it's always about something

over the last few months I have been trying out new ways of getting students to communicate, while all the time I am becoming very tired even annoyed by the social network side of the internet. today I introduced them to a site I set up called sum-thing, they seem to have fun creating profiles and messaging as well as fulfilling many of the learning objectives I had planned, not all bad it is perhaps just me.

I have found myself getting really fed up with 'social networks' last night, while checking facebook (why I keep doing it I just don't know, I closed down the myspace account I had months ago). why am I concerned about things that some people I know some I don't really know are doing on days when I wasn't even near?

better still I have started to draw/design on pieces of paper again!

I realise that sounds odd but I had almost stopped drawing. but it felt so nice to write things down, could just be a passing phase but something is changing for the better.

television >> art school

a long time ago in fact when I was completing sorry starting a foundation studies course in art & design, before going on to do a degree. I listened to the song marquee moon and album of the same name by the band television three or four times a week especially when I was working on my drawing, when I would just put it on repeat.

I have such good memories of the time and it was underlined tonight when I went in to my son luca's room to hear him listening to the same song whilst he was working on his drawing (he is currently studying for 'A' levels at college, art being one of them).

the song is so good it stands against anything from the same time even perhaps gets better with age. it is strange though how history has this habit of repeating its self.

this film is from a more recent concert (live in central park ny) . the original song is from 1977, yes I am that old! & it is only the first 3 minutes 23 seconds the original lasts 10 minutes 40 seconds.

beauty of technology >> architecture

I had a few moments today when I had the chance to just play on the internet for a while so I looked at the pentagram blog, which led me to the glass house. which then led me on to looking at arts & architecture.

I have always thought that I was a architect that never happened probably because I was never quite ready to try or because the lure of the textile/fashion world in the 80's was too strong but it never happened.

however for a long time I have referred in my design work as far as thinking and imagery to architecture especial from the 40's to the 60's. I am sure for some of you this is nothing new but to be able to simply open a .pdf file and have in front of me drawings from a magazine in this case (arts & architecture) as I have included below. It is still a novelty to me.


even though I spend all my working time on front of a screen so often I can't see the most obvious things any way I thought I would share some of it.

what I like about this >> paper first please

when you are teaching, especially if you happen to be in a good position/location and with a very well equipped room. (technologically I mean). it is all too easy for students to be controlled by the programmes they use.

macromedia flash for instance is initially a reasonably easy programme to use and students will happily make stick men move around a screen, but their work all looks the same and if it were on paper they would discard it. used well flash is fantastic and we are in a position to create very complex layered animations with students who are still in their early teens.

dreamweaver does the same it takes control of what the user is doing, and as the students are so used to having templates to fill in as with bebo, myspace and facebook they just follow and any creativity is lost.

please don't misunderstand me the programmes I mention are very good indeed, but only when the user is in full control. (I hate wizards as they used to be called).

that is why I keep the students away from the computers until they have planned what they want, with pen/paper and paper, this gives them time to think before the computer channels them in to the way it works. it sounds simple but I am scared that we could have a whole generation who expect everything to have a template. so they don't learn they just follow a few simple directions.

then they have to make the programme do it. it is of courses much harder but brings much better return, and that is why I like this......

a working drawing.

cross curricular >> different thinking

never mind the london olympic logo have a look over at for some great opinions and ideas davidthedesigner and noisy decent graphics. am fighting with my own design demons to create something that will hold the attention of 14 year olds for the best part of a year. it is part of a large cross curricular project. I am currently making a flash movie these here a couple of images from the as yet unfinished film.
the idea/premiss is a good one, drawing together the disciplines of product design, food technology, textile design, graphics, ICT, resistant materials, systems and control, & new media. to make a complete marketable package for a healthy, fast food restaurant/diner food chain.
I think we have a lot of work ahead to get it right.

if only >> drawing +

it has been a strange day, annoyed at the week I had been through with all the best laid plans I had, failing and falling through my hands. I was in a self imposed denial looking and thinking too hard and what might have been really stressing and stuff.
when I stopped and noticed my son very quietly drawing.

I remember the positive childish freedom I had before I learnt stuff, and had to try be 'creative' as I got older and thought and learnt more at 'school' some good, some not.








I watched for a while and noticed that he was so happy simply drawing because he wanted to. making little noises as he drew was a humbling and motivational moment, managing to change the original subject of this blog completely.

I realistically see the process of his concentration and enjoyment, was/is far greater than what was produced, but does that matter?
if only I could realise that in a project?

not connected I have to mention a couple of stand out blogs I found today.
graphicdesignblog
mymobileguide