gordonated

Heroes/Work: Kyoorius Designyatra 2009

I remember rushing through a whole lot of things for Designyatra this year during end of August. Now, its all over for almost two weeks plus and suddenly life moves on at its usual phase.

Was quite an experience really to be there this time around. Simply because I needed to be on duty to make sure certain things go as according to plan. Compared to past year where I was just a delegate. Starting off with me finding out my flight was only 4 hours away. In the midst of packing and rushing through to make sure I brought the correct pair of socks to keep me comfy, I realized that this is not going to be an easy trip.

I spend the last three days prior to Designyatra working on event graphics and other related matters to the event. Yes, it was pretty chaotic as there were a lot of things to pay attention to. From working with the visual and audio guys, to the guys producing the event graphics, and to the guy who approves them all, and oh, the guy producing the event too.

Besides occasionally standing at the AV area, worrying about which speakers laptop works and which doesn’t, trying to ensure speakers credits appear accordingly and also videos and presentations go on well, getting a feel of being out of the comfort of working without colleagues is a scary thing really. No doubt the availability of the internet saved my life a few times, working under the thrill of making rushed last minute decisions remains haunting.

Of course its stressful to battle against time and at the same time, trying to ‘conceptualize’ Erik Spiekermann looking at it and what if he says ‘boooo’. I really think it will be a career breakdown really. Its confirmed in my experience, that designing for the creative people can be a tough thing at times because of the levels of extremes that exist in our taste for design. Letting the work you do being exposed to the whole creative industry, where almost 1,200 pair of trained eyes looking at your little booklet, its scary.

Let me side-track a little bit: Was with a very famous designer sometime ago and he told me that designing for the creative community is actually an easier thing compared to designing for corporate clients and those from other industries. I asked him why. He told me that chances of them liking it because you like it is higher. To a degree, ironically, I do believe its true regardless of my fear of being in this position.

Back to the conference; on a lighter note, I did enjoyed the conference a lot. No doubt I felt uncomfortable traveling through the streets of Mumbai to the venue due to the heavy rain and uncertainty whether I will get caught in a flood or not, it thought me of how life is on the other side of the world.

Listening to the Dutch designers going through their pile of work and the ADDIKT guys was a good break indeed. I felt day 1, where the focus was on architecture and interior design a little bit solemn. Serious. Probably extracting them out entirely as an independent event might be of consideration for next year. Ben Terret’s talk about his ever changing perspectives as a designer was highly entertaining but very real. It reminds me of how much I dislike certain things which I use to think was fascinating. I was in 100% attentive mode while  listening to Wally Olins and Michael Wolff walking down memory lane. And it opened up my eyes to see the importance of finding the right people to liaise with at work.

Another one of the awe moments of the conference was when Erik, the last speaker asked the audience to point out the name of the typeface used on the stage backdrop (or as the primary typeface for this years Designyatra identity). ‘Akkurat’ he prompted. Followed by a good piece of advice ‘Never read anything without knowing what typeface is used.’

All that been spoken, I was at a very peaceful state of mind sitting around the pre-function area observing the event crew setting up the graphics before day 1. It was satisfying.

Random posts about Designyatra 2009:
_http://www.afaqs.com
_http://noisydecentgraphics.typepad.com
_http://www.creativereview.co.uk

Posted in Design, Designers, Work | No Comments »

Fav: Gill Sans

I love Gill Sans.

Probably an extension of my favor for British Design. Have combined it with Times New Roman, Sabon, Galliard and other old style typefaces. Possibly sometime ago, I stunningly tried to combine it with ITC Avant Grade; yes, I failed of course. You will need to be a pro typographer to do it.

And like many others, I do think its overused. Easily available on any computer running on either Windows or Mac platform, accessibility to the typeface further results in even more usage and some bad public examples. Some inappropriate usage as text, boring usage on ad’s and sometimes an eyesore on billboards.

I like it on book covers. I like it in large sizes on a small confined grid on a canvas. I like it as headlines, subtitles and quotes. I like it in capitals. I think if evenly spaced, it can be elegant and beautiful. And I love the black sheep of the family; the italic ‘p.’ I love the lowercase ‘g’ and think that ‘a’ is annoyingly addictive to look at. But all said in this paragraph, only if set in the hands of someone who appreciates it and has a good eye for it.

Other humanist sans typefaces like Agenda or FF Milo might have better consistency and beauty and more weights but I guess I’m sticking with the fact that Gill Sans has more authenticity. It would have been so much more exclusive if it hadn’t been overused widely.

My thoughts on Gill Sans extends beyond the sophistication of the typeface alone. I have an admiration for the complicated life of its creator, Eric Gill. Having to have read An essay on Typography and halfway through reading his biography, my admiration for the man simply developed a little further. Though I might not take his spiritual theologies as good advise sometimes. And of course the sexuality stuff he keeps mentioning about and repeatably shown in some of his work. Probably after completely reading his biography, I might change my mind on this.

Fontshop.com has some alternatives to Gill Sans, of which it will be a crazy idea to use with. Eric Gill is also featured in this months Creative Characters newsletter from Myfonts.

Someday, I will challenge myself to the ultimate task of using Gill Sans next to Stone Sans. Might never succeed.

I know, sometimes I overly mention about Gill Sans.

Posted in Designers, People, Typography | No Comments »

U2

Due to a leak in Universal Music Group’s Australian arm, U2’s new album has been made available for download at Getmusic.au. I guess the guys must have been pretty unhappy but turn the tables otherwise using an official channel, their myspace.

U2 have made available streaming of their new album, due to be released next week, March 2nd, on www.myspace.com/u2.  Fans get to enjoy. Critiques filling up their myspace comments.

Well, I’m thinking, should I get the digipak set? (Since I have the special edition set Atomic Bomb set).

Reminds me of that Haptic, Kenya Hara, emptiness, Japanese thing. Despite the recent controversy about the design of the album cover, I still think it’s nice.

Posted in Design, Music, Musicians | No Comments »

About a Player

I heard of a story from a friend of how the guitarist in his band went crazy;

Mr. R (assumed name), is a man whose income depends on how regular his bands can get a spot in a local nightclub. Probably playing no more that 10 gigs a month, his income probably hits a low of less than RM400.00 monthly.

Few years ago, R got involved in with a foreign women who dumped him for unknown reasons. R went mad. Visited the mental institution regularly. Was reported mad by some close friends.

During practice sessions, his mum would call him to ask him what time he will be back home for supper. Although at a matured age of mid-50’s, he would answer politely that he will be back soon without showing any signs of irritation or disturbance (usually happens if you are in a jamming mode) with a childlike tone.

His brother was known as the ‘Jimi Hendrix’ of Malaysia. Died of drug abuse. I guess that is where he get his mentoring from. He could play nice songs; Sultan of Swings, Have You ever Seen the Rain and some golden oldies.

Recently, his involvement with another foreign women got him into even more trouble. Promising a monthly allowance of RM100.00 for his then girlfriend, R had no idea that he was being actually played by her. She then ran away and left him. That could probably the cause of why he went into serious depression recently.

A few days before Chinese New Year, the band was invited by an agent to play in a local club. Everything went well until suddenly when R accuses the drummer of the band for taking 70% of the income, leaving the remaining 30% for the rest of the band. He argued about it all night, causing tension among the bands members and the management.

A night later, he went alone into the same pub, plugged in his guitar and played. Customers left, the management called the band leader to call if off. “This is not the way to do business. You need your full band to be here to play”.

Disappointed, he went to anther pub, walked in, went onstage and plugged in his guitar to play. Afterwards, harassing customers to pay him cash for performing. He was then kicked out of the pub by some bouncers. A group of men who were furious because of his actions in harassing them beat R up.

Smashed his only guitar.

Today he remains monitored in a psychiatric ward.

Sad isn’t it?

Posted in Life, People | No Comments »

Thought: Playing Hendrix

I have been studying Electric Ladyland for the past few weeks; digging up details from interviews, reading articles, etc. And I find it really fascinating.

To further complete my Hendrix Experience, I bought these two DVD to play with. I think they are awesome. Although there are no  details on his guitar rig while recording still the lessons given are good enough for one to at least get an idea of how imaginative Hendrix’s mind is, especially on the guitar.

And I do love the artwork for Axis:Bold As Love.

Posted in Music, Musicians, People, Rock, Wishlist | No Comments »

Thought: The Artist/Designer/Musician Thing

There are many musicians out there who I admire who happen to have a little or two to do with graphic design.

I just found out recently that Queen’s crest, was designed by Freddie Mercury, the bands lead singer who dies of AIDS in the early 90’s. Happens to be a London art-school graduate as well. Writer of the awesome Bohemian Rhapsody.

The famous KISS logotype, designed by Ace Frehley, Gibson endorser and also hero the many legendary metal-heads including Dimebag Darell (Pantera, Damageplan) and Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society).

Having being the godfather of Grunge and charisma enough to influence and change culture, Kurt Cobain is definitely no stranger to all. While the world thinks Nirvana is probably all that is, but apparently, Kurt’s visual side manifests very interesting imaginary collectives; including toy monkeys of musical nature, heart-shaped boxes and plastic dolls. Not to mention his fascination with meat, as seen prominently on the album In Utero. Usually dark and sends out the message that everything is a little messed up and dark. But beyond the drugs, the girl, the lyrics and the depression, there’s something truly genius about him.

I also suspact Micheal Johnson of johnson banks probably has his own band as well. By reading this post about guitars and design on the johnson banks blog, suggest a very complete set of guitar effect pedals with a vast knowledge in the world of rock and roll. Plus, I don’t think he’s as amatuer as he claims he is on his blog; probably could lay a few SRV chops…

Meanwhile, in the world of typography, we see the guys at LettError, playing in a band called Wolfraam.

Underworld, the English electronic band, also happen to be designers from the London based design consultancy Tomato. I probably listened to electronica music a little bit because of them. And if you look close and observe long enough, probably the designs coming up from the studio can be visual representations of the music their colleagues make—not everything but maybe like the one above.

I always find designers who have a good sense of taste in music interesting to talk with. Probably the platform of common interest I share but also the fact that their interest expands beyond merely art, design and typefaces. It’s always very appealing to hear from a colleague in the design industry speak about Van Halen or maybe even King Crimson album covers. Even more interesting if they actually play, produce or write their own music.

That said, somehow, in a society, I feel that there’s always many other mediums or stages where we can make our presence known to that society; for profession, for entertainment; for pleasure; to express an emotion, to voice an opinion or suggestion or even just to leave a mark.

I did it by extending my options to playing music. The only way I know of right now. Not to mention the other hundreds of ways that probably you can be intact with. It might just suggest to the outside world that designers are not only crazy long-haired people who work long hours with no life and are ‘emo-creatures.’ Might even change their perception and take designers, musicians, artists, actors and others who are more linear with ‘cuture’ more seriously and with much thought.

It’s an artist, designer, musician thing.

Posted in Design, Designers, Music, Musicians, People | No Comments »

Thought: Naked Designers?

What’s the thing with naked, nudity and designers?

The most exposed graphic designer ever lived, Sagmeister,  seen here been ripped-off by the awesome ripper! (except for the pants, Alex)

But he’s not the only one; April Grieman did it in 1986 too.

I personally know a designer who used to do his designs naked. According to him, its because of the heat. So what’s with designers going naked?

Posted in Design, Designers | No Comments »