AllyMat

Journalism. Design. Photography. Storytelling.

[allymat]

Brendon has mad SKILLZ, yo!

[allymat]

First off, this project was quite fun. It was really cool getting to learn how to use another Adobe software. I look forward to spending more time honing in on my techniques with After Effects. 

I think that what I created effectively represents the content and the delivery of the "I have a dream" speech, because I was able to capture the classic yet BOLD essence of what Martin Luther King Jr. stands for. Some of the techniques that helped this happen would include items such as; not inviting a lot of color, not adding any type of music in the background and the placement of the type. 

When choosing color for this project I let the speech decide the colors for me. The speech is about equality among race and color, so I felt to simply represent this idea I would use only black and white. This speech is very monumental, in several ways. This can include where Martin Luther gave the speech, the reason to why he gave the speech, but more importantly it is how he said the speech. I did not want music to take away from his deep and courageous voice. He creates a very powerful resonance with the words he says. My video not only gives you the option to hear that but it also allows you to see it. That is where the placement and type choice comes into play.

The changes made from print to animation included how the words play with each other. Whether that be how they enter the screen or how they transition to the next phrase or frame.

This project was extremely intriguing in the way of turning print into animation. I didn't ever really think about taking something static and allowing it to move, especially when trying to evoke a story or meaning. This is something I really want to practice more of. 

[allymat]

Motion Inspiration

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIlqatMQSgI&feature=share&list=PLx-QlSp2fiogTRBjtndc05QAWusm-QVG1&index=3

In the North by Northwest title Bass uses intersecting lines that create a grid-like pattern that then is used as the baseline for the text. The grid lines later disappear and fade into a glass building/skyscraper, which looks to be set in NYC. The mood I feel when watching this is mysterious. I haven't yet watched this movie, but it seems to give of a mystery-type vibe. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tek8QmKRODw&list=PLx-QlSp2fiogTRBjtndc05QAWusm-QVG1&feature=share&index=5

The Psycho title is at a fast pace based off of the music choice. The lines mixed with type and music resemble that of the main woman character escaping from her crime. The manipulation done to the type helps give off a "psycho" vibe. It looks very disturbing, like something is wrong, but you don't quite know. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnG3OjIcN8M&list=PLx-QlSp2fiogTRBjtndc05QAWusm-QVG1&feature=share&index=7

First off, I did not know that the most recent Ocean's 11 was a remake. I immediately got the setting of the movie based off of the type used. The illuminated signage-like type is reminiscent of Las Vegas. The sequence was very simple, but told a lot about what to expect for when the movie started. 

[allymat]

(via Dinner for Schmucks (2010) — Art of the Title) The Dinner for Schmucks title sequence was animated by Struck Axiom and Polyester Studios. This sequence appealed to me because of how simple it is. There isn't much complexity to the design, other than the intricate details of the stuffed mice. The type face is a nice resemblance of the main character. He is a super nice guy with hints of femininity or quirkiness. Having watched this movie, the title sequence gives a brief background about the main character and his little obsession with mice. Also, if one watches very closely, the two mice in the title sequence represent the main character and his wife. It's quite reminiscing of the movie as a whole, as the main character represented in the title sequence is the "schmuck" that is invited to dinner.

[allymat]

Picking 30-60 seconds of speech

"And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. 

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'"

—Martin Luther King Jr. 

[allymat]

EXPRESSIVE TYPOGRAPHY PROJECT

I am torn between two different speeches. Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech, as well as Lyndon B. Johnson's "Upon signing the Civil Rights Bill" speech. 

I think I am going to move forward with Martin Luther King's speech. This speech is important to society because it set off a worldwide movement for racial emancipation. Today, there is still issues and problems we face with civil rights. I think this speech is interesting because I feel as a society we are still living in a world that discriminates. It's a sad thing. I also think that in my generation, and in generations to come, we don't/won't look back on what has made us better as a society. This speech is a really good example of what had to be done to help make us better.

This speech is very uplifting. it's motivating and filled with determination, and confidence. I also think it is kind of sad, but not in a sad way. While listening to the speech I teared up a bit. It's sad because these people had to go through hell. It's joyous in a way that I know we live in a "somewhat" better world because this moment in time happened. 

To me, King is an excellent speaker. I could listen to him and not phase away. He has a strong, confident sound, and he doesn't speak at a fast pace, but rather in a slow pace, making each word recognizable. I think his pauses are made after each point he states. Referring back to the way he addressed his speech, I don't think anything should be intonated differently.

His key emphasized words are "I have a dream..." because he repeats them several times. I also think that this part of the speech is where his call to action is. He can see a nation that comes together no matter the race. 

This speech makes me feel inspired. Inspired in the way that if Martin Luther King Jr. can stand up for what he believes in so can I, and so should everyone else. The speech's audience, I'd imagine, probably felt the same way: inspired, uplifted, saved, filled with joy and assurance. 

I don't believe that another interpretation could be made of this speech. It is very straight-forward.

  Martin Luther King Jr. was born Jan. 15, 1929 and was assassinated Apr. 4, 1968. He was an American pastor, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. 

[allymat]

"Type means never having to say you're sorry"

Futura vs. the world

Instead of using Futura, one could use Helvetica, DIN, Univers, Rotis Semi Sans, Trade Gothic, Syntax, Interstate, Frutiger and Meta. 

The dreamland motel: Observervatory article 

This quote by Corey Miller says it all... "There is something inherently melancholy about a fading sign representing the lost hope of a business that has either seen better days, or has closed altogether. Many are modern works of art — and I like to think of the workmanship and the time spent crafting the neon tubes, the form, the typography. I also want to photograph these signs to document fading American relics before they are demolished, and replaced by yet another bland chain store or parking lot.  I usually attempt to isolate the sign in my photographs, often against a clear sky, once again letting it shine." 

It's an interesting thing, how we as humans leave things behind. As we advance, well say, in life we tend to forget all of the things that established the point of where we are now. I appreciate those, like Miller, who try and document our American history. 

Also, these signs are just so cool! I don't know how they could have ever been left to rust and rot. 

[hello-flamingo]

[nirvanakombi]

[allymat]

Moving doodles! In love.

[allymat]

Journal 3: Thinking Form

This website is derived from an exhaustive research on the Typographische Monatsblätter (TM) focussing on the issues from 1960 till 1990. http://www.tm-research-archive.ch/random/

The site is kind of hard to navigate, but the content is really fun to look at. The covers or posters remind me of the type poster we did last semester. 

Thinking Form is a multidisciplinary design practice delivering evidence in detail, based on solutions that are honest, simple, timeless, communicative and useful. Specializing in design for print and web. We design with tremendous curiosity and passion with combination of logic and precision. http://thinkingform.com/

Roman Cieslewicz

Thinking Graphic Designer, Thinking Illustrator

"Posters need powerful occasions and significant subjects, which they can't find at the moment. As a means of communication they belong to another age and have very little future." 

I really enjoy looking at these posters. I'm not really sure what kind of occasion they were used for, but I would definitely stop to look at them if I came across them at any given time. 

Hans Ferdinand Egli

Illustration made with type components from Ruder Grotesk, kerosene and a rotative press. 

The layering of the letters in this cover is quite intriguing. Makes you stop and try and figure it out. 

Dick Bruna

Graphic Designer, Illustrator

"When I make a book, I make it for the child and not for the parent - no jokes in it for the parents! "

The simplicity in this is really nice. 

Martin Solomon

Artist, Graphic Designer, Type Designer

I enjoy looking at handcrafted things. This is really interesting. 

[allymat]

Journal 2: Bruce Mau Design

http://www.brucemaudesign.com/4817/work

Bruce Mau is a Canadian designer. From 1985-2010, Mau was the creative director of Bruce Mau Design, and the founder of the Institute without Boundaries. In 2010 Mau went on to establish The Massive Change Network in Chicago.

Bruce Mau Design is a 50-person team made up of graphic designers, architects, writers and managers with backgrounds in fine arts, multi-media, advertising, music, film, and business. BMD is a multidisciplinary design firm that specializes in brands and environments. 

Incomplete Manifesto for Growth

http://www.brucemaudesign.com/4817/112450/work/incomplete-manifesto-for-growth

This design manifesto was first written by Bruce Mau in 1998, articulating his beliefs, strategies, and motivations. The manifesto outlines BMD's design process.

I have decided to choose Make mistakes faster as my mantra for the week. Making mistakes is something most people try to avoid. I think I can most definitely include myself amongst those people. As cliche as it sounds we can all learn from mistakes, they can make us better, so why not make them happen faster. Also, something good might come from doing something wrong. 

[allymat]

FontSpotting

Flash cards for typeface recognition.

I'd say YES!! 

[allymat]

An Evening With: Jessica Hische

http://jessicahische.is/working

Jessica is so inspiring. Her age and accomplishments blow my mind completely. I think my favorite parts of the video are when she describes and talks about the differences between designers and illustrators. She for one, has had the experience in both to make those conclusions, and comparisons. I also like the fact that she explains the difference between a letterer and a type designer. I would never have guessed that they were different from each other. Her Daily Drop Cap blog is also very intriguing. It is so awesome that she is so involved with her creativity. It's something so simple and yet it has caused such a stir. 

I also enjoyed listening to her speak. She was a very good communicator and was very organized throughout the whole presentation. I know this is an important skill to have as a visual communicator. 

[allymat]

Tiny Furniture a film by Lena Dunham

This is my process book.

[allymat]

WOW! I don't even know how to blog about this! I'm amazed and inspired. How long did this take to create? Also, the music made it a lot more fun.

[allymat]

David Carson

http://www.ted.com/talks/david_carson_on_design.html 

David Carson is the "grunge typographer" whose magazine Ray Gun helped explode the possibilities of text on a page.

The main topic/point made through out the video lecture was communication. Carson begins the video with how to present a presentation. He describes the negatives that come with using PowerPoint. Carson then tells a story about flying to Barcelona and how he assumes that the letter B was a simple way of representing Barcelona. In reality, the letter was to signify the gate his plane parked. Carson shows several photos of signs, billboards, and other images that display messages that can be misleading. This is where good design comes in. Without it, a message can be confusing. A notable scene would be that of People magazine. Carson shares with the audience the poorly planned spreads that refer to 9/11. 

[allymat]

Alexander Skarsgard, Interview Article

Photography by Steven Klein