Production I has got me even more interested in letterpress techniques than I had been in the past. It’s funny how much I love paper and technology at the same time. Old and new is my style. I am excited to be learning about printing presses and old-fashioned production. There was this craft show I went to a few years ago that had a little “antique” print shop where they sold prints and even type. I am now thinking I would like to go back there and spend some money. I was interested in it then, and I am interested in it now even more.

I have done enough photo editing in my life. I have spent hours changing the clothes of people in group photographs that are not wearing the proper uniform. I have spent days cutting the backgrounds out of images. I have spent whole years doing this crap. It's fun for a little while. I can't get myself interested in these kinds of projects, as much as I want to. I find it difficult to believe that I am paying to relearn my entire self-education, AND high school education. And I am not doing as well as I would like to.

I am having a good time working on my Museum Project for Design Culture, the theme of which is International Typographic Style. I really gravitated toward this style because of its simplicity and clever use of (of course) typography. The project is this: "You have been asked to present a proposal to the board of directors of a new graphic design history museum opening in Toronto. You must make at least 10 recommends as to which artifacts should be purchased and placed on display in the museum. You will focus on one style only, and you will be considered the expert on this style."

I knew there would be math in Typography but I didn't know that it would be this confusing. I can't wait for semester 2, by the way. Computers! I have learned this semester that I am not an artist anymore, I don't like doing things by hand.

[ more Fyodor ]

Alignment is something I really like. It just makes sense in every way. I just finished with my Typography I thumbnail assignment, which is to align (carefully selected) 3-letter words in four quadrants. Later, the quadrants will all have to match up, and every word will be aligned with another word. It's just such a good assignment, it reminds me why I am really here.

My scrapbook is featured today at Rag & Bone Blog, so check it out! (My name is spelled wrong, but that's okay).

This is the finished product, it took TWO hours to print. Apparently it is difficult to print two-sided on cardstock, and that glossy cardstock is very expensive. But still, I want what I want, and I wouldn't settle for normal paper. Then I had to cut every sheet with a paper cutter, and hole punch every card. It was a log process and I am happy with the results.

We missed this tonight due to loads of homework, which is unfortunate because I really want to see it. And apparently it appeals to non-designers as well, so I don't have to watch it alone.

DVD cover which will be done in illustrator soon! (That little girl is me, hehe)

I love this kind of weather, it's chilly but there are warm spots under the sun. I have the day off from work/school and I have decided to cook a nice meal for dinner. I spent the morning in Chinatown looking for banana leaves (which I didn't find) and the rest of the ingredients. I found some really good magazines that are in Chinese that I will be able to use for an upcoming typography project. One is the Chinese Elle (July 2007) and the other is called "Cute." My magazine collection is becoming overwhelmingly large, and maybe it's time to get rid of some older things. Maybe. Maybe not.

The recipe is adapted from The Naked Chef Takes Off, by Jamie Oliver. (Who doesn't love Jamie Oliver?)

halibut wrapped in banana leaves with ginger, cilantro, chilli, and coconut milk

You can use any white fish for this recipe, he recommends swordfish, cod, haddock, or monkfish. I used haddock. I couldn't find banana leaves or grapevine leaves anywhere, so I used leeks which are tough and similar, we will see how that works. You can also use foil if you have no access to the leaves. I also used jasmine rice instead of plain white rice.

When I showed my scrapbook to my Design I teacher, he pointed out all of the things that were wrong design-wise. I thought to myself "but my scrapbook is the one place I am allowed to break the rules!" Sure there isn't always the proper contrast, alignment, or amount of negative space, but I feel that this is my own exploration of what looks good going against the grain. No, it may not be perfect, but is it interesting to look at? Does it catch your eye?

I got this back today, it was a good project. I enjoyed making the portfolio itself, I have done similar things on my own but it was nice to learn how to make it properly. I want to learn more about book binding, I hope that this class covers it a little.

[ See more pictures here ]