Rosedale Identity & Communication Final

This is a two-part initiative to unite the citizens of Rosedale under a single visual identity that they can take pride in and that can represent them positively to the outside community, all while helping to facilitate communication between the neighborhood's many organizations & resources and the community members that they serve. This is divided into 6 components: a new identity system, environmental implementations, supporting materials, a promotional video, a kit of parts for branding further video productions, and a Rosedale guide booklet of resources and directories.

Final Presentation





Super group members include abby carr, jessi wilson, ashley einspahr, michael armstrong, eli brumbaugh and collin raush.

Rosedale Volunteer Reflection

For my volunteering experience I decided to assist the RDA with their Healthy Halloween event. I like many of my comrades in arms where assigned to a particular booth if you will at the event. I was paired up with Michael Armstrong who was also working the mask making booth for the kids. We had to make these masks out of paper plates which really turned into how fast can we cut holes into paper plates and get these things tied off and back to the kids waiting in line acting like their ADHD personified (kidding). Collin made Batman and I basically gave up on trying to make anything else as awesome. It was a really good experience seeing the amount of kids who came out to participate with their parents and just have a good time. There wasn't anything shady in the least about Rosedale and the people their exploring and enjoying themselves saw that and knew what kind of community they were involved in. It was helpful for our super group project because it gave us some ideas of places where the booklets could go out to the public. It also reenforced our concern of a language break down because the amount of people who spoke different languages. All in all it was a good experience that I would totally participate in again sometime. 

Backspace Presentation

Backspace

Week 8 Reading / Responses

Cradle to Cradle
http://www.thenewprogramme.net/storage/coursematerials/va6-1_cradle%20to%20cradle.pdf

Wow, Thomas Malthus was for good reason an unpopular prophet of the future but fightingly on target. Its really interesting to know those theories were being devised even then.

This article is a sobering reminder of supply and demand or total cost of life.

As expressed in the article consumption by consumers are the core reason why all of this is taking place. We like to think at the everyday consumer you're innocent and just a small piece of the puzzle that effects the rest of the world but in reality our wallets are what drives this destruction. If we tell those companies that we won't buy a product that isn't sustainable, or renewable then can we turn the tide? Is consumer apathy the core issue here? And for us as designers should we also refuse to work for companies with negative practices and poor environmental concerns? Where can we safely draw the line between feeding our families and standing up for what we believe in? Sooner or later one generation will have to lay down its own ambitions and amenities for change on an unprecedented scale. We can't ask for change anymore. Someone has to demand it. Who will it be? Mine own millennial generation? We talk big but we're so distracted by glamourous new technologies that we don't even care enough to wipe all of Chinese blood off of our iPhones before we start taking new Facebook photos of ourselves. We need to teach not only a larger world view, but a senese of selflessness.

- Sent from my iPhone.

Sustainable Business
http://www.thenewprogramme.net/storage/coursematerials/va6-2_Gray.pdf

If McDonalds can we swayed to produce a healthier product in Sweden under public pressure than why and the hell is it not being done here? These companies do the bare minimum to meet public approval. Its all bottom line. With that said how do we rally American's and the populations of other countries to hold companies like McDonalds accountable for the garbage they're stuffing into the faces of children and adults? Maybe we they kill off enough people to see a decrease in profit they'll start to adjust their practice. Seriously, this article as well its sickening that we as consumers have the power. If we don't buy it they go out of business. Why aren't we holding these corporations hostage? How can a society mobilize and get organized to stand up against these faceless companies?

Week 7 Reading / Responses

"Politics Please, We're Social Designers,"
http://core77.com/blog/featured_items/politics_please_were_social_designers_by_cameron_tonkinwise__17284.asp

Granted politics has a grasp and influence on everything we do as designers. As designers working for positive solutions are those solutions the results of our good will as people or our sub-conscious political leanings.

Humanitarian Designers
http://www.fastcodesign.com/1661885/are-humanitarian-designers-imperialists-project-h-responds

People want to do good but get really distracted by glamourous projects when they should be focused on the local issues. And some cities like NYC are so overloaded that they could send some problem solvers off to the country. Should we impose a system in which problem solvers move out into the country away from their home cities? Could those designers also be educators? When the designer solves the problem the people of the community are not being taught independence and are rather getting help instead of doing it themselves and having pride in their own communities. We need to create solution makers in those problem areas.

"Human Dignity and Human Rights"
http://www.thenewprogramme.net/storage/coursematerials/va7-2_human%20dignity.pdf

Such an idealistic article. Believe that design should be used to bring forth and facilitate the ideas of our country set forth by the constitution. Its a beautiful idea that designers can bring those ideas to realistic form and practice in our nation. If Human centered design is the affirmation of dignity being considered first should there not be a simular notion of design that runs in parallel with it for accountability of what the design begets? Dignity, and Responsibility.

Week 6 Responses / Comments

He Might Be Giant: Shepard Fairey

http://www.thenewprogramme.net/storage/coursematerials/va5-1_fairey.pdf

Question: Is Shepard Fairey not a hypocrite for commenting on those skateboarder kids who slapped corporate logo's all over their boards and who then turned around and now markets to those same kids? He performs a service that is exploiting his knowledge and understanding of the graffiti subculture and selling it to the highest bidder. Sure he's exposing kids to the craft, but is the message right?

Guerrilla Street Postering: Civil Disobedience in Los Angeles

http://www.thenewprogramme.net/storage/coursematerials/va5-2_conal.pdf

Lovely somewhat romanticized story of urban street culture. It reminds me a lot of when I was 17 and we used to tag downtown Houston all of the time. Between running from the cops, someone's car getting set on fire, and almost getting stabbed by a homeless guy at burger king I called it quits haha.

I don't know if I have a question for this one so much as a comment. I can't help but disagree with his statement about how making art can't change the minds of people who see it. The impact might not be so clear and evident but I think with the right message and the right amount of exposure it can still spark ideas in peoples minds. Granted a great deal of people ignore graffiti now because either its so coded they don't get it or the environment its in so saturated with graffiti its invisible. Even if it hits home with one person the message should be a success. Unless they're just like the corporations counting the views, votes, and purchases. I thought it wasn't about that? Hmm.

Adbuster Veronique Vienne Interviews Kalle Lasn

http://www.thenewprogramme.net/storage/coursematerials/va5-3_adbuster.pdf

This is brilliant: "We designers are in the unique position—design being so new—of still being able to shape our culture as it grows. We can carve out a soul for it beyond its current commercial masturbation. I think true cost is something we can live by, explain to our kids, put into our professional code of ethics. It's something we can hang our profession on"

I'm just going to ask about this: Considering the true cost example should we as designers and maybe as members of AIGA push for some kind of ethical practice of design in the long term? Would it divide the design world into two parts? Ethical and Commercial? 

Week 5 Responses / Comments

Towards Critical Autonomy, or Can Graphic Design Save Itself? 

http://www.thenewprogramme.net/storage/coursematerials/va4-1_Blauvelt.pdf

I'm really curious what happened to those people who did not embrace the perusal computer era of the 80's and transformations into digital design of the 90's?

Question: If the stylistic distinctions between professional organizations, publications, schools, and even competitions are now defunct and interchangeable are they not more free to style themselves for any audience? An institution is no longer just an institution and it has to look "like this" but now it can reflect the individuals who make it up? 

Personally I think that the chaos is good for growth. If design went through a revolution in the 80's and 90's with new technology and everyone capable of designing at home is it not just happening on an even large scale and faster time line? This is just another phase of change which I believe when we look back in 10 years will appreciate. 

Design should not take an isolationist stance or form. Design is for the people. They should be involved. 

Cultural Catalysts, Cultural Agency. 

http://www.thenewprogramme.net/storage/coursematerials/va4-2_max%20bruinsma.pdf

In short yes. 

Question: Do people not answer back to advertising with their wallets and currently verbally through channels like twitter and Facebook? The consumer has more of a say than ever before. 

I believe designers are designers as much as they are citizens. They are their own audience if just more informed in the nature and form of advertising. Everything the designer creates is also in response to their own environment and upbringing. 

Massive Change

http://www.thenewprogramme.net/storage/coursematerials/va4-4_massive%20change%20intro.pdf

In short: HELL YEAH DESIGN! 

Question: Obligatory who will watch the watchmen quote about design having all of this new found power. 

If we don't need a thought police, and need discussion instead how do we foster that communication? AIGA? How?! 

Rosedale Questions We Asked

We spoke to about 10 different people. To see the responses just ask anyone of the super group members!

KIDS 

What's your favorite thing about living in Rosedale?

What's your least favorite thing about it?

Can you give us 3 words/objects to describe Rosedale?

How do you feel about your home?

ADULTS

What's your favorite thing about living in Rosedale?

What's your least favorite thing about it?

Can you give us 3 words to describe Rosedale?

Can you give us 3 words to describe yourself?

How long have you lived here? Do you plan on staying?

If you could define Rosedale with a symbol, what would it be?

Do you know the boundaries of Rosedale?

Who do you call first if you have a question or concern or need information about the neighborhood?

How do you find out about community events?

Do you have internet access in your home? [if not,] do you have internet access elsewhere?

Rosedale Meeting Research

Rosedale

Things already being worked on in the community:

Farmers Market

The Farmers Market sends out text alerts. 

They are getting bike lanes and sidewalks. 

Community walking club. 

Building regulations. 

42nd @ Mission - Community Orchard.

Youth:

Healthy Kids Club - Healthy habits - elementary kids. 

Healthy Kids Initiative 

Walking school bus. 

Summer soccer league. 

School harden / healthy eating. 

Environmental learning lab (They still need the grant for this.)

Doctors prescribe vegetables for the kids.

Vegetable prescriptions are redeemable at the farmers market.

Healthy halloween.

Healthy kids carnival.

Statistics About the Community:

Growing latino population.

- 45% english first language. (We can mention how the languages on the city can be two different kinds) 

- 89% Free / Reduced Lunch

- 6k - 250k Range

1920s own town. Then annex.

60% Rental 80-90% by KU Med.

Issues mentioned in the meeting with them. 

Health

Wellness

Obesity

Seeds for kids and children. 

I-35 cut the city in half. 

Directed traffic away from the core of the old city. 

* Communication Problems. 

* People call them to ask about: Tracking down who owns a particular house, Dogs being loose, wild cat (14!) vandalism reports, and road closures and construction. 

* They are the resource for the community. 

Social and environmental determinates of health - where we grow up. 

51% of children are obese.

Food desert. No grocery stores in some areas. 

Food court. 

Environmental Lab at Rosedale middle school. 

Businesses don't want to allow for bike lanes because it would take away from parking. 

Explain to the businesses what the changes are and how and why its good for therm and the community. 

Affordable water access for the gardens.

Healthy chickens. Urban chickens. 

BRANDING NOTES: 

Finding a unifying brand or a unifying symbol in the community for the brand because of how diverse it is.

Shape of the city. 

Old city.

Replace the old banners.

*** Make it obvious that its being renewed!

push the idea of share the road.

Bikes on the road as well. 

Graphic Authorship Classroom Discussion

graphic authorship

argue for or against

graphic designers have a responsibility to become auteurs if we are to legitimize our profession, relative to architects and film directors. 

• "I'm a designer not a fucking screwdriver" - A global message for clients around the world who believe that a designer is a mere tool to execute their ugly ideas.

• We're not passive servants to the clients. That model is no longer relative in our society. Because we have this great power as designers to influence the world around us. We have the responsibility is to use that power to push for the betterment of our society. For that to happen we have to be a legitimate profession.
• That power can be increased by developing design as more of a craft, and more of a completive sprit and vision to have a greater presence. There' s a louder voice behind the medium. 
• There is a new climate in the art world of social connectivity. We have a unique role to greatly influence that change. 
• People respond to unique voices. For example the famous directors of the past.
• Their voice as an artist was what they were really selling. 
• We're learning to standing up for ourselves as a profession. 
• Design can provoke change. 
• Through signage designers can save or risk lives. For example warning labels can protect life. Hospital signage can save lives. In moments where a wrong direction could be the difference between life and death for a patient in an ambulance. A well designed hospital sign or GPS interface can be the factor. 
• Sagmeister. Well known designers are already establishing themselves as creative visionaries. 

Visualizing a Revolution Response

Question: 

• Emory Douglas believed in the Black Panthers message. He like all of us have skills that we can utilize to support a message we feel strongly about. Do you think Douglas's message was more effective because he portrayed his images in a dignified way?

Design of Dissent Response

Two Questions:

• To quote the article "We've seen too often how great design successfully sells monstrous lines, and we know how closely related to the whole process of selling and branding, of merchandising and commodifying, how intimately related to business, to commerce, all graphic art is." With this realization should there be an ethics requirement in the colleges? Some kind of program with the AIGA? Every two years when I renew my insurance license I have to take 30 hours of continuing education courses that include a MANDITORY ethics class. This because its a financial industry in which people can lie and cheat others out of great sums of money. Does graphic design not have the same power? We can't stifle creativity with checks and balances, but we can inform those people creating the work. 

• Glaser hints that print has become less relevant because either you can't afford to put it where people will see it, or you have to pay to have it protected now so it remains up. He says the internet now "provides this opportunity". How long until hackers have to be paid off to leave your message alone on the internet, or ad space is unaffordable or incorruptible? 

Propaganda and Protest Graphics Response

Two Questions:

• Did the need for protest provide a catalyst for new technologies? Or did protest mary benefit from emerging technology in the 1500's through the 1900's?

• In the reading the government was always working to hinder the spread of dissent. For every paper they shut down two more rose up to take its place. Do you believe that with the advent of the internet and Participatory Culture that spread of information is in a safer place today? What does everyone think the largest threats to free speech today?

Its incredible that the Russians would put printing presses onto trains and send them out to the furthest parts of the country so that they could spread the word of revolution. Whats even more incredible is that so soon afterwards the very men who those presses had them elected banned them because they were afraid of them.

It sickens me how war propaganda would invent atrocities and shame men into signing up to kill one another. They threw millions of lives away as easily as they  threw bombs at one another. Without a second thought. This is exactly why ethics should be taught to designers and artists.