JK Keller provided an excellent presentation for students on Friday. He shared an overview of his compelling self-initiated work, described how he collaborates with Keetra Dean Dixon, gave the inside scoop on his project installed in the Graphic Design Now in Production exhibition at the Walker Art Center, and talked about his design process. JK sets up conditions for his work: a set of rules, a script, or a series of repetitive experiments and then follows them through until an inevitable surprise happens.

Some of his goals are inspiring:
_ doing is thinking.
_ simple start. start simply.
_ translate the everyday, every day.
_ have conversations with code.
_ leave it never-ending.
_ follow a system to surprise.
_collections make connections.
_ practice imperfections.

Check out more of his work or follow him on twitter.

contributed by Colin Dunn

“I’m really sad guys,” said Sam Herring, the lead vocalist of Future Islands, from the stage of The Ottobar last Friday, “A great band is dying tonight.” The great band that he and Dan Deacon, the first act of the night, were mourning was of course, Double Dagger.

After nine years, the band (who in addition to Bruce and Nolen includes drummer Denny Bowen) announced on their website last month they would be breaking up. They explained that while complex, the simple explanation was time. “As the band got older and grew and changed, the people in it did too, and our individual lives are pulling us towards other pursuits.”

By day, Bruce Willen and Nolen Strals are the rockstar design-duo known as Post Typography. By night, they are actual rockstars. Up until Friday I had known them only as the former of their two identities: First as a student in their class on typography and lettering (one of the most informative and interesting graphic design courses you will take at MICA) and more recently as an intern in their studio in Charles Village.

That night was the first time I had seen them perform. When Bruce and Nolen took the stage, it was a bit surreal. Bruce was on the loudest bass guitar I have ever heard in my life (Bruce himself had warned me about this and told me to bring earplugs, which thankfully I did) and Nolen spent most of the night crowd diving into a sea of sweaty, screaming, 20-something-year-olds.

And while I was half-expecting them to undergo some type of rockstar metamorphosis, they were the same down-to-earth guys that we know and love. “This is a Double Dagger show, so it’s probably going to be sloppy,” Bruce said before they started playing, “But seriously, when you’re dancing out there, no throwing elbows.” To this Nolen added, “Yeah, seriously. I will f–king throw you out myself.”

The crowd didn’t exactly take this last piece of advice (at least where I was standing) but out of respect for the passing of a great Baltimore band, I think I can forgive them.

DOUBLE DAGGER – FINAL TOUR DVD TEASER from gabe deloach on Vimeo.

Photo Credit: Josh Sisk 

1 / Cemetery trip is this weekend! If attending, please meet in Cohen Plaza at 9:10am. Below is a list of all who have paid. I asterisked people who offered to drive.

Ronin Wood*
Maria Chimishkyan
Mirjam Kienzle
Brian Metcalf
Roxana Shamsazar
Michelle Fleming
Coleen Roxas*
Ben Sifel
Vishnu Ganti
Sarah Yeager
Tabitha Morikis*
Tim Collins
Ben Higgins
Emily Long
Andrew Walters

2 / Gary Hustwit, Urbanized screening in DC at E-Street Cinema, Monday at 6:30pm. Gary Hustwit will be there. The department will pay $25 towards the ticket cost and travel. Email Brockett ASAP if interested. 

3 / Cemetery Zine. If you are interested in helping out with Zine logistics, shoot me an email. (a [at] ndreww.com)

4 / Show in Brown gallery space. We have use of the gallery space on the 3rd floor from Nov. 10th thru the 20th. The turn around to make this happen is quick so if you are interested in participating email me ASAP. I need to know how many people are willing to participate to get pedestals etc.

The general idea for the show is “Editions.” (this could be debated, but we were thinking might be less limiting than just zines) This could include anything that is able to be editioned and given away while the shows up; so zines, posters, cards, flip books etc. These could be things that you make for the show or have already made previously.

We can also discuss further at movie night this thursday. If you are interested in helping with this (posters, flyers, exhibition graphics etc) please email me, and come to movie night if possible.

All materials need to be turned in by November 9th. We will install that evening.

5 / Brockett has put together a series of really great demos going on throughout the week. The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, 26th
8:15am board cutter + guilllotine (classes begin earlier on Wednesdays)
12:30 vinyl cutter

Thursday, 27th
8:45am board cutter + guilllotine
12:30 vinyl cutter

Friday, 28th
8:45am board cutter + guilllotine
1pm vinyl cutter (after JK Keller presentation)

If you would like to suggest a demo, lead a demo or need more information, shoot Brockett an email.

6 / D Center exhibition. If you are interested in submitting work the deadline is tomorrow. For more info click here.

7 / Andy Mangold will be coming in to talk about Hackathon in the near future. time/date is TBA

8 / We talked about reformatting meetings, but it seems like most of you are content with monday meetings. But it sounds like people are interested in more frequent programming nights such as movie nights, project/hw nights or guest workshops/talk nights. We will iron out a good date for everyone and hopefully start implementing in November.

Since the GD Lounge is starting to get a little packed. We decided to move to Brown 308 for our meetings. I will remind everyone before the next meeting and post something on the door just in case.

9 / Press check trip. Planning a trip to a printing studio soon. This will hopefully be in either November or December. Sounds like either Mondays or Fridays work best for everyone. I will keep you all posted.

10 / Jk Keller talk is this friday from 12-1pm in Brown 320.

11 / As a reminder, if you are interested in writing a book review or exhibition review for the Graphic design blog, email Brockett. There are cool design rewards in it for you.

12 / Blog and calendar post cards are now circulating.

13 / Movie night is this thursday at 10pm in brown 306! See you there. Brian has made it impossible to forget when it’s going on.

Longest update ever… Hope that’s everything.
See you guys next time or on movie night.

Congratulations to 2011 graduates Andy Mangold, Ryan LeCluyse, Anthony Mattox, Josh Hepworth, who have snagged three of the thirteen Adobe Design Achievement Awards. From over 4600 entries representing 73 countries, MICA was well represented. As winners, they received a trip to a conference in Taipei, Taiwan, cash prize, and sample Adobe software.

Ryan LeCluyse’s project stemmed from part of his degree project at MICA, a compelling photo essay of East Baltimore. Read an article published in the Urbanite about the project, view the comprehensive website, or see installation photos here and here. Crowd Storms is a collaboration by Andy Mangold and Josh Hepworth and definitely worth checking out. The project was prototyped on campus last year. Orbit, a casual adventure game, designed by Anthony Mattox (IDA11) also received recognition. Mattox also won in 2010.

Congratulations Ryan, Andy, Josh, Anthony, and thanks for inspiring us all!

Lovely work previously on view on Fox 4. Learn more about the Post-Bac program here or follow on twitter.

Students in the Design Coalition hosted an event with community partners tonight at MICA Place in East Baltimore. Students created screen-printed invitations, decorations, postcards to collect the opinions of community members, and a deliciou buffet featuring food from the NorthEast Market.

The Green Mount Cemetery Trip is on October 22nd October 29 at 9:30am.

Contact Emily Long (emily[at]emily-long[dot]com) for more information or to sign up. $4 must be turned into Anitta by October 22nd (this Friday) in order to reserve your spot.

Poster by Andrew Walters

I hope everyone enjoyed the Michael Freimuth lecture.  Here’s what we talked about in yesterday’s meeting:

1 / Green Mount Cemetery Trip. Again, email Emily if you are interested in going on this trip. You will need to reserve your space by bringing $4 to Anitta before Friday, October 14th. I need to have a “for sure” list by that date. If anyone can drive, that would be awesome! Please email me or Emily if you can and how many you can fit in your car.

2 / Type is Right is on Monday, November 28th. It will be at 3pm in the Bbox and hosted by Ellen Lupton. Please email Emily if you are interested in helping out with set up. (Could include coming up with prizes, decorations, flyers etc.)

3 / Next movie night is Thursday, October 27th. Pizza Pizza.

4 / Waiting to hear back about the student gallery space application, and should know soon.

5 / NO MEETING NEXT WEEK! On account of Fall break. Our next meeting will be Monday, October 24th. I will send out reminder emails about The Cemetery Trip next week.

On a side note. I thought I would share some cool font sites that I recently learned about and think are pretty neat. (Thanks Gabe Kelley) If you don’t know them already you should check them out.

Lost Type Co-Op
The League of Moveable Type

What is really great about these, is that not only can you use some well designed free typefaces, but you can also use them @fontface for free on your website. (Like Type Kit or Font Squirrel).

Have a great Fall break!

contributed by Lexi Pearson 

Thanks to the Career Development Center, students are able to get all the help they need in applying for and landing their dream internship. Career Development held a seminar to explain the process and give information on everything you need to know about these internships.

The small group met in Main 110 on Tuesday, October 4^th, and was led by Marsha Lynn Hammond, Assistant Director in Career Development. The most important piece of information that Marsha wanted us to leave with was *start early* in your application process. Her presentation was excellent. MICA students have interned at Under Armour, DC Comics, Pixar, MTV, and Kate Spade. It was very exciting to know that you could have a position in one of these big name companies.

Marsha’s presentation explained important things such as how to pay for living if your internship is out of state, and how to apply for scholarships and raise money to for living expenses, credit applied for school, and paid/unpaid internships. She also explained the benefits of networking. This is very important!! Knowing someone gets your foot in the door!! Creating an account on the social network Linked In (www.linkedin.com) is a great way to find connections. Even though this is a social networking site, it is specifically made for businesses and finding a network within a business.

If you are interested in an internship, visit the Career Development Center. They take appointments, and accept walk ins on certain days of the week. Every Monday from 3-4pm, and every Friday from 12-1pm, they offer help to improve resumes as well as help with cover letters and any other materials you might need for applying. But START NOW!!!

Lexi Pearson is a sophomore graphic design student.

Had a a pretty quick meeting this past week. Here’s the b r e a k d o w n . . .

1 / Baltimore AIGA Events.. For those who are interested, there are always a variety of events through AIGA going on, I will do my best to keep you updated with the more interesting ones. One coming up soon is Critique Hash. Saturday October 15, 2011 at UB (so close). You can get some helpful crits from design professionals, outside of the MICA community. For more information.

2 / Greenmount Cemetery Trip is October 22nd. It’s $4 to reserve your space.

The following people have already signed up:

Tabitha Morikis
Mirjam Kienzle
Tim Collins
Colleen Roxas
Lorraine Nicoletta
Maria Chimishkyan
Max Gilbert
Djamika Smith
Brian Metcalf
Ben Higgins
Ronin Wood
Rivkah Kahnin
Vishnu Ganti
Michelle Flemming
Alina Radetsky
Emily Long
Andrew Walters

If you signed up and are not on the list or would like to sign up, please let me know at tomorrows meeting or shoot Emily an email.

3 / Type is Right is on November 28th.

4 / We watched the Career Development video ft. Dan Meyers about photographing work during the meeting. If you’d like to offer suggestions for other videos or give some input on the one we watched you can do so here.