THE inTERVIEW CH2

Scary. And relieving; to see a bad interview as a way to learn the process and not as the end of your career. Every job interview I had, I became an employee, but these were for restaurant/sales positions. The interview process for designers sounds far more cutthroat, which has been expected but as it’s explained, there are many do’s and don’ts that can make me hesitant to want to put myself through that process.

The anecdotes are useful, but similarly cause anxiety. Apparently, a designer must be perfectly balanced in personality, and know or prepare their presentation based on the interviewer’s personality and taste. Based on the experience from the restaurants I’ve worked at, this perspective is scary. I’ve seen many employers treat an interview as a learning process for supervisors, and I’ve seen some play tricks on the interviewees. I recently sent a pdf file of my portfolio, before I researched the company’s approach to design and their clients. This was because I was referred by someone whose reputation I knew. The reviewer wrote back advice on how to inform the viewer of the project by writing a small paragraph. She said my work was interesting but she would continue to look at other portfolio’s. Disheartened, I decided to research the companies portfolio, and realized they were clean and corporate, which my work is neither. Oops!

 

 

 

Sharpening One’s Ax

if you want to see this poster in motion:  http://vimeo.com/2460880

This article has helpful and wise information. This I wish I read before starting my graphic design courses. Paul Nini talks about how many people view the design process as this exclusive and often one sided  [from the authors perspective] activity, when the author could gain a lot of insight from their audience which often will promote better design.Fine artists tend to be offended when others contribute input. Maybe that view is shifting. His method of researching is so simple that it allows for adjustments. At every project, I am too impatient, and want the final product. I now realize the design process takes time to develop, and other people should be involved to better the communication.

 

Cultural Probes

I am in a permaculture design class. A main approach to designing a multi-functioning ecosystem, is to not have preconceived ideas about the site. To walk into it and observe it to find inspiration; let nature lead the designer.

By inventing these culture probes, the Royal College of Art was allowed to unknowingly direct this group of elderly to inspire the designs of the company. By letting culture and everyday things guide design, all who are involved can experience a true benefit of aesthetic pleasure.

p.s.

Amazing to find in a single reading, little bits of the “big idea” typed out on these 9 pages. Most of Spring terms social practice can be found on the first 3 pages. (just a rant!)

just a few pull quotes:

Our task was to better understand their peculiarities

Research through design: more of the aesthetic experience through, chance observation, popular press, and other unscientific sources

not an objective view of their needs but an impressionistic account of their beliefs and desires: their aesthetic preferences and cultural concerns.

Aesthetics are an integral part of functionality

Abstract in order to encourage from respondents a slightly detached attitude

Use of ambiguity, absurdity, and mystery as a way of provoking new perspectives on everyday life

The spectacle: consumer of their own experience

 

#2 Society of the Spectacle

SI Conference in Antwerp 1962

The Situationist’s wanted to abolish the philosophy created by Alfred Stieglitz and company that art is for the sake of art. After the second war of the worlds artists were questioning the role of art, authorship, and realized everything had been done, they wanted to modernize what was already made. There were so many parts to this movement, but the crux of their philosophy was to realize art in everyday events. Art is not just for the bourgeoisie, art is for all, and is created by all.  I found a great documentary relating the punk rock movement and how punk was influenced by these folks. Malcolm McLaren ( who claims himself the founder and creator of the sex pistols) has a great interpretation.

they explored  ”individual ‘psychogeography’ by strolling aimlessly through urban settings and part of the fabric of everyday life”.

SI’s struggle against pretentions to eternity, originality, authenticity, and value inherent in every artistic work, SI employed all props from western cultural history: diversion of language through letter poems, painting over, cutting out, and pasting together existing artworks.