Congrats to all the seniors in the class, hope the best for your future. Hope all you non seniors have a great time (however long that is) left at USC. Huge thanks to Haven and Tom for a great class and making this semester bearable for all of us. I'm really going to miss this group and all the crazy shit we did in NYC...(65th and first) you know what I'm talking about.

love you, will miss you, will keep in touch.

peace out    

Alia

I lost all my pictures! The only that were left!

Poppy in New York

It's been fun! Have a good vacation everyone!

MAD blog

I received an email from our enamel instructor, Nova Bronstein and she asked me to pass along the Museum of Art + Design blog post.
http://www.madblog.org/2009/03/leveraging-chaos-in-the-afternoon/
She is also having an exhibition of her work in New York (oh how I wish I could be there)

Domestic Armour
Jewelry by Nova Colette Bronstein
BFA Thesis work will be on exhibit
Jewelry as reflection. Looking through the pixane (chainmail collar) at objects of domesticity.

On exhibit from 24-28 April 2009
Opening Recption on 24 April 6-8pm

Allice and Hollace Chandler Gallery
Samuel Drosky Museum of Art
State University of New York at New Paltz
1 Hawk Drive, New Paltz, NY 12561

AIGA Profile

At AIGA they had mentioned you could post a portfolio through them. I had already had one, but i didn't realize how much traffic it got - an average of 60 views/month.

My AIGA Profile

project idea

I realized during this trip that I have nothing to promote myself with. So that is what my final project is going to be.

- design my own website

- redesign business card (first one sucked)

- personal brand (logo) whatever you want to call it

- there was something else I had but cant remember right now

I know that I wont be able to have all of them finished by the end of class, but it's a start that will be finished......eventually

Photo Book

So,
For the project proposal I was thinking about making a photo book, but trying to make the design fresh and reinvent it in a way by incorporating various NYC, USC and Kodak (it's a film company, in case you forgot) imagery. This would contain about 15-20 prints of a larger size than you'd expect (I just may print 11" X 14", watch out!). I would then brand it with my re-designed...brand. What do you think?
P.S.-It's a brand that I have already designed, and have incorporated it as a personal crest of sorts. Alia knows about it. Ask her. She loves to talk.

Sarah's Project Idea

I have two ideas, and I would like to do both.

During the trip I realized the importance of branding. Thus, my first idea if to rebrand myself. I currently do not have a personal logo or anything, so I would like to design one for myself.

During my first time to Soho, I discovered the character Fifi Lapin at a LeSportSac store. As I looked at the catalog, I remember thinking to myself, "I would love to create a character like Fifi!" I then had the idea of designing my own character and creating a story about the character's adventures in New York. I began sketching my illustrations, and I am still developing the story. Hopefully it'll turn out well!

NYC Design Project Idea

I can’t stop thinking and talking about how amazing, helpful and inspirational this trip was. I guess I need o put it on the blog now. But as for the Final project-

 

I’d like to make a Scrapbook consisting of images, souvenirs, Pamphlets that we collected during out trip. I always make scrapbooks for the places I visit- including air tickets, and hotel luggage cards. So similarly I want to make something that gives out the feel of how my trip was and what amazing things I learnt!

 

Basically a summary of the whole trip!- In an art work.

 

Let’s see.

KP's project idea

Like everyone else, I am still debating about my project...

1. I would update my website and clean up my portfolio.

2. After the enamel workshop and the craft video, I realized how much I miss the crafty things I use to do - ie: embroider and sew. For this idea, I would create some cool crafty things, but in my style, so probably not appropriate for the Martha submission.

3. Make a zine that either covers me and my art or the NY trip.


Hmmmm, maybe I will do a combination of these ideas. I don't know.

Project idea

I'm thinking of rebranding the Metro. New York rivals London for ease
of use but finding the damn entrances was tedious because their "M"
logo isn't distinguishable against all the visual noise. In London
there's no mistaking where the Tube is. Plus the identity seemed to be
inconsistent and out of date--kind of embarassing for the grand NYC.

Did anyone pick up any Metro print materials there? I didn't so all I
would have to go by is the website.

John Coleman, V (( via mobile ))
Graphic Designer // jorohaco.com // 619 302 7801
Studio Arts B.A. & Communication Design Minor 2009 // University of
Southern California
Senior Designer // USC Spectrum Design Studio / 213 740 9751

The Best Project Idea Ever!

I'm still debating about my project.

Originally, I was thinking about really just hammering out my leave-behind and spiffying up my portfolio and stuff.

Then I started thinking more about New York... and I'm pretty inspired right now to redesign Tropicana. I feel inspired to DO it. But as of right now, I have no inspirations as to HOW I would redesign it.

Still, I've finished a carton of juice in 2 days so I can tear it down and see how they build the box. So I guess that's a good start.

John (ooo mystery! which John was it?!) suggested that I rebrand Pepsi because it's SOWEET.

I hate Pepsi. I hope their branding kills them and makes everyone drink Coca-Cola. That would make the world a much better place. Man, I just figured out that Coca-Cola leads to world peace. Yay!

P.S. The juice was Florida's Natural. It's the bomb.

How cute is this idea?

-- lil' accordian-style books for thank-you notes.

... and then colabortively, I'm going to work with Danielle on a little "How to guide" book titled something like, "The Good Girl's Guide to the Big, Bad City."  

--It will be really cute, really provactive, really informative, and really reflective of our trip.  Such topics as 'how to hail a cab and seem like you've been doing it for years' or 'how to bargain in a boutique like the experts' will be included. (Any more suggestions would be much appreciated!)

ps--Sorry I haven't blogged about the trip yet--just waiting on my camera cord to come in the mail hopefully sometime soon so that I can share my pictures and explain them!

Charlotte's Project Proposal

I really wanted to do something that would be incredibly useful to me right now. I'm thinking of making a self-promotional website, but using what I've learned from the various design studios.

If not that then I'll make a little book of what I learned from every place we went to.

Charlotte's Favorite NYC Memories

1. Alia telling me that I talked in my sleep to her the night before. Apparently I sat up, looked her in the eye and said something about folding towels.
2. Knocking a cup of water over at Siegel + Gale, then watching everyone else smartly chug their cups of liquid.
3. Sophie's 21st birthday. 'nough said.
4. Eating delicious food at Les Halles, Anthony Bourdain's restaurant, with friends :)
5. "Light or Dark" from McSorley's! That bar was built in 1854 and survived the prohibition. Civil war wish bones hang above the bar.
6. Martha Stewart's prop house. I want to steal stuff to decorate my apartment after I graduate.
7. Danielle and Lexi's shopping sprees.
8. Seeing Sagmeister's posters in MOMA.
9. Marie and I bringing one-pieces back!
10. Being tired giddy with Katherine in the bus to the airport and it lasting a bit on the plane.
11. Katherine and I buying a drink for Marie on the plane, but the steward screwing it up by saying it was from him instead of from Anonymous. Also, the steward thinking I'm a lesbian for doing it.

NY Design Project Brainstorm Ideas

If everyone could post their final design project ideas on the blog, it might be interesting to brainstorm publicly.

I'm planning on having moo cards with the blog url and photo credits made for the group as my project. Also thought I would like to put together a little video of how-to projects for Martha Stewart. Anyone interested?

100th Post! Oh, and QUOTES VII

INT. GRACE HOTEL LOBBY-MORNING

The ENTIRE DESIGN CREW sits in the lobby, bittersweet about having to leave New York City soon. HAVEN comes downstairs, and mentions something to KATHERINE about LUGGAGE and INDOOR STORAGE COMPARTMENTS, but I can't remember.

INT. TNT BUS-DAY

JAMES EARL JONES: A two hour bus ride is all that seperates THE DESIGN CREW from Hotel Grace and JFK. Bathed in gold light from the setting sun and sleep deprived, most slumber on the blue seats of the bouncing bus. The ones that have managed to stay awake, however, suffer from GIDDY GIRL SYNDROME (GGS, see Quotes V- Jon, John and Daniel).

J.E.J. (cont.): In between bouts of singing and hysterics, a somewhat intelligent conversation occurs when HAVEN talks to JON (W), KATHERINE and CHARLOTTE about how Greenaway's The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover utilized a very staged, compositional style of framing for his mis-en-scene.

HAVEN: You know it's like that because he is a painter!

JON: It was called...um...uh...I can't believe I forgot...OH! Tableau style!

KATHERINE: Tableau me!

INT. TNT BUS-LATER

JOHN (C) makes reference to KATHERINE'S TALL SIZE as a fifth grader. He might have even called her a "Monster" in the process. KATHERINE ERUPTS INTO GIDDY LAUGHTER.

KATHERINE: I am Katherine, hear me roar!

INT. TNT BUS-LATER

J.E.J.: A conversation about ICE CREAM TRUCK MUSIC and its differences in regions is started. The topic shifts to LA, and about the PUSH CART VENDORS there.

CHARLOTTE: There's a woman on my block that screams TAMALES! TAMALES! TAMALES-!

KATHERINE: TABLEAU ME!

---
SCENE! THAT'S A WRAP, PEOPLE!

Haven's memorable moments pt 2

Here's a few more now that I've caught up with my laundry and sleep.

• catching up with SC alumni - Lisa, Yuji, Jackie, Kelsey and Emmett doing Roski proud
• In The Heights (AND not a Disney production)
• the paper show at MOMA - I [heart] paper!
• Courtney + Co. and socially conscious projects
• AIGA's Honor
• feather beds, swimming pool, and sexy showers at Roommate Grace
• typography + Bendels
• Prada Soho
• Grand Central Station at night
• frozen hot chocolate
• designer rice pudding
• pizza with Emmett + Ming
• Wallace Church's pup + another squeeky moment this time involving Katherine
• snow on 5th Avenue

more later

I (Heart) Celluloid

Really happy with the B&W photos...I can't wait to make contact sheets
and start to make printing decisions! Joy!

C-41 Process Only

I also got the color film developed today...quite a few good pics to
choose from. The flash wasn't as horribly powerful as I thought, which
is wunderbar. I'm excited about the Serendipity photographs (the
creepy Andy Warhol doll) and a lot of the single portraits. Yay film!

Black and White Film Is About to be Developed...

...get excited!

Hmmm...

Spefically wants to go back to new York today!

Sent from my iPhone

The wind down

The following messages are brought to you by...
>
> Coleman
>>
>> First post. I'm late in typical Coleman fashion. So late that
>> everyone's already back in Los Angeles and I missed the plane.
>>
>> Kidding.
>>
>> I'm now sleeping over at an old high school friend's place in
>> Greenpoint, Brooklyn. She's great and makes me laugh (and squeak)
>> all day every day.
>>
>> I would post more photos at a time but Steve Jobs says no (I'm on
>> an iPhone). So I'll be posting one photo per post annoyances to cap
>> off the trip since I'm the last one standing.
>>
>> Among the standout appointments through the week (or at least the
>> ones that I can remember at this point) were S+G, Courtney&Co.,
>> Baseline, MTV/Nick, Martha, and Enamel. CBS takes the honorary-will-
>> never-(be able)-to-forget spot. S+G seems to be my #1 at the
>> moment, especially since they've got offices in LA and London-town.
>> They're approach and vibe seems pretty fresh and legit (and yes I
>> would not mind being one designer among the army of designers).
>>
>> AIGA was pretty chill, though honestly I was expecting a scene that
>> would rival something on Star Trek The Next Generation or something
>> with several designer cadets moving in and out of the main AIGA
>> brig through slick sliding doors, wearing CMYK colored uniforms
>> with small square communicators on their left breasts, ready to
>> phazer down the Tropicana/Pepsi Borg.
>>
>> Martha Stewart's digs were pretty surprisingly interesting. I
>> wasn't expecting a whole lot from my personal standpoint since that
>> niche of design isn't my thing but her operation is one hell of an
>> operation that I now can appreciate. Planning Christmas in March
>> however... errr not so much. And yes I took a photo of Martha
>> Stewart.
>>
>> The Stewart that I didn't get a photo of was Jon Stewart because
>> they actually threatened my life had I busted out any sort if
>> device during the Thursday night recording. "Threatened my life"
>> meaning confiscating my iPhone; one and the same pretty much.
>> Chandler (awesome guy) got some tickets from his friend who's a
>> writer there. We sat in the back with the sound and lighting crew
>> because it was packed due to Bruce Springsteen showing up with his
>> face. Afterward we got a small tour in the back dungeons. Jon said
>> hi, briskly, as I was absorbed in Charlotte's text that said "I
>> hope you meet Jon Stewart!".... as Jon Stewart disappears and I
>> just realize I missed saying hi to Jon Stewart while reading
>> Charlotte's text..........
>>
>> Baseline was a plethora of wise sage advice that I wouldn't mind
>> keeping in contact with if I relocate, which is something that this
>> trip definitely got me thinking about, all serious like.
>>
>> "In the Heights" was amazing. I wanted it to be longer actually.
>> And my fav was Sonny, the dude with the green hat; Julianne knows
>> why :D
>>
>> Other more out-of-order things: the Cooper Hewitt was great.
>> Coincidentally there was an exhibit all about felt fabric--my
>> favorite fabric. ever. It helped me appreciate my G-Star coat even
>> more since the exhibit covered the creation process instead of just
>> showing off cool felt pieces.
>>
>> Even more ironic is that everyone was talking about G-Star more
>> than I. Collateral damage, I suppose. Intentional? Only my master
>> plan? I don't know. Alia, my young padawan, you know what's good
>> for you :)
>>
>> That damn hotel. LOVED IT.
>>
>>
>>
>> John Coleman, V (( via mobile ))
>> Graphic Designer // jorohaco.com // 619 302 7801
>> Studio Arts B.A. & Communication Design Minor 2009 // University of
>> Southern California
>> Senior Designer // USC Spectrum Design Studio / 213 740 9751

Haven's most memorable moments pt 1

• hysterical laughter at Serendipity over Coleman's squeaking (I still can't think about it without giggling)
• MAD enamel workshop
• Whitney glowing at Martha Stewart
• Lexi's first oyster at Momofuku
• My new favorite East Village restaurant, Momofuku
• Chandler taking over as the leader (some people just have an internal GPS)
• Wingo's blog post (the funny + serious)
• John (there's only one now) telling us about his new baby niece, what a sweet emotional moment
• Charlotte + Katherine singing and giddy tired
• Snow on 5th Avenue, Bendel's early in the morning
... more to come

tired...

Lots of very happy and tired travelers on the city tour.

I heart Momofuku + ramen

Dinner at a hopping ramen restaurant with one of our favorite designers, Douglas Gilbert. Aside from the tasty ramen, I FINALLY had my oysters on the half shell. Quite good even if untraditional. Lexi had oyster for the first time even against my warnings that raw oysters can be an expensive addition (one that I greatly suffer from.)

C & G Partners

The group with Steff Geissbuhler, one of America's most celebrated designers. He showed some of the many noteworthy projects that C & G (Chermayeff & Geismar) designed.

Cover NY guide - Pauletta

Alumni Dinner 2

Dinner with former USC student Kelsey Diao. Doesn't Tom look proud?

Enamel Design

MAD enamel workshop + Enamel Design + Serendipity... it's like the universe is trying to tell us something.

CBS

The group at CBS
We took a tour of CBS and were able to walk through what it takes to get graphics on the CBS News.

Siegel and Gale

Another fantastic visit with one of the leaders in branding - Siegal + Gale. What a great company and they were more than generous with their time (plus they were kind enough to feed us.) What could be better than an informative meeting with a snack.



YES that is the one and only Alan Siegel.


Also special thanks to Howard Belk (sorry no photos) for the LA hook up.

Courtney + Company

Mark Courtney sharing some of his company's beautifully designed pieces and discussing project specifics. Pretty cool having the man himself meet with the students.

roommate grace

Aside from the cool pool in the lobby/bar, the hotel also served a pretty mean continental breakfast. A couple of students commented it was going to be tough to return to breakfast at their dorms.

late night at Serendipity

Our first time at Serendipity. According to one of the waiters this was Warhol's regular table.