Design Process Blog

Weekend Warriors- Itinerary

2011-03-11T19:30:00.001-06:00

I got creative while making an itinerary for this weekend. My friend's 16 year old brother is visiting him in Los Angeles for his Spring Break and he asked me to come up with a game plan for what we are going to do while he is here.

Freelance Project: Joe Babajian & Rodeo Realty Advertisements

2011-03-11T19:19:00.003-06:00

I have acquired an exciting freelance opportunity with a very well known realtor in Beverly Hills and Bel Air named Joe Babajian. I have been hired to rebrand all of Joe's marketing materials, which includes a total of 12 different pieces. Below are the first ads that will debut in the LA Times Newspaper during the weekend of March 11th, 2011. I will post more pictures when I get my hands on the actual paper.

Freelance Project: Bass & Gas- Store Logo Design

2011-01-30T21:31:00.002-06:00

My client is opening a fishing & tackle store in rural Missouri called Bass & Gas. These are the final versions of the logo that I designed. The different versions will be used on large billboard signage, large illuminated signage, business cards, printed materials, and a website (which I will soon be designing also).

***UPDATE***

My client asked for further revision to the logo and it has now officially been changed to what is shown below.

Freelance Project: Darren Cardona- Logo & Business Cards

2011-01-30T21:27:00.004-06:00

This is an identity project that I designed for an Interior Designer and Architect in Los Angeles, CA named Darren Cardona. Darren asked me to consider his line of work for his card's inspiration, so I worked with a grid while using geometric elements such as line and shape.

Business Card (Front & Back)

Freelance Project: Memento Media- Logo & Business Cards

2011-01-30T21:11:00.006-06:00

This is an identity project that I designed for an online advertising company that called Memento Media. Their premise is to develop advertising campaigns that resonates, instead of being just another media buy that will be forgotten. Luke Hubbard is one of the founders of this company and he asked me to make a card that was cohesive with the other card I designed for him- but with a unique look. Once printed, the card is cut on the thin black line to become the shape of the right leg of the "M".

Business Card (Front & Back)

Freelance Project: Luke Hubbard- Logo & Business Cards

2011-01-30T20:57:00.004-06:00

This is an identity project that I designed in Los Angeles, CA for a professional in the Internet Marketing industry. Luke Hubbard is on the Google Advisory Board and is considered one of the best online marketing experts in the nation.

Business Card (Front & Back)

Freelance Project: Cyril Wrabec- Logo & Business Cards

2011-01-30T20:50:00.003-06:00

This is an identity project that I designed for a lawyer in Kansas City named Cyril J. Wrabec. He is not only an attorney, but he is also a pilot. I created two cards for him, one for each of his professional practices.

Attorney Card

Pilot Card

Freelance Project: Adam's Apple Productions- Logo, Business Cards, & Email Header

2011-01-30T20:39:00.003-06:00

This is an identity project that I designed for a client named Adam Thor who is the founder and president of Adam's Apple Productions (a company that deals with Entertainment Marketing and Public Relations). I will soon be working on this company's website redesign and other materials.

Business Card (Front & Back)

Email Header

Recent Paintings

2010-06-16T11:23:00.005-06:00

30"x40"

24"x30"

36"x48"

36"x24"

30"x40"

24"x30"

Friends of Chamber Music: Internship

2010-04-30T00:55:00.006-06:00

Here are some new logo concepts that I have been working on for the Friends of Chamber Music's new series.

Degree Project: Completed Process Documentation

2010-04-21T13:12:00.009-06:00

PROMO CARDS: Distributed in Kansas City at events

including the 2010 AIDS Walk on April 24th.

PROCESS BOOK DOCUMENTATION: PREVIEW BELOW

Behind the Scenes of Campaign Photo Shoot: Part 1
VIDEO

Degree Project: COMPLETED WEBSITE!

2010-04-18T11:59:00.003-06:00

After 2 weeks of refinement, I finished revising/editing the 8 videos in my HIV awareness campaign series and have uploaded them to Vimeo so that they can be embedded into my website. I'm currently putting the finishing touches on the site, but it is up and running. Check it out!

www.SpreadTheTruthNotTheDisease.com

Friends of Chamber Music: Internship

2010-04-08T12:33:00.005-06:00

2010 Soiree website

2 Ads for April's "The Pitch" Magazine

Imagery for 2010-2011 season materials

Logo concepts for "Friends Forward" concert series

Degree Project: Updated Video Edits

2010-03-31T09:27:00.011-06:00

I have been working on a campaign "brand mark" to go on the end of each video that will exist in the series of 5-10 different short clips. It has evolved from simple to complex and now back to simple ( efficient!)

First attempt at a campaign mark:

I started with a clean textured background and simple type w/narration.

Second attempt at a campaign mark:

I wanted more...so I added texture, kinetic typography, and lots of movement.

Third attempt at a campaign mark:

Although the fast paced, busy and overloaded campaign mark shows off my editing skills, I felt that it might over power the rest of the video footage and maybe "less is more."

Final campaign mark:

I cut back even more to a clean white background and dramatic smooth transitions with black type.

My concept of reaching out to the young community at critical times and creating a lasting impression has developed into the idea of juxtaposing the video footage with unexpected and powerful background ambiance (a crowded bar, nightclub, party, heart monitor, intercourse, etc.) that provokes emotion by making you uncomfortable. I have also grouped the footage into categories based on the statistics on each model's face, but I'm having a difficult time figuring out how many models to show during each video. To fix this confusion, I decided to make a matrix that charts which models will be in each video and what the background sound effect will be.

Here are some of the most up to date videos in the series.

Professional Practice: Senior Show Directions

2010-03-23T17:29:00.010-06:00

After meeting with my group, we decided to pursue Matt's direction for our "Bragging Rights" Senior show identity. We have the concept of an exhibit that presents our best work in an elegant, confident and refreshing manner by using golds, whites, and blacks, as well as ornamental elements and pristine typography. The following is the revised logo and theme that we will be presenting in the "Shoot Out" on Thursday, March 25th.

This is the website mock-up that I
designed for our show's concept:

This is the logo, theme and typography
being used in our concept

______________________________

With my partners Matt Urlaub & Adam McBride, we came up with the idea of calling the 2010 Senior Design show "Bragging Rights" to play off of the idea of this being our chance to show-off our work to the community and to visually "brag" about what we have accomplished as we graduate from KCAI. The following are design directions that I have been playing around with. We want to use really beautiful typefaces that are elegant and sophisticated, along with ornamentation or highly decorative graphics that will emphasize our theme in a clean, yet detailed manner.

This is an idea for the homepage of the
show's website that I came up with.

DP: Mid-Semester Degree Project Summation

2010-03-10T02:41:00.005-06:00

At this point in the semester, I have reached the half way point in my degree project. So far, I have:

-Completed the Millennial League & AIDS Service Foundation of Greater Kansas City's "Spread the Truth, Not the Disease" poster campaign that is now being implemented throughout the local community as of 02.12.10.

-Experimented with using still images to create motion, mood, emotion, and other strategic/successful effects through short .swf movies.

-Planned and directed a new photo/video shoot on 02.27.10 with the help of Drew Bolton, Donald Pelton, and 15 volunteer models.

-Gathered 5 hours of video footage and over 50 photographs to use for my Degree Project campaign

-Got the audio footage from the shoot mastered to its best quality.

-Produced several quick video cuts using sequencing, still video shots and narration.

-Began creating wireframe mockups for what www.spreadthetruthnotthedisease.com will look like.

-Prepared an up-to-date process documentation book.

creating emotion & mood through giving motion to still-images

Video cut using multiple people in one shot

Video cut using just men to deliver the message

wireframe sketches

Mock-up #1

Mock-up #2

Mock-up #3

Mock-up #3 (B)

Spatial Experience: Finding the "3 P's" at the KC Auto show

2010-03-04T10:53:00.003-06:00

BACKGROUND:

There are three principle modes or “uses of language”: the practical, the poetic, and the persuasive (or the three p’s).

Practical communicates information, Poetic communicates experience through the senses, and Persuasive communicates with encouragement or persuasion.

Our assignment was to go to the Kansas City Auto Show downtown at Bartle Hall and collect photographs of the exhibit that exemplified these three modes of communication.

PRACTICAL

This signage was found when I first walked into Bartle Hall and it helped guide me to the location of the auto show. It is intended for clarity and is purely informational.

This signage was next to a Toyota vehicle and is practical in its layout, which isn't really inspired by the content but rather offers a clear and descriptive summary of the car's information.

POETIC

This is an example of poetic signage that invites the viewer to participate in the content by walking around the cylindrical design to see the possibilities of paint colors that are available. It enriches the experience through its form, while also being informative.

This is rainbow archway is an example of poetic communication because it invites the viewers into the specific exhibit by means of evoking emotion through color and form. It creates a friendly mood and offers multiple reads or possible interpretations.

PERSUASIVE

This signage is clearly persuasive, compared to being solely practical or informative. It does provide the viewer with information about the truck being shown, but it does it in a singular point-of-view. It is subjective and throws facts in your face while boasting about the truck's features. The texture, color and masculinity of its design also speak in a reassuring manner.

PRACTICAL or PERSUASIVE?

This signage for the SmartCar is practical in its delivery of content and information about the vehicle, but I felt that it could also be seen as persuasive because of the "affordable" and "safe" bullet-like layout. It is advertising to the viewer that this car is better than others because of its unique and rewarding features.

This is my fellow colleague Jessica Lyew-Ayee's mural that she was commissioned to paint during the Auto Show as part of a live performance piece. She designed it to reflect the theme and aesthetics of this year's event. She is doing an excellent job and I'm very proud of her.

Spatial Experience: Guggenheim Museum Barricade

2010-02-26T10:13:00.007-06:00

Project Objective:

Engage the viewer at the pedestrian and vehicular level. Answer the question, "What the heck is that going to be?" Build awareness and anticipation through visual clues. Reflect an understanding of the intent and concept behind the architecture. Provide a glimpse into the future. Create a special, spatial experience that begs the viewer to participate in a mental game of what is it?

THIS IS THE GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM IN NEW YOUR CITY THAT WAS DESIGNED BY FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT AND OPENED IN 1959. IT'S ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PIECES OF ARCHITECTURE IN THE WORLD AND IT PUSHED THE LIMITS OF WHAT HAD BEEN DONE BEFORE IT'S TIME.

Below are Frank Lloyd Wright's visions and concepts for the museum and how it is supposed to stand out among the boring concrete fronts among it's urban environment.

These are my initial sketches of the barricade. I tried to come up with something that reflected an understanding of the intent and concept behind the architecture, while also providing a glimpse into the future.

This is the sketch I decided to pursue. I felt that a slow gradient of several horizontal white levels that move upward and outward in a curved manner would represent the completed museum’s formal and conceptual beauty.This is the side view of the Barricade I designed to reflect the formal and conceptual beauty of the museum Frank Lloyd Wright designed. The first level is 6 foot tall so that people can peek through to the construction process, without being able to see too much! This references the museum’s interior format of the spiral ramp that allows people to view work from different perspectives.This is the front view of the barricade and it shows how it wraps around the perimeter of the museum, while also feeling almost like a continuation of Frank's design. I wanted to keep simplicity, whiteness and smoothness a priority.

This is the banner on the side of the barricade that tells what is being built and when it will be completed.

Finally, this is an arial view of the barricade’s footprint.

This is the 3D Model that I built to show one corner of the barricade. I included a 6 foot tall person as a scale to the size of the real barricade.

Degree Project: Researching Inspiration

2010-02-16T21:56:00.008-06:00

This video really inspires me. It has elements of suspense, surprise, emotion, and facts while creating a very powerful message that is intimate, one-on-one, and extremely memorable. I want my video campaign to be just as striking!

This video relies on editing, typography, motion, and an extremely strong metaphor to create a powerful message that is undeniably eye-opening.

This video's subject matter is people, which is the vehicle I have been using to send my message so far, so I found it interesting how giving a face and a voice to the stop of careless spreading of HIV can be a powerful way to promote awareness and a positive call to action.

This video doesn't have a very powerful or long lasting emotional impact, but it does use people to deliver a message about AIDS. I do really like the high contrast visuals and the pacing of the editing though!

These last 2 clips use experimental and kinetic typography, audio, narration and clever transitions to send a thank you message to those who have participated in raising money for fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa. I want to incorporate typographic elements like this in my campaign!

Degree Project: Experiment Process Round 3

2010-02-14T22:10:00.003-06:00

As far as my process goes for my Degree Project's online campaign, I continued to explore the possibilities of what could be done with video. In order to create a dramatic mood, I experimented with using motion to explore an image. Then, I combined the 2 movie clips together to develop a story or provoke emotion. My goal was to make the viewer uncomfortable and question what am I looking at? I also want to use risky, sexual imagery that provokes interest.

Professional Practice: Surprising Facts

2010-02-11T22:02:00.002-06:00

I looked through "Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines" to find 3 interesting and surprising facts about my future career directions that I am considering. Since I am interested in screen based design such as website design, interactivity and motion graphics, I researched careers that would suit me.

1. If I decide to pursue my interest in interactive media, I could become a Multimedia designer! Knowledge of web architecture, online design, multimedia communications, and interface design is required, as is proficiency in authoring software such as Macromedia Flash, Director, Shockwave, etc. (I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WITH THESE!). You also must have a strong visual style and thorough understanding of how typography, layout, color, images, and interactivity impact design, which I think I qualify for. Pay is $40,750 to $58,000 for one to five years' experience and $58,000 to $86,000 for five or more years' experience!

2.I found out that a website designer's salary with one to five years' experience is usually around $40,750 to $59,000 and $59,00 to $85,000 for five or more years' experience.

3. I also found out that there is actually a profession called "web animator," which would allow me to use my interest in motion graphics and animation online! These designers design and creates animated images for display on websites and other online systems, CD-ROMs, video games, etc. They usually make $38,250 to $53,500 for one to five years' experience and $51,000 to $73,250 for five or more years' experience.

I also learned about a couple terms I had never heard of before:

Intranet:

An internal network used by companies to share files, access web sites, and collaborate on projects. These sites usually cannot be accessed from the Internet.

Extranet:

A private network using an Internet protocol and public telecommunication system to securely share part of a business's information or operations with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers, or other businesses.

Official "Spread the Truth, Not the Disease" Poster Campaign

2010-02-09T18:06:00.015-06:00

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY "SPREAD THE TRUTH, NOT THE DISEASE" CAMPAIGN, CHECK OUT THE PROJECT'S BLOG

This is the FINAL Poster Set for the Millennial League & AIDS Service Foundation of Greater Kansas City. This has been a long and strenuous process, but the photos are finally finished and completely official. The campaign will be launched on Friday, May 12th at the Millennial League's annual Code Red 2010 Event. With over 400 people in attendance, it will be a great way to get our campaign seen! Posters and car fliers will be implemented all over the Kansas City bar scene Friday night as well.

Degree Project: Experiment Process Round 2

2010-02-07T17:30:00.005-06:00

Degree Project: Project Explanation, Design Solution & Timeline

2010-02-07T17:25:00.004-06:00

By taking my HIV Awareness campaign from last semester’s Visual Advocacy class as a starting point for this semester’s degree project, I plan to find an even greater amount of success in promoting change through both the local community and the online community. With this being said, I have asked myself this question: How can a strategic multimedia visual campaign be used to educate and raise awareness about the serious threat of HIV/AIDS to the younger generation as a whole?

As a senior in the design department, I feel that I have had enough time to decide what type of medium interests me the most. Although I do appreciate printed design pieces, books, posters, etc., I have decided that I prefer design that exists on the screen. I find technology to be crucial to my life and a very important part of what I want to do with my future. As it continues to improve each and every day, I have developed a fascination for motion graphics, animation, interactivity, web design, photography, video and sound. This interest has guided me to the realization that my degree project must have a huge emphasis on screen-based design.

The solution for this project will capture the same emotions and success that my “Spread the Truth, Not the Disease” bathroom posters and car fliers did, while also using a complementary strategy that infects knowledge when people are least expecting it. With the help of a local HIV Awareness organization called the Millennial League, my poster campaign has now expanded to a wider audience including men and women, as well as gays and straights, and it will correspond with the website that I am going to create. I will be using a lot of the same imagery, as was well as creating more as the project develops. I want my Internet campaign to have the same aesthetic and overall message that the Millennial League campaign has.

My research has shown me that there are many ways to create emotion through screen-based imagery that is more interesting than what has been done in the past to spread awareness about HIV. Since I want my campaign to be memorable and have a lasting effect on the young generation who I am targeting, my site will include a combination of photography, video, motion graphics, and other multimedia. I’m thinking of creating a splash page that catches someone’s attention and provokes a very dramatic, intimate, one-on-one experience that will make my audience more aware of the serious threat of HIV.

I feel that this semester should challenge me in many ways, while also providing me with an outstanding piece of work to add to my portfolio. I want to teach myself how to do new things in software that I have only briefly played around with in the past, while also improving my design skills formally, creatively, and conceptually. I am excited to make a difference in the lives of others by using my talents as a visual communicator.

Degree Project: Experiment Process

2010-02-03T10:30:00.007-06:00

This is a mockup ad that I was experimenting with and uploaded on YouTube to get feedback from

Degree Project: Research Experiments

2010-01-27T13:58:00.004-06:00

I need a scare tactic that will wake up my audience by catching their attention, make them aware of the serious threat of HIV/AIDS and also stick in their mind permanently. What medium or combination of media will work best? I have already developed a powerful visual campaign consisting of bathroom posters and car fliers, but how can I incorporate the same type of imagery into a website or web advertisement so that it has an equal impact?

The following are different areas of exploration that I will pursue during the next few weeks.

Where is the most appealing place to write statistics on the model's face (What works and what doesn't)?

What kind of tool works best for writing on skin- pens, markers, eyeliner pencils, liquid eyeliner pens, etc.?

What kind of image treatment is most powerful?

-black & white?

-full color?

-duotone?

-high contrast?

Does a combination of several versions of the same photo treated with different colors shown in a looping .swf sequence create an effect that is eye catching?

How long does it take someone to read the statistic on each model's face comfortably?

How can different tweening effects add to the modes of appeal that the image creates?

-fade out or fade in?

-normal to high-saturation?

How can a voice recording of my slogan create a sound mark?

Does the sound mark work as a narration to the imagery?

In summary, I want to:

experimental typography with my campaign message

-writing on faces

-"slogan" type

-handwritten, computer type, moving type, etc.

experimental image sequencing

-using the photos I have gather from awareness campaign photo shoot in strategic order, experimental sequencing, layering, stacking, etc.

-incorporate stop motion by using multiple frames of similar image

-play with modes of appeal

experimental image treatment

-color choice (duotone, b/w, etc.)

-contrast, saturation, levels, filters,etc.

-using modes of appeal to generate new aesthetics.

experimental multimedia visuals/audio

-video, sound, imagery, type, etc.

-voice recordings

-combination of current imagery with textures, patterns, or other content with valid context such as statistics.

Degree Project: Question

2010-01-25T14:09:00.003-06:00

The question I am going to address for my Senior Degree Project is:

How can a strategic multimedia visual campaign be used to educate and raise awareness about the serious threat of HIV/AIDS to the younger generation as a whole?

My Dream Design Job

2010-01-25T12:50:00.003-06:00

Before I arrived at the Kansas City Art Institute, my artistic talent was only displayed through a limited range of pencil drawings and acrylic paintings. Fortunately, my four very rigorous and productive years at this school have opened my eyes and skill-set to much, much more. I've grown into a graphic designer and an artist who is interested in all sorts of things, including illustration, typography, photography, book design, interactive print design, web design, motion graphics, multimedia design & etc.

I've always been much more of a conceptual thinker than a creative thinker, but here lately, my concept driven design style has started to reach more and more outside of the box. I've always been an overachiever and a hard worker, but I was never actually stimulated artistically or creatively until I arrived at KCAI. My time here has made me realize that I thoroughly enjoy being challenged by technical things that require problem solving and "behind the scenes" kind of details. I thrive on perfection, concept, functionality, interactivity and purpose. I am excited by technology and the limitless possibilities that have emerged through computers and the Internet, as well as the special effects, animation, and motion graphics used in the movie/television industry.

With this being said, my dream job as a graphic designer would be to work at a motion graphics and/or screen based design studio that does movie trailers and other motion work. I would also love to do freelance website design work as well. Geographically, I plan to move to Los Angeles as soon as possible after graduation to start my career and follow through with my dream of living there that I have had since I was a child. The beautiful weather, the incredible amount of opportunities, and the forward-thinking attitude and energy from the people in LA will be just a few of the things that will make the move worth while. I have already started building connections with people in the industry who work in Hollywood and I am optimistic that I will find a lucrative and satisfying job that keeps me on the tip of my toes, while also paying my bills and allowing me to live my life to the fullest. :)

Illustration Ellective: Project 7

2009-12-06T21:02:00.000-06:00

This is a Kansas City Star Magazine cover about the light rail. I am for its development because I believe it will benefit our city and bring us up to date with transit. I wanted to play with the use of typography as image.

WWW.ASENSEOFHUBER.COM!

2009-12-04T11:43:00.009-06:00

I launched my new and refined design portfolio website! Check it out HERE.

The current site is intended to be viewed at full screen, with your browser's window opened up to it's maximum size and all chrome removed (status bar, bookmarks bar, etc.). There should be no scroll bars showing if it is opened up correctly! The document size may be too large for standard browser size, so I need to reconsider this issue.

My intention was to design a portfolio site to showcase my work while implimenting not so typical functions that challenge what is expected from the user, but still makes sense. Therefore, the drag and drop function, which is cool and unique, is important to viewing all of the portfolios content. This functions purpose is validated by the way I activated the boundaries of the screen that we tend to forget about. All work can be viewed at a small scale or full screen, based on the user's level of interest. I also implemented a slideshow in both views, to show multiple images of some projects.

I am most proud of the overall functionality of my website and how I explored the presentation of my work in a way that I've never seen done before. I taught myself a lot about Flash and actionscript 3.0, which I feel is useful knowledge for my career. I am happy with the "instructions" that follow the mouse around to give the user a better understanding of what they should/can do on my site. I think some of the small scale image boxes are lacking the gray space around the work, so I may revise those to be more comfortable, visually. I also struggled with getting my flash document to fit universally into the web browser so that it becomes compatible on all user's screens, and not just mine. Finally, I believe that a pre-loader may be necessary to keep the user's attention while the site loads.

Multimedia Experience: Reading response #4

2009-11-25T17:02:00.003-06:00

The Screen and The Body
This chapter taught me that the only limitation of the screen is its rectangular shape, which serves as a cut to reality. The paragraphs about the imprisonment of the human body, also known as the user, made it clear that the computer screen is, in an essence, a medium that is limited by its physical existence. In the vast history of the screen that is described, the general trend has always been that, in order for it to be viewed, the body has to remain still. In early photography, the process of capturing an image or subject matter was limited by the exposure rate. For example, in the daguerreotype process, living things had to be immobilized or held still with clamps in order to capture a clear photograph. Eventually, cinema introduced a screen that allowed audiences to "take a journey through different spaces without leaving their seats." The body was intended to remain still, while the images on screen moved in order to present constantly changing frames of a simulated reality.

The cinema screen could also be viewed as a setting for a stationary camera to capture a virtual space that moves and changes its position with each shot. With this theory, the spectator and the camera are immobile while the presentation of imagery is doing all the work.

The introduction of virtual reality, which enabled the screen through which the virtual world of imagery is being viewed moves simultaneously as the viewer does (with limited motion), paves way to the same function of the computer mouse. The user becomes connected to the computer via this "joystick" that allows for interactivity and control of what is being viewed. This applies to my current M.X. project because the viewer of my portfolio site is controlling what they are looking at as they navigate the given content through using the mouse. The information on screen is a result of what they desire to view and when they desire to view it.

As a graphic designer, I haven't ever considered the history of the screen and how it's design actually influences, restricts or supports my personal design process. While working in Adobe software and using the mouse and keyboard as my connection to what I am seeing on the virtual window of information, I have never been conscious of the screen as such a dynamic medium before. Since the computer interface has become such an invisible, yet valuable part of my life and my design experience, this article opened my eyes to the importance of recognizing its existence and how its developed over time.

Multimedia Experience: Reading response #3

2009-11-25T16:08:00.001-06:00

The Screen and the User
The screen is one of technology's oldest tools to present visual information through, where as the computer itself has only been around for a couple decades now. Today, the screen basically runs our world, whether it be on a computer, a phone, a television, etc., offering the flexibility to present every single type of information available.

I like the paragraph about the "dynamic screen" that discusses the representation that we are trained to focus on within the boundaries of the screen. As a window to a limitless world of dimension and possibilities, our eyes concentrate on what is shown on screen...instead of what exists beyond the physical space the window provides. The screen is filled with an image, creating an illusion that our eyes are not conscious of while navigating the computer interface.

With this in mind, I would like my portfolio website to break this illusion that we so often lose track of because of the ability to seamlessly sift through information and imagery with a simple scroll of the mouse. By making the user participate in accessing my portfolio's content by dragging and dropping what exists beyond the frame, or in other words, the image that is cut off or bleeding beyond the screen's immediate surface, I will be forcing the user to be more conscious of the screen's boundaries. I want the user to be presented with an interactive and innovative option of dragging something into view, instead of simply scrolling beneath the fold of a window. In fact, I don't plan on my flash site having any scrolling at all– in order to really place emphasize on the way I have consciously chosen my provided information to be viewed.

In some cases, such as through virtual reality, the screen disappears altogether because of the way it is circumstances of how it is viewed and because of the illusion of being in an entirely different, yet believable, virtual space. I don't see this being useful for anything that I have designed thus far, or anything that I am interested in designing. The idea of simulating a new world that the user becomes part of through seeing only through the window of a screen seems far beyond what I want to do as a graphic designer. I want my users and viewers, whether of my portfolio site or any other design projects, to be conscious of the medium I am working on. I do appreciate the beauty of technology, but in a rational and functional way.

The history and evolution of the screen, as it progressed through classical, dynamic, VR, real time and beyond, is extremely fascinating. The fact that the screen was invented for military surveillance and was applied through the use of radar and is now being used by practically every human being in the world, makes me think about the invention and evolution of other critical elements of modern technology. The internet wasn't invented for entertainment, yet now it is what connects all forms of life and provides us with information far beyond what it was originally intended for. We are dependent on live, constantly updating frames of images to provide us with the most factual, up to the minute information...whether it be through news feeds on Facebook, weather forecasts, news headlines, stock market updates, etc. On top of this, we now have real-time interactive screens that involve the user on a whole new level. I think the screen still has so much evolvement in store, as we become even more dependent on the advancements and needs of a society ran by technology.

Multimedia Experience: Portfolio Directions- Revised!

2009-11-20T19:24:00.005-06:00

Idea # 1. Individual triangles reveal work connected at the corner and the whole mountain of work can be dragged around the screen to view the work. The navigation exists as white peaks to the mountain..example shown is "about me."

Idea # 2. Similar idea, where the individual triangles reveal work connected at the corner, but this time, they can each be dragged around the screen separately to view the work at fairly large scale. The white triangle at each peak is linked to the 6 main navigation options.

Idea # 3. I narrowed my portfolio content down for this final direction and now have 21 pieces of work. The mountain of triangles is still working visually, but now each opens up (at the corner) a medium sized image of the project with a blurb about it. The triangle changes from a cropped image to a full color sample from the piece of work to indicate that it is opened. Hover over instructions tell the user to click the image to view it in full screen. This allows them the option of viewing the work at different sizes. The main navigation opens up as a full screen overlay that can be clicked to close out of.

I REALLY like this direction!

Multimedia Experience: Portfolio Content

2009-11-20T11:24:00.001-06:00

This is a rough list of the content I want to use for my online portfolio. Eventually, I'll need to reduce the number of projects down to a solid group of about 15 strong pieces of work.

POSTERS
1. April Greiman Lecture Posters (2)
2. Ora Ito Lamp Posters (2)
3. Vote Poster (1)
4. "Yes We Can" Poster (1)
5. Body Modification Community Poster (1)

ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Winker
2. Wetmap

BOOKS
1. Good Design is For Everyone Book Mockup (8)
2. Watersports Book Covers (6)
3. Shuttlecocks Wayfinding Map (14)
4. 6 Degrees Book Cover (6)
5. Bike Tire Repair Manual (4)
6. Body Sculpting Magazine Spread/Icon set (3)

MISC.
1. Text Me Brand Identity
2. TypeCon Project/Experiments/Artifacts
3. Dead Guy Ale
4. Ziba Vodka Package design and Website Mockup
5. HIV Awareness Campaign (8)

MOTION
1. Sculpt Your Body Placards animation
2. Dental hygiene nonlinear Narrative
3. Bathroom hygiene data presentation
4. Floss animation

WEB
1. Beer coaster Collection website
2. Design Education P.O.V. website
3. Textme.com
4. BodyImage.com

Illustration Ellective: Project 6

2009-11-19T19:53:00.000-06:00

This is a children's book cover that I illustrated using color pencil.

Multimedia Experience: Reading response #2

2009-11-19T19:51:00.005-06:00

Cinema, HCI: Representation vs. Control
People who use computers are able to interact with the computer in a more active way than people who watch movies can interact with the movies. This is because computer users understand the language of the interface and actively use it to perform tasks. People are able to learn new cultural interfaces because they are always based on a previous and commonly understood form.

The traditional use of a rectangular frame in the cinematic interface stems from Western painting, where the frame "acted as a window onto a larger space that is assumed to extend beyond the frame." This rectangular shaped screen is used at movie theaters, wide screen televisions, etc. and has carried over into the computer screen. The rectangular computer monitor screen acts as a window to the content within the computer. By being able to scroll through the window's contents, we are doing what is done in cinema- moving through frames.

This idea of the rectangular frame of the screen limiting what can be seen made me think about how i could work this "cutting off" idea to my advantage. While designing my portfolio website, I've been keeping in mind that in order to use a function that seems unique and playful, it needs to have a purpose...or else it might just raise the question, "ok, this is neat, but WHY do I have to drag these triangles around? What's the point of it?" So..to answer this, I decided that I would make the work that is attached to each triangle flirt with the edge of the screen (depending on the location of the triangle) so that way, if for example the furthest triangle to the right reveals a box that is bleeding off the screen, the drag and drop function allows the user to pull that box into full view. Now, the playful nature of dragging and dropping serves a legitimate purpose in a subtle, unconscious way by allowing the user to control what they are seeing and how much of it.

Cinema has heavily influenced the computer interface and what we do as users interacting with the content presented to us. I will probably start designing with the user and experience in mind, pushing the limits of what can be done with the tools that cinema has provided. It would not be enough to just mimic the existing conventions of older cultural forms found in the printed word and in cinema, because the capabilities and technological advancements provided by the computer are important to explore and embrace.

Multimedia Experience: Reading response #1

2009-11-16T01:08:00.001-06:00

The Interface, Cultural Interfaces, & Printed Word
In the first part of "The Interface"(pages 63-78), Graphical User Interface (GUI) is introduced as a comparison to the "postmodern" vision of the movie Blade Runner. The relationship between human and computers is discussed and the author points out that once a user purposely deletes a file on a computer, it can usually be recovered. He says "Thus, if in 'meatspace' we have to work to remember, in cyberspace we have to work to forget." This concept is interesting because in the physical world, we have to store information in our brains in order to remember it...we have to really learn that info or else it will be or can be forgotten. Computers remember that information for us automatically and even when we try to delete it or remove it, it is usually still there somewhere within the hard drive.

On page 64, he writes, "In semiotic terms, the computer interface acts as a code that carries cultural messages in a variety of media." Everything we view on screen, whether it be text, music, video, websites, video games, etc., is ran through the interface that computer designer has set up for communicating the content to us. These interfaces have an affect on the way we see things and how the messages are transmitted to the user. The interface organizes computer data and cultural information in specific ways, providing set models of the world. In other words, "far from being a transparent window into the data inside a computer, the interface brings with it strong messages of its own."

The interface plays a huge role on how messages are transcribed on screen to the user, just as the presentation of information through print, language and other forms of visual communication do. In artwork, such as new media, the relationship between content and interface is unified and combined as one entity, and is meant to be viewed transparently.

On page 67, he talks about how "in a menu-based interactive multimedia application or a static web site, all data exists before the use accesses it.." This is compared to the "dynamic new media artworks" where the data is created at "run time." This made me think about my current portfolio website design project because, while the actual information and content I am providing to the user is set and predetermined (project imagery and descriptions), I have the ability to make it a more user influenced and non linear experience. In the direction I chose to pursue, the data is not being created "on the fly," but the presentation of it can be manipulated and is not static. The initial content is hidden through my design, but when the user interacts with the portfolio, they are collaborating with the computer interface, the web browser and myself, while expanding and exploring the possibilities of what can happen and how they can make my work appear on screen.

I was introduced to the term human-computer interface, which "describes the ways in which the user interacts with a computer. HCI includes physical input and output devices...It also consists of metaphors used to conceptualize the organization of computer data." The computer has transformed from a tool for work into a commonplace for not just information finding/sharing, but for leisure, social networking, creating, designing and countless other activities. On page 70, he uses the term "culteral interface" to describe the "ways in which computers present and allow us to interact with cultural data." The possibilities of how things appear on screen are based on a computer language that can be compared to all kinds of cultural languages. It is up to the designer to decide how things are going to look for the computer user, despite the unlimited options of manipulating numbers and characters to make the screen appear any way possible.

The traditions of cinema, the printed word and the HCI "has developed its own unique way of organizing information, presenting it to the user, correlating space and time, and structuring human experience in the process of accessing information" The virtual recreation of the book shows many similarities to the original use of the printed text. Websites have tables of contents that exist as navigation and content that exists like the pages of text in books...which can be scrolled through rather than flipped through. The similarities are also supported through many new applications introduced that don't exist so directly in paper book form...such as the use of hyperlinks to connect the reader to similar websites or pages that may be of use, reference or citation (compared to footnotes at the bottom of the page in a book).

In the last paragraph, the concept of spatial wandering is mentioned as a way to navigate through time as a "flat image or a landscape" such as in a video game. I compared this to surfing the web and getting lost in a virtual sea of information, content, websites and media. On a daily basis, I find myself with 10 or more windows/tabs open at once as I am trying to multi-task on different websites at the same time. I'll be logged into myspace or facebook in a couple windows, updating my blog in another, reading an article in another, listening to a youtube video or song in another, checking my email in another and checking my bank statement in another. I wander through all of these windows randomly, sometimes being overwhelmed by too many things going on at once. Despite the chaos that I create for myself, my mind has become used to the ability to do all of these things at once. In essence, the internet allows you to create a nonlinear experience filled with many different types of content.

Multimedia Experience: Concept Wireframing

2009-11-13T09:31:00.002-06:00

I came up with the idea of a drag and drop portfolio that is made up of a bunch of tiny cropped triangle or square images of my work that start off as a collage and when they are clicked, a large image pops up that can be dragged around in order to view it. I played around with where the "large" image comes up...if it is attached to the small thumbnail button that opens it, where it is attached (corner or base) or if it opens in a fixed spot or according to where the small thumbnail is located. Here are a few of my directions that I came up with.

Visual Advocacy: New Posters!

2009-11-05T23:48:00.012-06:00

So far, I've received some really awesome feedback for this project...and each time someone contacts me to thank me for what I am doing or to tell me that my posters really opened their eyes, I can't help but smile. It's an incredible feeling to know that something I designed has the power to actually ignite change. I plan to continue pushing this campaign as far as I can.

This is one of the emails I received that totally made my day:
"whats up man? I don't think we have ever actually met, but I want you to know that it was your postings on facebook concerning HIV testing that gave me the final push to get a test done. I am proud to say as of last week I am HIV neg and clean all around. If it wasn't for you I prolly would have waiting longer to verify my status. What I really wanted to say is thank you."

Thank You Ryan Wibawa for your awesome photography!

Illustration Ellective: Project 5

2009-11-04T15:05:00.003-06:00

3 Thumbnail Size (3/4") Portraits using stippling.

Visual Advocacy: Degree Project Proposal

2009-11-02T11:18:00.001-06:00

Since its discovery in 1981, AIDS has killed more than 27 million people. The infection rate is continuing to grow, making HIV/AIDS a serious public health issue that affects the entire world, both heterosexuals and homosexuals. Furthermore, studies show that young gay men are more affected by HIV and AIDS than any other group of people.

For my Visual Advocacy project this semester, I chose to focus on the local young gay community in Kansas City. My research showed me that the majority of my audience knows about HIV, how it is contracted, where to get tested and where to find more information about it, but the resources available have become outdated and just aren’t making an impact. Young gay men have the tendency to feel like they are invincible or invulnerable, so my goal was to use a new strategy that would infect them with the fear of HIV. To do this, I created a visual campaign that forces powerful statistics and imagery into the minds of young gay men in situations where they are most vulnerable to bad decision-making. I found support from local bars, organizations, and community members who were interested in helping me spread my message.

I explored several outlets to reach my target audience at critical and effective times, including bathroom posters, car fliers, a typographic projection and several different websites. Although my prototypes proved to be highly successful and brought me an incredible amount of positive feedback from members of the Kansas City gay community, I would like to make an even greater impact. For my Senior Degree Project I would like to continue my efforts to wake up my peers and make them realize that they aren’t invincible to contracting HIV.

I would like to take the work I have done so far to the next level by using technology and my design skills to create a website that serves as an outlet to encourage safe sex. I am very interested in screen-based design, especially motion graphics and interactive website design, so this would be an excellent addition to my portfolio. I believe my HIV awareness campaign has the strength to make a difference on a larger scale, allowing me to help “spread the truth, not the disease.”

Multimedia Experience: 3D Experimentation

2009-10-30T13:03:00.000-06:00

I used random "stuff" to play around with new concepts for my portfolio website. I came up with an idea of a structure that serves as navigation with buttons that will reveal different branches that contain my work. The spiral wire pieces indicate the work that has multiple images.

Visual Advocacy: New Imagery

2009-10-28T12:28:00.010-06:00

I finally got a friend of mine to give me permission to use his photographs as imagery for my project! WOOHOO! His name is Ryan Wibawa and he is a very creative Canadian photographer who specializes in the human expressions. Check out more of his work at www.virulentvalmont.com

Design Systems: Business Suite

2009-10-27T17:20:00.005-06:00

Visual Advocacy: DIC Project Page

2009-10-27T11:47:00.006-06:00

Project Title:

HIV Awareness: Spread the Truth, Not the Disease.

Project Description:

Despite knowing the information about HIV, too many young gay men feel invincible and invulnerable to the serious threat of being infected. So, in order to infect my audience with reality and the fear of HIV, I designed a powerful visual campaign consisting of graphic and personal imagery that creates a permanent emotional response. I strategically implemented urinal posters, typographic projections, car fliers and online ads to reach the young gay community at the most critical times. With support from local gay bars, nightclubs and events, my overall message is delivered as a system of unexpected reminders to practice safe sex.

I also created a blog for my project. Check it out!

Visual Advocacy: more Testing My Designs

2009-10-21T10:41:00.008-06:00

I went to an event called Castro Movie Nights on Thursday October 15th at the Screenland Theater off Armour Road. It is a benefit held the third Thursday of every month that raises funds for charities that battle HIV/AIDS. I was able to hang my posters up in 2 different men's bathrooms to be seen by attendees of this event, which were primarily gay men.

I hung these up at a gay sports bar on Broadway called Outabounds.

I hung these up Friday night at FLEX, a hip new gay club downtown in the Crosstown Station.

I tested out my car fliers again, this time outside of 303 on Friday night.

I decided to switch out the posters that I put up originally at 303 just to see if changing the faces/statistics would keep this urinal attack powerful.

Illustration Ellective: Project 4

2009-10-20T22:43:00.002-06:00

2010 American Royal Barbecue Poster

Visual Advocacy: Testing my designs

2009-10-10T11:02:00.009-06:00

Saturday night I used a projector to project this statistic on the side of a building right outside Missy B's, the most crowded gay bar in Kansas City.

I put my "How Lucky Are You?" fliers on the windshields of cars parked outside the gay bar.

I hung up these posters in the bathroom at a popular gay bar called 303 Friday and Saturday night. I received great feedback and even some offers to distribute them at some upcoming events.

Multimedia Experience: Final direction

2009-10-08T14:44:00.002-06:00

Visual Advocacy: Rapid Prototyping

2009-10-06T19:32:00.005-06:00

After meeting in class today, I decided to really refine my ideas and come up with a series of strinking, powerful and personal posters consisting of up close faces of young gay men with statistics about HIV written on their faces. These 5 posters will be hung above the urinals at 3 different gay bars this weekend so that my audience will have to face the truth while partaking in a personal activity (the bathroom). This is the perfect place to reach out to them because when someone is standing at the urinal, they will be forced to look these men in the eyes and let the fact soak in. My goal is to reach my audience when they aren't expecting it, so I think this idea is really strong. Hanging on the mirror or on the back of the bathroom door will be a poster that says "HIV-Protect Yourself. Spread the truth, not the disease." So that way my message is kind of a 2 part attack. They see the stats on the faces and then they see my message.

Also, I created the following posters to be incorporated into screen-based ads and on a Facebook page that I have created to spread HIV awareness.

Design Systems: Brand Application

2009-10-06T15:59:00.002-06:00

Visual Advocacy: Craigslist Postings

2009-10-05T11:22:00.002-06:00

I posted a couple ads in the personals section on craigslist today as an experiment to see what kind of reactions I get. The young gay community uses online resources to find hookups, which can lead to the spread of HIV or any other STDs. I will post the responses I receive from people who decide to email me..with positive or negative feedback.

Multimedia Experience: website wireframes_revisited

2009-10-04T21:50:00.007-06:00

I decided to add this background image instead of the black and I really like it!

These are some screens for my first website direction while it is being viewed on an iPhone

This is a brand new direction that I designed after revisiting my initial wireframes

These are the iPhone screens for this new direction.

Illustration Ellective: Project 3

2009-10-04T14:22:00.007-06:00

This is my beer bottle label re-design for Dead Guy Ale. I put it on 2 different bottles to see which looked better.

Design Systems: Final Logo Identity Direction

2009-10-02T10:24:00.007-06:00

This is the direction I decided to pursue for my brand identity. Over the next week or so I will be applying my identity to different applications such as billboards, advertisements, a website, letter head, tshirt, etc.

(As a reminder, my brand attributes are:)

simple

informative

efficient

adjustable

easy to use

Multimedia Experience: website wireframes_revisited

2009-10-02T10:20:00.002-06:00

I decided to take a few steps back and revisit the overall structure of our body modification community website. We made a huge leap from our original wire frame ideas to the visual mockups that we had created over the past couple of weeks. Instead of pursuing that one and only direction, I wanted to create a few other page compositions that may be stronger or have a better relationship to the needs of our community. These are some sketches I made that explore placement of the main navigation, content space, image and text boxes, etc.

Visual Advocacy: Poster Designs

2009-10-01T13:14:00.005-06:00

This is the flier I will be putting on the windshields of cars outside the gay bar Saturday night.

I am printing these 5 posters and putting them in a couple local gay bars this weekend. My intention is to get people thinking and talking about the posters and the message. I am working on some bar coasters as well.

Design Systems: Final 3 Identity Directions

2009-09-30T21:01:00.002-06:00

These are the 3 directions that I decided were my strongest ideas for my brand. Because my company is a service that provides people a personalized and packaged daily text message containing knowledge and advice that will add vitality to their day, I wanted to create a logo that is simple, efficient, informative, and adjustable.

(I decided that instead of a red blurb, the dark grey looks better)

Visual Advocacy: Gathering Imagery

2009-09-29T16:38:00.012-06:00

Poster Ideas...I want to put these on people's windshields while they are inside the gay club this coming weekend.

These are coaster designs that I will be cutting out and adhering to coasters to be used at a local gay bar this weekend.

Experimenting with placement of text

poster idea #1

I am going to be using really sexual and risky imagery of my audience combined with a powerful message. I want to create a visual identity for my movement so I decided to make the imagery unified.

Design Systems: Brand Logo Experimentation

2009-09-29T11:56:00.003-06:00

Multimedia Experience: Color pallet/Layout Experimentation

2009-09-28T11:26:00.003-06:00

Multimedia Experience: Wireframes_updated

2009-09-27T17:21:00.006-06:00

Browsing/searching photos of tattoos

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Finding a specific artist

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Exploring popular shops

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Submitting an idea for a tattoo so that an artist can design it.

Multimedia Experience: Wireframes

2009-09-24T11:08:00.003-06:00

Community Need: Finding out about a popular shop

Freelance work: Business card

2009-09-23T20:56:00.002-06:00

FINAL DRAFT

REVISED DRAFT

FONT EXPERIMENTATION

ROUGH DRAFT

Visual Advocacy: The Big Picture

2009-09-22T17:44:00.003-06:00

Different outlets will require different approaches all using the same visual identity.

Online: Imagery, Statistics, and Slogans through popup ads & banners on gay hookup sites, craigslist, facebook, etc.

Gay Clubs/bars: Messages that remind audience to be safe on bar coasters, straws, bathroom signage (urinals, stalls and paper-towel dispensers), typographic projections outside, video, and parking lot/car fliers.

Bedroom: Powerful message that sends a last minute reminder to use a condom on lube/popper bottles("Using protection or catching HIV?") and condom wrappers (positive thought that reminds them that they are being smart!).

Design Systems: Brand Naming. Part 1

2009-09-22T14:24:00.001-06:00

I think I am heading towards the following three:

textmylife.com

textme.com

mytext.com

Illustration Ellective: Project 2

2009-09-22T13:33:00.003-06:00

This project is called "Wetmap" and I illustrated my view of the world after the polar ice caps melt and the earth is flooded with water. I came up with the idea of these housing units floating underwater connected my cables that are used for communication and to keep the neighborhoods together.

Design Systems: "Branding Brief" Keynote Presentation

2009-09-17T23:37:00.000-06:00

Branding Brief

View more presentations from Kyle.

HIV Awareness: "Igniting Change" Project Proposal

2009-09-17T23:35:00.002-06:00

HIV Awarenes

View more presentations from Kyle.

Multimedia Experience: Community Needs

2009-09-13T18:41:00.007-06:00

Final Community Poster

I am taking into consideration the needs of the body modification community so that I can begin brainstorming ideas for online activities that will reinforce a sense of membership, allow for the reciprocal exertion of influence, fulfill their stated needs, and create a shared emotional connection.

NEEDS:

Choosing the best local tattoo parlor.

solution: Community provides online testimonials about their preferred shop and also rank or vote for their favorite, allowing other members to use their recommendations.

Finding a specific tattoo artist.

solution: If a member wants to locate an artist who specializes in a certain type of tattoo or piercing, they can use a website search function to find the perfect artist for what they are looking for. Tattoo artists can use keyword 'tags' to promote their experience and skills, giving members the ability to find them.

Ask questions

solution: Members can download an iPhone app that allows them to ask questions to other members who are logged in and get immediate responses.

Advice about most and least painful places to get tattoos/piercings.

solution: An iphone app with an image of a human on it and the user can touch the screen on the part of the body they are curious about. Then there will be a ranking system of 1-10 that will tell them how painful it is to be tattooed or pierced on that part of the body.

Getting an idea drawn by an artist

solution: a member can post an idea on the website or through an iPhone app and then artists can turn their idea into a drawing or a design and post it as a reply to the original idea, giving them exposure.

Finding inspiration

solution: members can browse galleries of images based on keywords. An iPhone app will allow for random pic viewing in a slideshow shuffle mode.

Searching for the perfect tattoo

solution: a member can use an advanced searching tool to find a tattoo design that matches what they want to get. Once they find it, they can press a button that will send the design as a fax to the tattoo shop so that the tattoo artists can price it for them.

Tips on proper care of tattoos/piercings

solution: very active members can subscribe to a daily text message service that sends them a tip of the day for improving their specific tattoo/piercing hygiene.

Sharing pictures/video/ideas

solution: an iPhone app will allow community to upload videos/pics directly to the site so that they can be shared with members. Tattoo artists can get a special webcam that will stream live video on the website so people can watch them working.

Sharing stories and personal experience

solution:Members can create blogs that they update and share stories on. Other community members can subscribe to the blogs they find interesting.

Job offers/Employment

solution: Shops can post job openings or opportunities for employment so that members in the community can find them easier.

Finding other members

Sometimes members of the community may not have visible tattoos or piercings that immediately identify them as members, so they need to be able to share their body art or stats discretely in public. Or for more obvious members, they may want to show off their stats to random members they come across in public.

solution: members can have a piercing with an earring or piece of jewelry that sends information and stats between community members when they come within a certain distance of each other. For example, 2 people on a bus with the special device will receive a text message with the other person's stats. (how many piercings and/or tattoos they have, their age, their favorite shop, etc.) Members can set up preferences online to choose what information they want their device to share with others (contact info, stats, name, etc.)

Illustration Ellective: Project 1

2009-09-08T14:46:00.001-06:00

This is a spread I designed and illustrated using collage for an article about the connection of the mind and body. The heart and brain are closely connected, so I depicted them shaking hands.

Multimedia Experience: Community & Individual Poster

2009-09-08T10:40:00.006-06:00

These are the final posters for our body modification community project. I did the community poster and Genia did the individual poster.

Visual Advocacy: Interview

2009-09-05T14:27:00.013-06:00

I decided to interview some of my close friends about HIV awareness and about their opinions of why this issue should be addressed with a fresh visual movement.

Mark is a 29 y/o HIV + gay male living in Kansas City who is very well known and respected within our local gay community.

1. When did you first start experimenting with guys and were you aware of the risk involved with unprotected anal sex?
-Middle school I had heard of diseases and stuff but didnt really think they applied to me

2. Do you remember the first time you had unprotected anal sex? Was it with someone you were dating, loved and trusted?
-middle school with a friend.

3. Were you exposed to knowledge and information about the HIV virus before you had unprotected sex? Or was it not until after it was too late?
-I'd heard about it... didn't have much knowledge about it. heard more as I got older

4. How old were you when you contracted HIV virus? Do you know who you got it from?
-4/5/06, I was 27. I'm pretty sure I know who I got it from but don't speak with that person any more so havent confirmed. Told them my situation and never heard back. Doesnt really matter I guess...

5. Did you put yourself at risk prior to then but feel invincible or like you weren't vulnerable to get it? That is how most young people think, so what would you say to someone who has that mindset?
-Nobody ever thinks it will happen to them. I've helped probably 15 people through it and I don't think anyone was expecting it. I guess that's one reason I'm open about it.. so people will see that it does happen.

6. Did you go get tested at a clinic because you felt that you might have been exposed to it or were you just going for an annual testing without actually expecting bad news?
-Went to the free health clinic... someone I just broke up with said that I should but wouldn't tell me why. so I did and found out then.

7. What were your initial feelings and thoughts when you first found out that you were HIV positive? Did you tell your friends and family?
-That I should cash out my retirement accounts and go travel before I died. Friends know, family doesn't. Don't feel they need to worry about it since it won't do anyone any good. Didn't leave the house aside from work for a few weeks.

8. What resources were offered to you for help and counseling? Did the clinic supply you with information and knowledge? Do you wish this info was supplied to you earlier in life?
-Some brochures and stuff... They all discuss the medical aspects but nothing will prepare anyone for the social stigma BS, how the dating world collapses, etc.

9. Despite the continuing impact of HIV & AIDS, there are signs that awareness is waning among young people. Do you think young gay men need to be reminded about it constantly in order for it to make an impression on their decisions?
-Some people won't listen no matter how hard you try. I've had people that are neg talk about unprotected sex... both not knowing if I have anything or not. Then I tell them and you'd be shocked at the number of people that aren't affected by it at all. Like they just say they're neg because they haven't tested positive because they haven't gotten tested. I don't know if they are living in denial or don't care about themselves or anyone at that point.

10. According to kcmo.org, there are currently 4,900 males and 790 females (15 cases per 100,000 population) living with HIV in the Kansas City 11-county area. Does this number shock or surprise you?
-Sounds low actually... and who's to say people actually get tested? What's the incentive? Medication is $1400 a month (Atripla). My insurance brings mine down to $40/month. Look up the Ryan White funding that cities/counties get. It helps people pay for their medication and stuff if they qualify.

11. Have you ever participated in local community groups that offer weekly meetings for young gay men with HIV? Do you think these types of groups are beneficial?
-No. I'm sure for some people they would be quite effective... Never had any interest. And once you get to that point, I guess it could be sort of 'too late'. It might be good to learn about some stuff... but I didn't want to from there.

12. Do you think the media and community groups do a poor job of spreading knowledge about HIV prevention? I think that the current attempts have become outdated, worthless, unsuccessful and ineffective. Why do you think this is the case?
-It's something that nobody wants to talk about. How much do you hear about teen pregnancy? It's just easier to brush it under the rug and call it done than to actually stare it in the face and deal with it. I'm sure straight people think it's just a gay thing and half of them could probably care less about homos anyway...

13. Do you think that a new visual campaign embracing HIV awareness and prevention by using innovative, forceful, powerful, dramatic, emotional and personal content will ignite a change of thinking for young gay men? Do you think statistics or imagery
would be more effective?
-I think it could... but who wants to actually look at it? I'd use both... maybe imagery to get attention and the stats for people to actually understand? check out methproject.org

14. My goal is to infect knowledge on young gay men so that they wake up and realize that HIV is a serious threat. What types of innovative materials would you suggest I develop to make a real impact?
-At this point... I have no idea...

15. Finally, do you think that this is a lost cause or will I be able to change the way some people in our community think before putting themselves at risk again?
-Well I hope you can... better than the almost nothing I've seen recently.

-----------------------------------------------
I also interviewed some of my friends who are active members of the gay community:

Cory who is a 25 year old 4th grade teacher ,

Jake who is a biracial 21 year old gay student at JCCC,

Tim who is a 30 year old successful gay architect,

Alex who is a 21 year old President of his fraternity at William Jewell College,

Aaron who is a 23 gay year old insurance rep.

1. When did you first start experimenting with guys and were you aware of the risk involved with unprotected anal sex?
In college--sophomore year. Experimented with some friends....none of us out at the time. I was fully aware and we always used condoms.

-I started experimenting with guys at the age of 18 and no I was not aware of the risk involved with unprotected anal sex

-1990, yes.

-I first started experimenting with guys in 8^th grade, and no I was not aware of the risk involved with unprotected anal sex.

*I was 15 years old. I knew I could get something but didn't know much about it. I don't think I knew how severe something like HIV could have been if I contracted it

2. Do you remember the first time you had unprotected anal sex? Was it with someone you were dating, loved and trusted?
First time was with a boyfriend I trusted and liked very much. But, still regret doing that.
-Yes I remember the first time I had unprotected anal sex. The guy was my first and I was his first. No it was not with someone I was dating or loved but I did trust him.

-Yes, no (very lucky he was neg).

-The first time I had unprotected anal sex was at 16, and it was also with the first guy I had sex with and just extremely lusted after.

*First time was when I was 18 years old and with a guy I barely knew

3. Were you exposed to knowledge and information about the HIV virus before you had unprotected sex? Or was it not until after it was too late?
I always knew the risks, so always protected myself. But have never been with anyone who did not respect the use of condoms.
-Yes I was aware of the facts about the HIV virus bc of Sex Ed Class. No it was not too late.

-Yes

-I had heard about it, but not the severity and reality of it.

*I didn't receive much information about unprotected anal sex until after my first experience

4. Do you feel invincible or like you aren't vulnerable to get it? That is how most young people think, so what would you say to someone who has that mindset?
I am freaked out about it so try to limit sex to only people I trust, however it still scares me!! Know too many people who have HIV.

-Sometimes I feel I am not capable of getting just bc I am not very sexually active but I do believe that anything can happen. I would tell them to wrap it up and get informed bc it's better to be safe than sorry...and get your partners test results before you choose to give yourself to them.

-No one is invincible, only lucky.

-I have thought that before, but it frightens me every time I have sex now. I would tell ayoung person that the “joy” felt from unprotected sex is not worth the risk. Don’t be ashamed to buy those condoms and lube and have to defend yourself if anyone finds it, it is so much better than the alternative.

*I don't feel invincible now but I remember a time when I did. I think I mostly trusted people to easily. I think I mostly thought the guys I met were all around great guys. they seemed healthy and nice on the outside, and I couldn't imagine each guy putting me at risk. I would tell someone not to be so trusting.

5. Despite the continuing impact of HIV & AIDS, there are signs that awareness is waning among young people. Do you think young gay men need to be reminded about it constantly in order for it to make an impression on their decisions?
YES, YES, YES--I have worked/volunteered/mentored kids--KIDS with HIV. Technology has opened up a whole new area for these kids to explore their sexuality. It is dangerous--kids meeting guys online--not knowing these guys. Being preyed upon. It kills me...but that is the situation facing these kids. Noone is there for them to talk to or to look up to. So they are eager to be a part of their community, but dont have the core group of gay friends to look out for them. So they make bad choices--and sometimes they get taken advantage of.

-YES YES YESSSSSSSS

-yes

-YES, ABSOLUTELY! The young gay men that I know do not even try to act safe anymore, it is blatant disregard of being safe that I think is scary.

*absolutely. I think the most effective thing for me was hearing or meeting people that have had close calls or contracted something in the past.

6. According to kcmo.org, there are currently 4,900 males and 790 females (15 cases per 100,000 population) living with HIV in the Kansas City 11-county area. Does this number shock or surprise you?
Not shocking to me because I volunteer with some of these kids. We have programs for them and help them get tested monthly. It is so much worse than anyone knows. Nobody is talking about it!!!! These kids are suffering because of this.

-Yes it does

-Yes, that it is that high.

-Yes it does, I only know of one person, and I would like to say I’ve seen or am an acquaintance with a lot of the gay community in KC. And it is very scary to know that one random hookup with the wrong person could result in regret for the rest of my life.

*I would expect the cases to be more.

7. Do you think the media and community groups do a poor job of spreading knowledge about HIV prevention? I think that the current attempts have become outdated, worthless, unsuccessful and ineffective. Why do you think this is the case?
Well, look at the hate crimes that continually happen in our city against gays/lesbians. They are never reported on!!! It is sick. And, I am shocked and disheartened that our local media is not picking up on the rise in HIV cases in youth 10-22 in our city. It is shameful. Parents of gay teens also need this information.

-I do think that the media and communities have done a poor job. I think that their need to be people that have been personally affected by the power of HIV and its effects that speak to others to warn them of the risks and how their life can change forever.

-It is the same message over and over again. Need a new approach.

-I think the media and community groups do terribly. We hear about how many people are dying from the swine (H1N1) flu, when so many more people are dying from AIDS. I think THAT is absurd.

*I think part of it may be funding but I also think there isn't enough concern about the issue. I don;t think there are enough people out there making a big deal about it or desiring much change.

8. Do you think that a new visual campaign embracing HIV awareness and prevention by using innovative, forceful, powerful, dramatic, emotional and personal content will ignite a change of thinking for young gay men? Do you think statistics or imagery would be more effective?
Imagery--nobody reads info. It has to be aimed at youth. Has to speak to them. Has to be relateable!!! But, also has to offer up some form of community/we are all one in the same. Make sense?

-I absolutely would agree that their needs to be a new approach for the HIV awareness campaign and that will have an affect on the young gay men in KC or America for that fact. I think people would be more affected and educated by SEEING something rather than reading it so I would definately go with imagery.

-Imagery, too many statistics already bombarding us daily.

-I think it would be helpful. Honestly, as much as I try to be politically correct, it needs to be almost offensive to people to get their attention, too. Therefore I think imagery is the best. But that statistics could provide a reality to the imagery. I know there is another campaign that just started in Germany recently called “AIDS is a mass murderer” and has a website that is pretty offensive, but DEFINITELY get the message across.

*absolutely

9. My goal is to infect knowledge on young gay men so that they wake up and realize that HIV is a serious threat. What types of innovative materials would you suggest I develop to make a real impact?
Like you said--visuals!!! I wish I could explain better, but something that will really catch the attention of our gay youth!!
-I think you need to have speakers that have been affected by HIV...like personal documentaries...not only take factual statitics to show young sexually active people but show visually how those statitics are true.

- I think pictures of young gay guys of all body types, races and “looks” living with aids would make people think…finding the ones willing to be used may be difficult.

-I kind of answered that in the previous question, but I like how you used the word “infect” for getting to know knowledge. I think that could be used in some sort of thing like ”get infected with the information, not the disease”. Not really sure, but you are very creative and I know you could play with it.

*I would say something along the lines of the drug commercials and ads. they show before and after photos or commercials of consequences when you are high. something along those lines for HIV would be great!

10. Finally, do you think that this is a lost cause or will I be able to change the way some people in our community think before putting themselves at risk again?
Never a lost cause!!! You will make an impact. Your art is breathtaking!!! You have a very young and urban eye!! Your talent will make a difference KYLE!! So proud of you for doing this!!!

-I think your already making a change by caring. You have already made me more aware by this survey so hey if I am the one person that responds by filling out this survey than I am one person that has been changed already :)

-If you save one life, won’t it be worth it?

-Kyle, I think you have a ton of friends, and that a lot of people in the local community will listen to you. You really need to get in the minds of people of not acting in the moment, but being smart at all times. No excuses of alcohol or inconvenience. People will listen.

*I think every little bit helps. if it changes one person's mind and prevents at least one person from contracting it, then I think it isn't a lost cause at all.

Multimedia Experience: Updated Community Model

2009-09-02T12:30:00.004-06:00

Genia and I updated our community model by revising the content, type, color choices and overall aesthetic of the model. I think it make more sense now.

Design Process Blog

Weekend Warriors- Itinerary

Freelance Project: Joe Babajian & Rodeo Realty Advertisements

Freelance Project: Bass & Gas- Store Logo Design

Freelance Project: Darren Cardona- Logo & Business Cards

Freelance Project: Memento Media- Logo & Business Cards

Freelance Project: Luke Hubbard- Logo & Business Cards

Freelance Project: Cyril Wrabec- Logo & Business Cards

Freelance Project: Adam's Apple Productions- Logo, Business Cards, & Email Header

Recent Paintings

Friends of Chamber Music: Internship

Degree Project: Completed Process Documentation

Degree Project: COMPLETED WEBSITE!

Friends of Chamber Music: Internship

Degree Project: Updated Video Edits

Professional Practice: Senior Show Directions

DP: Mid-Semester Degree Project Summation

Spatial Experience: Finding the "3 P's" at the KC Auto show

Spatial Experience: Guggenheim Museum Barricade

Degree Project: Researching Inspiration

Degree Project: Experiment Process Round 3

Professional Practice: Surprising Facts

Official "Spread the Truth, Not the Disease" Poster Campaign

Degree Project: Experiment Process Round 2

Degree Project: Project Explanation, Design Solution & Timeline

Degree Project: Experiment Process

Degree Project: Research Experiments

Degree Project: Question

My Dream Design Job

Illustration Ellective: Project 7

WWW.ASENSEOFHUBER.COM!

Multimedia Experience: Reading response #4

Multimedia Experience: Reading response #3

Multimedia Experience: Portfolio Directions- Revised!

Multimedia Experience: Portfolio Content

Illustration Ellective: Project 6

Multimedia Experience: Reading response #2

Multimedia Experience: Reading response #1

Multimedia Experience: Concept Wireframing

Visual Advocacy: New Posters!

Illustration Ellective: Project 5

Visual Advocacy: Degree Project Proposal

Multimedia Experience: 3D Experimentation

Visual Advocacy: New Imagery

Design Systems: Business Suite

Visual Advocacy: DIC Project Page

Visual Advocacy: *more* Testing My Designs

Illustration Ellective: Project 4

Visual Advocacy: Testing my designs

Multimedia Experience: Final direction

Visual Advocacy: Rapid Prototyping

Design Systems: Brand Application

Visual Advocacy: Craigslist Postings

Multimedia Experience: website wireframes_revisited

Illustration Ellective: Project 3

Design Systems: Final Logo Identity Direction

Multimedia Experience: website wireframes_revisited

Visual Advocacy: Poster Designs

Design Systems: Final 3 Identity Directions

Visual Advocacy: Gathering Imagery

Design Systems: Brand Logo Experimentation

Multimedia Experience: Color pallet/Layout Experimentation

Multimedia Experience: Wireframes_updated

Multimedia Experience: Wireframes

Freelance work: Business card

Visual Advocacy: The Big Picture

Design Systems: Brand Naming. Part 1

Illustration Ellective: Project 2

Design Systems: "Branding Brief" Keynote Presentation

HIV Awareness: "Igniting Change" Project Proposal

Multimedia Experience: Community Needs

Illustration Ellective: Project 1

Multimedia Experience: Community & Individual Poster

Visual Advocacy: Interview

Multimedia Experience: Updated Community Model

Visual Advocacy: more Testing My Designs