Meet Market 02: February 25th at Hearsay Gastro Lounge
Join AIGA Houston as we embark upon 2010 with our Meet Market 02. Socialize with the prime cut of creative folks from 6:30-9:30pm at Hearsay Gastro Lounge, Downtown Houston. RSVP is required to participate in the social.
January Studio Spotlight: Savage
Savage specializes in results-driven corporate design and branding. For more than three decades, clients of all sizes and industries have brought their branding, marketing, and communications challenges to their doorstep – in every shape and form.
AIGA Houston’s John Luu was able to stop by Savage to speak with Paula Savage Hansen, CEO, Bethany Haley, President & Brand Strategist and Dahlia Salazar, Creative Director to learn more about Savage, their history and what Smart. Fresh. Human means.
New Member Orientation* : February 4, 2010 @ Caroline Collective
*Event is open to all new members since June ‘09. If you are a current member or considering joining/renewing and would like to attend, please be sure to RSVP -April
Get Connected w/AIGA Houston 2010 January 28th @ Agora Cafe
Find out what AIGA Houston has planned for 2010. We will be passing out our 1st quarter calendar of events [from Feb - April '10] from 6-9pm.
This is a casual social, open to all members/non-members [family environment and you don't have to be 21 to attend only to drink].
Stop by anytime and have cup of coffee, glass of wine, or a beer. Mingle amongst your fellow board members/members.
Ask questions, get involved (by volunteering), and most importantly be in the know.
When: Thursday, Jan 28th
Time: 6-9pm
Where: Agora Cafe
www.agorahouston.com
1712 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77098-1612
[Across from Domy books]
Sign in at the front door to pick up your 2010 1st Quarter Calendar of Events.
If you have any question or comments {or concerns}, contact
April Guzik
memberactivities@houston.aiga.org
See everyone there!
AIGA Houston Presents: Graphic Design Referenced. Rudyard’s February 11, 2010
Armin Vit and his new book Graphic Design Referenced: A visual guide to the language, applications, and history of graphic design.
Authors Armin Vit and Bryony Gomez-Palacio have published and edited some of the most widely read design blogs, including Speak Up, Brand New, Quipsologies, Word It and FPO (For Print Only) and are co-founders of UnderConsideration.
Graphic Design Referenced serves as a comprehensive source of information and inspiration by documenting and chronicling the scope of contemporary graphic design, stemming from the middle of the twentieth century to today. To find out more info about the book,
click here (http://www.underconsideration.com/graphicdesignreferenced/)
Ask Ken: January 2010
Dear Ken,
I’m currently in the market for a job and after a few interviews am a little confused as to what is considered appropriate dress for a graphic design job interview. I know in most other career fields a suit and tie is mandatory but to be honest most of my graphic design friends mostly wear jeans and sneakers to work. Also am I alone in thinking that wearing a suit and tie is a little unnatural and gives the potential employer very little insight into my personality? Any help or insights you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Sincerely,
Underdressed and Overwhelmed
January Volunteer Spotlight: Erin Leeder
Name: Erin Leeder
Place of Employment: Pointsmith
Job Title: Entry-level Designer
What do you get out of being an AIGA volunteer/member?
Since graduating from college last May, AIGA has provided me with opportunities to be in touch with the graphic design community and introduce me to fresh ideas, new trends, and brings me in contact with other designers.
What inspires you the most when illustrating, and why did you choose this as a career path?
Nothing is more inspiring to me than a really good piece of music turned up really loud. I started drawing when I was very young like most artists but it wasn’t until I took part in an event that required me to draw twenty-four hours straight that I realized just how much I love it and wanted to always do it.
When you aren’t working, what are you doing?
Not to sound like a nerd, but I spend a lot of my free time drawing. I also go bike riding around town with friends, try to teach myself to cook (and fail), and read.
What is your greatest accomplishment to date as a designer?
I’ve only been in the real world for about six months, so I would say graduating from college with a degree in graphic design is a pretty big accomplishment right now.
Top 3 songs on your iPod:
1. Stop Coming to My House – Mogwai
2. Popplago – Sigur Ros
3. Jynweythek Ylow – Aphex Twin
Contact:
unit_625@hotmail.com
January Student Member Spotlight: Jessica Lynn Rios-Almanza
Name: Jessica Lynn Rios-Almanza
School: University of Houston
Year: Class of 2010
What made you want to study design?
As a child, someone told me that “sometimes, paper is the only thing that will listen”. Creating has been a method of breathing for me since. I chose to study graphic design because it’s degree plan described what I did to survive. I had been studying and designing for years and had not known it. As I studied the fundamentals of design principles, I succumbed to the romance: the more I learned, the more in tune I felt with myself and the world around me. Design grew me, and naturally, I grow design. It’s an endless love affair…
When you aren’t at school, what are you doing?
Hanging out with my little boy, drawing, singing or thinking up ideas on how to save the world over last nights dirty dishes.
How long have you been an AIGA Houston member & what do you get out of being an AIGA member?
Well, I have to say, I do so enjoy the tactility of that Helvetica ridden card. My first one was silver with smaller type and something was slanted, italic perhaps? Knowing that I am connected to a million and two like-minded creatives is absolutely relaxing. I frequently check out Debbie’s Design Matters on you tube and am grateful that the AIGA site has an extensive collection of archives and engaging articles/conversations for inspiration. After the Memphis Make/Think conference, what I get most from being an AIGA member is an overall sense of belonging, family, home. That means a lot to a girl like me.
What’s your favorite typeface?
Helvetica…and yes, before the movie came out. The pleasing nuero connections that light up in my brain when I look at the old school letter forms just don’t go off in quite the same way for another typeface…such assertion in style is an admirable quality, no matter what Lawrence Weiner says. Helvetica Arabic is my latest crush. I don’t know what the heck it says, I just want to look at it. They are just good looking forms. Eye candy. Enough said.
How would you sum yourself up as a designer in 5 words?
I am particular, an artist, a concept queen, a writer. I am possibility.
What would be your dream job or accomplishment if you could do or be anything?
I would love to be on the Sesame Street team. Coloring personified letter forms that rock out to music alongside the honesty of puppets sounds awesome. If somehow I could manage a small design firm that teamed up with sesame street to produce illustrative design and/or write a design column, had time to chaperon my son’s field trip once or twice a year and still manage to have good hair, I’d be one happy camper.
Where can we find you?
strolling the streets of the Heights with my ten year old
on campus in the senior studio with my design mates and advisers
daydreaming in a grocery store
trying to touch things that I shouldn’t
www.uh.edu/uccs/
or
jayelledesignlab@gmail.com
January Professional Spotlight: Mike Castro
Name: Michael Castro
Place of Employment:
FKM
Job Title: Art Director
How long have you been an AIGA Houston member & what do you get out of being an AIGA member?
Member Since 2001
AIGA provides me with a reservoir of various design resources:
- opportunities to meet other creatives
- functions to broaden my knowledge of the design industry
- platforms for understanding business theory
- inspiration for expanding skills and growing in my career
- a link to the past, present and future direction of design
…to generally name a few.
What made you want to be a designer?
My desire for a creative career.
When you aren’t designing, what are you doing?
Lately, I’ve been studying language, grammar, biblical text and getting a deeper appreciation for words. To compliment this, I’ve been playing the iPhone version of Scrabble called Words With Friends. Challenge me. My user-name is: Lifecereal.
Who are your design heroes or what designers are you following right now?
God is my ultimate design hero. It’s always fascinating when I get to see a designer pattern their work after creation, intentionally or not. Looking at work this way motivates me to explore both the world and the principles behind work I admire.
I ran across this animation by XVIVO that I found inspiring. It’s a fascinating look and exploration into the functions of life at the cellular level. It’s like a hybrid of a bio-reality show and the movie Avatar. To the extent that it’s a factual dreamworld, I find it more interesting than Avatar.
This one is narrated (probably by your former biology teacher): http://multimedia.mcb.harvard.edu/anim_innerlife.html
This version has an all music soundtrack: http://www.xvivo.net/the-inner-life-of-the-cell/
What is your greatest accomplishment to date as a designer?
My hope is that I’ve been an inspiration to others through my work.
What’s your favorite typeface?
My favorite typeface always depends on context. If I could pick one to ban it would definitely be Comic Sans.
Where can we find you?
On the web: sownideas.com
On facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Michael.L.Castro
So long 2009, Welcome 2010
As you say goodbye to 2009 and “welcome” to 2010, what do you look forward to most in the coming year? New Year’s is always a time for reflection and setting new goals. Certainly, we hope that at least one of your goals involves design (and AIGA)!
AIGA is more than just about great events (but we DO have plenty planned for you this year), it’s about helping you to become a better designer and advance your career.
We want you to make connections and be inspired – not just by our speakers, but also by others around you as well. There is so much to learn and our days are busy, so why not look to your design community for support?
Make a resolution for this year. Make 2010 a year that we help you! Maybe it’s a speaker that inspires you that you’d like to meet… Maybe you need help finding a job… Or maybe you need someone to talk to about growing your business…
Contact myself, or any of the Board Members. We’re here to help.
Thanks,
Robin Tooms
President, AIGA Houston
