Web sites … a daunting task?

Web sites and web site design are definitely on my mind. I wonder when I’ll be proficient enough to pull off my own Web site? To be sure, my Web Design I professor is really trying to give us the download on Hyper Text Mark-Up Language (.html) and the esthetics on how, why and what about Web sites. Hope I don’t get too much on his nerves because I just haven’t mentally connected with (.html).

Don’t get scared but I have been thinking and have come to the conclusion that Web sites are like everyone’s own magazine. To design and produce a magazine has always been and still is a major proposition and undertaking. I decided to review and discuss a tiny portion of what’s out there. How simple: just note what the professors talk about and mention Communications Arts Magazine which has always showcased Web sites either for their high technological achievement or their esthetic beauty. OK, simple task.

Consider for a moment, how many Web site there are now? This is what Netcraft, (2011) says:
 “… February 2011 survey we received responses from 284,842,077 sites.”
http://news.netcraft.com/

Keep in mind what Boutell.Com (2011), says: “no one is in charge of the World Wide Web, the question is difficult to answer precisely. After all, there is no one central “server” that runs all the websites in the world. The DNS registrars have lists of the domain names that exist, but not every domain contains a website.”
http://www.boutell.com/newfaq/misc/sizeofweb.html

Amazing and daunting. Millions, even billions will be privy to anything I put out there. This does add a little stress to the situation. So, let’s look at what the academics suggest. 

My Web Design I professor and a major “techy.” He is very into all types of applications and programming involved in the creation of Web sites. I’m not sure if I will ever be that consumed by a certain human topic or interest. Still, take a look — it’s whole new world—
• http://www.alistapart.com/
• http://balsamiq.com/
• http://www.smashingmagazine.com/ — (love this one for sure!!)

If you take a gander at the Web sites my Computer Illustration I professor suggested for our view, you’ll realize he is obviously a product of the 60s. One can really get feel of the subversive artistic tendencies … are they subversive? Maybe it’s just artistic objectivity? Take a quick look:
• http://www.usdebtclock.org/
• http://inflation.us/
• http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/

To round all this out, I decided to go to Communication Arts magazine to check out their following “webpics:”
• http://www.organicvalley.coop/
• http://www.planetpropaganda.com/believe/
• http://www.danielvosovicny.com/

You’re going to need major “RAM juice” to watch the last Web site listed. Of course, this is the one I love. Fashion and it’s implementation of artistic and graphic design always win in my mind. Just gorgeous!!

Inspiration about corporate America

I have to produce an editorial poster for a client. This project about genetically modified foods has really made me consider what commerce and working in it is all about. It seems most of the foods we eat come from genetically altered origins. That is, animals are given chemicals to produce more or become more nutrient beneficial to us. Seeds are genetically altered to become resistant to certain “weeds” but will not germinate, leaving farmers subject to the will of the conglomerates who produce the seed. Let’s see, gigantic corporations versus the people, I definitely relate to that!

Working for CINTAS Corporation, I noticed the disparity between the salaries of the executives and the people working in production and distribution, “the floor.” These people worked just as hard as the executives and VPs but were compensated so much less. Working for Hearst Corporation’s San Antonio Express-News (SAEN) gave me a sense of how helpless we all are when it comes to the power of corporations. Seems like these American corporations have no allegiance/patriotism to the good old USA — not when they make their biggest profits by outsourcing their work to foreign countries. I’ve always wondered why not one of the journalists, reporters or columnists ever wrote anything, anywhere about the layoffs occurring right before their eyes. Seems like no one felt like fighting Hearst Corporation. (It was probably a contract thing, right?)

For this “genetically modified foods” project, I did some research and watched the movie “Food, Inc.” The research the French journalist accomplished in this film was just amazing. Now, I’m pretty sure I’ve got enough inspiration to represent this complex dilemma graphically. My tangent/perspective: starving people really don’t care if the food they are eating has been genetically modified. With so billions of people in the world now, food will be food.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhOo1oRqH70

Ying Yang Logotype experiences.

I have another opportunity to create a logotype. It’s going to be fun but I have my reservations. Here’s an overview of my experiences with this product.

Gregg Berryman’s “Notes On Graphic Design And Visual Communication” was suggested reading in college. Logotypes Mr. Berryman states: “are marks which consist of pronouceable words … often a single word … excellent identity devices because they are related to visual and phonic codes with which we are familiar.” In my senior Graphic Design creating a logotype was a major undertaking. The process took about a month and a half. This very logotype would encompass the entire class packaging project and would count for half the grade -- a very stressful situation.

Before I even went to college, I had produced logotypes for various typesetting houses and printing service bureaus. I saw it as a play with typefaces. The names of fonts intrigued me: Helvetica (I’ve been to Helvetica now!), Didot, Bodoni, Garamand, Galliard, Trade Gothic, Copperplate, Univers, New Times Roman, etc., etc., etc. For many years, I didn’t even know why or how they were named. Academia changed all this. As a Graphic Designer for CINTAS Corporation endless hours working with logotypes: redrawing, rebuilding, redesigning, proportioning, recoloring, creating and specifying them. I did I miss anything? At one point, a VP commissioned the production of an award for the Sales Executives in the form of a “check.” Scary.

As as freelancer, I’ve designed logotypes for various marketing directors, students, and start-up businesses. Here in San Antonio I got the opportunity to design a “Don Quixote” logotype for Don Quixote Imports. It took about 18 edits and redesigns to get their marketing director’s approval. Only with his approval could I go on to design the business cards, brochures, product labels, wraps for the company vehicles, and signature for the store front. Just when you thought drawing could be cool! Take a gander at some of my work (http://www.flickr.com/photos/55648749@N08/sets).

For this logotype at hand I will get inspiration from “Communications Arts” ; Erik Spiekerman’s Blog ; and, Jacob Cass’s “2010 Logo Design Trends” -- this should help.