Adobe Achievement Awards 07: semi finalist

I submitted 3 pieces to the annual Adobe Design Competition open to students in the field of design under several different categories of design.

My Wikipedia website was selected under the "interactive and web design" category and my Signs book was selected under the "print: multi-page" category. The contest is international and there are submissions from schools in every part of the world. So, to even be selected as top 50 in two categories is more than disbelief for me. I'm already overwhelmed. If I get to the final round (top 3 in each category), which is announced in June, I'd be granted a trip to San Francisco and given free Adobe software or better yet, $5000.

Cool stuff huh? Man, this experience has been so unforgettable. It's been more than anything I could have possibly imagined. I'm so grateful for all this.

New poster for SIGNS

I was notified today that I am receiving the GIC Expressive Typography award at the ceremony on Friday due to the results of this project.
Thanks Ringling!

inspiration to speak, to write, to recite, to create, to empower, to stand, to inspire, to provoke...to be a poet

I saw Saul Williams speak down here at Ringling about a month ago. Since then, the poet in me has thrived and been asked to dance.

Dave Mason at Ringling

The design firm SAMATAMASON based in Chicago and Vancouver was chosen out of a list of studios to re-brand the Ringling School of Art and Design identity. Now the college is officially titled Ringling "College" of Art and Design just so they fit in amongst the rest in the country. Today, Dave Mason, who was also the juror for choosing the Best of Ringling in the GIC (Graphic & Interactive Communication) department gave a speech about their design process, which is always enjoyable to see. The new logo is a golden mean rectangle defined as the "constant" on top of the student art and design work, which are the "variables". There is no ONE logo. There will be a series of different ones based on different chosen student work that ties in with their grid. The concept is brilliant I think. It's futuristic, it crosses boundaries and it creates new perspectives and promises for the institution. It was really interesting to be a part of this transformation process of the school while I've been down here, as well as experiencing the education and community at this school. I will most definitely be doing a complete reflection on this experience.

After his speech, he gave another speech later in the day about his life and how he became a designer and got to the point where he is today. He is definitely a great character, as all great designers are. His life story was centered around being obsessed with hockey and wanting to be a professional athlete. He was raised in Canada and was and still is part of that whole hockey "religion", unlike me. Furthermore, he connected the love for the sport, to the love for design, which is exactly what I have always told myself after I became seriously passionate about design. I wanted to be a professional athlete from grade 7 until end of high school. It was my dream, to be a superstar basketball player. But, I got to a point where I knew there were just so many other girls just much better than me, even though I was still damn good. I just wasn't going to be the "superstar" that I always dreamed to be. I always had the drive for getting better though, always. I felt alive when I played. I had strength, I had power, I was fearless. Mason and I transformed that love to the love for graphic design. Well, he didn't know anything about graphic design until he went to a community college that didn't even give out degrees. I have been fortunate enough to be brought up with my backup along with my passion for athletics, since I was 12. Before that, I was just a pure tomboy always up for adventures and battles. Soccer, volleyball, cross country, swimming track and ultimately basketball were on my lifetime agenda. I KNEW I loved being active and competing. It just felt good.

I had never heard a successful graphic designer talk about graphic design like that. Well, okay just once and I took note of it... Never like this though. Never had I heard such submission to the sport as the reason for being a designer. It was powerful. I had never related in that sense to the life of a designer. Designers as athletes? Who talks about that?
That was brilliant Dave, if you ever happen to read this. I really enjoyed his talk. I love good speakers because I want to be just like them one day. Speak like that about my life. Anyhow, that's in the future, let's talk about now.

Design, Mason agrees, in response to a lot of work from Ringling, is more than just making things look visually dynamic. If it was only about that, then everyone would be a good designer. It's not that hard to mess around and make things look eye catching, but what sets a good designer a part form a great designer is the intelligence. The thinking, the concept, the process and the love that's in the work to give it meaning. A designer has to be good at many things to be a great designer, not just at splashing things on a page. It's an art for goodness sakes! It's a new form of integrated methods of communication nurtured with care with solid ideas, powerful impact and reason for existence. Mason projected a long list of qualities and skills a graphic designer should have, or should collaborate to create.

It all makes sense. It always has to me. Where's the concept? Why isn't there a concept? Why do I like looking at it but I don't know why it was created like that? Why do I not get it? Why do they all look the same? Why is the type so terribly done? Why wasn't there more time spent on it if it's supposed to be great? How is it any different than another idea? What is the idea anyway and why is it not clever enough to make me like it?

These are all questions I ask myself when I view work. Most of the time I just tell myself that I'm around students. Being around students is what should help you define yourself amongst others. Never compare, but learn and always push yourself to YOUR own fullest extent regardless of the system you're in, or the level of work you are surrounded by. Use up your time, it's there to be used efficiently at your best resources.

I got tons of projects to do. I'll write a couple more entries before I get back to Toronto but I have to say, I'm really happy with the stuff I've done down here. I'm pumped up for my 4th year at OCAD. It is going to be a big year for me. I've already tasted it and it's pretty filling.

Best of Ringling 2007

Best of Ringling is an annual event where the top work produced each year by students is picked by external jurors within each department. The juror this year for Graphic Design was Dave Mason. Each student was allowed to submit 3 works. There were about 140 submissions and 21 pieces were chosen. Two of my submissions were chosen. Eight texts: SIGNS for GD2 and my re-design of Wikipedia for New Media.

Putting ME in all

I had my spring break a couple weeks ago which I spent the majority of the time designing my application to Bruce Mau Design. I put a lot into it. Every breath. I went ahead and sent along a response to an essay he had written in Walrus magazine. This was an assignment for my Advanced Typography course but I ended up strategically treating the project as an asset for my application, which was really only to answer three questions and send along a resume.
I just want to be there so bad. I have continually been reading about Bruce Mau and visiting the studio's website throughout my years in college. I was inspired by his Life Style book when I was formally introduced to his work last year in Graphic Design History class. I ended up writing about him in essay responses for my exam.

I wanted to be there last year but they weren't taking people then. A few months ago when I visited their website, I saw that they were actually looking for people so I was so excited that I knew I had to blow them away with my passion and integrity for being in their studio environment. I just have to be there. I want to see it, share ideas, talk about what they do, meet more designers who think like me. I'm ready for it.


School is crazy. I've learned to deal with the Ringling excessive demand for producing work and I'm okay with it because I'm producing A LOT of work that I think are great indicators of my strengths. So, I'm really happy about that. It's just been non-stop.

I'm enjoying Florida too though. I went down to Miami Beach last weekend by Greyhound bus, which was 5 hours that I spent thinking, sleeping and writing. Miami Beach was gorgeous. Definitely a place to invest in buying a home, even temporarily.

Overall, this experience so far has been truly amazing. I've learned so much about myself. I've fallen in love with writing and poetry. I love typography. I love design. I love where I'm going with design. I want to do more. I want to write books of poems. I want to design them, choose the paper, bind them, feel them, read them, share them and inspire people.

Saul Williams was a huge inspiration. He came and spoke at Ringling. I was moved and taken a back. I felt connected and I felt like I could do so much more with my interest in writing. I can totally combine everything into design and my future.

See it coming.
I wrote three poems on my way to and from Miami, on top of the random stuff I write and refine from time to time on my hard drive.

I have only begun, or better yet, I begin anew with every thought. Sometimes I choose to continue and sometimes I choose not. Same with you.

Illusive Senses

I am in love
with illusive senses

energy as language
mind as surreal
chemistry as emotion
sign as dream

to reach the intangible
gratifying desire
with what is there
and what isn't

for which I create
to smile and cry
from inside out
revealing the hidden

Know. Think.

Know.
How do you know?
How do you know what to think?
Is it better to know or to think?
What if you think you know?
Will you ever know if you think you know?
Do you know how to think?
Who tells you?
Do they know?
How do they know?
Because someone else knows?
How would you know if you don't think?
You should always think that you know and know that you don't know
But you should never say that you know and think that you don't know.
If you think about what you know, you'll know for yourself.
You will know yourself.
Think.

Dao: Spirituality is philosophy

Daoism is the closest that I can come to any religion. Because it's not a religion. It's philosophy. It's a way of thinking. It's a way of conducting yourself by discovering yourself.

I have grown to think this way even before I knew anything about the Dao. Now, after taking a course in Chinese culture and reading more about Daoism I realize how close it is to what I have always been thinking about. I never associated myself with any religion because in my eyes it was too narrow for me. I always viewed religion as something personal, something that brought you and no one else to peace with yourself and your own life. Any perception of faith that completes you, is religion in my eyes. Therefore it is something that needs to be discovered from within by knowing yourself before you distinguish yourself.

I hate the word "religion". I abhor it. The word should have never been created in the first place. "Philosophy" is a better term to use for defining your beliefs. Philosophy involves thinking, developing and understanding through observing, analyzing and clearing your mind of pre-conceived thoughts.

I believe that more people need to do this in order to find themselves to make themselves happy. Once they do that, they will be able to be kind to others and humanity.

Read my notes at Master Chen's speech at East West Center Chinese Natural School of Medicine.

I have never felt so close to something that comprehensively and distinctly defined my beliefs. I always thought it was just my own philosophy, but it is 5000 years old. It's the Dao. Chinese history is fascinating, I am most definitely going to be traveling there in my future.

Randomness of me

What else have I been up to?

Here's a list of what I do on a regular basis in no particular order because sometimes one receives more of my time than the other.

I spend 90% of my time with my Powerbook. If I were to ever lose it, I'd
lose...well not a part of my soul but it's the closest thing to an addiction. At least it's not bad for my health. I use it to communicate and to educate myself.

THINK: I am doing this constantly while I observe and research. I call it learning but planning as well. An example of what I think about is my thesis project for my fourth year which I have been planning in my head since last fall. It's definitely moved up from where it started with an idea to a lot of research, planning and organizing for each essential step. This is the process I go through with everything I do. My thesis project is going to be a turning point in my life therefore it needs to be done RIGHT.
READ BLOGS:I subscribe to them with my RSS Reader program called NetNewsWire. It really breaks Internet down to what you want it to be and you feed your brain information that you've requested to be updated on. I think it's fabulous and keeps me updated on specific sources that I want to be informed by. I think it's a fascinating addition to Internet and it just tells you how great the Internet can become as a tool for intellects. It's very motivating and encouraging to keep updated on IT and what's going on in the WWW.
WRITE: I've been getting back in touch with my love for creative and expressive writing. One writer that I love is David Barringer. He is super cool because I can write him emails and he writes back and I've ordered a collection of his books. His writing attracts pieces of me that fell in love with writing when I was younger. I loved English classes in high school because they forced me to better my vocabulary that I thought was extremely limited by daily language. I wanted to be able to write like a scholar hence I pushed myself to read more. I love poetry too and write when I feel something or something is on my mind. I use writing as an outlet of emotion. I find it more effective than talking to anyone because I don't need to hear a response, I just want to get it out and look back at it later.

Now I feel like design and writing have a niche. They are integrated and the most intellectual and valued designers are self-taught writers. They are able to communicate because they can simplify their thoughts and express them creatively but with purpose and intent. They create impact and inspire thought and I am touched by this because it brings me from my scattered past to a more defined yet endless future. Design, criticism, writing, problem solving skills can increase your versatility and knowledge under any subject matter.

People I admire:
Debbie MillmanI discovered her truly amazing podcasts a year ago and have been using it as a food-for-thought source ever since.

Bruce Mau - I'm aiming to get a summer job or internship, whatever it is, at his studio. He's in Toronto, so am I. He's Canada's leading designer. I am a fan because I see the world and design the same way he does.
That's the only reason I would put effort into applying to work anywhere, ONLY if I REALLY want to be there I'll consider applying. Because if I apply I know I'm going to put my all into it.

John Maeda and his amazing book

I skim a lot of books but I draw quotes from a lot of things.

I love looking through design magazines.
I love philosophy and lately I've found a deep connection with Chinese culture. I am simply amazed by eastern history and fascinated by their culture.

I want to go on a bike tour to China, with my camera.
Now THAT would be something.

There are lots more things I do and I love doing. But for some profound reason I sense that I am in a stage of my life where I see something and want to get there and don't want to disturb myself with my surroundings. I'm not confused by or dependent upon anything to make a future for me. I PLAN my future and I do it MY way, which is dependent on research of OTHER ways. The only networks I need are people who think as much as I do, have a strong mind and who can motivate and instigate further development on my determination. Others I love dearly and value their persona, but I will never be attached or long for attachment to something that exists. I only attach myself to the non-existent that is eternal love within myself for what I want to do. That is the only thing I am attached to, and I will do everything to make myself happy. It keeps me strong because it can never detach and I am reassured by that thought.

sign for "SIGNS"

I've been working on numerous projects the past few weeks. There is one week left before the spring break and I've been spending a lot of time with my projects. They get a lot of my attention. I spoil them with my care. It's not fair to the other ones that need attention, projects that is, not people. I see projects as the best way for me to get to know myself. I see people as influence of thought and emotion.

I recently finished putting together a book for Graphic Design class. It was our first project of the year and we went through three sections begining with typographic systems while reading chapters from Robert Bringhurst's Elements of Typographic Style. Then we drew out concepts from one of the texts that we liked most and explored them typographically. Then finally we chose one concept and executed the passage it as a sequence on eight pages.

This was the text I chose and I spent weeks and weeks absorbed in it.

Language and writing are two different systems of signs;
the only purpose of the latter is to represent the former.
Linguistics is not concerned
with the connection between the written and spoken word–
its sole object is the latter: the spoken word.
But the written word is so closely bound up with the spoken, whose image it is, that it is increasingly arrogating
the main role to itself/
Ultimately the point is reached
where more importance is attached to representation
of the spoken sign than to this sign itself.
It’s like thinking that to know someone,
It is better to look at his photograph than his face.

by Ferdinand de Saussure

This became a personal project. I put myself in it by doing lots of hand writing and exploring it's potential as a spoken word concept. I'll post up the book soon when it's absolutely perfect like I want it to be.

TIG Impact in response to Bruce Mau

I caught Bruce Mau's essay in Walrus magazine back in December when I was still in Toronto.
I didn't buy the magazine but read the majority of the article and knew at some point I'd read it again. I have always been a fan of Mau and his work. I was introduced to him when I attended the Massive Change exhibition at the AGO in my first year of college. I read about him in my History of Graphic Design class and went to the library for both of his over-sized books: Life Styles and S,M,L,XL.
So upon reading that article I felt a true connection to what he had written.

My current project for my Advanced Typography class is to choose an essay relating to design of our choice and write a response to it. We then need to design them both on one page side by side to visually demonstrate the contrast with opposing or amending viewpoints.

I would suggest you read Mau's writing that I've put up here before you read my upcoming response.

38 in....Design

It's been 38 days since I've arrived in Sarasota Florida and have left my viciously frozen home in Toronto Canada.

Things are going well. I've adjusted to the work load—or rather have come to accept it. Ringling can be a good school if you're already on top of your work and come with a good foundation and strong mind to focus and do good work. The projects are very interesting and if you spend a lot of time perfecting your work, you will have a lot to show in the end. The class hours are definitely a lot but they keep you in the work mode constantly and remind you that you just cannot slack off because you have to do your homework for the next day.

I love all of my teachers. I have learned so much with just one month of study here. I've learned many tips on using Dreamweaver CSS, Image Ready Slices and InDesign typesetting, grids and styles that I had already taught myself to a good extent but I was assigned projects where I could explore these skills and apply them accordingly. They classes are designed in a way where you are shown how to do certain technical things and spend time producing work to show you understand how to do something.

I have three projects already completed that I believe are good enough for my portfolio just because I spent alot of time working on them with the tight time line. I will be having a lot more to add to my portfolio once I finish my semester here. It's great.

But don't get me wrong. All I do is homework, every day. Students are demanded to produce work here. If you are not dedicated enough to producing good work, all your work could easily end up as trash. And believe me, it's very easy for that to happen when you constantly have to produce. Your creativity gets sucked out of your brain and you become like your surroundings.

I'm an outsider so I see things differently.

I'll be posting up work along with their descriptions very soon.

Oh, and the AIGA group here is shining. Today we had a meeting and we are going to be going on 4 to 5 field trips around Florida: Orlando, St. Pete, Miami and one more place I forgot. I'm super excited. Unwillingly becoming an AIGA from a writing competition that I was not even eligible to enter because I was not in the US looks like is going to work to my benefit after all.

Brian Collins the Executive Creative Director of Oglivy and Mather Worldwide is speaking tomorrow at the school. He's also agreed to a smaller "meet and greet" later in the day with AIGA members. Let's see how much he talks about branding advertising and corporate culture.

I love how I...

I love how I...

show my surface
and hide what's under;
i'm so shallow
but think i'm deep

look small
but do large;
i think i'm so big
yet i'm nowhere near

look fragile
when i'm unbreakable;
i show strength
but cry inside

appear young
but feel old;
i am mature
yet so juvenile

stay so sure
yet have no idea;
i question myself
but always have plans

who am i anyway?
i haven't a clue so don't ask me;
just blame it on the world's complexity

Time, work, design, brain, overload

Tired
New
Out of place

I've transformed
grown and developed

I'm attached to my computer
to the internet,
emails,
stupid Facebook

I work hard on my projects
but I spend the majority of my time
just sitting in front of my computer
surfing, just surfing, repeating,
read
browse
it's not non-sese but it's not my project!

I love the projects
but I'm draining myself
I heard that if you're going to be any good at what you do
you have to be obsessed

So I am,
but it's also dangerous

Because you get absorbed
Lose sense of other atmospheres

I have so many things to do
all at once
think, design, execute, quantity, quick, fast, produce

I feel like a machine!

Why can I not have more TIME to develop each assignment?
I can't question
need to just do what everyone has to do

Maybe I just don't know how to manage my time
I could be wasting too much of it
Even with not going out or doing anything with any spare time

It's been a month in

I hate to feel like this
feeling like I'm always behind
even when I work hard

It wasn't like this
I used to work hard but do it because I had a lot of time
That way it felt better
I wasn't in a rush
I had my time to breathe, think, SKETCH, then do

I have not been asked to SKETCH anything here
I have an issue with that

Graphic design has transformed
it's become a need for speed and aesthetics
getting the job done
is good?

Please,
I'm in school;
School me!

Full course load (at Ringling) is overload

Florida is nice but my eyes would feel nicer with covers

Adjusting...

It's been a while since I've had a chance to sleep well let alone write. I went to bed at 8 (pm) last night and woke up at 11. Then went to bed again and woke up at 8. So, that shows you how fatigued my body is. I think I'm adjusted finally and I've realized that all I can do with time is spend it doing work. I don't have a choice to work or not work because if I choose not to, I'll be behind. I'm doing my best to produce good work while I'm here. I always put a lot into every project I do, however doing that here at Ringling is like suicide. You just don't have enough time to make everything just like you want it. Well you do, but it means you can't go out, can't waste time and can't relax. It's not quite what I expected coming down here to Florida for the winter.

Everyone up north is totally jealous of me right now. I would be too. But, hey, being me down here while I'm in school doesn't mean party party. To me it means, I'm in my third year trying to make some good pieces to put in my portfolio. It all comes down to being a designer. You need to make your project your baby. That's your mission. Own your work. Work hard and take advantage of the fact that you're not designing for a client but you have the freedom to be creative, experimental and free with what you create. It's for you, not for anyone else.

I like it here. I like the classes. I think it took me a couple weeks to adjust to the new environment. I take back what I said about the "not learning as much as I would if I were at OCAD" comment I made in my last post. I've already learnt a lot within the short three week period that I've been down here. Maybe it's due to the school hours and the fact that we meet twice a week. Maybe it's because we're expected to do a lot of work here. Maybe it's because I'm growing as a designer and you learn more as you grow.

I'm very happy with all the teachers. I think they're great. I have nothing negative to say. They all know their stuff. They're cool people. There's good projects that you can put right in your portfolio if you work hard on them and make them look good. Lots of potential here if you're a hard worker.

Today we had an AIGA (a Student Group meeting. I'm a member of the AIGA because I was forced to become one when I wanted to enter one of their writing competitions. Then I was told that I couldn't enter due to the fact that I don't live in the US. So my writing wasn't even eligible and... I paid $75. I just left it and didn't bother getting a refund and just thought that maybe I'll get something out of being a member. So now that I'm down here, I can actually use that membership.
We discussed some of the things we can do with the group, planning potential dates to visit studios and events. It was our first meeting but I think if enough people show to each one, we can actually get it going and start going to places, which should be really fun. We don't have anything like that up in Toronto so I'm glad I can somehow join some group here, even though I have so little time.

I went to a Native American pow wow last weekend with my roommate Sarah. It was pretty interesting. I got a chance to just hang out with her and we had a great time. Later we went out with a couple of her good friends to a Thai restaurant and I really enjoyed that as well. I like meeting people outside of school. It takes you away from your daily schedule and you talk about subjects totally unrelated to design. I'm also starting to get used to the kids at school. Hopefully I'll get a chance to hang out. It's so great not having a car. You become handicapped. I like being handicapped because I like to stay home and work. Maybe because I've already been doing that before I got here, so it doesn't feel like I'm handicapped. The only difference is that I chose to lock myself and not relax, but here it's really not a choice. Not having a car really limits you with what you can do and where you can go and when you can go. I've never had an urge to get my license because I just love the Toronto Transit (See my Typography project last semester on redesigning the map and logo) I never needed to get a car, now I realize how important it is when you're in city's like Sarasota, or pretty much anywhere else that's not a metropolitan city. First thing on my TO DO list when I go back home: GET LICENSE AND LEARN HOW TO DRIVE!

Ringling vs. OCAD

Things I like about being at Ringling:

- weather!
- the pretty and luxurious campus
- laser color printers in labs with money in account
- the various types of paper you can choose to print on
- having studio classes where you make websites
- the IT department and their services including communications
- having web-space and network easily accessible
- great use of labs and G5s with classrooms
- cafeteria, dining hall
- library: one of the best I've seen with amazing art and design book collections
- class dynamic, more exciting people with a lot to say (very good, but to an extent)
-studio web-design classes (not at the level I was expecting however)
- Chinese culture class: I am loving this course! It's a liberal studies but small scale, not in a lecture hall


Things I like about being at OCAD:

- Toronto! Downtown! Culture! City life! Diversity!
- Having briefs that clearly outline projects, due dates, requirements, specs, marking breakdown,
- Teacher feedbacks, one on ones
- Once a week classes rather than TWO!
- Longer time to develop ideas, concepts and design: focus on process
- THINK TANK! I love Keith, Lewis and Bruce etc... teachers that change your life, make you see a new light, inspire you, break you away from anything you ever knew
- Typography classes
- The Advertising crowd, I miss you kids! There's no ad department here.
- Teachers in general (even though I have two web classes which I haven't had at all at OCAD, I still prefer OCAD education) this is still undecided but I'm sure all the teachers will help me a lot and I will learn from every single class I have at Ringling. But OCAD has some very amazing teachers with very high level of teaching and background that will have significant impact on your development as designers and thinkers. I'm not saying I don't like the teachers here, but judging from the full course load that I have here versus the full course load that I would have had at OCAD, I know I would have definitely learnt a lot more at OCAD and used my brain a lot more and felt more like an intellectual than just a designer that has to constantly produce without even having time to think.
- Creative, conceptual projects
- Doing something for a cause, being more than just "designers" but rather thinkers.
- I actually enjoyed that Research class, I don't know about all you other OCAD kids, but that Research and Methodologies class really makes you see how how important it is to know how to write and read and research and present. I liked how that class proved me that I am more than just someone who can make things look pretty to look at. I am a problem solver. We all are, we just need to spend time figuring out what the problem is and take more time to figure out how to solve it with exploring many solutions.
- I enjoy that there is more time to do your projects and having less projects per semester. I don't think as a student you should feel overwhelmed as soon as you are assigned a project. OCAD is less demanding in time sense, slower paced and a lot more focused on quality than quantity. I think portfolio pieces are important and need more time than one week for great layouts and concepts. Three or 4 projects per semester sound about right to me. At least I can breathe, think, design and not produce crap that I'll just want to get over with and never see again.
-Graphic Design curriculum is a lot different than Graphic and Interactive Communication curriculum. I thought I'd come here for some really advanced web design, which is very basic for me, leaving me with more knowledge than my classmates in my web design classes, which is something I really did not expect. I am not complaining though, I enjoy having classes that are only for web design and again I am sure I will be learning tricks here and there that I did not know before. I already have. However, I'm more about concept, cause and impact. Those are things I want to develop upon more and more while I'm a student. Fourth year is going to be awesome. OCAD I'm ready for ya!
-Oh yea, OCAD kids, don't complain about the laptop program. Get a little more money from OSAP (the government) and pay it back. It's really well worth it, compared to more than double your tuition in the States, and a good education on top of it. Use it effectively, be wise and don't complain. Yea, we could be better, but so could other schools, in different ways. Laptops are a genius idea. Well worth the few extra grands. Who doesn't love their powerbooks and notebooks that they can take anywhere with fonts and software?
More to come, hopefully more likes about Ringling.

Photo-journey-day: from my backyard to Lido Beach

The weather is so lovely here I'll let the photos speak for themselves.
You can view all of them on my Flickr page.

The new kid at school

Courses:
1. China in the Modern World
2. New Media I (basically, web)
3. Graphic Design II
4. Advanced Web Design
5. Advanced Typography


So far so good.
I won't go into detail with every class but I'll generalize what I was exposed to so far. I'm very glad that I have two courses specifically for web design. I have never taken any classes on web design because a) there was never any worth taking and b) I've always been past the basic level and can learn way more on my own than in a classroom. What is great about Ringling though is that these courses are offered and they are repeated at the length of 3 hours twice a week. The instructors are pretty good and have a structured class. The New Media class is a compulsory and I took the Web Design class as an elective. I've actually learnt different ways to do things that I didn't know before even though I didn't think I would. Personally I don't need to learn how to make a website, I need to have time in my day to sit in front of a computer and work on a project for school that involves making a website. That itself is very new to me and I enjoy it very much. I have not had time to make websites because when I'm in school (OCAD) I'm working on other projects that do not require any site making. I know I will be learning easier methods to do things and teach myself a lot more with all this time I have to explore. Sometimes I just can't listen in class because I am just not used to someone going through a step by step procedure that I already know, but might not know one of the steps, which I could just be shown or told with one exchange.

I really like the advanced Type class. I like the projects. It's a mix of expressive and structured projects for the semester. The students in the class have energy and talk a lot unlike anything I've ever witnessed in OCAD classrooms. It's very very laid back though, which is good in a classroom setting because it makes a much more interesting environment. Part of the reason is because the prof is laid back and evidently a favorite of students. I'm happy with the project assignments. I think you will learn a lot in any typography class because experimenting with type will never be boring. I've never really had any complaints about any of my Typography classes. It's all about you and what you make of the projects assigned. Type can never be boring. There's always a lot to do.

The Graphic Design class seems to me like a Typography class. I usually go into those studio classrooms expecting interesting topics to explore, research to do and prepare to start learning through creativity and freedom. This class is like a grid/structure and very systematic. We are reading and following Bringhursts Elements of Typographic Style . Sure, you need to own that book if you're a graphic designer but it shouldn't be a textbook. Who knows, maybe it's good to force yourself to read what he says and do it rather than just read it. I'll do good work but I would much more prefer to be conceptual, come up with ideas and communicate for a cause rather than read and follow a dry book. That's not what Graphic Design is about - it's part of it, but lacks the creative freedom. OCAD definately has much better course outlines for that core studio class, bringing real world problems to the hand of designers. That's what designers especially undergraduate students need to begin understanding.


I'm here for the web anyway, so no complaints.

People are very friendly. You cannot compare the multi-culturalism of Toronto down here, so I'll just say that I'm a minority amongst the Americans here, which is okay.

So, favorite class is Advanced Type, even though I had my presumptions on it, I was pleasantly surprised. Very different. A classroom environment and students / teacher dynamic is very important to me. It's great to be surrounded by outspoken people regardless of the work they produce.

This is all just first week impressions. Let's see how things change.

A week to myself

It's been a week since I've left home and settled in a new home closer to the Equator. It's been a week unlike the upcoming weeks because I do not start school until Tuesday, therefore I had a lot of time to myself in this beautiful environment. On Friday I took about four hours of my day and used it up with my legs, my bike, my D-SLR and my i-pod shuffle. It was quite the experience! I biked to Sarasota's downtown area which was super cute.

There are lots of high-end cafes, restaurants, antique shops and galleries all with very nice architecture. I can assure you that using color on the outside is not risk-taking in Florida. Houses, shops, theaters, buildings, apartments, they are all so colorful and pretty. I wanted to stop at every single one and take a picture, but that was kind of annoying and I didn't want to seem like such a tourist - I am here for five months. I also knew that I probably would not do this that much once school starts and I might not get around to taking pictures of the lovely sights.

I took a good load of photos. I kept pedaling and pedaling and got to the John Ringling crossway that was over the water. It was quite elevated and worked my legs a lot but it definitely ain't nothing like Toronto. I used to bike a few times a week in the summer from my house at Finch and Bathurst to my workplace downtown at King and University and that was very tiring because of all the up-hills. If I had gone a little bit further I would have reached Lido Beach. However, I really didn't know where I was, so I took some more photos and went back before it got too dark.

I would like to congratulate myself on being such a good cook! Khodamo daste kam gerefte boodam! That means, I underestimated myself in Farsi. I did all my groceries on my own and I cooked all on my own and did a damn well job of it. Please understand that I come from a family that likes to cook and I have always had food ready for me. I never had to worry about cooking. Which is part of the reason why I was afraid but I think being surrounded by food-making can just miraculously make you a good cook. Maybe I absorbed all that technical information without even realizing it. Or, maybe it's just not rocket science and pretty easy stuff if you have time on your hands. Students, we all know that time is an issue when it comes to everything when school is down our throat. So, I do believe this past week's experience is drastically different than the weeks ahead. However, I think I enjoy cooking! It's part of creating something and I love creating things. No wonder culinary is part of the art category.

I've always been a healthy eater and I'm picky with what I eat especially when I have the complete freedom to choose it and make it based on what I want to put in my body. I love seafood so I bought a lot of shrimp and fish. I also bought a lot of salad vegetables along with some rice, pasta, tofu, a big jug of Arizona green tea (at a very good price), fruits, whole wheat breads, some low-sugar jam spreads plus sauces along with other goods.

Overall it's been interesting to live on my own. I've always been really absorbed and to myself when I'm at home so it really wasn't a whole new feeling. Even biking for a long time isn't new for me and I enjoy it very much. I've talked to my parents everyday. I think it'll take a little bit more time for me to miss home. I know in the future I'll be away from home a lot more because I plan to travel. Of course family is the first empty hole, but it's always rewarding to challenge and depend on only yourself and start new chapters in the book of life. I'm glad my family has started to realize this and I hope it will give them more assurance on my responsibility and lower their worry and fear that resides in the loving hearts of caring parents.

I think for a lot of people this experience might be quite scary and risky. First of all, I found my apartment through Craigslist without knowing my roommate or having met her in person. I refused to live on campus because the living costs were too high. Walking to school will take about half an hour so I had to resolve by getting a bike and not rely on the poor bus service. I do not know anybody down here and I live next to the ghetto area of Sarasota, which to me, isn't very ghetto, but to other people, it might be. So, am I scared of being alone? No, because I've always been risk-taking throughout my whole life. I don't live in fear and I stopped worrying. Worrying solves nothing and gives you absolutely no gain. It's kind of like sugar - it has no nutritional value, but it's just so sweet and hard to resist that you're bound to consume it at some point in the day. I am not naive either. I do my research, observe, absorb, adapt, and I stay away from trouble. Furthermore, I trust my instincts and make good judgments.

This is just the first step of experiencing a new environment.
I am almost certain that I will invest the majority of my life doing just that - opening more doors.

Next week shall be interesting! I'm excited!

Getting settled

Yesterday and today were very productive for me. I went by Ringling and met with the advisor, signed some forms and went off to the new Student Center which I must say is a work of art. I have never entered a building so large and only dedicated to student services. I felt imprtant being there! Since when do art and design kids get such great facilities? It was very impressive. I got my student card then headed to the IT department to set up my email account and wireless internet.

Then I came out of that building and walked around. I saw a large fitness center in the Student Services building. I was just in awe. Then I went into the empy library that was so nice. Nice and beautiful aren't even words for Ringling because the terms are so generic and not powerful enough. If "wow" was an adjective, I think it would be the right one for me to use. A long wall of magazines on display, tons of rooms to sit, couches, meeting rooms, private desks, dvds, videos, lots of reference books.

Maybe to some of you that's what a school library is...but you do have to realize that I am coming from an art and design school where all of this is brand new to me. Defeciency in organized structure, investment into facilities, communications, services, events, groups, social gatherings all led me to lead a Student Forum at OCAD that documented student concerns. I don't blame students for having high expectations from their school. The administration of any institution needs to realize that it is very important to make your students happy and have no concerns regarding student experience...none. Art and design students should enjoy their college years just as much as any other college or university. It is critical to really invest greatly into student life and experience at any institution. I forgot to mention that there is an entire building for a dining hall and cafeteria that serves breakfast, lunch an dinner. Yea, OCAD students, I know what you're thinking. I'll stop bragging about Ringling now.

If I did not have this bike I would be wreckless. This city is bike heaven yet I have seen more bikers in Toronto when it's -5C outside...times 20. What's the deal Florida? Taking the weather for granted? I am the only biker out in these streets, except some random ones I see here and there. I'll probably see more when I go to the trails near the beaches but still, it's disappointing. I went to an Apple retailer with this bike to order in a part for my computer - the logic board, because a RAM slot decided to stop working for some reason. Then I biked all the way to a SunTrust bank to open an account. Then I went to Winn-Dixie and bought more groceries that I should have considering I was taking them home on a bike. My back pack was full capacity and I had three bags with some fish, pasta, grapes, etc. on the two handles of my bike. Yea, I was about to tip over but it's only 5 minutes to my house and I was proud of how well I maintained myself. Actually, before going to the bank I took a peek around the Ringling Museum. There's sign in front of it saying "You haven't seen Sarasota if you haven't been to the Ringling". Apparently it's a magnificent Museum. For those of you who have no idea where the "Ringling" name comes from, here is a wiki for you:

In 1927 Ringling moved the winter headquarters to Sarasota, Florida, where he and his wife, Mable, had been spending winters since 1909 and where they had built a 30-room English country house with the look of an Italian renaissance mansion and a similar museum building for his art collection. He and his brother, Charles, were instrumental in the modern development of Sarasota. John soon became one of the richest men in the world. His circus travels took him all over Europe, and he established a collection of fine Baroque art. He also acquired a large collection of work by Peter Paul Rubens.

John Ringling died on December 2, 1936. At his death, he willed his house, the museum, and his entire art collection to the state of Florida. The house, Cá dˈZan, and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art offer visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Roaring 20s and a renowned art collection. Another of John’s legacies is the Ringling School of Art and Design, which asked to adopt his name because of the cultural influence of the museum and its collection. A museum devoted to the Ringling Brothers Circus has been established on the estate also.

That explains the "mansion-ness".

However, I am prepared to criticize the students and the teaching at this school. Let's see what is under all this expensive exterior and the quality of teachers and work that comes out from this school. Ringling is a private school and a lot of "higher-class" students (quoted by the advisor) attend it. Florida is a rich state with lots of loaded people. They can easily afford their kids going to this school. I'm prepared to judge them. We'll see how this all is. Don't worry OCAD I'm not going to totally bash you down.

First bike ride

Yesterday I called up the non-profit bike shop and talked to Andrew. He was really cool to talk to and I was really interested in buying a bike. I called a cab to take me there. After half an hour, a non-taxi-looking car came by. I was dressed very casual but I felt like I must be going somewhere fancy that I forgot about or called the wrong service line. The driver came out of the car and opened the back door for me. He asked me if I had any luggages. Again, I was confused. I was given a limousine service ride along with a driver of great personality with an option of choosing the genre of music for the ride.

As he was driving he was telling me about Sarasota and what places to visit. He said I should definately go to Siesta Key. I took a couple of the Sarasota magazines in the cab. It's really beautiful here in Sarasota. There is so much green and the cultural community is very strong and distinct. The cab rates are the same as anywhere else you'd go, but the service that I got - which could have been my luck - was just fantastic. I gave him a good tip. He gave me his card and even waited for me at the bike shop to make sure I was going to be okay. After talking to Andrew and seeing the bike I told him that he can go and that I would bike home.

I ended up buying a $40 bike that was perfect for me. Andrew is such a great guy. He's doing some great things for the Sarasota county and I wish him all the best. I offered to help him out with making digital versions of the bike-route maps he has created. There's more about his non profit shop at bikewalklive.org . Andrew biked home with me so I wouldn't get lost. It took about 20 minutes. Once we hit Ringling, it was about 5 minutes to get home.

Today I biked around the block. I went to the Ringling campus, which opens next week and biked around the different buildings. I still haven't gone inside yet but the outside is beautiful. There are places to sit everywhere. The hallways are all outdoors. There are even display cases outdoors! I love the structure of the campus. I guess when you have weather like Florida and lots of space for scattering campuses, you're bound to have a beautiful school. I wish the city of Toronto had realized the importance of that before they extended OCAD's building. I know that I will be comparing OCAD and RSAD so much while I'm here. It's inevitable.

I've never been so excited about going to school! I guess when I was first entering college I was excited, but Ringling seems to be so much more solid than OCAD in terms of community and services. Not to put OCAD down at all but it's the truth. I love OCAD for allowing me to come here to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity. So, thanks OCAD. Thanks a lot.

I got an email from the Student Services welcoming me and letting me know about the Student Orientation Meeting next Tuesday right in between my classes. I think Ringling has their classes set up so that there is a common free slot for everyone. The studio class times seem to be harmonious for all students. Again, structure seems to be great. However, my class hours are a bit overwhelming. Each studio class is 3 hours twice a week and my web class is 6 hours long! I hope it's not too bad and not too stressful. I am here to learn, but I'm also here to relax and enjoy my leave. We'll see how things go.

Bike bike bike. I love it. It's summer all the time. Actually, not to complain, yesterday and today was about 16, 17 C (low 60s F). It will get really hot soon though, so I'll be quiet.

Arrival

So it's about 27 degrees here in Sarasota. My roommate Sarah picked me up from the airport which was literally 2 minutes away. She is such a great girl. I'm so glad everything worked out through craigslist and email contact. The condo plaza is really nice and there's even a pool right next to it! Ofcourse there are palm trees and funky leaves everywhere.

I got some groceries last night and chatted with Sarah most of the night. She baked some cookies and made some squash. I love how she's so into nature, plants, culture and health. I slept on her air matress which I think I can get away with for a while. I'm barely going to be home starting next week because my school is pretty hard core. I have classes every day (except for Friday) from 8:30 to 6:15. It's intense!

Sarah left early so I'm here by myself. She gave me a number of a non-profit bike shop that promotes responisble transporation in Sarasota. They are called A.R.T - Alliance for Responsible Transportation. I think they are fantastic. They just don't have a location address so I called them. I will definately need a bike to get to school. It's down the street but it's about a half hour walk. Sarah has three bikes but none of them are in riding condition. The bike shop fixes bikes as well so we might just get them fixed for a low price. I'm not even going to talk about the bus system here. I'll just praise Toronto for that.
We drove by Ringling yesterday and I must say the campus is just gorgeous. I haven't been inside yet so we'll see how that turns out. Tomorrow I have a meeting with the advisors to get all my stuff together and prepared for next week.

I like it here so far. I'll go for a walk soon and take some pictures. So sunny here!

Self reflection: from past to present

It's 2:50 a.m and I can't sleep.
I have a cold and I'm coughing, great, just before I go. For some reason, the reason I am up isn't because I am leaving. It's just doing the same thinking that I normally do which forces me to write.

I started thinking about myself and my position in this world. I started thinking about how just by changing my mentality on things, I can change the way I absorb information and hence transform myself based on more knowledge.
I started having flashbacks of while I was growing up and what mattered in my life up to this point. I came up with the conclusion that I always wanted to excel. I always wanted to be great but I NEVER was. I always KNEW that I wasn't and I always knew that there were so many others who had more talent in every field I touched on. I liked writing but my writing wasn't always great. I liked reading but it would take me long to read anything. I liked language but I never spoke really well or had the best vocabulary. I was smart but there were so many who were smarter - in all of my classes. I was good in all sports and took basketball seriously for a period, but gave up when I decided it was time to do so. I envied people. I wanted to be better. But I never got there. I always got down on myself and battled in my mind. I told myself I wasn't good enough and if I wanted to excel in one thing in particular, I just could not do it because I didn't have that much strength.

What I also remember is that I knew I was good. I knew I COULD be better IF I really wanted to. I knew that if I focused on that particular train of thought, I could go further with it. I was always open to criticism and valued other opinions and perspectives. So, in essence, I've been a hard worker and a good listener. I knew that I could reach where I wanted if I worked hard enough and forced myself to do things.

When entering the post secondary stage of my life, I still ran into the same problems. I still knew I was definitely not as talented as others and I knew I wasn't the best artist, illustrator or designer. I was just average - but hated being average. I was not okay with it. I let it get to me. I let the marks get to me. I let people get to me. I let myself get to me. I hated it. I hated not being great and expecting myself to be.

Then I started questioning everything. As soon as I did that, I started getting strength. As soon as I stopped caring about being the best in a definitive way, I felt more free. And as soon as I stopped worrying and fearing my future, I felt more complete. It felt like I had transformed myself through my thinking. I started seeing a new light. I started planning my future and not fearing it. I started to focus on thinking, planning, practicing and learning. I felt like there were so many options and so many goals that I could begin thinking about. I felt more creative opportunities by just imagining myself "there". My vision was clear because I could imagine it.
My mind began to strengthen. My confidence grew because I starting creating my own ways through my inspirations. I began to step into new grounds. I started caring more about people. I focused on helping people to help find myself. I found a new satisfaction through being a good person. I started to listen more, read more, write more and think more. I didn't do it because someone told me to, I did it because I wanted to and was okay with investing the majority of my time in doing so.

I've reached a point where I don't define anything in ways that society defines them, even if "that's the way things are". I don't want to be the best in anything anymore. I want to do all the things I really like doing, which is a lot of things. I want to make a difference, be it small scale or large scale. And not to prove myself that I'm worthy but to show others that it CAN be done and you don't HAVE to be the best in anything. You just have to keep your mind open and have a free spirit. Then life will make you smile a lot more often.