The focus of this semesters seminar is on the life and writings of Phillip B. Meggs, Graphic designer, educator, historian and author.
The seminar's structure is simple
- Read:participants will read all assigned reasdings discover and absorb additional content as discovered or revealed
- Report:Each participant will generate one excellent well thought question or argument related to each of the readings (as well as the objects and Methods Lectures)
- Respond:During the semester you will seek out and identify a design-oriented topic for development into an article to be submitted to a major design magazine or journal.
Here is a rough of my article
Found: Letters / Telephone Calls / and Text Messages to My Muse
by Orvis Dilworth
Some graphic designers will tell you they have never had trouble coming up with a solution to a problem, others will speak openly about having a certain type of designers block. I fall somewhere in between most times, but for a brief period of time one particular problem plagued me. I couldn’t see any immediate solution and as the deadline neared I found myself in frustration desperately searching for my muse.Dear reader, try not to read these for anything other than they are: a collection of letters/ telephone calls/ and text messages to my muse.
1/16/2008
I thought I'd find you there. I thought I'd find you there. I waited for you not long, still I thought I'd find you there. You weren't on the bench in the park So I thought I'd go to the museum to see if you where there. On the way there it started to rain so I stepped inside the cafe. I thought you might come in too so I ordered a cup of tea and sat next to the window watching the rain gather in puddles. I thought I'd find you there.
1/25/2008I thought I'd find you there in the refrigerator. Going into the kitchen for the fourth time this evening I was sure you'd be there maybe behind the milk. Did I just miss you?
2/15/2008When I arrived at the beach I was certain you had just been there. I walked down the boardwalk maybe I'd be able to catch up with you. The tide, now high, brought the surf right against the dunes. You must have been here earlier, the rising water now covered your footprints. I thought I'd find you there. With the wind against my back I found it easier and more enjoyable to keep walking. I was certain you'd be doing the same. If this was true I'd never catch up with you. Maybe I should have ran to catch you. As the sun began to drop over the bay I stopped walking, I think you kept going. Did you even know I was there at the beach that day? Who goes to the beach in February? I thought I'd find you there.
3/4/2008I made us a lunch. Thinking you'd like to enjoy a day outside I packed it in a brown bag, the kind we had when we were kids. I didn't write your name on it though. What are you going by these days? I thought I'd find you at the park. It was a perfect spring day with the sun just warm enough that I still needed a jacket. There was a slight breeze blowing and the subtle smell of the budding trees wafted through the air, I thought you'd be there. I thought we'd be able to enjoy lunch together. I ate both our sandwiches, maybe you don't even like egg salad anymore? Maybe you where still at work? I thought I'd find you there.
3/10/2008I walked by the cafe that we used to eat at when we were together. I didn't look in to see if you where there. I thought you might be across town so I caught the train. When I got off I was reminded of all the places we talked about visiting, but hadn't — I was hungry too. Walking around this new district none of the cafe's looked inviting. I only had 7 dollars, I'd need 2 to get back on the train. It was well after lunch and I still hadn't eaten breakfast. Were you in the cafe? I should have looked in. I didn't think you'd be in the corner store, but I needed something to eat, so I went in and bought a package of cookies and bottle of Juice. It reminded me of giving blood. I haven't done that in a long time. Are you still afraid of needles? The cashier placed my items in a black plastic bag — I told him I didn't need a bag. There was a brief moment of confusion — I wish you could have been there to see it. leaving the store I looked down the street to see if you where there. I really wanted to share that experience with you, I think you would have laughed. I caught the train and went home. I thought I'd find you there.
3/12/2008I walked down the alley to see if you'd be there. The house on the corner, the one we used to dream about owning, someone has moved in. They left a bookcase and a huge pile of trash in the alley, I wish you could have seen it. Maybe you already did? If the bookcase is there when I get home I'll save it for you.
3/15/2008I thought I'd find you there in the library. Remember the first time I met you there — you were sitting high on the shelf. Initially I felt sorry for you, I felt like I was doing you a favor. Anyway I went back today and walked the long aisles I thought I'd find you there high on the shelves.
3/18/2008I wish you could have been there today, remember how you used laugh at the awkward moments, usually involving me. I know you would have found humor in what I did today. I mistakingly printed out my boarding pass at 250% I decided I'd use it anyway, like one of those giant checks that corporations give charities. It brings a smile to my face even as I think about it now. I know you would have enjoyed it. I look forward to meeting up with you this weekend.
3/20/2008It rained last night, of course you know this. I had just got back into town and rather than calling I decided to walked home, I thought I'd find you out there. The streets were quite, I only saw one car, it was a cab, Maybe you were in it? It was just starting to rain and and sky was heavy and felt close. Did I just miss you? I didn't mind the rain it wasn't too cold so I kept walking even though I was further from home than usual. After getting home the rain sounded like it picked up. I hoped you weren't still out in it? I thought I'd find you there.
3/22/2008I thought you'd be online today so I logged in. After reading through the mass of emails that had accumulated while I was gone I noticed how quickly the time had passed. Even though I had wasted a lot of time I still waited to see if you where there. Are you on vacation, I didn't even see you sign in? I hope you get this email? Below is a link to something interesting I came across while I waited for you. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/us/27chute.html? I thought I'd find you there?
3/25/2008I went to my studio today, like I do everyday. I thought you might be there. I brought you that book that I was telling you about. I think you'll really enjoy it. I've painted the walls of my studio again, they are white now. I thought I'd find you there.
3/30/2008I ate at that thai place we've been hearing all about. I got a table for two thinking I'd find you there. Eventually I ordered, I think the waitress felt sorry for me, assuming I had been stood up. I ordered for you, your favorite dish the red curry one. If you are home the left-overs are in the fridge. We'll have to go back, this place was really good and lived up to our friends recommendations. I really thought you'd be there.
3/31/2008I guess you stopped by when I was at the market. I'm sorry I missed you. There is more in the fridge now. Oh, and I got some lettuce and stuff for that salad I've been promising to make. I'm really excited to try that new recipe for dressing. Are you still vegan?
4/18/2008Josh called yesterday. He says he is doing really well, enjoys his new job and likes living closer to megan. I remember the days we used to dream about moving to portland. Where are you living now? Anyway I just thought I’d call to see how things are going. We should meet up soon I have so many things I’d like to talk to you about.
4/20/2008I went to the park last night because I thought I’d find you there. The stars were brighter than normal or at least they appeared to be. I stayed there for a few hours. It was quiet. I thought you’d come by. Remember when we used to stay awake all night talking about everything and nothing? Remember the summer we told ourselves we couldn’t go to sleep till we had seen a falling star. I didn’t stay in the park, I wasn’t sure it was legal to sleep in the park. Things have changed haven’t they.
I walked home passing the bar, I think we’ve been to that one before, the smell of smoke lingered down the street. Have you quit smoking? I think you should. I thought about going in, but where would I have put the blanket I was carrying? I thought I might find you there.
4/23/2008I just checked the P.O. Box we used to share. How long has it been 3,4 months? We only had a few letters. One from the bank, one from Abigail, and something that looks like a credit card offer for you. Would you like me to forward it? I assume you don't. I really hoped that you would have at least written something.
4/25/2008
You could have woken me up, I wouldn’t have minded. I’m assuming you where there last night. Your side of the bed looked slept in, and the shape of the tube of toothpaste was all the evidence I needed to tell me that you had been there. I walked into kitchen certain I’d find you there. I really thought I’d find you there.
Test Your Typographic IQ Anybody score higher than 90? See Prang Question, and think about Tschichold, and Baskerville.
Louis Prang: The Man Who Brought Out the Artist in Children Too sissy, too bohemian. As graphic design separates itself from the field of visual arts (either by direct departure or by walking new avenues) what emphasis should be placed on creating avant-garde?
A Pantheon of Design Eccentricity I'd hate to beat a dead horse [hahah] but what habits are we acquiring through repetition? Last semester there was common talk of "getting out of our comfort zones" are we still trying to do that? Is there value in that?
Farewell to the Opulent Eighties The observations and criticisms that Phil brings to light, makes me wonder if I could give a similar "state of design" talk about today? the answer is no, I could not.
