Debate '08

For this post I reviewed Seth Godin's post about debates. Seeing that the final debate will be coming to Hofstra very soon this article interested me. It has nothing to do really with graphic design, but more so on the whole issue of informing people. Seth premise for this post was that he believes there should be many more debates, and not just from presidential candidates but for candidates for other major positions. I agree with Seth in that debates are a great way to compare the ideas and policies of two, or more, people. As well as too see how they interact and can speak in a, moderately, improvisational setting. It gives people a better view of the candidates personalities and how they appear side by side. However, I have to disagree with Seth proposal on how the debates should be run. He says that there should be no moderator and that they should be just allowed to each speak for 15minutes and then ask each other questions. I think those rules take away from the actual purpose of a debate. Without organization you're not going to be able to keep anyone on track, have any of the real issues address, or get an equal exchange. I think it would be good to go more towards less preparation and structure but not that far.

Final Logo

So I can't lie, I totally came up with this as a fluke, and sort of hate that I came up with it that way, but whatever I like it now anyway:

Overall I do feel like it conveys the water, reflection, soothing aspects I had been trying to create from the beginning, so alls well that ends well I guess.

Logo Beginnings

This is my first logo design to incorporate my countries' flags:

This is my second,  simplified take:

What to say?

For this review I read Seth Godin's post about what you're trying to say with your product. In his post, But You're Not Saying Anything, he gives the example of the logos of some top companies. Pictured at your left are examples of how six, rather large companies have very similar, basic logo designs. By having more typical logo designs these companies are not focusing on their logo; they don't want to be know for their picture, but rather something else. Another example he gives are products that are priced at normal, competitive rate so that it doesn't put undo emphasis on the price.

I though this post was able to provide a lot of insight into how you have to think about any product you put out. Although you may want all of everything to be amazing, you have to analyze what you want to convey and emphasize. A step in the right direction might be to devise a list before you start a project of what is most important and what is least important. Then construct your project around that list, putting more work into the important things and intentionally leave others more common.

Indian Market at Santa Fe

Cultures in Photos

So I'm finally remembering to post all the pictures I've been looking at for my logo.

Here are some pictures from my countries that really caught my attention:

Recycling Cycle

Since we're taking components from other cultures and combining, and essentially reusing, them to make something new, I thought William Bostwick's article, [Re]make it New, was somewhat relevant. Bostwick discusses how designers have always recycled ideas, cultures, styles, eras to make them fresh for a new time; and especially with today's motto of "going green," recycling everything has become more appealing and more profitable for all involved.

Limited Olympics

So for my first blog review I decided to read up on Nussbaum's most recent post on the Olympics. In his post, China's Innovation Moment -- And NBC Blocks Us From Watching It Live, Nussbaum discusses how China has enabled the Olympics to be web-cast live; however, since NBC wants everyone to watch it at night on TV, they block access to the service. Although, is it really doing that much damage, because with such a technologically savvy population, people have been hacking Chinese, and every other country's, broadcasts of everything from soccer to cooking.

Three Countries to Combine

Three countries I chose to combine into my one united logo are:

Denmark

Thailand

Turkey