By Brockett Horne New graphics at the airport made my recent trip through security much more pleasant. Good design makes all the difference! At Baltimore International airport, gorgeous graphics and cool colors brought down my blood pressure before entering the checkpoint at Gate B. An attractive holographic display of x-ray goods marked the threshold into the checkpoint (pictured). I...
By Brockett Horne Image: Chris Jordan’s Plastic Bottles, 2007 (detail) This summer, I’m pondering the enormous weight of numbers: 426,000 cell phones retired every day 9 million American children with no health insurance 12000 plastic bags are used every minute 400,000 plastic water bottles tossed every minute $60 to fill up my Honda with gas! Ouch! Artist Chris Jordan...
By Brockett Horne Design Goes All Conceptual Beau Bergeron’s video (link via swissmiss) I used to describe the objects I make as a graphic designer as “artifacts.” I really enjoyed the sound of it: verified and notarized with the word “fact” wedged right in there. And of course, it had connotations of being museum-worthy, since all museums are full...
By Brockett Horne My daydream is to have complete freedom in my design process and not have to focus on my client’s needs. Some designers, like John Bielenberg, have managed to make my fantasy their reality. With this brochure and accompanying website, his Project M team has raised over $40K to buy water meters in rural Alabama, not by...
In this design primer, Lupton and Phillips represent graphic design basics for 2008 with profundity and clarity. The text reconsiders principles from the Bauhaus legacy, but in tune with current digital tools and culture. The approach is systematic, rigorous and brimming with postmodern inspirational examples from professionals and students. Finally! I’ve been waiting for the celebratory return of formal...
Inspired by Kate Andrews’ recent related post on sustainable typography In my typography course project at Maryland Institute College of Art, sophomore students are designing packages for eco-friendly compact fluorescent light bulbs. Not surprisingly, eco-asethetics have inspired their work and became active parts of class discussion. We debated hotly the role that design plays in creating expectations for the...
Judith Uzcategui’s banner design for the Baltimore Urban Forest project Surprise is the most magical element of birthdays, holidays, and vacations. When asked what gift I might like for a special occasion, I usually say “surprise me,” to maintain the amusing belief that something unusual can happen. The experience of not knowing what to expect is just as welcome...
