Dazzling it is!

This past Sunday Carla David Design and Love Life Images put on the most amazing and unique bridal show---The Dazzling Details Wedding Bazaar. It was for those last minute brides who want a more hands on, buy local approach to their wedding. With flowers being donated from local florists and given away for free, cake pops for tasting, personalized bridal gown hangers made right in front of you, and then to seal the deal, when the complimentary valet brought your car back to you, a honeymoon kit was gently placed on your front car seat. Oh the details! Carla David design and their design team really pulled it all off!

Check out more pictures here!

This stopped me in my tracks, yet made her go...

I was actually talking to my Typography professor about one of our assignments. He linked me to his blog to learn a little bit more about what we were talking about for our next assignment and to let me know he posted my latest work on his blog. As I was scrolling down, I instantly stopped. WOW. What a powerful, motivating, emotional introduction spread to a story about a woman who can finally walk thanks to this company. In fact, its so good it gave me chills. What do you think?!

Roll back

A couple of entries ago I mentioned doing a project in my undergrad about combining worlds. Let me warn you, this is from awhile back now. My skills and style have improved. But I figured I would share anyways, since I found it in my backup files from 2009. (critics: don't be too harsh)

Abbrevs

Abbrevs: (the language of abbreviating)

Who actually started abbreviating words? I really don't think we can physically think back that far. The Military uses acronyms which abbreviate words/sentences to make things sound more confidential and shorter to write or even easier to communicate (given that the person you are trying to communicate to understands and can decipher the coded speech you use). Businesses use abbreviations in memos and emails passed along the office--comm (for communications), promo (for promotions/promotional), NPI (New Patient In)..

But technology has made this acronym and abbreviation usage much more prominent in everyday life. Text messages went from Be Right Back to BRB. The less you write the quicker you can text. But then text language, became the spoken language. Which now is referred to many as Abbrevs.

You can pretty much abbreviate anything and everything you want. Tots- totally, diff- different, obvi- obvious, grizz- grizzly, fab- fabulous, OMG- Oh my God (which by the way has the same amount of syllables so we really aren't shortening anything here), rents- parents, etc.

No one person says that this is appropriate or not. People do argue over it. They stress their opinions that the English language is being ruined or that people sound dumb when using Abbrevs. Yet people keep doing it. And who is to say we can't? As long as people we are talking to understand the language, then why stop? I mean technology is advancing because Americans are extremely inpatient. They all want the fastest phone, fastest car, fastest computer, fastest internet, fastest everything! Now, use generation x-ers have given them the fastest way to speak... Abbrevs. I mean all we are doing is "expressing ourselves clearly and simply to someone else"--as Zinsser would put it.

Just to make people laugh: This is the best abbreviation I could find. 
AAAAAAAAAAAAA which means---all asian, african american, and american association against acronym and abbreviation abuse anonymous. 


And yes, that is true. http://www.abbreviations.com/

Oh, Calendar Girls...

This layout was in the recent Washingtonian's Bride and Groom Issue. This magazine is an extremely selective magazine when it comes to vendors. In fact, when you are graced with the pleasure of seeing your name finally in the preferred vendors section, you are almost royalty. No joke. I guess thats is why their spreads are just so beautiful. I love everything about this...oh weddings. How I love you.

Wow.

When I was in my undergrad, I was assigned a project that would "loosen" the imagination. It was to combine two different worlds to create one cohesive one. When I recieved this assignment, I questioned myself on what two worlds I wanted to actually portray. My other classmates were combining worlds of insects with humans or going beyond that to create a world of the future by combining olden day technologies with more modern appliances. Althought their ideas had substance, I wanted to create a world that was more artistic and pretty straight forward. I loved the movie where Roger Rabbit and his pals are all in cartoons but they are placed in a real world setting that we would film a movie in--kind of like Space Jam. Anyways, I combined illustrative qualities to human characteristics. Much like Douglas Alves. In fact I did a lot of researching through his website and listening to the techiniques he used when doing my own project. Although his are of much more substance and not exactly what I finished my product to be like...his designs WOW me. They are believable and share emotions that spill off the pages.

This particular design of his shows the complexities of his dynamic. How can a girl be so ridged and stiff while he is trying to portray nature? Then her hair is represented by digital imagery to flow and tangle around her adding curves and a much more flowness relaxed feel. The colors are dim and mainly all of his designs are black and white. So it is not the colors that intrigue his viewers eyes, its his style, his approach, the professionalism that he portrays and the interesting emotions he conveys with just imagery, no words.

Everyone should check him out at his website!

my hero.

I figure I should at least put up something on my blog about my festivities I took part in over spring break. I was extremely excited to go celebrate with my family as my brother was awarded the silver star from the 4 Star Admiral down in Savannah, Georgia. His heroic actions while deployed last summer not only saved his life but the lives of many of his soldiers. As a Ranger, his job duties are confidential and highly risky. As stated in their creed:

Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment.

Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than any other soldier.

Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one-hundred-percent and then some.

Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.

Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.

Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.

You can find the g-rated version of his story at The Army Times. (Just scroll down to Cpt. Jonathan F. Logan's story) I say "g-rated" because a lot of the background information and more details are classified and not for anyone's eye other than the Rangers who witnessed it and important military figures. Either way it is an amazing story and the journalist had a lot to work! (Jonathan and the other soldiers honored with this award were constantly saying "No comment" to his questions.)


I love you Jonathan! Hooah! ( and for those of you who want a connnection between words and images-- check out the meaning to that word!)

Wow. I want to go here.

Know of Columbus College of Art and Design? You need to. This college caters to what we would all perceive as the atypical artsy fartsy, extremely talented, and future design professionals of the world. In fact as I researched deeper into their website, I found that not only is their view-book for prospective students amazing, it has won "The Addy Award" Honored in How Magazine. The view-book was designed by teachers and the students. The feel is extremely relaxed and almost assertive. You feel as though the students are talking to you, even though they're aren't any quotes, because of the language they use and the words they have chosen. It's actually brilliant to have the students at such a prestigious art school create the pieces to get more students to come and learn what they are learning and experience what they experience. It builds high moral around the attending students and a great feelings of comfort for prospective students.

Not only is their view-book print, it's also made into a video.

On their website, they are also considerate to the parents of the students who are coming to the college. They figure that these are the parents who are possibly going to pay for the college and they need to be talked to as well, so their tab is called Future Students and Parents.

Dreadful Adverbs

"Most adverbs are unnecessary. You will clutter your sentence and annoy the reader if you choose a verb that has a specific meaning and then add an adverb that carries the same meaning. Don't write that someone clenched his teeth tightly; there's no other way to clench teeth."

"The adjective that exists solely as decoration is a self-indulgence for the writer and a burden for the reader."

- William Zinsser, On Writing Well: Chapter 10 Bits & Pieces

I am a writer who excessively uses adverbs and adjectives. I love writing that has some fluff to it. I think it helps my imagination picture exactly what the writer is seeing themselves. This may be because I doodle out my writings or that I design my work before ever thinking about what content will go in it. I think pictures speak louder than words, so when you have to describe a picture using words, adverbs and adjectives are exactly what are used. Many hate the dreadful "ly" terms just as much as they hate people who answer questions in circles. Me, on the other hand, love them. 

Now I completely understand the idea of over using adverbs and adjectives, but is it really that annoying? Does everyone really like to just get straight to the point all the time, anytime? I think putting some fluff, some imagination into your writing is great. It allows the writer to visually see the story come to life. Zinsser always talks about simplifying, about reducing clutter, and getting straight to the point, but many famous writers use adverbs and adjectives to fluff their story up, make it come to life. They may reduce some, but not a lot. They get to the point but in a imaginative way. In a way that their readers feel sucked into the story, that their readers are living in the story. In fact, in some cases, I think that movies that are based off of books, wouldn't be as successful if the writer of the book didn't use as many adjective and adverbs to describe things. 

For instance, Twilight. Yes, I know some people don't like Twilight, but look at it this way. The first movie was AWFUL! Yes, but why? Because the whole book was adverbs and adjectives describing how a young girl fell in love with a vampire. The book was almost 400 pages long of describing feelings of love, lust, and ever flowing emotions from both sides. However, the movie was straight to the point. It was like showing exactly how a person would describe the book: two people, from two different worlds, fell in love. Very exact with no feelings added. So in the movie, there was all this starring into each other's eyes. But in the book, all of that was described in adjectives and adverbs galore. It was all the fluff of the book, that can't be put into a movie because the director wasn't able to see how important the adverbs and adjectives were. I'm sure the director of that movie was one of William Zinsser's friends. (haha) 

http://charitythompson.wordpress.com/2009/07/24/twilight-why-actions-speak-louder-than-adverbs/

This is a critique of Stephanie Meyers' writing in the first book of Twilight. This person completely goes against everything I was saying and agrees with Zinsser. But then, she tries to re-write a passage from Twilight taking out the adverbs. I'm not a fan at all. I do agree with her "actions speak louder than adverbs", but I'm still saying Stephanie Meyers' is famous because of her use with adverbs. They suck you in and paint a picture. And that's why she's a millionaire. 

On another note: this is just something funny I found on another blog about adverbs. 

http://andrawatkins.com/2011/01/24/hopelessly-devoted-to-adverbs/

Always thinking...

I have been looking around lately trying to get my brain focused on the interesting objectives you can create with just type. I need to create a logo for my name, I constantly am getting inquiries for invitations (wedding, baby announcements, etc.) and I recently am starting to design my own wedding invitations and save the dates. My style needs to stretch out among all the audiences, grab people's attention, and fit my clients needs. Yes, my style is my style and many of my clients come to me just for that, but I want to be bigger, broader, more appealing. Type is something many people think so simply of. For me though, it is such a complicated matter. The type you pick suggests so many things: how readable it is, the genre you are trying to capture, the feel you are giving your piece. Many scripts are being used in traditional invitations now-a-days, but I want to break the mold and get out of the norm of wedding industry! I want something crazy, different, romantic, yet still wedding-y. And then what should my logo for my name look like? Too many things going on in my head right now. I guess the final thing is, is that I love typography. I look at it everyday, and I love the way you change change a typeface or a font and change the mold of your piece. Incredible.

Innovative Calendars

 design swan

Shawn Michael Designs

I had a lot of fun looking around at innovative and the most creative and somtimes even functional calendars on the web. Many of them inspired me while others made me question why anyone would make something like that. The most helpful adn intereesting website I found http://www.toxel.com/inspiration/2010/03/11/15-unique-and-innovative-calendars/ gave tons of examples of calendars designers made for specific companies. It is quite interesting and extremely unique. Check it out!!

Hoping it comes to me!!

My mind is going crazy reading guidelines and looking at specific pictures, finding quotes, researching and feeling out my client. I just can't wrap my finger around what I really want to accomplish with this promotional college pamphlet. I think the hardest part for me is unfamiliarity. Trying to sell a college to a stranger when you know nothing about the school! My style is completely different than what I have been researching which is another difficulty. I am more vintage and illustrative while the school I am trying to promote is more modern and innovative. What I would like to see come in my mail might differ from the student that wants to go to this college. I wish I could take a ride up there and meet the people myself. Have some hands on interaction with the school.

In my career now, I interactive with my clients by asking them personal questions that they don't think about on a daily basis and many of my questions are things that don't even have to do with weddings. But these questions can tell so much about a person. In fact, I could ask a perfect stranger a question like... "what is your favorite flower?" and get a million personality traits that would put me on the perfect tangent of designing their wedding invitations. In fact, that is one of the questions we ask our clients. Simple things like where do you shop for clothes? These answers can tell me is you are a type A personality, most likely I can guess your hobbies or activities you like, and almost every time I can guess your favorite color. All by a simple couple of questions.

If I could just ask these questions to this school, the students there at most, I think I would be able to figure out or at least get inspired! I just need one path, one idea, one little piece of inspiration to unblock, unclog my way of thinking. To help my focus. Focus!!

Maybe if I just walk away and come back later....

Packaging at its Finest!

I was shopping around at REI one night trying to find inspiration for the placement of my design class's product- Vodka to get rid of poison ivy. I stumbled upon an aisle that I was right around the corner from the best placement for my product. This isle was the little utensil aisle needed for camping, hiking, or experienced outdoorsmen. It also was a fun aisle because of what they sold-- SPORKS! Who would have known that there were so many companies who sold sporks! (A spork is a spoon and a fork together) This particular packaging stood out to me the most because of its vibrant colors and interesting packaging. It almost makes the spork look "high-class". Against the other competitors, this spork came in a variety of colors, a paper box, and the windows focused on the spoon and the fork. You could feel the spork because of its open windows and even though the name was so generic, it popped at you. Next to it you can see a green spork in a plastic bag with a label that seals the items. It looks more like something you would pick up at a fast food restaurant, yet its being sold for the same price as the other more vibrant and put together spork. 

I have come to find that many people like to feel what they are buying. Subconsciously a lot of people touch products they like to reassure them of their purchase. With having your product in a plastic bag, you can't feel it. Then having your product fully packaged with open windows, adds the reassurance your customer needs to purchase your product. 

Although I didn't leave with that spork, I sure thought about it!

Determination!

After sitting through the rest of my classmates present their intriguing new vocabulary terms, I found myself subconsciously writing down the terms that I found the most interesting from each of their lists.

Imbroglio- a fight
Ardent- very enthusiastic
Concupiscence- lust
Quixotic- extravagantly romantic
Psychomachia- battle within yourself
Aglet- plastic tip of your shoe string

I think the hardest thing for me to learn and use these words is going to be able to at least remember the word and the correct definition to them. Knowing me, I will one day feel extremely confident in a conversation with someone and then use the word in the wrong context. I guess I will just have to take a word at a time until I feel confident and use it correctly. Hey- how ever said practice makes perfect...is completely correct!

Critique on Journalese-- Baby Blue Ivy

http://helloblueivycarter.tumblr.com/

William Zinsser describes Journalese as a "quilt of instant words patched together out of other parts of speech." He uses the magazine "People" to show examples of how the poor use of adjectives can not only confuse the audience but leave them with an interesting outlook on any story.

I decided to choose a very similar magazine that I read almost weekly-- "Us Magazine". The addicting headlines full of gossip and alluring photos are what attracts my eye. I normally skim over the short stories to become more informed about a reality I will never live --stardom. This time, much different than others, I actually read each and every word in the articles, paying close attention to their use in words. You would be amazed at what I found!

I decided to start with the most provocative news that is buzzing around TV and magazine headlines -- Baby Blue Ivy Carter. For those of you who aren't living in the 21st Century, Blue Ivy Carter is Rap Icon, Jay-Z and Hip-Hop Singer, Beyonce's newborn baby girl. NEWS! NEWS! The photos are finally out! But the gossip is how they became public. So starts the article.

"For Jay-Z, a trophy is good, but family time is better." The first sentence to wrap you into the article. Not so much of a cliche, but a weird way to compare the two big "f's"--Fame and Family. As you start reading you realize they are connecting this with not showing up to the Grammy's and taking his lovely wife out to dinner. Then you notice... no mention of this baby of theirs. Isn't family time associated with everyone sharing the same last name? I guess not.

"Beyonce has been holed up in the couple's Scarsdale, New York mansion..."Hmm.... I started thinking of this word "holed" not knowing what they meant by the meaning. After searching through the dictionary, I stumbled upon the informal meanings (the only meanings) that could relate to what they were trying to depict. The meaning of course was astonishing--a small unpleasant place or an awkward situation. Way to describe taking care of your first precious child in a nice way. It sounds as if she's not happy or being forced to do something she wasn't prepared for. This is confirmed when at the conclusion of the article, the writer describe an interviewee as "gushing" about Beyonce and Jay-Z being the best parents to "their little princess". I can just imagine someone "gushing" about this. The best part was that they didn't want to be named. They were described as a source close to the pop diva. Which in other words this means--- they don't even know Beyonce and Jay-Z.

I could go on forever about this short 250 word article describing what I thought was going to be about the baby photos, but ended up confusing me about if they even liked having a baby. The design on the other hand was simple and with a two-page spread had great photos showing off Blue Ivy Carter. But would they pass Words and Images at University of Baltimore-- I don't think so.

Expanding my Vocabulary

1. Unequivocally- without a doubt. (My mother uses this all the time, but I have never picked up on using it myself.)

2. Drudgery- tedious or menial work "household drudgery"(Tedious used to be my favorite word in the eighth grade, now that I'm a little more mature, I think I can change it to a different word and get my same point across)

3. Witticism - a cleverly worded amusing remark

4. Fritter - gradual reduction; waste

5. Voracious- having an insatiable appetite for an activity or pursuit

6. Abhorrence - hate; suggests a feeling of repugnance and even fear. (Personally I dislike, when people use the word hate, it is extremely too strong of a word -- especially for a four letter one.)

7. Contumelious - characterized as verbal abuse.

8. Obstinate- headstrong

9. Milieu - environment (I believe this is more of a medical term since my father always uses it, but there is no law saying I have to be in the medical field to us it!)

10. Inculcated- instill, teach.

My goal is to use at least one word a day. That way they will become part of my everyday vocabulary. Making lists of more useful words also helps me describe things better and more vividly in my writing. Maybe I should make a journal of my favorite words...or at least keep track of interesting ones that catch me off guard.

Slogans and Taglines

Slogans and tag lines are just as important as the decision of your logo. They help in marketing and branding your company. They also help your audience to understand what your company does, or its main focus. It makes a statement for your company. These two tag lines in particular stand out to me because well for one... FCKH8.com is a great organization aiming against bullying homosexuals and transexuals. The videos are fun and interesting. The colors aim at targeting the younger crowd. They want equality and love all around. Although they have a lot of pictures of their models showing the middle finger, that is one of their trademarks as well as the number 8. Using numbers to represent words. 

The other tagline is interesting because it takes a slogan that we say all the time to younger kids like "say no to drugs" and now its using it for Rugs... The company is for hardwood floors and to have something funny and catchy and so similar to what a lot of people are familiar with, it makes a small business get out there in the larger world. 

Logos

Linda Milonga is an Argentinean fashion apparel company specializing in leatherwear. Their main goal was to target the young female demographic by using a more playful and charming approach to their branding and logo design. While Michael Jin Photography, a wedding photographer, used their logo to play with his name's initials. Although I couldn't find the actual companies and websites for the other two logos, I did find them very visually appealing and with that, it was a must I had to include them.

Inspiration for the day!

Well brainstorming and writing my project plan for my "Good Cause" assignment. I remembered a consignment boutique that sold wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and accessories! Love the design and it helps me with my ideas!!!

Love is in the Air

Looking at more non-profit organizations I stumbled upon a poster contest for the "Love Your Body Day" put on by the Now Foundation. The posters were intriguing and artistically pleasing. They pulled you in and wanted you to know more. This campaign was to help spread the word on loving yourself and your body. They targeted the message that "a woman's value is best measured through her willingness and ability to embody current beauty standards". So they say STOP the dieting! STOP thinking you should be these size 2 models found in high fashion magazines! And START loving yourself for who you are and what you look like! The NOW (National Organization for Women) foundation has a lot of campaigns for the happening now problems in society that effect women such as crisis in family courts, lawsuits, etc.

Inspiration for Non-Profit

Well searching the internet and after several failed "Google" attempts, I finally found what I was looking for! Inspiration for my own project to start a non-profit organization for underprivileged brides and grooms who are looking to remember that special day in a special way. This website Wish Upon A Wedding, although plain and not so design inspiring, shows that an organization of what I wanted to invent myself is actually out there and running. This particular website is for planning and paying for weddings for brides and grooms "facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation". To listen and read some of these stories tugs at your heart strings and makes you smile that someone in so much pain, or who hasn't been able to their life to their fullest is able to enjoy their wedding. A day that is to be remembered as the happiest moment in their lives. And to live it stress free and debt free at that!

Lasting Impression

It's amazing how a poster, that quotes a man, a man who has had such an influential impact on many, can express a quote, a quote that just came out of the ordinary, into the extraordinary. Taking a quote and mixing the fonts to express an image that makes the meaning behind it amazing, is even more powerful.

Thanks to Help Scout's Co-Founder- Jared McDaniel for his creativity in designing such a piece.

Scripting your love

For an upcoming Valentines day... the play on such popular childhood spoken words with a feminine twist makes any girl smile at this simple contraction. 

What scripts can do to two simple words.