ALL HAIL THE INFOGRAPHIC

I finally created an infographic after much admiration of those I've seen online, in stores, and- let's face it- everywhere else a person may look. Infographics are just a small piece of the digital art realm, yet are expanding and becoming a powerful communication tool. I am determined to become an expert.

Mine is for Roasters Coffee, who roasts their own beans under the name Resilient Roasters. Fantastic coffee, great company.

So, viola!

Designed by: Alissa Petersen

DEFINING THE IMPOSSBLE

When reflecting on the gradual implementation of increasingly advanced technologies in art, I am drawn to the question, "what defines fine art?" The ability to reproduce art brought about a change in the way art is viewed and what boundaries, if any, define great art. In addition, the context of the image may greatly affect its worth. With the democratization of information and images through technology, more people have access to art than ever before. If you consider technology as meeting the needs and wants of the public, and I feel that the reproduction of images (through technology) is meeting a demand and spreading images across the globe.

The reproduction of a photograph taken from the filmstrip by a photographer would have great value compared to a poster of a famous painting. Some people have feel that reproductions lack the semblance of handcrafted originals, and many artists have latched on to and created pieces surrounding this concept. One in particular that I enjoy is artist Michael Mandiberg's twin Websites (2001). Both sites offered high-resolution, downloadable, printable Mandiberg 'originals'. The images for the first site were actually by Walker Evans, while the second site offered Evans' images as photographed by artist Sherrie Levine. The Websites themselves questioned the place of these images among the fine art world as did the printed version the viewer could produce.

With that, does a print of a digitally-produced art piece and/or reproduction become less relevant than an oil painting, or is art just taking on a new form? I think relevance is dependent on the piece itself and how it is used. With the lines blurring between art and technology, I believe it is less important to define art as it is to understand its impact and uses.

MY SLIGHT REBELLION & FINDING MOTIVATION

I found my inspiration and motivation lacking this past week. 

The solution to my problem, you ask? 

I just needed to participate in a bit of unauthorized public art.

What a lovely lamp garden. Well, not quite. It's a public installation and intervention piece by Null Set Magazine. The concept stirs up questions related to the definition of art, the role of art in the public, and even touches on environmental awareness.

Richland, Washington

February 2014

A PROFESSIONAL BUMMER

I have never felt vulnerable or unappreciated because I am a woman. That is, until recently.

I went to a local spot where I frequently work on projects and by happenstance met a man who was seeking design work for his small business, sending me an email with information on the spot. I continued to work and briefly visited with a male friend, after which the business owner stopped talking to me and later never replied to my emails. Only days following, I asked a male if I could take his photo and ask a few questions for a local zine feature-- approaching him as professionally as possible. He proceeded to sit by me and ask for my phone number.
               Maybe this is in part because I am still a student and only freelance?
               And I don't have printed business cards?
              Or maybe because everyone says I look five years younger than I actually am?
Despite the many other possibilities I came up with, I felt I wasn't taken seriously because I am a woman... and it was discouraging.

It is hard to imagine that even in a market saturated with creative, open-minded, and modern individuals, some bias may still exist. I guess that is assuming quite a lot, but it's an interesting thought.

After some time, I broke down the average incoming designer and realized this:
1. Designers tend to dress casually compared to those working in office situations
2. Designers often meet outside of the office in smaller, social-friendly settings
3. Designers may speak on a more personal level than in many work situations
4. Designers make great listeners and are creative, and those are attractive characteristics despite gender

Having a professional demenor is key for women in any field, but I feel women in design can be additionally vulnerable due to the above factors. That, and they tend to associate primarily with men. I like to believe that as I ease into the professional world I will be taken more seriously.

I aspire to engage clients with my strong design work and nothing more.

SO YOU'RE DATING A DESIGNER?

The Australian creative studio Yoke recently released this entertaining series of images to inform individuls exactly what it is they are signing up for by dating a designer. Highlighting both the good and bad, Yoke is undeniably spot-on with this dater's guide and the quirky descriptions only add to the hilarity.

Grab your significant other and get ready for some good laughs. Here are a few favorites...

They are always right. You may think it will be fun to re-decorate your living room with the help of your designer partner, but you’re wrong. It’s not fun. Not unless you are familiar with pantones, rules of aesthetics and tungsten lighting. Forget mixing your Mexicali rug with a French provincial coffee table, it’s just not going to happen. It goes against the theme, babe.

They don’t keep office hours. Some days it may seem like they spend hours sourcing GoT memes and sending you links to puppies falling asleep, while other nights you go to bed alone and are woken at 12 am by cold computer hands. It all comes down to good versus evil clients and deadlines. But you can’t say they aren’t proud of their work, you’d be hard pressed to find a designer willing to hand in something sub-par just to make it home in time for Survivor.

They speak another language. It’s called ‘Adobe’, and you will never understand it.

They freaking love fonts. If your designer is unusually happy today it’s probably because they just stumbled across a bunch of boutique fonts. And they are freaking out. At one stage they may even try to make you watch a documentary on Helvetica. This is normally the point in the relationship where you re-evaluate your life choices.

Want to see more? Check out Yoke's complete list. 

INTERPRETING LIGHT

Light not only povides illumination within art, but colors also depend on it. It is extremely diverse because its intensity, spectrum, frequency, speed, and wavelength are all properties which can be controlled by the artist. A particular employment of one or all of these properties can drastically change the symbolism within a piece or even become the art itself.

Merz's quote [from Art & Electronic Media] illustrates that the choice between either natural or electric light can also alter the purpose and/or affect of an art piece. Using the luxurious, flashy electronic light is quite enticing and draws viewers in whereas natural light is softer and humbling.
I like this idea of psychological control over one's own art.

Yes, most interpretations are quite subjective.
But consider this: How much of your reaction to an art piece is truly original and how much may be transcribed to you?

OLYMPIC FEVER

This winter I am avoiding the typial fever and instead succumbing to the Winter Olymic fever.

I am a fan of the text-based logo this year and dream of the day when I may be able to make design my profession. In the meantime, I am an active dreamer.
So, in celebration of the opening ceremonies, here is my rough little "if only" logo design for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Feel free to comment with some feedback!

Design by: Alissa Petersen