Helvetica!!

Google search-Helvetica was developed in 1957 by Max Miedinger with Eduard Hoffmann at the Haas'sche Schriftgiesserei (Haas type foundry) of Münchenstein, Switzerland. Haas set out to design a new sans-serif typeface that could compete with the successful Akzidenz-Grotesk in the Swiss market. Originally called Neue Haas Grotesk, its design was based on Schelter-Grotesk and Haas’ Normal Grotesk. The aim of the new design was to create a neutral typeface that had great clarity, no intrinsic meaning in its form, and could be used on a wide variety of signage.When Linotype adopted Neue Haas Grotesk (which was never planned to be a full range of mechanical and hot-metal typefaces) its design was reworked. After the success of Univers, Arthur Ritzel of Stempel redesigned Neue Haas Grotesk into a larger family.In 1960, the typeface's name was changed by Haas' German parent company Stempel to Helvetica (derived from Confoederatio Helvetica, the Latin name for Switzerland) in order to make it more marketable internationally. It was initially suggested that the type be called 'Helvetia' which is the original Latin name for Switzerland. This was ignored by Eduard Hoffmann as he decided it wouldn't be appropriate to name a type after a country. He then decided on 'Helvetica' as this meant 'Swiss' as opposed to 'Switzerland'.


After seeing the video in class I really didnt know how much text played a part in design it self. It should me that text has a life its self and using the wron text to get a meaning across would be a bad idea in any designer part. Im in a publication design class and the teacher alway tells use that the copy (text) plays a large part in the design of ad, newslette, or any form of media press. Text is every where and always view by millions everyday.Even our government uses Helvetica for it’s IRS forms and all the Government buildings used it for legal forms. Looking up the text, its not free to download Helvetica is a powerful text its self and many companies use it to get their message across. Even as I type this Blog right now the text is telling me something its near important and says read me I might be interesting to read. For now on I will think of text as form of design choice and make sher it can get the massage across clearly.

The Merchants of Cool

Google Search-They are the merchants of cool: creators and sellers of popular culture who have made teenagers the hottest consumer demographic in America. But are they simply reflecting teen desires or have they begun to manufacture those desires in a bid to secure this lucrative market? And have they gone too far in their attempts to reach the hearts and wallets of America's youth?FRONTLINE correspondent Douglas Rushkoff examines the tactics, techniques, and cultural ramifications of these marketing moguls in "The Merchants of Cool." Produced by Barak Goodman and Rachel Dretzin, the program talks with top marketers, media executives and cultural/media critics, and explores the symbiotic relationship between the media and today's teens, as each looks to the other for their identity.Teenagers are the hottest consumer demographic in America. At 33 million strong, they comprise the largest generation of teens America has ever seen--larger, even, than the much-ballyhooed Baby Boom generation. Last year, America's teens spent $100 billion, while influencing their parents' spending to the tune of another $50 billion.But marketing to teens isn't as easy as it sounds. Marketers have to find a way to seem real: true to the lives and attitudes of teenagers; in short, to become cool themselves. To that end, they search out the next cool thing and have adopted an almost anthropological approach to studying teens and analyzing their every move as if they were animals in the wild.

What i felt about this Video was that it was all true, I was a victim of fashion and what was cool in my younger days in the 90's. I feel that the image of cool today is sex and its being pushed harder today to new teens. Teen today are all about image and sex appeal to the opposite sex; must have the latest clothing, technology, and top dog statist. Marketing is all bout using the right bate to catch their consumers. That bate will keep changing every year and generate more money ever time. The fashion of young woman is so un lady like; 13 year old girls waring thungs and short skirts and young men waring no belt letting their boxers show there underwear. It goes back to the parents; yes the blame goes all around but parents are the law of the house, change of this problem of sex sold by companies and media will only change, when parents take control and say no and keep their money.

Shepard Fairey

Shepard Fairey is an American contemporary artist, graphic designer, and illustrator who emerged from the skateboarding scene. He first became known for his "Andre the Giant Has a Posse" (OBEY) sticker campaign, in which he appropriated images from the comedic super market tabloid Weekly World News. His work became more widely known in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, specifically his Barack Obama "HOPE" poster. The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston calls him one of today's best known and most influential street artists. His work is included in the collections at The Smithsonian, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Looking at his work shows me that one day I can be a living artist and not known after my death. In todays life its very hard to show the world what you can do and Shepard made a loud noise in the media to get his work seen and publish. He is true motivator for young artist of today. He challenged the laws of copy rights and showed a way of transforming and making products that were refreshing to the eye. Todays generation is the mashup movement and in my world I called graphic design or (DiDe) yes I made that up. DiDe Digital Design movement. There was Dada now its DiDe. The world of art is moving to this mix media combined with Digital. I believe Shepard gave that opening to our generation.

Kamikaze Girls

wikipedia-----Kamikaze Girls centers around two students, Momoko Ryugasaki (Kyoko Fukada) and Ichigo "Ichiko" Shirayuri (Anna Tsuchiya), who are from completely different backgrounds: one is a Lolita girl, the other a Yankī. The story showcases their special bond.The movie is based on a popular light novel of the same name written by Novala Takemoto and published in October 2002. It was released on DVD in the United States in January 2006 under the title Kamikaze Girls. The movie was filmed in the town of Shimotsuma, in the Ibaraki Prefecture in Eastern Japan. The movie was premièred in 2004.


This Film was amazing to watch the film style was unique in every way. it had a great idea idea to make fun of consumers of products that where knockoffs and have a person that was stuck to the 18 century rococo fashion. to have two people that came from different life styles and have the unite threw fashion in some form. the comedy was also a big factor for me. I actually staid awake. I highly recommend Kamikaze Girls to watch.


Click here if you want to watch it on Youtube