Adorable!

Eric and I were walking from the marina to the shopping center for groceries earlier this week, and came across this sign. What a great relationship this dad and daughter must have. :-)

Guadalajara

A 1939 travel poster. If the airports are open and flights are on schedule, this is the plan for the next week.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Considered by many to be America's greatest novel, To Kill a Mockingbird was published in 1960 at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. The corresponding movie was released a year later, winning several academy awards to include one for Gregory Peck's performance as Atticus Finch. I've read the book and seen the movie several times and have a lot to say about the story but this blog entry is about one small part of the movie, one scene in particular.

When Atticus Finch leaves the court room after losing Tom Robinson's case, everyone in the balcony section stands up in a show of respect as he walks out. Atticus Finch lives by a code of humanity, not by a code of law even though he's a lawyer. He doesn't accept the racist sentiment of his small town even when his legal support of a black man causes potential harm against his family. This story is about standing up, not with fists, but with heart, and doing what's right.

For an in-depth critical analysis, go here. And to all of my graphic designer friends out there, what do you think about the Hollywood poster? Does it work for you?

Objectified

Objectified, the second in Gary Hustwit's design trilogy, isn't as passionate as Helvetica but that conclusion may be about me. I left the film wanting more. More objects. More designers. More insight.

Instead I was left with questions. Are product designers more methodical and less emotional than graphic designers? For some reason, I had them classified as the same group of people in my mind. Not the case. Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec were the exception, though. I enjoyed watching them interact and they seemed intensely involved in their work. Are product designers different and what are their particular concerns?

And why do objects look the way they do? Take the camera for example; this item is based on a form that was required when film was used. Why does it continue to look the same and what else is left over from our past?

And there's still lots more to consider. While Helvetica may have inspired passion and controversy, Objectified provokes, asking questions about our culture and future. I'm looking forward to part three of the series. My question now is what do you think IT will be about? Gary Hustwit isn't saying.

Full Circle

and back to somewhere.

Air France

After a few more days of fun, I was on my way home. Air France has a fantastic ad campaign created by Camilla Akrans. Somehow, though, the experience didn’t live up to the promise. The seats were crowded, an amazing complaint for a small girl like myself; the TV screens were hard to see and the attendants not so pleasant. Next time, I’ll go British Air even if the airport wait is in-terminal-able. At least Heathrow has a Starbucks.