The Optical Unconcsious

So today I was supposed to present my LOCAL project, but we got to listen to a talk by Brian Collins instead. He was so thoroughly inspiring, and the speech reminded me of everything I desire to become as a graphic designer. I don't necessarily want to be a "graphic designer" but I want to be a design thinker. The way that he discussed our history, our present, and our responsibility as designers to assist in the design of our future was from a level that was engulfed in the idea of hope. His favorite statement is, "Design is Hope made visible," and after hearing him discuss the way that he's approached some of these projects I know that design has the capacity to effect the way we think and if we change the way we think we change the way we act, and it can all lead to a better, more fulfilling, for purposeful life and future. He touched slightly on the fate of the planet with regards to global warming and our global depression (not just financially, but emotionally) and our negative outlook on the future, but it was more about seeing how he has accomplished the projects that aid in the positive reconstruction of the future that were most inspiring and seemingly graspable. As he spoke all I kept thinking was how much I have to be like this man, and if I ever doubted a purpose behind my passion for design, he is the example of the purpose personified. Needless to say it was a great speech. 

And I have my designs basically ready for next week.. I have a few things I'm going to touch up, and a few addition pieces to print out to push my product, but here is where I am as of now:

Last Weekend II

My mother and I also decided to walk the High Line - where the New York Central Railway once ran now stands the remnants (rails and all) covered creatively with wood planks, making a new, accessible walk way several feet above ground. Giving way to new views of the city not seen since the trains ran between the years of 1930 and 1980, the walkway is a lovely few blocks and has proven to be a wonderful way of recycling and refreshing history within a city.

These are some pictures from photographer Joel Sternfeld of the tracks after they were closed, but before the reopening.  

The Aliens Under Us

I didn't know this but apparently sperm whales have the biggest brain on any animal that's ever lived! They can weigh up to 19 pounds... so what does an animal do with all the brain weight? No one knows! What scientists do know, however, is that the whales have highly developed things in the brain called neo-cortex'. These neo-cortex' are known to be the center of intelligent thought, memory, and speech. But not only do these creatures show a certain amount of intelligent understanding between themselves (enough to create complex societies), but they also show a deep sense of emotion and have been seen to exhibit joy and grief. There are countless records of whale hunters of the past witnessing expressions of pain from their poor hunted prey. Some situations show whales coming to each others aid, trying to save to other from death and risking their own lives to help. Now that's what I call passion!

But what is really most fascinating about sperm whales comes from the theories of Russian scientists from the 70s. They proposed sperm whales are each equipped with a third eye in their permaceti organ. Located behind the nose, this organ works almost like a video recording system; recording all sound energy and turning it into images. There are then even further theories stating that the whales utilize this organ by making it a means of communication, and passing the gained information to future generations. If this is the case, sperm whales would have developed rational thought. 

Scientists have stated that we know more about the moon and stars than we do about whales and creatures of the oceans. Although they are right under us, they have become the aliens of our earth. There are even some deep sea whales (and I'm sure other water creatures) scientists have never even seen alive! Like the beaked whale... we have so much to learn about when it comes to the waters beneath us. Who knows, maybe sperm whales will be the next human race! 

Funny

Ideas come in all Shapes

Daniel To & Emma Aiston studied together at the University of South Australia, and have been working together on "Shapes" for the past 18 months in London. This being their first collection is being featured at both the London and Tokyo Design Weeks, but the two designers have stated the want their products to "just be nice."

Wilinki tugs my heart strings

Couple Carly Hargreaves and Niels Oeltje decided to take their letterpress love and combine it with fun artist collaborations to create 8" by 10" inspiration cards for youngsters of today. Their goal is to infuse their viewers with a feeling of joy and imagination, which is what sounds to me like a perfect job. Go Wilinki!