String Typography

Did I ever tell you about the time I did string typography?! No, I doubt I did, so let me go ahead now.

Last semester I had just started my "Design Research Assistant" job. My first assignment was to create an identity for a transformative learning conference we were having at school, called Transformative Learning Conference 2012. Clever, I know...

Their whole idea behind the conference is to show connection between students, teachers, learning, participating in on campus activities, etc. I was really excited about this, really excited. It was about the time that 'String Typography' was taking off and I really wanted to do something with it. Plus, it fit within the parameters of showing connection. What better thing to use than to show a network of connections that with string typography!

Jump to 5 hours later, 30 dollars in supplies, and some pissed off neighbors I had basically given up. The tutorials I had seen said to "hammer the shape of the letter into plywood". Well at 1 A.M. in an apartment complex with thin walls this is a horrible idea. I plan B'ed it and used some extra foam board I had on hand. It worked a lot better with putting the nails in, but if you look in the photo below the letters got all cattywumpus and sad.

Needless to say, I got pretty far before taking a break for the night. I showed my professor the next day, and while we both liked the idea it's not super legible.  I still want to do something with string typography, but obviously this isn't it.

Design Fail. Lesson Learned.

Do Not Enter the Uncanny Valley

Today I read an article about the Uncanny Valley. It was actually really interesting.

"The uncanny valley describes a point at which a human-like animation or robot looks too close to a human and generates a feeling of revulsion or distaste. "


Basically it's the point of being so generated to look like a human that it loses all it's human qualities. It's creepy.


So I was recently asked, or told rather, that I should apply for a student research grant with the design program. Then I decided I may as well be the only one who doesn't know anything about research grants. I know that people write a paper, then they get them, and they they (I'm only assuming at this point) do research. 

Fact: when you type into Google: "What is a Student Research Grant" you get this: 

THESE ARE NOT HELPFUL!
They just made me feel more idiotic about not knowing what it is or what type of projects I can do with them. Great, I'll write a BRILLIANT proposal, but if I can't figure out what things I can propose it doesn't help. Jerks.


So, basically somehow the article popped into my head 8 hours after reading it, but I still have no clue if it's a good topic for a research grant. I e-mailed said teacher asking if it was okay, and if it is I have 2 days to write my paper and turn it in. Easy. Luckily I'm a writing master. I can't talk to save my life, but give me a pen and paper (or less stressful to my hands a computer) and I can write forever. 


Long story short: I may be doing a research project over the effect computers have in taking away the human aspect of design. Or I may not. We shall see. 


Also, I super suggest reading the article, it's interesting!