Check this out you social designers!!!

See how recycling features at this years' ars electronica in Linz, Austria in this bbc video:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/9111457.stm

rachel gives a patina demo at towson university for the metals club!

Rachel Gives A Patina Demo At Towson University For The Metals Club from rachel timmins on Vimeo.

THINK TWICE

Here are a couple of links to the exhibition of contemporary latin american jewelry at MAD, opening on October 12th but always worth checking in. http://collections.madmuseum.org/code/emuseum.asp?style=single&currentrecord=2&page=seealso&profile=exhibitions&searchdesc=Future+Exhibitions&searchstring=Future%2F%2C%2Fgreater+than%2F%2C%2F0%2F%2C%2Ffalse%2F%2C%2Ftrue&action=searchrequest

The work is very different to what people make here. To get more background information read the blogs here http://www.grayareasymposium.org/blog/ there is also a long list of images of people's work if you scroll down just a little- so check it out!

OMG: NON-TOXIC RESIN!!!

non-tox, water-based, no irritating fumes, class "A" fire rating.
http://www.aquaresin.com

Scholarship! MUST READ

Below is the brief on the scholarship, if you would like to enter then email Brianna (bpoalillo@gmail.com) for the corresponding sheets to fill out ASAP!

TOWSON UNIVERSITY

Department of Art + Design, Art History, Art Education 

ASF Scholarship for Environmental Initiatives

Department of Art + Design, Art History, Art Education 

ASF Scholarship for Social Change

The Department of Art + Design, Art History, Art Education is offering exceptional opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students in the arts with scholarships in two categories: Environmental Initiatives and Social Change. For UNDERGRADUTE students: a total of $2500 (to be shared among 1 or more students) will be awarded in the category of Environmental Initiative and $2500 (to be shared among 1 or more students) will be awarded in the category of Social Change. For GRADUATE students: a total of $2500 (to be designated for 1or more students) will be awarded in the category of Environmental Initiative and $2500 (to be designated for 1 or more students) will be awarded in the category of Social Change. The amount of the award will be determined by the number of awardees in a given year. The intent of these scholarship awards is to recognize currently enrolled Art + Design, Art History, Art Education majors and Art Education Masters and MFA students who wish to further their knowledge, skills, and ideas related to environmental concepts, concerns, and initiatives or current societal issues and initiatives.  

Undergraduate students will select one scholarship category and propose a project that will become the basis for an independent study/Senior project/ or as part of an offered class in ART/ARTH/ARED (with instructor’s consent) for which they will enroll in the spring 2011 semester.  Students should consult with his or her advisor to see if another required course might work for this purpose, or if an independent study could be substituted for a required course in their major. 

Graduate students will select one scholarship category and propose a project that will become the basis for an independent studio course/ Art Ed Master’s Project/MFA Thesis support (with instructor’s consent) for which they will enroll in the spring 2011 semester. This scholarship is designed to fund the Masters in Art Education and MFA thesis work or work leading to thesis work; the scholarships are open to students at all stages of their programs.

 Applications will be reviewed and juried by departmental faculty members in the fall and scholarships will be awarded for the spring 2011 semester.  These scholarships are not need based; they will be awarded on the strengths and merits of the application materials and proposed project.

Eligibility:

These scholarships are open to full-time undergraduate Art + Design, Art History, Art Education majors who will be enrolled full-time in the spring semester of 2011; and full or part-time graduate students pursuing their MFA or Masters of Education degree who will be enrolled in the spring semester of 2011.  The scholarship will be applied to tuition.  No direct checks will be awarded.

Directions for Applicants:

You must select a faculty advisor (full-time faculty only) with whom you will discuss your ideas. The faculty member will serve as your faculty advisor for your project if you are awarded a scholarship. Over the course of the semester in which you are working on your proposed project, she/he will informally oversee your progress and will provide assistance as your work progresses. Be sure to include the name of that individual on the cover sheet as directed.

The work produced must result in a form of presentation such as an exhibition on campus, a virtual exhibition, or public presentation/lecture. You are responsible for finding a suitable location for the presentation of your work. Discuss the possibilities with your advisor and include the potential location/type of presentation or exhibition as requested on the cover sheet.

Your application for either: a Department of Art + Design, Art History, Art Education ASF Scholarship for Environmental Initiatives or a Department of Art + Design, Art History, Art Education ASF Scholarship for Social Change must include:

1. Cover Sheet (typed or neatly hand-written) select appropriate undergraduate or graduate cover letter

1. A typed statement of no more than 500 words in which you:
1. Describe your existing commitment to either environmental concerns or social change. Why is this important to you?
2. Propose your project in which you plan to further those ideals, goals, and commitment. Explain in detail, to the extent that you can, the work you propose to commence and complete during the semester of your award. Your designated faculty advisor can help you shape your ideas. 
3. Specifically demonstrate how you think this project will better your understanding or strengthen your commitment to such values. What do you hope to gain from this experience?
4. Provide a work schedule in which you demonstrate how you will accomplish your project in the spring semester.

1. Supporting material: 
1. 5-10 jpeg images of your work that demonstrates your artistic strengths and if possible supports the ideas of the scholarship to which you are applying (submitted in disk form or as printouts). You may want to discuss these works as part of your typed statement. Please provide a slide/image list along with your images.

OR

A research paper, class, or community project that supports your commitment to the scholarship category to which you are applying. You may want to discuss this work as part of your typed statement.

1. One copy of your unofficial Towson University transcript.

Scholarship Application Workshop: Thursday, September 30, 2010 5-6:30 pm CA 2033

A scholarship application workshop will be held on Tuesday, October 6 beginning at 5:00 pm to assist you with the application process.  Attendance is not mandatory. This informal session is designed to review your materials, discuss your abstract/project statement, and answer any general questions. 

Application Deadline: Friday, October 22, 2010 by 4:00 pm.

Submit one copy of all application materials to Ms. Ginger Ross, Administrative Assistant for the Department of Art + Design, Art History, Art Education. Office: Center for the Arts, Room 3103F. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Notification of Awards will be announced in early November, 2010

If your proposal is selected for scholarship funding you will enroll the following semester for the course (independent study/Senior project/ offered course in ART/ARTH/ARED/ Art Ed Master’s Project/MFA Thesis support (with instructor’s consent) in which you will commence and complete your proposed project.  Upon completion of that semester, you will be expected to give a brief presentation and/or display of your work to interested Towson faculty, students and administrators in addition to members from the local community.

Questions?  Please contact Professor Nancy Siegel, Associate Professor of Art History with any questions or concerns. NSiegel@towson.edu; (410) 704-4693

Study Abroad Discussion! Thursday, September 15, Noon

Open discussion about studying abroad!

This Thursday, September 15th at noon...CA2015/CA2006.

Many of you are planning to study abroad which is excellent!

And you have lots of questions. Let's get together over lunch and discuss/hash things out.

Pass it on and remind each other.

Cheers!

Jan

Money!

Radcliffe Institute Fellowships

The Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program is a scholarly community where individuals pursue advanced work across a wide range of academic disciplines, professions, and creative arts. Radcliffe Institute fellowships are designed to support scholars, scientists, artists, and writers of exceptional promise and demonstrated accomplishment who wish to pursue work in academic and professional fields and in the creative arts. In recognition of Radcliffe's historic contributions to the education of women and to the study of issues related to women, the Radcliffe Institute sustains a continuing commitment to the study of women, gender, and society. Applicants' projects need not focus on gender, however. Women and men from across the United States and throughout the world, including developing countries, are encouraged to apply.

Readmore:

http://cambodiajobs.blogspot.com/2010/09/radcliffe-institute-fellowships.html

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What Social Media Can Do For You!

This from an email listserv that I am on.....I would have missed this b/c I just got home from the day and am attending to things from the day......

There is an exciting article on additive fabrication on the cover of the New York Times in the US today (Sept 14th). If you can't get a print copy at your local news stand you can browse tohttp://www.nytimes.com/pages/todayspaper/index.html. I am very pleased that LGM and our software group CADspan are highlighted for our work in architecture and 3d printing alongside Bespoke, Makerbot, Freedom of Creation and other companies making great advances in applications like prosthetic limbs, consumer goods and even full sized buildings.

I have been on the list for about 15 years. It is great to see the mainstream validation and of course great to be a part of that validation. Much of what we discussed 10 and 15 years ago is coming to pass although a good deal is yet to be done. Thanks to all who keep this list going.

Onward

Charles

Charles Overy
LGM :: RapidArch :: CADspan
800 448 8808 x201

Crafting a Nation- FREE in DC

Check out the Crafting a Nation Conference in Washington DC October 8 and 9. Tickets are free, looks to be a lot of great information and discussions!

Click here to see the website/schedule/ticket info

Fall 2010 Monitor Schedule, Room 2015

Rachel's Work Featured Again!

Rachel's work has been featured in a Podcast my Soft Canvas.  Check it out:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GRwY63w6QU

buy copper!

from
storm copper components, co!

Rachel Curates

Hi All!
I've curated an online exhibition through Crafthaus!
It doesn't technically open until September 7th but because I adore you SO MUCH, here's a sneak peak!


Oddly Wearable Exhibition

Enjoi!

rachel makes a movie

narrative, figurative and representational.




please excuse my dictionary.com and wikipedia.com references. you should not do this. my reasoning was that i needed a base to start from, so that semantics didn't get in the way. this was not a good solution.

Networks

· “A network by definition is composed of a multitude of nodes so that information multiplies rapidly and effortlessly.” Jeff Howe, Crowdsourcing, p. 40

Crowdsourcing

Wowcrowd, a web app for crowdsourcing.

Check it out.

Here's what people are saying about Wowcrowd.

Check out Alyce Santoro's project:

and 350.org

This is cool. Check it out. Participate. Be Cool.

Encoded/Embedded Information

Digital Technology and Art/Design

QR codes are black modules arranged in a square pattern on white background. The information encoded can be text, URL or other data.

QR Codes are now used in a much broader context….aimed at mobile phone users (known as mobile tagging). QR Codes storing addresses and URLs may appear in magazines, on signs, buses, business cards, or on just about any object that users might need information about. This act of linking from physical world objects is known as a hardlink or physical world hyperlinks. How can you use this technology in your work?

From Wikipedia:

In 2009 the Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, in collaboration with creative agency SET and Louis Vuitton, created a design QR featuring the LV pattern and one of the artist’s characters.

In 2010 the musician and artist DJ Spooky used QR code in a fine art print exhibited at Experimenta Biennale, Melbourne. Scanning the code takes users to an experiential web based artwork called the Nauru Ellegies, about the complexities of the South Pacific island of Nauru.

Since 2006 the Italian artist Fabrice de Nola uses QR codes in oil paintings or embedded in photographs.

In 2007 the British pop group Pet Shop Boys used QR code for the artwork of their download-only single Integral.

In July of 2009, QR-code was created for character design and promotional materials in the Tim Burton movie 9 (2009 film).

Art 419: ACMET login

To join ACMET, go to http://listserv.temple.edu/archives/acmet-l.html

On the left side bar, click "Subscribers Corner" then "Login". Follow the instructions to login and confirm. Once logged in, access "server archives" on the left side bar and locate ACMET in the list of groups. Enter your info in the appropriate boxes and "Join ACMET". Confirm the subscription in the email which follows joining. After that, I think we just wait for confirmation from the list owner that they have allowed us to add to ACMET. Not sure how or when we will be granted access.

Not Only for Vino

Cork Fabric

FEATURE, FIBER— BY BLAINE BROWNELL ON AUGUST 22, 2010 AT 5:00 PM

London-based designer Yemi Awosile has developed a new fabric from an innovative combination of repurposed cork and elastane. Cork Fabric is suited to interior design applications such as upholstery, wall coverings, and wall panels, and benefits from the high elasticity of elastane fiber as well as the acoustic and thermal insulating properties found in cork. The cork is made with the by-products from wine stopper production and is treated with a metallic finish. The fabric is available in a variety of colors and fiber combinations.

Click here for more information.
This product appears in Transmaterial 3.

One of Our Own!

Rachel has been posted!

On August 5th two of Rachel's pieces, 'I Want To Be A Gold Lobster With Blue Puffs' & ' I Want To Be A Unicorn', were posted on Marianne Gassier's blog; she loved her humor.

http://bijoucontemporain.unblog.fr/2010/08/05/rachel-timmins-i-want-to-be-a-gold-lobster-with-blue-puffs/

Marianne had pulled the two pieces from Jillian Moore's Blog on Art Jewelry Forum back in March. Jillian stated that Rachel's work was "not only a nice change from the current frenzied mining of historical ornament, but also a break from the dry, humorless autobiographical work that seems to be the loudest counterpoint on offer."

Check out what else Jillian had to say @ http://www.artjewelryforum.org/blog/2010/03/28/untangling-snag/

Marianne also published Rachel's tootsies along with another one of her pieces under the title "Who is this Jeweler?" on August 10th. Try to find hers among the many feet!

http://bijoucontemporain.unblog.fr/tag/createurs/rachel-timmins-us/

Go to New York!: National Design Triennial and more

Inaugurated in 2000, the Triennial program seeks out and presents the most innovative designs at the center of contemporary culture. In this fourth exhibition in the series, the National Design Triennial will explore the work of designers addressing human and environmental problems across many fields of the design practice, from architecture and products to fashion, graphics, new media, and landscapes. Cooper-Hewitt curators Ellen Lupton, Cara McCarty, Matilda McQuaid, and Cynthia Smith will present the experimental projects and emerging ideas for the period between 2006 and 2009. On view until January 9, 2011.

http://www.cooperhewitt.org/EXHIBITIONS/triennial/why-design-now.asp

http://blog.cooperhewitt.org/2010/05/19/understanding-and-sustaining-a-biodiverse-planet-bill-moggridge

Whats going on at MoMA?

http://www.moma.org/explore/exhibitions

Take a visit to The Museum of Art and Design

Dead or Alive: Nature Becomes Art

Dead or Alive, presented by the Museum of Arts and Design from April 27 through October 24, 2010, will showcase the work of over 30 international artists who transform organic materials and objects that were once produced by or part of living organisms-insects, feathers, bones, silkworm cocoons, plant materials, and hair-to create intricately

crafted and designed installations and sculptures.

http://collections.madmuseum.org/code/emuseum.asp

emu_action=advsearch&rawsearch=exhibitionid/,/is/,/505/,/true/,/false&profile=exhibitions

For more exhibitions at MAD: http://www.madmuseum.org/

Interesting Alternative to the conventional bookmark.

LEAF-IT!

http://www.designboom.com/shop/appree_leafit.html

Hype! Project

The Hype Project was a collaborative project investigating deliberate messages in visual media, specifically in printable 3D digital construction. Participating classes came from Towson University in Maryland, Winthrop University in South Carolina, and The University of Dundee in Scotland. By using the Second Life platform, students were able to collectively display their work in the same location despite their physical geography. 

The project objective was "To develop a conscious and deliberate message, stance or opinion based on politics, social conduct, religion, moral or ethical thinking, patriotism, etc. To design and model a brooch, tea pot, shoe, pendant that communicate a particular message, stance, or opinion, utilizing Rhino & Flamingo/Hypershot"

Lists of participating students

The student work is displayed at the Towson Innovation Lab island in Second Life; each student has a presentation board that explains their concept and process. From these boards, jurors Michael Gayk (3D Systems University) and Kreg Jones (Art Institute of Philadelphia)  selected a handful of images to be displayed in the gallery. 

Students were able to meet in Second Life for a group critique online. Rebecca Strzelec from Penn State joined us to comment on the work.

Presentation board critique

Juried gallery critique

...

Hype Project organized by:

 Jan Baum (Towson)

Courtney Starrett (Winthrop)

Kimberly Voigt (Towson)

Sandra Wilson (Dundee)

Guest blog post by Savanna Leigh (aka Savvy Rumble)

Sarah Kate Burgess, Jacque Lui Lecture!

Tomorrow, Thursday 4/22 Sarah Kate Burgess and Jacque Lui will talk about their work. Cneter for the Arts rm 2032 at 6:30pm. COME!

Studio Clean up Make-up Times

Hi,
For those of you who cannot make the regular studio clean up time, there will be two make up days/times. They are:

Monday April 12th 6-8pm

Wednesday April 28th 4-6pm

Please sign your name under one of these dates on the studio clean up calender near the whiteboard in 2015.
Thanks
Amy

Studio Hours

The studio will be open Saturday 1-4.

Honors Thesis in Jewelry Exhibition

Come see the work that we've been working on this year!

Honors Thesis in Jewelry Exhibition
from Towson University

Opening Reception: April 30th 6-9pm
Complimentary Valet Parking

Wednesday April 28th - Sunday May 9th

Danielle Carmen :: Modern Wunderkammer
Susannah Fitz :: Object Literature
Taylor Gilbert :: Hope and Leroy
Sherri Shawver :: Wearable Theatrics

Study Break with President Caret

There will be a study break in Second Life with University President Caret April 15th at 3:30pm, location TBA. The last study break was a big success, and was well attended by Jewelry/metals/object design students. This is a time when you are able directly ask the President questions and address issues that are important to you/the program. You should definitely attend! definitely! I will see you there.

New Directions in Craft, Delaware Center for Contemporary Art

Hi Everyone, I'm in an upcoming feature in the Alternatives museum shop at the Delaware Center for Contemporary Art! It's called New Directions in Craft, the shop will feature my work and artist Melissa Hoy's work. The opening is Friday, April 9th from 5-9pm. The work will be there from April 9th through May 27th.

Senior Show Important Dates

Senior Show! Center for the Arts Gallery
Work must be delivered to the gallery Monday, April 26th from 2-4pm.
Students may submit one average sized piece, or more if work is of a smaller size.

The Senior show opening reception is Thursday, April 29th at 7:30pm.

SNAG Houston

Read Rachel's blog post from SNAG!

Ten Steps to Becoming the Designer You Want to Be

Print out this article, hang it in your studio, memorize it, take it to heart.

Esther Knobel Lecture at The Corcoran College of Art and Design, Friday March 12th, 5pm

Esther Knobel will be giving a talk and slide presentation at the Corcoran College of Art and Design this Friday, March 12th at 5pm in room 304. The lecture is in conjunction with a show of her work at Jewelers Werk Galerie in Georgetown. Information about her can also be found on the Sienna gallery website, www.siennagallery.com/artist-bio.php?artistID=15

Wearable Objects Demo- Tonight!

Tonight in Second Life we will learn how to make wearable objects.
Towson Innovation Lab [in second life], 8:30-9:30pm.
Please get started on this project....there is a little learning curve.
See you there!

Good Post from ACMET-L Listserv-JOIN!

The excellent post below is from the ACMET-L Listserv that many of you are required to join and participate in. I think you will find it valuable.
Jan



Many of us are getting ready to graduate college and attempt to enter the job market, but I often sense confusion and anxiety amongst the conversation. What exactly should be in a design job portfolio?

Generally, the contents of your portfolio will be dependent on the job being considered. Do not be fooled into thinking your portfolio is a perfect package for every occasion. So let's start with research.

One of the most important things you can do when applying for a job is doing your research. Why would anyone respond to a letter stating "To Whom in May Concern"? Get to know who you are getting involved with, where are they located and what influences the business, who are they affiliated with, what is their specialty, who is their audience, are they looking for long term help, short term, etc. Ask yourself questions like: "What can I do for this company/business? Why would I benefit them? I am looking for more than one job? Is this somewhere I can see myself in 20yrs?" All of these questions and information will come in very helpful when you put your specialized portfolio together.
In your research it is also great to network! There are countless blogs, webpages, forums, and the like on the internet. Make connections. Even create your own website. This phrase makes a good point: It is not what you can do, but who you know, and who they know, and who they know..."

Most design portfolios have similar requirements: resume, images, artist statement, letter of intent...
Your goal is to present yourself as competent and professional as possible. You want your portfolio to be convincing, so take your time to do it right.

Selecting work for your portfolio:
Again, keep in mind what job you are applying to. For instance, if you have a large body of work and you want to apply for shop job involving finishing/polishing jewelry, obviously select work which demonstrates a well executed finish. Even if the piece is not among the best of your work, it is still more informative to the employer. If the job is focusing on CAD work, obviously choose CAD modeled work over bench work. Now let's say your body of work is not very big... GREAT! This is a wonderful opportunity (if you have the time) to create work in perspective of the job being applied for.

You have selected your work, but you have to document it. Unfortunately, the photograph or rendering you create may be the only thing someone sees, so if it looks terrible, that is what people will be led to believe about the piece. You want your images to look as good as or better than the real object, yet also be informative. The image should basically be all someone needs to experience and understand your work. Be sure the object is in focus, in good perspective, the orientation and size makes sense with its function, and so on. Photoshop and other digital processing programs are no longer a mystery and should be used if available. If cannot photograph your own work, have a professional do it. But in my experience, it is better if you do it yourself, because you know the piece best... If printing out a tangible portfolio, be certain your images are at a high resolution and scaled to an appropriate format the job application asks for. There is plenty to say about photography, but what about rendering? Sometimes, I feel that renderings are a better choice compared to photography because it can be more exact and convincing. However, having a final object photographed in "context" can be much more informative than a rendering. I am not sure if anyone can say that one is more practical than the other, beyond the objective created by the job description.

Resume, Artist Statement, Statement of purpose... Be honest.
Many times, an employer will not look beyond a one page resume. In the case of design jobs, be concise and honest about your abilities. Format all of your text documents in the same manner and make sure your type face is easy to read and not obstructive. Avoid being obviously self-promoting or making statements of why the position is important to you. The employer is looking for someone who can fill their needs, not yours. Creativity. Do or don't? Most employers are not looking for someone who can make the most amazing work, but how well you fit their job position. If creativity is in the job requirement, than focus on it, otherwise it is best to fit your profile to the position on the table. State why who are a good candidate, what your work habits are, your interests, strengths. Also, be prepared to explain your work.

Be flexible! This can include travel, job requirements, hours, etc.
Many design jobs start a potential employee with an unpaid internship (or paid if you are fortunate). Consider this your foot in the door. Now is the time to demonstrate all the wonderful abilities you documented in your portfolio, like that sense of responsibility? In the end, the employer will decide whether to extend the internship, remove you, or promote you into a better position. I get ahead of myself however, this is after you have your portfolio together. My point would be, be flexible, the position you begin with may not be what you intended, but you must be able to proceed into the job market understanding the idea of job evolution and sacrifice.

The final product should be a clean and easily navigated package. Simple things to help you stay organized: keep a record of your previous employment, education, exhibitions, visits, and especially document your work (year of creation, materials, processes, images).
Those of us looking for design jobs are in for a competitive job market, so take the time to make your portfolio stand out. Craftsmanship!
There is so much to say about job seeking, especially in jewelry. For those of you already in the market, what are your experiences? In the past decade, has the jewelry design job market made any distinct trends? I feel that CAD is becoming a more sought after skill. Would you agree, or are there other skills that are also becoming more in demand? Are there any webpages you would recommend which have good examples of virtual portfolios?

Thank you!
Erica
--
ELFink@temple.edu
Tyler School of Art
Graduate M/J/CC

American Craft Council Show- Baltimore Convention Center

This Week!

Professor Janet Huddie will be taking students to a wholesale day/trade only at the American Craft Council Expo on Wednesday, 2/24, 10 am - 6 pm.

Please let her know if you would like to join her an the students.
jhuddie@comcast.net

The Baltimore Convention Center
One West Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Morning session: Meeting at 9:30 am, on the Mezzanine level of the Pratt Street Entrance, at the top of the escalator.

Afternoon session:
Meeting 2:00 pm in the Charles Street Lobby

There will be a list of names on the whiteboard in 2015 of students who are willing to drive or need a ride.
The Light Rail stops at the Convention Center
The number 48 bus goes from Towson to Downtown Baltimore, via York Road.

Check it out!

Grads + Prospective Grads Talk About Their Work

Thursday, February 25, 1-2pm
CA2006

Not to be missed
Bring your lunch
The graduate program is an incredible asset to the Metals + Jewelry and Object Design programs. Please come and hear about the work of graduate students Amy Klainer, Rachel Timmons and prospective grads Katja Toporski and Junghwa Paik.

Design Revolution Panel Discussion + Book Party

Thursday, March 11 Events

Design Revolution: Join the Debate Panel Discussion
6:30pm | Falvey Hall

Exploring Materials: Creative Design for Everyday Objects, Book Party
Leidy Atrium and Falvey Hall, Brown Center, MICA, 1301 Mt. Royal Ave 21217
5:30-6:30

Design Revolution: Join the Debate Panel Discussion
6:30pm | Falvey Hall

This free panel is a part of the Design Revolution Road Show, an exhibition installed inside a 1972 Airstream trailer that presents products from Pilloton’s new book Design Revolution: 100 Products that Empower People, written by Pilloton.

Panelists: Emily Pilloton and Matthew Miller of Project H Design, a non-profit dedicated to bringing product design to those who need it most; John Bielenberg, founderof Project M, an immersion program that inspires young designers, writers, and photographers to do work that can make a difference; and Julie Lasky, editor of Design Observer’s Change Observer section, which covers socially aware design. Moderator: Architecture/design writer Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson.

Exploring Materials: Creative Design for Everyday Objects, Book Party
Ina Alesina and Ellen Lupton

Here are few words about the Book:
Exploring Materials focuses on how product designers can use physical forms and materials in a direct, active, hands-on way. Sketching ideas with a pencil or rendering them with computer software are useful experiences, but there is no substitute for confronting physical materials in the flesh. Foam, mesh, wood, plastic, and wire each have behaviors and properties that suggest different types of structure, surface, and connection. In place of the abstraction of pure volumes or the whimsy of “virtual” objects, this book encourages designers to make and test real objects in a studio environment.

Materials are like words. The richer your design vocabulary, the more solutions you can see and express. There are no good or bad materials. Each one has its place, consequences, and cost. Understanding materials is essential to design. Some designers come to the profession with a commonsense knowledge of materials, while others have only thought about their decorative properties. Use this book to begin looking at materials with new eyes. Ignore what you already know, and find out how you can coax cardboard, foam, cloth, metal, or rope into surprising structures with valuable functions.

At the core of the book is a visual glossary of thirty-four materials, organized both to inspire and to inform. Although most of these materials are commonplace (rather than “smart” substances or exotic mutants), each is packed with potential ideas. This section presents everyday uses of the materials, pointing out the special ways each one functions as a structure, surface, fastener, and more. Also featured are experimental uses of these forms and substances, showing how designers from around the world have exploited their characteristics in inventive ways. The book concludes with a section on making it real, moving beyond the prototype to create a product that can be manufactured and marketed.

Exploring Materials speaks to a cultural shift in the design world. Many designers are thinking critically and creatively about materials—about where they come from, how they function, and where they end up at the end of a product’s life cycle. There is growing interest across society in physically making things and thus directly engaging with objects and the environment. The revitalization of craft has helped revitalize design. Exploring Materials embraces this new wave of thinking and making.

TU Art Events This Week

Due to the snow cancellations of last week and subsequent rescheduling, The Department of Art + Design, Art History, Art Education has a very exciting and packed program of events for this Thursday evening, February 18th, beginning at 6:30 pm. All these events are free and open to the public.

Dr. Martin Rosenberg Lecture: A Complex Weave – Women and Identity in Contemporary Arts

Center for the Arts Lecture Hall Room 2032, 6:30 p.m. Art historian Dr. Martin Rosenberg, co-curator of the exhibition A Complex Weave: Women and Identity in Contemporary Art, lectures on the art and artists in the exhibition.

Josef Schützenhöfer Lecture

Center for the Arts Lecture Hall Room 2032, 7:30 p.m. (New time)

Austrian artist, painter and illustrator, discusses his recent work. According to Klaus Zeyringer "Residual authoritarianism and social inequality are both a target and a spur in the paintings of Josef Schützenhöfer. Drawing on (art) history and contemporary imagery, they articulate an original realist aesthetic."

RECEPTIONS:

A Complex Weave: Women and Identity in Contemporary Art

Center for the Arts Gallery

Friday, February 12 – Saturday, April 17 (Closed Friday, March 12 – Saturday, March 20)

Reception: Thursday, February 18, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Master of Fine Arts Exhibition: Maggie Gourlay

Center for the Arts Holtzman MFA Gallery

Friday, February 12 – Thursday, March 11

Reception: Thursday, February 18, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Must Read! The New Industrial Revolution

The current issue of Wired magazine [which I am sure has already been delivered to your address!] has an excellent article on making things in the 21st century. It is a must read for makers of all ilks. It can help designers-in-training to better understand how things are made and how one might approach making in order to make a viable living. I encourage you to set aside preconceived notions as you read and read to understand the point of view of the author, Chris Anderson. If you don't know who Chris Anderson is, Google him.

You can be on the boat or on the dock. I think being on the boat is alot more interesting.

Second Life Avatar Names

Please remember to email Jan your Second Life avatar name so that she knows who you are and can therefore have the ability to teleport you to Towson's island/her location after you log in to Second Life.
Also please email her your blog addresses if you haven't already.
See you on Mondays at 8:30

Snow Storms + Second Life

Although I am unsure of the potential of virtual worlds and multi-user virtual environments such as Second Life, I remain convinced that there is potential to be had here. I am an early adopter of new developments and my approach is, “What does this mean for the disciplines I work in, for my students?”

Like most new technologies, there is a slow ramp- up: people doubt and resist and do not understand it. Then there is a flurry of activity: people just getting on the bus because the bus is there. Then a slight decline in interest: “Oh, I have to figure out how to use this and what it means?”. Then sustained activity and building: this is the role academia plays in developing new directions. This pattern is true for Second Life as well as other VWs.

In the last year or so I have seen the appearance of more than one venture capital investment firm investing in the production of virtual goods. In investigative studies of social networking the sale of virtual goods is attributed to large sums of revenue generation. [Think Zynga games.] Combine this with true success stories of people making a living through the use of Second Life- the cover of Inc. magazine, Filthy Fluno. Keeping my finger on the pulse I ask, “What does this mean for the disciplines I work in? For my students?”

If you missed Digital Nation on PBS [public broadcasting system], I encourage you to look it up. I believe you can watch it online. Warning: you might feel like you are behind.

I have been snowed in, with the exception of walks in the neighborhood, since Friday, 5 February due to the record-breaking snowstorms in the mid-Atlantic region. This is not to say that things have been at a stand still or even quiet at my house. Yesterday for example it felt like a regular day at work, juggling multiple conversations at once, the To Do list growing with each bing, attending meetings, structuring projects, and time slipping away all too fast. [I am grateful for electricity!] While many people’s activities came to a halt more-or-less for a week so far [you have not been to the studio to advance your projects/coursework; local businesses lost a week’s worth of revenue] the weather did not stop virtual work. We held our scheduled office hours on Monday nigh. Rachel learned how to build and by 10:30 pm she had images of her work up in Second Life in a cool installation. By Wednesday she had recreated the installation format with more images. By simply adding a price tag to her work she creates a potential revenue stream. It cost her nothing but time. Around 11:30pm last night Suzi FB’d me asking for Lindens: I look forward to seeing the latest addition to the Suzi empire in the Towson Innovation Lab. Follow in their footsteps.

Work is progressing on the international, collaborative project I am working on. So far we have interest from Scotland, Thailand, the Czech Republic, as well as North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina, the University of Minnesota, Marquette University, The University of North Dakota, and Bradely University. I have high hopes that we can find some partners in China and Korea as well. I hope you will get on board with this project and opportunity. Many things feel uncomfortable and strange when we first encounter them. I encourage you to push through and be on the leading edge.

I will post some links from my work in Second Life yesterday- student projects, other university islands, and leading thinkers on virtual worlds. It’s a big world out there, won’t you check it out?

I have been invited to give an audio interview about this international collaborative project in Second Life by the New Media Consortium, which I will be recording later this afternoon. I will post a link when it is available. But right now, I need to go do some kind of snow removal/control so maybe I can leave the neighborhood for real some time soon.

Jan