FREE DESIGN

MaberryShell have teamed up once again and boy are we having fun.

The original essence of FREE DESIGN is free-spirited design. The freedom part can be broken down into the following (initially cryptic) categories: joy, individuality and impact.

1. It's all about JOY.
If we are not designing from a spirit of joy, then what are we doing here? It's easy to tell from our work that passion is the driving force. Our goals are not simply to create pretty things, but to marry beauty, passion and function.

2. We are free to be individual.
Upon entering the design department at KCAI we do not have to check our individual talents and propensities at the door. We are not shoved into a confining mold, but are allowed the freedom to grow and manifest our individual design directions. (The video, at the bottom of this post, is a symbolic and in-process representation of this. Thank you Brian for the comic relief.)

3. We are freeing design from the confines of the computers.
We are taking design out of the computers and applying it to impact the world. Our experience with Rosedale was an amazing example of this. We are learning to consider the power we have as designers. (Within this department, I have not just grown as a designer, but a person.) And lastly, (as Kate and Carly mentioned in their presentation,) With great power, comes great responsibility.

In my opinion, the opposite of free spirited design is "stiff and really dry design."

Dustin and I took running leaps up over this projected text, ahhh experimental type. We only slammed into the wall and fell rolling on the ground a few times...so very worth it.

possible catalog cover:
web page: (all of these would include photos of the entire leaping senior class)

free design from tammy shell on Vimeo.

pricing & ethical guidelines

So far in my freelance pursuits, I have worked with solely non-profits. This is partially because I enjoy pursuing work with performance groups. I feel like some guidelines within this book don't quite apply to me just yet. My design reputation is still in the works, and so I don't feel I can charge a very decent amount. In the end, all pricing is subjective and a decision between the artist and the client.

"Artists need to be clear on the various components they will work on," as stated in the handbook. I appreciate the breakdown of five possible rolls of the graphic designer within a given project: orientation, design ideas, design execution, production and on-press. (Who knew it was possible to bill for each?) Honestly, when considering a printed project, I thoroughly enjoy all aspects, including the press-check. My experience at a printing company has instilled realistic as well as high expectations for the final product.

I had never considered asking the client to sign a contract—even a casual one. The confusion of what is expected by the artist could be made explicitly clear—if, of course the tight project specifications are known by the client him or herself at the beginning. Deciphering through the haze of a cloudy project can be frustrating.

Another bit of wisdom as gleaned from this book is, educating the client about the roll of a graphic designer, is the designers job. For instance, the client may choose the safe solution out of habit. The designer's roll is to attempt to steer the client from the idea of comfort to the most powerful solution. We are problem solvers, rather than pretty (non functional) thing makers.

networking site research

rhizome expansion

A sifting process is continually occurring with my career goals. For instance, my initial life goal was to become a photojournalist. Upon entering the photo department at the Kansas City Art Institute, a veil was lifted to the world of fine art photography. I gulped at the possibilities. My interest in methods of image making and typography led to a spirited, deer leap to the Graphic Design department. Choosing to tread this terrain has exposed endless options for my design; type and image combinations now carry toxic potential. And most recently, my love interest has broadened to include combining narrative with motion. I have a strong feeling, the filmmaking class I am engaged in this semester, will lead to yet another complementary rhizome expansion. (And did I mention how much I love to write?)

And so…for my career goals, I am deeply enamored with the performing arts. My freelance work assures this, as well as a recent design internship with a dance company. In addition to unearthing fragrant advertising possibilities, my desire is to assist with the application of design to performance—the latter, a new mark of pursuit.

The final answer to my purpose in life is, an optimistic…to be continued.