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"

Last night’s Hugh Dubberly lecuter @ MassArt was fascintating, inspirational, and a bit exhausting.

Entitled: “Design in the Age of Biology”, Hugh covers his thesis that explains how the ideas and principles of design have moved from mechanical to organic, and object to system. Many points (and charts) show how the trends of technology movements influence designers and the products they make.

In terms of technology, the Open Source software movement is one example of his theory. The old dev model was to have software be proprietary, with big conglomerates holding all the cards. The new dev model, that is proven to work, is to allow software to be developed by an unlimited community of developers. This creates faster more efficient development, as it uses the “from the ground-up” model instead of “from the top-down”. In short, let the users design the software, for free.

The second point that seemed to stick out in my mind was the “then and now” of the designers role. There is a transition going on now for designers. Graphic designers especially, seem to be in the thick of it. Before graphic designers, there were printers who set type. Then graphic design became what it is/was in the 20th century, a slew of  “Lone-Gunman” designers, who (are expected to) hold all the cards for the client. Now, a transition is happening again. The days of the “Lone-Gunman” are over. Designers can produce a stronger, more efficient product for their client if collaboration is encouraged and implemented.

Clients expect the designer to be at maximum efficiency. The internet, social media, and the speed of information access set the standards for designers to operate in.

“In the first part of the 20th century, there were great circus posters in Poland. Go to Poland, and see. But now, designing the poster is just not enough. Designers are expected to design an entire circus. Oh yea, and a poster to advertise the show.”
-Nathan Felde, Chair of the AIB Design Department, Boston.

From www.dubberly.com

A 21st century design lecture in Boston tonight!

Free Hugh Dubberly Lecture: Design in The Age of Biology: Shifting from mechanical to organic; from object to system.

@ MassArt  /  Wednesday / 04.08.09  /  6:30pm  / FREE

Pozen Center for Interelated Media
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
621 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115

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.