FAUX-BEAU » Art & Design

Verdana Vs. Modified Futura

Kathryn Proulx — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:03:56 +0000

So the internet has been a-buzz with the news that IKEA has switched from their modified version of Futura to Verdana—citing a need for a typeface they can use globe-wide, even in Asian countries, and on the web.

A lot of designers are getting heated over the whole thing, but my opinions on the matter can be summed up by Connecticut-based designer Matt Hunsberger’s post on the subject.

“Verdana actually makes sense. Aside from IKEA’s probably-bullshit reasoning about wanting one font for both web and print, Verdana is an accurate reflection of their brand. Think about it, Verdana is a utilitarian typeface that is kind of crappy but everyone has it on their websites. IKEA is utilitarian furniture that is kind of crappy but everyone has it in their houses. See, it makes perfect sense.”

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Daniel Galdamez – Senior Thesis

Kathryn Proulx — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:01:55 +0000

Using matte plexiglass, laser etching, custom cut chrome hinges & bolts, and traditional printing techniques Dan Galdamez built a timeline of his life (both past and projected) for his senior thesis project. “The basis for my thesis was to show how I personally connect to meaningful periods of my life, through typography.” he says. “It works as an insight for myself because it allows me to show illustration in addition to providing a narrative.”

“The time line starts with the initial thought of life and ends with the expiration. Personality is represented through and exterior and interior layer to show the relationship between the two and how they make up one person.”

Daniel Galdamez is a freelancer working and living in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Parsons School of Design as a Communication Design major in May 2009.

Are you a current or former design student interested in having your work featured on Faux-Beau.com? Send me an email with photos of your work, a brief description, your email address and website, and a short bio about yourself and you may see it on the site!

Inspiration Folder: Design – Part 2

Kathryn Proulx — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:47:24 +0000

Buy Nothing Day by AdBusters

Hand Done SVA Poster by Cardon Webb

Shine Advertising Letterpress Business Card

Lovejoy Vodka designed by Jared Milam

Futu Mag

By Denis Kuchta

Type by Colin Matsui

Marian Bantjes‘ Business Card

by Always With Honor

Never Sleep: Graduating to Graphic Design Book Review

Kathryn Proulx — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:40:40 +0000

Andre Andreev and Dan Covert from Dress Code recently published a book called Never Sleep: Graduating to Graphic Design, in which they share their journey from high school, design school, graduation, MTV, and starting their own studio. The premise is that, “There is a major disconnect between the life of a design student and the transition to being a design professional.” Not only does the book recount their story and include samples of their work from beginning to present day, but it also includes stories, interviews, and insights from important people along their journey. There is also Q+A from design students to Andre and Dan (some of which can be found on the book’s website) that I found extremely informing and helpful, such as how best to photograph your work and what it’s like finding a job out of post-graduation.

I enjoyed the whole book and was captivated and inspired by their story, but I loved reading about their experiences one year away from their graduation from school (where I am now) to about one year post graduation; which I think is possibly the biggest gray area—the most unplanned and scary time in a designer’s early career. It’s the little details, like being truly honest about how they felt at certain times and their frank feelings about their projects, clients, and experiences that really make this a great read. Not to mention they weren’t afraid to admit that their biggest motto was “fake it until you make it.” And made it, they have.

If you are a design student I urge you to buy this book. It is easily one of the most memorable and relateable reads in my design book collection. It has certainly re-inspired me to design, and be passionate about my future and all the possibilities that lie ahead of me at this time in my design education and career.

Interview with Martin Hooper & Gavin Braman of Drifting Creatives

Kathryn Proulx — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:42:10 +0000

After reading their interview at Fuel, I was inspired to get in touch with the guys behind Drifting Creatives and have my own interview. They’re on a design tour from city to city, meeting designers, and working with small businesses who don’t have a huge budget to work with bigger firms. Did I mention they’re fresh out of school? Check it out:

I know you guys both just graduated from Texas A&M, aside from that what is/are your background(s) as designers? Did you enroll knowing you would major in design, or was it just by chance?

Gavin: I went to Texas A&M because I thought I wanted to design video games. Then I spent a semester in Duesseldorf, Germany. I traveled all over Europe and soaked up tons of incredible art and design. I think studying abroad shifted my life a bit and maybe focused my interests a little more. When I came back to the states, I joined AIGA, found the library, started going to design lectures/conferences and got a ton of help from a really great professor (Donna Hajash). Later on I interned at a local marketing firm and continued to do some freelance work.

Martin: My family is full of artists and I have always had a passion for art. So I went to Texas A&M knowing that I wanted to do something with art or design. I worked at a few firms while in school and was lucky enough to work at Always Creative (a local design firm) for a while. Those guys are constantly pushing me and really helped me to fall in love with design.

What designers/agencies/creatives do you guys look up to?

Martin – Eduardo Recife, The Decoder Ring, Pentagram, Collision Theory, Jeff Finely, Sons of Nero

Gavin – One Fast Buffalo, KarlssonWilker, Mason Baronet, Shy the Sun, David Carson, Dirk Fowler, Nicholas Di Genova, Brad Eastman

I just finished reading NEVER SLEEP, a book by the guys behind dress code (http://www.dresscodeny.com/). They have been working as a team more or less since art school. Do you think your partnership has made you guys stronger as designers? Why, or why not? Do you plan to continue to work together after your Drifting Creatives tour?

Design is fun. Collaboration is way more fun, which is why we so want this to be an interactive experience for everyone. This is about connecting with people along the way, sharing experiences and learning as much as possible. Working together has really helped us grow. We have similar styles, but they are different enough that we tend to push each other to think in new ways. Our goal is to travel as “drifting creatives” as long as possible and then start our own firm.

How long do you plan to drift?

We don’t really know, which is part of the excitement. Basically as long as we can get support from the design community, we can keep on drifting and helping whoever will let us.

This is an awesome time to try and reach out and help small businesses, how have you guys approached trying to find clients? Is it a day by day process or do you have clients already lined up for each city you plan to visit?

It is definitely a learning process and we are still in the beginning stages. We first started thinking door-to-door would be a great way to make some personal contacts. Fail. We are now at a point where we basically cold call small businesses before we get to the city. Part of the problem is convincing owners that although we might sound like solicitors, it is really a great opportunity for them to get some design work for cheap. We’ve had a ton of help from friends, networking on twitter/facebook and our sponsors, Fuel Brand Group and Desired Hearts. St. Louis rocks, we are headed there next and we’ve had some great responses. Looks like we are going to be real busy while we are there.

It seems like in the last few months my fellow classmates and I have heard nothing but pessimistic news about life after school, it’s really inspiring that you guys have ‘created your own way’ rather than listening to all the hype. How have some of your classmates fared in this job market? Any specific stories you’d like to share

A few of our friends have found some part-time work, a couple were lucky enough to find full-time work. The rest are going back for another round of school.

What has been the most unexpected moment of your adventure thus-far?

When we were planning for Texarkana, AR we started cold-calling restaurants. We landed a job on the third call. Crazy lucky and super unexpected.

What has been the most memorable?

This experiment is really just getting started but it has been one crazy rush after another. We really haven’t had time to process anything.

What is the best advice you could give to aspiring designers/creatives

Martin – Think epic! Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Design is about doing something new.

Gavin – Brutally take advantage of your library.

A big thanks to Martin and Gavin for taking time out to answer a few questions. If you are interested in following their tour, or getting in touch about hosting them in your city, visit their website; driftingcreatives.com.

III Little Pigs

Kathryn Proulx — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:08:41 +0000

3 friends, Carly Mark, Kayla Gibbons, and Cassandra Levine, are having an art show and they’ve asked me to post about it. So, if you’re in the NYC area June 5th be sure to go to the opening (Kayla promises there will be “endless” free hot dogs, and vegan dogs from Criff Dogs—so be there!)

Endless Bummer by Bill McRight

Thesis Work: Crystal Gwyn & Ashley Higgins

Kathryn Proulx — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:24:48 +0000

Crystal Gwyn & Ashley Higgins – PikNik Magazine

Another one of my favorite senior thesis projects is my photo-major friend Crystal Gwyn (and her other photo major friend Ashley Higgins)’s PikNik Magazine premiere issue. Although it’s not on show at the AMT Thesis Exhibition I previously posted about, it may soon be for sale on the PikNik website. I had class with Crystal both semesters this past school year and I watched their project grow over time, and it has seriously come such a long way. Their blog gives a good introduction to the type of content in the self-billed “youth culture magazine with an emphasis on social and environmental consciousness.”

Thesis Work: Daniel Edward

Kathryn Proulx — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:42:02 +0000

Daniel Edward
(not sure if this is his thesis work but I love it)

Thesis Work: Anastasia Mouyis

Kathryn Proulx — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:56:44 +0000

Anastasia Mouyis – “Comfortable Memories”

Thesis Work: Yingyan Huang

Kathryn Proulx — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:32:39 +0000

Yingyan Huang – “A Single Story—The Bible Through The Leans of 250 Events”

“Scoring all sixty-six books of the Bible against 250 events in the life of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospels, reveals a map of connections that illustrate how Jesus Christ, the central figure of the New Testament and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, links the contents of the Bible.”