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September 26, 2005
STATE of the AIGA ADDRESS
In an effort to bring sort of summary closure to my haphazard blog entries about what happened at the AIGA biennial conference in Boston, I am going to try to articulate my opinion on where the design profession is and may be headed. In the interest of time, I will be entering my thoughts as bullet points - which may or may not follow a cohesive line of thinking... So here I go:
1. I hate to say this, but my general impression of the state of the design profession at this point in time is: "lackluster." By this I don't mean the presentations - I mean more of the mood of the designers in general. I had the sense that most of us were looking for something to inspire and encourage us about what we do. I also had the sense we left the conference still looking for that very thing. I am willing to admit that maybe it was just me, but I am not so sure...
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Posted by widgeteer at 11:30 AM | Comments (4)
September 22, 2005
LAST DAY
Overview:
Attended a stream-of-conciousness focus session by Ze Frank on the "Pedagogy of Play" - the notion of play as opposed to planning in realtion to creative work and business strategy. The final main stage presentations wrapped up with Griffith Observatory director Mark Pine showing Imagery from Space, MoMA curator Paola Antonelli showing pieces from the upcoming exhibit "SAFE" - designs for safety, security and protection, and lastly Stefan Sagmeister on "Design and Happiness." Then we went to the Museum of Science for drinks, food, music and socializing. The end.
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September 20, 2005
LAST DAY
Overview:
The morning main stage session started off with some heavy hitters: Milton Glaser and Nicholas Negroponte presenting on the state of AIGA/design since the first conf 20 years ago. Then a zany turn to the lighter side with some good laughs: presentations on the making of the Daily Show's _America_ book with Paula Scher and Ze Frank's observations of incongruities and idiosyncracies of airline safety graphics. And back to design for the good of humanity with the innercity success stories of Bill Strickland - who has helped transform a dangerous and disadvantaged part of Pittsburgh into a thriving economic and creative success.
Posted by widgeteer at 2:25 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
DAY TWO
Overview:
The conference offered two "Focus Sessions" in the afternoon where attendees could choose two smaller 'breakout' sessions out of thirty possible topics and speakers. I chose to attend the "When wrong is right" presentation by Bruce Lindsey of Rural Studio and John Bielenberg of Project M; and then I attended a presentation by former ambassador and representative, current architect and author Richard Swett on "Leadership through design."
Posted by widgeteer at 11:43 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
September 17, 2005
DAY TWO
Overview:
We started off the day with representative Barney Frank speaking - not really about design much at all, but talking about government and more government very much. He was followed by a panel discussion with three designers (David Gibson, Dori Tunstall and Lori Ann Reed) about how design can help government with basic services and crises management. Errol Morris was most unfortunately a no-show.
Posted by widgeteer at 1:15 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
September 16, 2005
OPENING NIGHT AT AIGA
Well kids, I spent the day dodging rain rain from Ophelia and hanging casually with the wife - not participating in any of the studio or architecture tours or student portfolio thingees or the unabashed consumption of paper samples at the crazy vendor fair.
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Posted by widgeteer at 4:27 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
TOSSING COOKIES IN BEANTOWN
One if by land, two if by sea - your intrepid President arrived safely in Boston Tuesday night around 6:15. After navigating a shuttle bus, three subway lines and a 5 block walk, the wife and I were whisked off to a favorite diner by her cousin. There I promptly tossed my cookies (- or is it beans since we're in beantown?).
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Posted by widgeteer at 4:26 PM | TrackBack
September 12, 2005
COUNTRY GOES CITY
Widgets & Stone principal Paul Rustand heads off to Boston to attend the AIGA conference. AIGA can read up on the various escapades, favorite presenters, gala events and hilarious hijinks at the brand spankin' new AIGA 50 website - www.aiga.org - just click on the COMMUNITY link and away you go! Enjoy the shenanigans...
Posted by widgeteer at 4:47 PM | TrackBack