: Branch out, make connections to what ever can help you move forward. Remember, regular people are your clients, continually get to know the world they live in, and you will be fine.

Michael Deal - "Beatles Citing Beatles"

This past weekend we had the opportunity to talk with new design students at the Art Institute of Boston. Nathan Felde, chair of the design department, invited us to come show not only current and past projects, but also talk about the current state of graphic design, and design in general.

Nathan started his presentation with an explination of the design program and the transition is is going through. Up untill recently the design department at AIB was on a different, if not anitquated track, for teaching design in the 21st century. Nathan’s theory of “Eventual Design” focuses on the hypothesis that design has moved beyond just objects and visual aesthetics, to behavior and interconnected goals. The role of the graphic designer for the 21st century is more involved than ever, in where the decisions of said designers, can effect all aspects of a brand, business and product. A comparison of design to Cybernetics was made.

Our presentation started thereafter. It seemed to be a nice follow-up to Nathan’s bit. We covered Ticknology, Kiosk, Contact+, and AnyoneCanSwiss. The students were definatly engaged and were humored by our AnyoneCanSwiss and the selection of posters.

Nathan feels that the our projects are artifact of the notion that with design training (graphic in particullar), a person can have a profound effect on all aspects of a project. In particullar, projects such as Kiosk and AnyoneCanSwiss, we feel are examples of this type of design theory. Kiosk is not only graphically designed, but also contains a buisness model and prototype, where previously a designers resposibilty would end at just the graphics.

Next week, Matthew will be attending AIGA’s Student Portfolio Review Day at MassArt, reviewing graphic design portolios of perspective students. Updates to follow with some photos of great design.

Over at the Art Institute of Boston, Graphic Design chair Nathan Felde has caught wind of Dirk+Weiss project “AnyoneCanSwiss”. When it comes to design and education, Nathan is forward thinking and always pushing his students to push forward professionally and personally. Nathan is also looking to better not just the students, but the faculty and staff as well, always making a case for adapting forward thinking to design and general curriculum.

Nathan has had an opportunity to work with the Dean of students at not only AIB, but also Lesley University, to whom AIB is affiliated. He has worked out AnyoneCanSwiss in two instances: one for incoming AIB students, and secondly for the Lesley Community of Scholars Day. This is the description of the Community of Scholars event by the Provost of Lesley University

“The Dirk + Weiss anyonecanswiss enables “Writing on the Wall” as an open graphic forum for expressing ideas, thoughts, wit, wisdom and musings of the participants. It is a virtual surface upon which we can all spontaneously write individually and review together. The choices of size, weight and position permit the writer to regulate rhythm and tone of voice of their message visually.”

Great idea. Visual surface = infinite ‘paper’.