Multiple Artistic Personalities (Week 9)
by skocko on Nov.01, 2009, under Blog
A girl should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across her mind from within, more than the lustre and the firmament of bards and sages. Yet she dismisses without notice her thought, because it is hers. In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty. Great works of art have no more affecting lesson for us than this. They teach us to abide by our spontaneous impression with good-humored inflexibility than most when the whole cry of voices is on the other side. Else tomorrow a stranger will say with masterly good sense precisely what we have thought and felt all the time, and we shall be forced to take with shame our own opinion from another.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson / Self-Reliance (gender edit)
All of you should be familiar with that quotation. You’ve been instructed, twice now, to read this post. Yes, please read it again. Whether it’s for the first, second, or third time, you need to understand the 5 Stages of the Creative Process as we’re going to be using them the rest of the year. As the father of a daughter, I wish more of the quotations I post were gender agnostic rather than aimed at the guys. So, if you’re an XX chromosomer (girl) rather than an XY (boy), the sex-change operation (above) is for you. If you’re a boy, and the altered gender in the quotation bothers you, you’re a regular RWAC (Aaron L).
Speaking of Rebel, last week Theatre approached us to design the poster for their upcoming play. Our instructions (on Monday) were: Red jacket, no face, this information, and we need designs by Thursday. I tossed out the project to a few students and here’s what they came up with after only three days of work: Austin W | Christian L | Danny O | Philip B (and you’ve already seen Aaron’s). They liked all of the designs but chose Austin’s because the play is about a teenager who’s about to explode and they liked the metaphoric look of his design. Austin’s frantically working on the redesign so we can print on Tuesday. Deadlines happen.
Now, getting back to Ralph’s advice to pay attention to our own ideas… Sherman, set the WABAC Machine to 1989…
I was browsing the used CD bin in a bookstore in Santa Cruz prior to the LPQ when I happened upon a recording by Heart. But when I picked it up, I thought, for a second, that it said Earth. What the?! Looking at the typography, it suddenly clicked and I had the coolest idea for a t-shirt design. I went home and sketched it out. Today, that idea is safe, somewhere, tucked away in a box in a corner of our garage.
Over the years I’ve returned to this idea several times but never acted on it until printing a few posters last year. They, of course, sit in a box on a shelf in the Mac Lab and haven’t seen the light of day since they were created. Because I recently talked about my belief in Richard Bach’s declaration: You teach best what you most need to learn, I’m going to publish this idea right now. This is a painfully plodding rough cut of a much more ambitious concept that I’ll have to learn After Effects to produce. I’ve also ordered the first t-shirt with this artwork and will put it on the Mac Lab T-Shirt Shop for resale ASAP. (Redesigned store layout coming soon.) Since I know you’ll ask, yes, of course you’ll be able to design, print, purchase (about $20 with shipping), and wear your own custom t-shirts. Profits go to the Mac Lab Foundation.
That felt good. Now it’s your turn.
Next up are poster designs, the last shared project between classes. Those of you in 3D, listen to this: Keep it simple, elegant, and purely typographic because you’ll be taking it into Cinema 4D (that goes for your logos too). Please heed my advice or you’ll pay the price. Here are two examples of what you’ll be doing with your logos: Austin W and Trevor C (your typography will be better than those). Back to the posters. I’m opening this up to ideas beyond public service. What I care about is good composition and an appropriate message. Please read up on the Elements and Principles of Design before beginning (yes, there’s a lot of reading today). I’ve begun to set up third party galleries to give you ideas: 01 | 02 | 03. I’ll set up a couple of 3D galleries and add the links either today or tomorrow.
Mac Lab multitasking begins now. You must have an online portfolio (your Website). By Friday that portfolio will contain your self portrait, logo, and poster (coming soon). Don’t worry about finishing. Everything is a work in progress at this point. See the Project Page for links to assignments. In honor of James Cameron, I’ll be awarding extra credit for Avatars. Details will follow but you’ll be posting your proof, if you catch my drift.
Last for today, I’ve updated the time sheets (as I do every week) but this time I spent a few hours reviewing the district’s records. It’s your responsibility to check your balance (each week) and alert me if you think there’s been a mistake. For those of you who’ve cut class (according to the district quite a few of you have), the penalty is stiff. It’s your responsibility to clear truancies with attendance. I have no control over truancy records. If the district thinks you have one, you have one until you clear it. Friday is the D and F report deadline. I’ve scheduled a Mac Lab Saturday School™ for this weekend to help some of you avoid the infamy of inclusion. Look at the time sheets. Is your ID number red? See you Saturday at 7 am!
1103: Just a reminder to update your Websites. I’ll be checking them this weekend. Oh, and you might want to watch this video if you want to avoid inclusion on the D and F Report. What about the self assessment? Reminder about simplification: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | Please review this designer’s logos: 01 | 02 | You have to learn the rules before you can break them. When we break rules (and break them we will) we will break them intelligently.
Student Logos: Gallery 021 Where is yours?
1104: Someone from Dhaka (the Rickshaw Capital of the World and the most densely populated city in the world) in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh spent a few minutes wandering about the blog to bring us to 129 countries. I wonder what he or she thought of our little classroom in the Web.
Speaking of thinking, how about you? Do you think you understand the logo project? If you do, you’re one of the few. Please allow me to explain. <<< You should probably click that link and do what it says. You must understand kerning, tracking, and leading!
1105: We’ll hit our 200,000th page view this morning. (Sitting at 199,968 right now.) That count doesn’t include videos or JPGs. Just the blog’s self-contained pages. Update: 200,002 as of 5:58 this morn. A quarter million should happen in early December. The last 50,000 views came from 47 states (+DC) and 84 countries.
Reminder: Minimum Day/Parent Visitation Day tomorrow.
Hint: Sure hope you guys (my students) have read the instructions (above). I’d hate to be disappointed when looking at your Websites this weekend. That’s all. I’ll let you work now.
1106: Visitors from 134 cities in the United Kingdom have pushed Canada (107 cities) into third place in the global visitor standings. Jolly good showing from across the pond! Likewise, the folks in 81 Florida cities have moved past New Jersey (74 cities) to take second place in the US standings.
Mac Lab students have a growing global following! 
Welcome parents! Today the kids are updating their Websites using these tutorials (if necessary). Note: Use Working with InDesign — Take 2. I want to see works in progress and correctly formatted portfolios. See this video for details. (Correction: To change margins go to Layout > Margins.) Here’s the example site. Is your logo in the gallery? Get designing! (Use the graphic tips and tricks video.) And speaking of galleries, is your self portrait in this one? Let me know if you think it should be.
Free Software: Mac users, MacHeist is giving away 6 free apps. Offer expires next week. (Thanks, David!)
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November 1st, 2009 on 12:01 pm
1. Congratulations Austin. Now that that contest is done I can work on storyboards.
November 1st, 2009 on 10:32 pm
2. hmmm… maybe the colour coated letters should say something also.
time to get crackin’ on some designs to print
November 2nd, 2009 on 12:37 am
3. WOW… How the heck did everyone churn out such great pieces so quickly!? Great!!!! I love them all, so cool!
p.s. I went on antibiotics and I am MUCH better! Yay! So… will you be here tuesday sko?
November 2nd, 2009 on 4:07 am
4. Tuesday’s good, Hannah. What time?
Storyboards? I wasn’t aware you’d finished your logo, Mr. O.
Queen’s English, Kyle?
November 2nd, 2009 on 6:34 am
8. I don’t believe I’ve EVER said, “your never done in the Mac Lab” either.
Out of sequence. In answer to this post.
November 2nd, 2009 on 6:47 am
13. This will probably take 2 hours to sort out now. (If this is stamped at 6:47.)
November 2nd, 2009 on 7:02 am
14. I think it is an exclamation point or a period instead of a question mark.
November 2nd, 2009 on 7:14 am
12. I will number these comments after 8:41 so the sequence makes sense.
November 2nd, 2009 on 7:28 am
5. The logo is more of a yearlong project that I improve over time. Besides you always say your never finished in the Mac Lab.
November 2nd, 2009 on 7:31 am
6. I don’t believe I’ve EVER said, “your never finished in the Mac Lab.”
November 2nd, 2009 on 7:36 am
15. nev-ver.
November 2nd, 2009 on 8:32 am
7. Maybe you used the synonym “done” instead.
November 2nd, 2009 on 8:38 am
9. Oh oh, time stamp confusion!
You’re going to be really be challenged now.
November 2nd, 2009 on 8:40 am
10. You’re never finished in the Mac Lab?
November 2nd, 2009 on 8:41 am
11. Bingo, Christian!
Poor Danny.
November 2nd, 2009 on 9:36 am
Time change chaos is over.
These aren’t the droids you’re looking for. You can go about your business. Move along. Move along.
November 2nd, 2009 on 10:29 am
Glad the timing bug has been fixed!
November 2nd, 2009 on 10:30 am
So about that logo…
I’m sure that I went back and fixed the typography issues like you told me.
But I’m not quite sure if you ever got the new one.
Oh well. Thanks for putting it up there Skocko. Much appreciated.
November 2nd, 2009 on 12:29 pm
I’ve spent 30 minutes trying to comprehend and understand the quote in today’s post, and I still haven’t completely got it.
*keeps trying*
November 2nd, 2009 on 1:04 pm
So, Brandon, are we to assume you didn’t read that quote the first two times it was assigned?
Very interesting.
You may try again on Saturday.
November 2nd, 2009 on 10:41 pm
I don’t know what time… depends on when I wake up
Tuesdays are my day off ^_^
November 3rd, 2009 on 4:18 am
Hannah,
You better be online tomorrow! I am buying a domain name that becomes free tomorrow to start work on a goal I’ve had since I was 12 and I need to show you my sketchbook of ideas and get your point-of-view on it.
Also I have to drop some work in your lap so I’ll have cash on hand. Half now half later?
And I need to return one of Skocko’s photoshop books I borrowed.
Call me (or text) when you are headed over or something!
I’ll feed a gazillion birds with one seed.
November 3rd, 2009 on 5:21 am
That sounds interesting…
November 3rd, 2009 on 5:56 am
I ATE MY WEIGHT IN SUGAR.
The domain name frees up on the 5th. I’m not sure if it’s the one I’ll use or not but I like it.
I’m going to be rushing around town all day.
November 3rd, 2009 on 6:48 am
I’m watching a show on elephant seals with a pounding headache now.
Probably going to conk out.
We’ll call this a 20% chance of productivity today.
November 3rd, 2009 on 9:23 am
I’m still trying to figure out how they knew the elephant seals had a pounding headache.
November 3rd, 2009 on 9:52 am
hey skocko,
do you know where i could go to get a poster printed? affordably…
*evil laughter, devious thoughts*
November 3rd, 2009 on 12:08 pm
Argh I hate the poster project!
November 3rd, 2009 on 1:54 pm
It’s better than the logos in my opinion.
November 3rd, 2009 on 2:04 pm
yes yes yes, no.
[why the yes' and noes? i haven't a clue..]
November 3rd, 2009 on 10:49 pm
Like the way your initials flow Kyle cool idea
November 4th, 2009 on 2:57 pm
Cool! they connect…
but how could i get it to WORK.
Can’t.
November 4th, 2009 on 3:27 pm
It’s inKWedible.
Google KW logo (images) for other FAILs.
Though this almost works. And this might have been modified… (if the page wasn’t MIA)
November 4th, 2009 on 5:29 pm
high score for the mac *virus*
arvernus slaughtered 4912 alien(s)
http://www.stfj.net/art/2009/loselose/
November 4th, 2009 on 5:42 pm
or for more info
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/nov/04/mac-game-art-deletes-files
November 5th, 2009 on 1:18 am
If anyone even THINKS about installing this on our computers…
The cat thinks it’s morning and woke me up early. Too early.
A lose/lose scenario if I ever heard of one.
November 5th, 2009 on 6:40 am
We just had our end of quarter last Friday. I just finished grading last night. That disappointment hint was a very good one. Things are not pretty on my end. No matter how many times I said, “If you don’t have a site up . . . ” or “If it is not on your site . . .” or “Follow instructions and double check that everything works and everything is right.” it didn’t seem to sink in.
November 5th, 2009 on 6:49 am
Yeah, I hate it when a kid chooses to play the academic equivalent of LoseLose.
November 5th, 2009 on 9:25 am
HaHa, you’re punny Skocko.
November 5th, 2009 on 9:33 am
I’m having too much fun!
November 5th, 2009 on 9:35 am
hey… ryan finally found the post section… lol’s
November 5th, 2009 on 10:44 am
basketball tryouts is next saturday just to let you know Skocko. I’ll invite you to some of the games if you’re interested on going if I make the team. Plus there are probably going to be a couple of people not going to make the team depends on what the coach says.
November 5th, 2009 on 11:58 am
Wow Skocko, it looks like you have yourself a very talented group of artists this year. I’m glad things are still going strong in the Mac Lab! Hope all is well, say hi to the budding artists for me.
November 6th, 2009 on 12:23 pm
It’s neat seeing you link to MacHeist for their excellent deals and with them practically giving software away for free.
I’ve been using MacHeist for a little while and I’ve been able accumulate $562.47 worth of software for free for just taking part in their fun and interactive scavenger hunts and missions on the site.
November 7th, 2009 on 4:42 am
I’ve never participated in the scavenger hunts but it sure sounds like you’ve made the most of them, Craig. What programs have you found most useful?
I’ve purchased a couple of bundles in the past but this is the first no strings freebie I’ve ever seen. I’ve already got WriteRoom (from a prior bundle). Odd app that I find fun to use when writing. Takes me back to the 70s (pre-Mac days when I dreamed of owning my own computer).
November 7th, 2009 on 5:45 pm
I haven’t really had the chance to use most of them yet mainly because I don’t have a Mac that will run a lot of the programs, but most of the programs seem pretty useful.
I also saw these two articles recently and thought they were pretty interesting. One about the artist and his design of Windows 7, and the other about Apple’s industrial designer.
http://bit.ly/449CaN and http://bit.ly/2H4i9b
November 9th, 2009 on 3:33 pm
Goodness gracious. I still miss the Mac Lab.
I stopped in a few weeks ago to say hi, and there was a sub! I think I scared her, I was so upset lol.
Because I’m tiny and fierce like that I guess. Although I did get escorted off campus…
WHATEVER. Anyway, I just stopped in to say I miss you guys, and this ridiculousness. School here is absolutely wonderful though, so I’m really thankful for that. And my world is really expanding art-wise. As it should probably..
November 9th, 2009 on 3:34 pm
ps: rebel without a cause is a waste of breath and space. I was in tech theatre last year and we had to do full set design for it and I wanted to spork my eyeballs out.
November 13th, 2009 on 1:36 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA spork! omg that sentence was so funny! andrea, you’re a riot!