It's starting to get cooler outside, so you may be thinking about things you can do inside. I've been eyeing this book for a couple of months now, and I finally got it. Since we no longer have Domino magazine to swoon over each month this is the next best thing: Domino: The Book of Decorating. I'm loving the wealth of information in this book, but it still leaves me wanting more. Hmm...maybe...hopefully, Domino magazine will come back.
There are so few minorities in Graphic Design, and even fewer African Americans. So, I'm excited that I learned about Archie Boston, named by Graphic Design USA as one of 35 Graphic Design pioneers. He's the first African American recipient of AIGA's prestigious Fellows Award, was President of the Art Director's Club of Los Angeles, and was chair of the Visual Communications Design program at California State University-Long Beach. He also manages his own Graphic Design firm, Archie Boston Graphic Design, which has been operating for over 30 years. In 2002, he published a book he had written called Fly In The Buttermilk: Memoirs of an African American in Advertising, Design, & Design Education, an account of his experiences as a minority in the creative industry.
An excerpt of his interview with Rachel Elnar is below, but you can read the full interview on the AIGA Los Angeles website.
Why did you become a graphic designer?
I became a graphic designer because I realized in art school that I
would have a difficult time trying to become a fine artist. I used to
love to draw and paint during my first year at Chouinard Art Institute,
now Cal Arts. My older brother Brad, went to Chouinard for 2 years
before I started there. He got a job at Advertising Designers, Inc. in
1961, when I started college. I wanted to be just like him, so I later
decided I wanted to become a graphic designer, and an art director.
With those two titles, I thought I could switch between working in an
ad agency as well as a design studio. The more versatile one becomes,
the better the job opportunities.
How did you get involved with AIGA? Why do you stay involved?
I initially was a member of the Los Angeles Art Directors Club
starting in 1963. Don Weller invited me to design the annual awards
exhibition in the Equitable Building. Then, I became a board member and
serves in various offices until I was elected President in 1976. I was
also elected president again in 1982. In that same year, I became a
tenured Professor at California State University Long Beach. Around
1992, the AIGA/LA chapter was founded. A few years later, the Art
Directors Club of Los Angeles merged into the AIGA/LA chapter. I went
down with a sinking ship until another rescued me.
I stayed involved in AIGA on the Education Committee because I wanted to help students with their portfolios, internship, and interact with graphic designers that strive for design excellence. AIGA is an organization where I could network, stay current on the local gossip, and also socialize with my former students.
In your opinion, how has design shaped Los Angeles?
In the early days there were only a few designers I admired. Those
designers were the ones I interviewed in my documentaries, but there
were other local designers I also respected, and did not interview such
as: Deborah Sussman, Rod Dyer, Michael Salisbury, George Osaki, Bill
Brown, Bradford Boston, Roland Young, Hy Yablonka, John Miyauchi, Tony
Heller, Wayne Hunt, Dan Lennon, John Anselmo, John Casado, Tony
Hollander, Charlie White, John Clark and Mikio Osaki.
These, and the 20 designers I interviewed, help shaped design in Los Angeles. They were involved in entertainment, the aerospace industry, and the emerging automotive industry. These designers cared about getting rid of visual pollution by designing great logos, annual reports, brochures, advertising, and architectural signage. These designers also taught at Art Center College of Design, Otis Art Institute, UCLA, Chouinard Art Institute, and the state universities, passing on their knowledge of good design to the next generation.
If you weren’t practicing design, what would you be doing?
I think the answer is obvious, I would teach design. I have been
doing that for over 30 years. I have been blessed because I have
maintained my own design office, and was given the opportunity to
become an author. However, I think I would have become a doctor, or
scientist, because I have always had a thirst for knowledge, and
enjoyed intellectual challenges. When I was young, I thought that those
two professions were more prestigious. Deep down inside, I knew I had
to followed my natural ability and passion, which was and still is
design.
I've heard that surrounding yourself around gray helps to stimulate creativity. I guess because the color is so neutral that one's instinct is to want to visualize color, movement, or anything that seems different.
A change in scenery is another way to get the creative juices flowing. If you're like most Americans right now, and your budget is shot because of high gas prices and the climbing price of food, then consider checking out the Mood-factory—a company that creates mood lighting to help improve moods. The 25W bulbs are mercury free and energy, earth, and animal friendly. "Why spend money on lighting?," you ask. "It's not a necessity." Well, in essence, it is a necessity. You have to have a variety of things to help spark your creativity. Afterall, you're a creative, and the show—"show" being whatever creative industry you work in—must go on! The world needs you to create designs and art that will help uplift people and keep businesses competitive, thriving during this economic downturn. It's a part of the cycle of improving the "all American dollar," not only in the US, but worldwide. Quality products are a must to keep these business afloat, thus design is essential right now. These mood lights are an inexpensive way to drastically change the mood of your room—and maybe even your own mood.
What do you think? Was that a good enough excuse to get one? =)
Check below for Mood-factory's simple explanations for how different colors affect your mood. If you don't already have it, you should also check out this Designer favorite: Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color by Leatrice Eisemann.
from mood-factory.com
This weekend, I was inspired big time by a wonderful book that I'm sure you would enjoy too—Amy Butler's Midwest Modern: a fresh design spirit for the modern lifestyle. This beautiful book is pumped with loads of patterns she designed, photos of her workspace, and anecdotes of inspiration to help activate or punctuate your creativity. Great book for your collection!
One of the best inspirations of all is to study the work of past artists and designers. It can help give you more options for design ideas. A History of Graphic Design starts with the invention of writing to the digital revolution. I have the book on top, the third edition; however, the book is now in its fourth edition (bottom image).
I love drinking tea, and I love looking at the images photographed by Alison Miksch in The New Tea Book: A Guide to Black, Green, Herbal, and Chai Tea by Sara Perry. Just like the cover, the photographs are sophisticated, elegantly styled, and have beautiful color. If you want to learn more about tea, or if you're thinking of new colors to inspire your kitchen decor, this is a great book to find inspiration.
Looking for a great design book to read over the weekend? To learn more about branding, The Brand Gap provides a simplified explanation of branding in an easy to read format.
If you're thinking about a career in graphic design, just starting d-school, or just need some design career guidance, here are four good books to get you started: Becoming a Graphic Designer, Graphic Design Career Guide—this one is hard to find, and Artist's and Graphic Designer's Market.
If you're looking for something inspirational to read this weekend, check out former Editor-in-Chief of Essence magazine, Monique Greenwood's book, Having What Matters. The inspiration for her book came from having left a 20 year career in mass media to do something she was passionate about, starting a Bed-and-Breakfast Inn.
Does anyone remember double dutching? Did you know that there is a National Double Dutch League? I used to love double dutching! Bobbin' my head trying to feel the rhythm of the ropes, jumping a split second after one rope hit the ground and before the second rope circled through—jumping with my friends while we recited rhymes, and jumping until we all were tired. Then, twenty-something years later, I tried it at my family reunion. Still got it!...........Just kiddin'...It lasted for only a few seconds. Anyway, I wanted to bring this childhood memory back to life, get you reminiscing. I found this book too, which sounds interesting.
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