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We looked inside some of the posts by grad604ethangeers and here's what we found interesting.
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Last Seen Tumblr Blogs
Fun Fact
BuzzFeed published a report claiming that Tumblr was utilized as a distribution channel for Russian agents to influence American voting habits during the 2016 presidential election in Feb 2018.
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A first iteration of my essay, prior to feedback and revision.
My name is Ethan and I am an aspiring designer studying commuications design at Auckland University of Technology. I have been a part of the artistic community for a lot of my life with my parents owning an art gallery. This has lead me to spend a lot of my time around artists and engaging with different areas of the art world. I went to a steiner school from the age of 4 until the age of 18 which has strong focus on Art and art-related learning. One of the core principles of steiner education is how to teach subjects in a holistic sense, teaching subjects in a way which engages both sides of the brain and embracess an artistic, academic and physical approach to learning (Ergas, 2017). For design, it is important to understand the balance between being analytical and methodical whilst also being creative and emotionally inspired. I try to maintain this balance in my approach to design and creation, exploring communities and designers that also embrace these attributes. In this report I will be exploring who I am as a creative, uncovering my creative process and discovering what communities are out there that I will embace in my journey as a designer.
When I first began designing, my goal was to use this as an avenue into the events industry. I started out desigining posters for bands playing at local bars around Devonport. My style at this time was heavily influenced by street art and music posters I had seen around Karangahape Rd in Auckland city. I explored using various programs to help make these posters and ultimately I mainly used Photoshop as it was the tool I had the most experience using since high school. As I started my studies at AUT, this technique was dropped in favour of InDesign and Illustrator on advice from lecturers and I have since realised the benefits to full understanding the Adobe Suites different applications key strengths. I find an immense value in using humour to present my designs as these are often the adverts, posters and billboards that stand out most to myself. Humour has a profound affect on advertising and is often a preffered technique by respondants (R. K. Srivastava (2021). I like to find whimsical and funny ways to present an idea to make it more engaging and I am quite passionate about using and communicating through my own sense of humour. I uncover different techniques of using humour by exploring the works of popular comedians (stand up shows, comic strips and authors) and engaging with current trends on social media platforms. This helps me understand where possible touchpoints can be accessed and ways I can help direct my humour into the popular scene. The role of humour in advertising has a profound influence on design, shaping compelling narratives and engaging with the audience in memorable ways. I also feel that the general sense of cynicism being felt by our younger generation can be reflected and explored through design as a way of speaking to them. When creating, I tend to gravitate towards using my computer and tablet to create work as I struggle with drawing or painting on paper.
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I call this piece, 'Nude views my life'.
I elected to hand draw the art gallery space in contemporary style as a reflection of some of my visual influences and to help illustrate my narrative. The nudity is a reference to feeling 'bare' as I showcase some personal and often meaningful elements from my own life.
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This was an initial concept for my poster featuring my work displayed on an art gallery wall/display board. This seemed an appropriate way to showcase my images as I grew up in an art gallery and have been constantly inspired by work shown in this way.
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Week 5 - Materialising Pedagogies
In the article above, Dr Barbara Bolt discusses the concept of 'Material Thinking' and how this can be used as a form of teaching creativity, creative processes and art from an academic standpoint. This concept talks about artists and creatives not simply viewing materials and instruments as objects, but as intelligent aspects of their work which help define and contextualise the work they have done. This also allows the materials to have a direct influence on the creation of the work.
Although the author agrees that some aspects of teaching art has to be through theory and ideation, they believe there is too much emphasis placed on that side and not enough on the process of doing and creating with materials directly. Finding a balance between the two is arguably the best way to be practical in ones teaching methods but also place value on materials and techniques.
However another important aspect to consider is what the author mentions as the danger of falling back on 'skill based pedagogy'. The author believes art education has become too conceptual (theoretical and thematic) and not enough emphasis is placed on the value materials hold as productive tools in their own right.
They would like to see exploration of the teaching methods of German Philosopher Martin Heidegger who talks about the process of handling things in a way which emphasises the tactile and way we use materials and objects as a creative arts practice. This would help balance modern art education a bit more so it doesn't simply favour conceptual theory over practical creation.
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20 Objects that are meaningful to you:
Guitar
My guitar is important to me because it is my creative outlet that has no restrictions or rules. I find music to be one of the best ways to explore my creativty in a free, open way without feeling pressure or stress. I started playing guitar when I was 13 and it has always played an important part in my life.
Amplifier
My amplifier is aesthetically one of my favourite componants to my musical setup. The vintage look and feel is beautiful to me and actually helps to drive my creativity and musical themes when I’m playing.
Loop Pedal
The loop pedal I own is probably one of the more useful pieces of technology that I own. This allows me to practice, write and perform music by myself with layers and rythem where I would otherwise need a band or collaboration with other musicians.
Painting of angel pissing
This painting was given to me on my 21st birthday by a popular NZ artist who was displaying work in my parents art gallery. It is one of my favourite pieces of art because of the loose style, use of colours and the sense of humour which really speaks to my own sense of humour.
‘Bernard’ my indoor plant
A fairly new addition to my room, Bernard has been an important part in my room feeling happier and healthier. My brother first spoke to me about how having a plant in his room helped his mental health and helped his room to feel like a better, more positive place to be. After he told me this, I adopted Bernard from a garden store and ever since I have found more love for my bedroom.
My Hei-tiki
My Hei-tiki (Maori pendant) was given to me by my auntie when I was 18 and was blessed by a Maori sculpture in my parents Art Gallery. It represents the meeting of the sea and the land, with one side being made of whale bone and the other side being made of wood.
The metal sculpture of guy playing guitar
This is one of the older items on my tallboy in my room which was given to me on my 10th birthday by my parents. It was one of the original inspirations for my to learn guitar and become a rockstar.
Watch from my grandfather
This watch is from my grandfather and was engraved with my name by him before he passed away. It has been a part of my life for over 20years and is a reminder to stay strong and connected to my family whenever I look at it.
Tim Burton poetry book
My Tim Burton poetry book really inspires my sense of humour and I read at least one poem from it a day to help keep humour on the forefront of how I view the world.
Orange Chair
Another element I got from my grandfather, this was the chair he sat in every day whilst working at his desk at home as a jeweller. I sit in it at home when I’m working on design and creativity and it helps me feel inspired and connected to my grandfather.
Car keys
My car keys represent my freedom. Having a car is one of the biggest changes I experienced in life that pushed me from feeling like a teenager to feeling like an adult. My keys help my feel free and autonomous.
Sampa the Great Vinyl
The first vinyl I ever bought, this was my introduction to Hip-Hop music and a massive diversion from the music I listened to when I was younger and the journey I went on when I turned 21 into more pop-style music.
My Apple Pencil
My Apple Pencil has been an important element in fuelling my creative outlet of art and design, allowing more ease and freedom with being creative and drawing. I use my Apple Pencil every day on my IPAD and without it, I feel almost as though I am missing a limb.
Tetris Light
This modular tetris neon light is something that I use to exercise my creativity and problem solving ability. Each element can be moved and connected in different ways to create different shapes. This helps me do a mental workout and explore different ways of connecting the same shapes to create different shapes and balance.
Football
Physical exercise is important to me and is also something I fight with and struggle to get inspired about. Football is one way I can channel my love for sport and exercise into a more accessible way to get out of the house and be active.
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List 20 Items that are meaningful to you:
Guitar
Amplifier
Loop Pedal
Painting of angel pissing
‘Bernard’ my indoor plant
My Hei-tiki
The metal sculpture of guy playing guitar
Watch from my grandfather
Tim Burton poetry book
Orange Chair
Car keys
Sampa the Great Vinyl
My Apple Pen
Tetris Light
Football
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Week 3 - Group visual map
To be honest, I felt this activity was a little difficult to follow. We were asked to communicate on a group board, posting work and creatives we liked and seeing how they linked. However it was so unorganised that the connections people were drawing made little to no sense and it was hard to see what they were connecting them through. I tried to draw a few connections between artists and creatives I was uploading but started to feel frustrated at the lack of organization.
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Week 3 - Reflection on Library Lecture
The lecture we had this week about resources and using the library databases was nothing new to me. We have discussed this many, many times in each class and I am already well versed in it's use. However, I will say that as a resource, the AUT online library is amazing. The way it connects with other useful sites like JSTOR and Taylor and Francis is amazing and I have found plenty of interesting and important references here. Every time we have the same lecture I do find I pick up little tips and tricks, however this time it did feel rather repetitive. I understand the importance of it though and recognise not every student will have the same knowledge I have.
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Visual Map
I have created various work as direct inspiration from some of my most loved artists and creatives. You can clearly see links between work I have created and the work of those that inspire me.
What I have recognised within my own creative practice:
I have noticed that I am often caught up in the difficult realm of copying. Rather than simply being inspired by a style, I often replicate it to such an extent that it is obvious and people will often wonder if it is a parody of some kind. I need to refine my style somewhat further in order to draw a larger distance between me and my inspirations.
Areas I could expand my research on:
I could look further into pop art I think as this is a popular style for posters and music events which is an area I am passionate about exploring further. I could also delve a bit deeper into satire and use of humour within design and art as this is also an area that matters to me.
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The Art of Beer
The Art Of Beer is one example of a community I am passionate about joining. Being part of a group of designers that have explored how to represent flavours of a beer in an artistic sense would be truly amazing.
Above is a poster I purchased from Garage Project after being so inspired by the work they created to market this beer. The artwork was created by NZ artist Stuart Thomas.
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Communities and Creatives
Who are the local and global creatives, designers, illustrators, photographers that you want to connect with?
I would like to connect with designers like Elliot Ulm (instagram: elliotisacoolguy) as he uses humour and satire to help demonstrate his ideas.
Another designer it would be interesting to connect with would be Jeremy Saunders who is extremely popular in the movie posters design world.
Dick Frizzell, a popular NZ pop art creator who did a lot of music gig posters which I am super into.
What are the influences on them and what engages you in their work?
Elliot Ulm is a retro-style designer with a focus on large fonts and big scale poster work. I find his use of satire to be compelling and I would like to replicate these themes in my own work.
Jeremy Saunders has so much experience working in the corporate world and designing with ready made and pre-existing elements which is a skill I lack and would love to develop further.
Dick Frizzell is very focused on pop art and the popular art movement of the 90's (and earlier). His work with bands helping to create vibrant posters that speak to their music is really cool and it would be exciting to understand his process.
What excites you in the design and creative communities you are investigating?
I am excited by the prospect of engaging with other creative communities as a designer and finding ways to connect creative mediums to create artworks and advertising.
Who would you want to share a meal with?
To be honest, I'd be really interested in sharing a meal with the advertising creator Don Hertzfeldt to ask him about his short film REJECTED and how much of that was based on real experiences in the advertising world.
Who would you want to work with?
I would like to be able to work with garage project on their beer labels, finding ways to turn amazing art designed for particular beers into different labels, packaging and artworks to help market the beer.
Who would you want to mentor you?
It would be pretty cool to be mentored by somebody like Dick Frizzell but that is awfully unlikely
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Communities That Inspire Me:
Art By The Sea: this is my parents Art Gallery and features a community of local NZ artists that do a variety of different styles and mediums of work. Some of the artists from this gallery that inspire me most are also artists that I grew up around as they have been a part of my parents gallery for many years.
The most inspiration artists I find from this gallery are: Christian Nicolson / Dean Raybould / Paul Hooker / Robert Campion and Joe Kemp
Garage Project: One of the first design books I ever bought was called The Art of Beer and it documents some of the incredible art done by Various NZ artists for the craft beer company Garage Project. All of the artwork is original and is used to express of explore different aspects of particular beers. I find the vibrancy and creativity to be incredibly inspiring and I am super excited by the prospect of designing labels and artwork for BEER or similar creative products.
Banksy and the underground graffiti art scene: I have been interested and inspired by street art since I was in high school (this is a longer time than your average student as I am now 30 years old). I have found Banksy to be particularly interesting in the way he uses not only various tools and materials to create his work, but also the place where he is putting it often influences it. I find using the space as an aspect of the work itself to be an interesting way to contextualise your work and make the viewing of it an aspect of the work itself. This could be explored further with design when you consider poster positioning, audience touch points and other places marketing can be placed.
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Week 1 Q+A
Who is doing the creative practice and underpinning research?
Me and my fellow creatives.
Who am I as a designer?
A student of the creative world. I soak up the world around me from my experiences.
What are the influences on me as a designer and where do they come from?
Everything that is coherent to one's authentic self. The world is a “mirror” and we as designers must draw influence from all places in order to properly reflect the world back on itself.
How can I unpack the personal design ideologies that cultural shifts, ethics, and responsibilities that impact my decision making?
Through self analysis of oneself. Identity is important because it makes you who you are and helps to craft the direction your creativity can go in.
How might I expand my visual vocabulary by understanding the environmental, social, cultural, political contexts of my design influences?
Through research, exploring and reading. As designers we become curated with the wonders of life.
Where do I stand in relation to my practice and what do I value?
I stand as a leaf in a hurricane blown away by the creatives around me.
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Week 1 - Design Research
Write a short reflection on Jordan Tane and Kyani Utias presentation (100-200 words)
I found the presentation to be engaging and interesting. It was exciting to see how they had developed their work beyond the original concept and plan and by using their classmates for input and direction. I never thought of utilising fellow classmates as a source of information and critical analysis of my work.
If I were to criticise the work at all, I would just say I found it to be a little obvious in how they reached a system for analysing their models. It works well and explores what they want to say pretty well, it just also feels a little typical of how people comment on race and identity and I would be interested in seeing a more drastic approach that pushes boundaries a bit further in order to comment on identity and stereotypes.
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