Thomas Kinkade

So, I was on the Design Observer today, and there was a link entitled "Thomas Kinkade's Guide to Making Things Suck."  And I was brought back to a class I took in college - a writing class on Contemporary Art.  We had a very lively debate (art students versus non art students most likely) on art versus kitsch, and what Thomas Kinkade would fall under.  It makes you wonder why designers and artists see differently than the general public.  Most of your average, non-art clientelle, would consider Thomas Kinkade a wonderful artist.  They look at what we consider art, for example Pollock or Duchamp, and can't understand where we get it from.  And artists and designers often look at Thomas Kinkade and think, to quote the design observer, it "sucks."  So what does that say about artists versus the general public?  If his work really sucked, would he have been able to make such a sizeable living on it?  And what separates Kinkade from someone like Rockwell, who's prints are well loved by the public and have been highly used commercially (and are considered fairly ideallic as well)?  I have the utmost respect for all the artists mentioned above, but it makes for some good debate.

Here is the link to Kinkade - Kinkade

Good is Dead

Though he's been around for a while, I thought I would do an entry on Chip Kidd.  I picked up his book, Chapter One, a while ago - actually got it signed when he was touring - but have recently begun to read it again.  One of the stories that got me last time I read it was regarding one of his most well known covers - Jurassic Park.  If I remember it right, he drew the dinosaur graphic for the cover, then sold it to the movie people, not realizing it would literally become the icon for the movie.  It was on everything, and they got the rights to it for a steal.  

See his website here:  Chip Kidd

Obama Dingbats

I think the title says it all...

See it here:  ObamaBats

New York Times

Again I am astounded how we as designers have the ability to be a part of history, and how much people value what we do (so to speak).  I found out today that the New York Times from yesterday (Nov. 5) is going on ebay for over $100 because people want a piece of history - and who created that piece of history?  Designers.  Also, it is said that it is one of very few times (3-5) that the NYT has run a headline in a font size that big.  I also appreciate the brevity - nothing but "Obama" and yet that says it all.  Just some things to think about next time we are all sitting at our desk thinking that what we write/design will just end up another piece of propaganda that gets tossed aside - sometimes, people appreciate it.  And you never know when you will have the opportunity to be a part of something big...

Vote!

Just a reminder to everyone - democrat or republican, get out and vote this Tuesday!  This election came in with a bang, and lets send it out with one as well.  The polls are so close it is impossible to tell, so lets get out there and support a side.  Be a part of history.