design, art, sh*t, fun

So, following up the post from my dear friend Lee, I would like to contest his statement. First, to lay it all out there, at 22gl we constantly fight over points made because we find the need to prove their validity and because we all come from somewhere else on every issue. As negative as this argument may sound, I implore you to see it with an open mind. Second, if everyone is a designer then I am fucked for a job.
Lee "A nice site of people's attempts to fix things, proving that there is a designer in everyone" (Direct quote, you can read it your self on the post labeled 'I fixed it').  To me this statement is false. I am not trying to degrade the amazing feat of innovation, I am merely distinguishing between it and actual design. Innovation may require some amount of out-of-the-box thinking, but it just leads to problems being solved. Solving problems is not the only thing in design. Believe it or not, everyone, and I mean everyone can trouble shoot. Its a fact of evolution; we would not be here, you would not be here if you or your ancestors could not figure out how to solve problems. Yes, some may suck at it, but they still have the capacity to create solutions to problems (though that solution could then become a problem in it self, but that is neither here nor there, or you could check design wank or the also in the news sections of this fine blog to see what I am talking about). Now you may think I am splitting hairs here, but I assure you I am not, because the idea of everyone being a designer, frankly, is scary. Look how much shit is in your local supermarket that you do not need, that no one needs... and that shit is just accumulating. And that is because people "innovate" products into existence, or they "fine a need" and fill it with some superfluous piece of crap. To design an object, you need to do a lot more than just problem solve. Your creation needs to be gorgeous, it needs to function, it needs to solve the problem it intended to; yes it needs to be innovative, but that is inherent in its creation. Strictly innovating is strictly engineering. Though engineering is probably one of the best things one can do, it lacks a certain soul, a designer delivers that soul.

And that, somehow,  is the reason that I shudder when I hear the statement: everyone is a designer.

I now will wait for a slandering of sorts to roll my way from the second floor...

Lee edit

A nice counter argument Taylor.

Another interesting area is that it is the job of the designer to simplify objects - like the work of Sam Hecht.

Also we need to remember that not everyone has access to the manufacturing processes required to make an object - I couldn't for example, make a Macbook for myself.

Therefore, I guess I am agreeing with you my good friend - however, problem solving skills and the ability to use objects for different purposes is in everyone, and this should be encouraged! It doesn't necessarily mean the end of jobs for designers, just another avenue for designers to explore!

This week's design wank has all the makings that are required to be a Design Wank - stupid pun name along with useless and ill thought out. And this is coming from me, who inflicted the 'coaster coaster' on the world.

It is call 'ring-o-star'  and is  a coffee holder for your bike handlebars. How wanky is that? Oh look at me I'm cycling to work and while I stop at the traffic lights I'm going to sip my morning coffee. No. More likely HOLY FUCKING SHIT I JUST WENT OVER A BUMP AND NOW MY HANDS HAVE BEEN SCOLDED.

Me and Lee went to the 2nd annual arts festival in Hackney Wick yesterday. Apparently Hackney Wick has the most artists per capita in the world (all the artists priced out of Shoreditch moved there) and I can't recommend the festival highly enough. With open studios, activities, cabaret, live music and industrial car park raves it was thoroughly inspiring and enormous amounts fun. My only regret is that I didn't go for the whole weekend!

Here's some highlights:

This was just randomly on a street and sums up the freely creative atmosphere of the Wick. This was made entirely from takeaway menus

This was quite cool. Basically there was a paintball fight and people just threw stuff and around and created a destruction zone/conceptual art depending on how you look at it.

More random art from the streets.

My personal highlight was Joseph Loughborough. A brilliant painter drawing inspiration from the likes of Rothko and Schiele. Figurative abstract craziness. Click the pic for his flickr page.

Another highlight; Rosie Emerson's fashion illustrations. Click the pic for her site.

These guys certainly knew how to throw some shapes - the guy in the centre had us in stitches during the gig in a car park. One of those moments when you're just glad you're not drunk enough to join in.

The festival ends with a ceremonial burning of a wicker man.

Overall it was an absolutely fantastic day and I urge you all to go next year, I'll certainly be there again. Any further information about the event can be found at: http://www.hackneywicked.com

testy testy

Well, after a very long time off, I am back. I did not go on vacation, just to work, but now that I have a few minutes, I would like to update you on what the world is doing and share a few thoughts that are not mine, but seem fitting, about this place we call Earth.

First of all: In the news... Not entirely sure how one manages to not consider how a FACTORY is put together when trying to knock it down with dynamite. But here is a video on how you too can fail at reducing a building to rubble with massive sticks of explosive material:

Epic Fail

Second thing in the News: Have you ever wanted to seriously piss off the rest of the world? Well in order to do that, you have to understand something, and that is: in order to be a foreboding force in the world as a country, you need to be able to flex nuclear muscles of a sort, but to really fight for the top of the pile you have to be able to stop someones hardest punch... in mid air... wold's biggest pissing contest continues.

And yes its dated, but dang its funnay

Portrayal Of Obama As Elitist Hailed As Step Forward For African Americans

And just to be a moral pain in the ass:

New Portable Sewing Machine Lets Sweatshop Employees Work On The Go