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
December Volunteer Spotlight: Myke Toman
Name: Myke Toman
Place of Employment: Toman Imagery
Job Title: Photographer
(if you freelance, just tell us a little bit about the types of projects you do)
In a nutshell, I’m a commercial, event and portrait photographer with an editorial style that utilizes great
tone, color and contrast. Although I’m sometimes persuaded to take on an occasional classic portrait
assignment, I prefer and tend to take more of lifestyle approach with portrait subjects. My most recent
assignments have been for seasonal advertising but 2009 has brought me a diverse string of commercial
assignments ranging from hospitals, food and architecture including 360° image tours, which has been a
fun challenge. However, I’d have to say the most enjoyable work I’ve done lately has been working with
my Wife shooting fashion work for her makeup company, Empire Faces.
What do you get out of being an AIGA volunteer?
When I was on the board, it was about the growth of our chapter but as a volunteer it’s about helping
out those on the board who program and execute the AIGA calendar. I know it’s a lot of work to make
every event happen so it’s a privilege to say thanks by recording their effort through images that capture
the experience of an event. I also find it rewarding to create images that are used for the greater good
of our industry. You could say its art helping artists.
What inspired you to become a photographer?
We’ll it wasn’t for any prophetic reason that you might hear from some photographers when asked this
question, such as…”I wanted to tell the world a story through my lens”…or a version thereof. My love
for it started as an interest in science. Early on I was always fascinated by the science of light, water,
wind and sound…and how to control it for an affect. Of those four, light was the most readily available
source intrigue for me and that intrigue found its way onto my creative side after I commandeered my
Father’s Canon AE‐1 on a family road trip in the early 80’s. What inspired me to be a commercial
photographer was the studio still life work I created of my Mom’s bric‐a‐brac after the road trip in a
make shift studio set‐up consisting of a white sheet behind the couch with hot lights…I was 11 years old.
When you aren’t working, what are you doing?
Shooting photographs has been the most fun job I’ve ever had and it’s sometimes hard to tell what’s
work and what’s play but when I’m not behind the camera, I’m usually telling my Wife about my next
bright idea…or hearing one of hers. Next to good food, good music and good friends, it’s my favorite
pastime.
What is your greatest accomplishment to date as a photographer?
Hmm, that’s a good one…well, some of the greatest accomplishments are seemingly small ones, as
strange as that sounds. Finding creative solutions to lighting problems is always a thrill. I would have to
say being published feels good for recognition but each time I have a happy new client, it always makes
me feel truly accomplished.
What advice would you give to an aspiring photographer?
Shoot, shoot, shoot…shoot again…and then shoot some more. Learn from every trial and experience
behind the camera. Try to stay fresh by challenging yourself outside your comfort zone but NEVER
experiment on assignment. Always test and prove new ideas before your client shows up on set.
Because after all, good photographers make no mistakes…unless the client watches you make them.
Where can we find you?
http://www.facebook.com/myketoman
myke@tomanimagery.com
See my work at:
www.tomanimagery.com
www.empirefaces.com
December Professional Spotlight: Marisa Avelar
Name: Marisa Avelar
Place of Employment: Live Nation
Job Title: Graphic Designer
How long have you been an AIGA Houston member & what do you get out of being an AIGA member?
This is going on my 3rd year and I think what I get the most out of it is having a community and finding inspiration. Its good to know this nerdy problem I have being a “typophile” or loving design has a place to go. I also like knowing that there are others struggling, working hard and loving what they do. We are all finding a way to make it all work and be successful and its good to have others you can relate to about that.
When you aren’t designing, what are you doing?
I’m a big film buff so I am always seeing movies, going to antique shops and rummaging bins, going to see art and making art and spending quality time with friends and family.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years with our passion to design outside of the boundaries of the computer [ie your passion for crafts?]
Hmmm, I think I see myself in the same place but this time exhibiting more fine art. I love painting and making my mixed media pieces. I am hoping to push myself to make more time for it.
What’s your favorite work of art from your collection?
Work of art I would say a piece I did recently that was a collage of old bottles, coral, starfish, a pocket watch and other objects. Graphic Design is my website. To this day I still get people talking to me about it and it really reflects me.
What is your greatest accomplishment to date as a designer?
Being asked to talk about my work at Pecha Kucha. It was really fun and I loved being featured along some great people and artists.
What’s your favorite typeface?
I have many, but the classic one I love is Futura!
Where can we find you?
website: http://madesign.atomkinder.net
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=678600204
