Betty P says

latest project: Carson Boone Photography

2011-05-27T09:14:00.000-07:00

I am doing a really awesome project right now, not just because of the design work.. but because each story that Carson Boone has behind each photograph, taken in his later years of life, is so vivid.

We planned to make a 3-5 minute film, but as he committed to writing copy for each photograph he tried his best to be concise, but he is just not that kind of guy. I would never say that Carson is ever out of energy, because he is always looking for something new to update. Instead he is just incredibly passionate about his work as well as Eastern North Carolina.

It has been an honor to work with such a motivating person, and I hope I can only do justice to his big personality and pristine photography skills.

Stencil art. The Grammar of color

2010-02-17T11:56:00.000-08:00

my process:

1 Trace designs from the book

2 Separate the colors from one pattern into two different layers

ex/ the blue and orange in

picture, two layers same pattern

3 Laser cut each individual layer from sheets of thin, floppy plexi

4 Get crazy paper and crazy color spray paint

5 Use blue tape, secure one stencil onto the paper... spray a color

6 Register the second stencil and spray the second color

7 Whalah!

LZR

2010-02-13T18:01:00.001-08:00

bored in the laser cutting room, my job is taking about 5 years.

havent updated in since october, oops

cutting this out, to make stencils.. paper and plexi.. to glue together, spray paint

just experimenting...

A Grammar of Color by TM Cleland is inspiring these small projects to aid the exhibition of the book.

nothing like some old 1900s text, drawings, and colors

working that mag

2009-10-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

working on a masthead, and some magazine spreads.

the idea behind that magazine is that it is.... a "New Vintage Magazine" to help you get that "Old Vintage" look... but affordably. It has a DIY section as well.

Maybe for the audience of: those interested in interior design or decoration, those interested in the value of the thrift.. or just any art student who loves clutter.

Revisions 1,2,3

2009-10-06T21:02:00.000-07:00

Okay, maybe got the hang of this, maybe.

I was able to play a lot with color and typeface choices. I finally figured out the rollover and other link changes, the thing I could not figure out was background images. In class I watched Matt place an image in the background that was fixed as you scrolled. I really wanted to figure out that.. but for some reason NO images will show up. I have asked around in class... the word, if you use Minima it is difficult to figure out images. I have had this blog for a while, and completely changing the interface would mean I loose a lot..

Hopefully I can keep working on this.

I have to say once I got the hang of this, I couldn't stop trying different things... even though it always turned out looking wacky.. it is a way to discover what is where. CSS is not very easy to grasp at first glance.

CSS

2009-10-06T10:08:00.000-07:00

I am trying to tweak the CSS of the page to try to customize this blog a little more.... and the outcome is typical. I am struggling. I can watch Matt and understand everything he is doing in class, but it is impossible for me to get it to work. I am typing in the codes, but nothing ever seems to change.

HELP.

feet back on the ground

2009-09-09T20:30:00.001-07:00

We hit the ground running and wasted no time getting back into motion in studio.

Right now we are learning flash, working on concept maps, and working type.
I have been revising the typeface I started in Prague, Tesi Me... Here is what I have made.

A typeface inspired by the language of the Czech Republic, Têší Mê is designed for both English and Czech communication with the addition of the diacritical marks. It was created with three different sized pixels, a personal expression of the cobblestone walkways throughout the city of Prague. Being inspired by signage, architecture, gravestones, the people, and unknown translations, this typeface is a mix of what is unclear and what becomes clear through travel.

the crew

2009-07-04T18:28:00.001-07:00

grecian beaches to crystal coast

2009-07-03T21:39:00.000-07:00

sadly, my trip is coming to an end!

I am sitting in the airport in Athens, Greece... just said goodbye to the boys after a midnight ferry ride from the Mykanos Islands!

I am on my way home to North Carolina beaches just in time for 4th of July, nothing like fireworks from an airplane I guess...

But I think I am ready to come home, it has been a life changing experience... I cant wait to share more details... but for now I have to navigate my way home!

See you soon america.

Rome to Athens!

2009-06-28T12:04:00.000-07:00

I know these are quick and I will elaborate later when I have some time!

After Milan, we made it to Rome! We have checked out the Colosseo, the pasta, the wine, the Vatican City, the Fountain and just wandered the streets. Everywhere I look it is picture perfect.

We are off to Athens tom. after we check out the Pantheon and just a couple of other Roman ruins!

Hey to all, roomies, I cant wait to see you all soon!!! MISS YOU

naschle praha, chow italia

2009-06-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

hey all..

I do not have much time to write this post, but I had to say goodbye to Prague and I made it to Milan yesterday! We spent the entire day walking and shopping the streets of Milan.. we checked out the castle some cathedrals and got denied from seeing the Last Supper (apparently you need a reservation). We are Rome bound tomorrow morning around 11, so we are still on the go!

I am having the best time, cant wait to post all of the pictures once I slow down!

See you on the 4th of July!

Most bizarre thing I have EVER done.

2009-06-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

This is going to be the most random post, I just got back from this experience and I just need to get it all out.

Today for our STS class, most of the class went on a trip to a model concentration camp... for the rest of us who had other classes to take care of we just had a normal day of class. UNTIL Bob says, "Well classs" pronounced well claaa-yus.. I found this amazing place and we are going to go today. Its going to be a little walk, and we are going to have to wait in line.

We walked out the door ... it was basically a double wide in one of the side streets with a line of people waiting to get in. It is a cafe that is run by blind people, and the money goes to support the cause... honestly it was amazing. The place is completely dark, absolutely no light. We had to walk in groups of four.. holding onto the shoulders of the person in front of you. The first room was a waiting room so that light would not shine into the cafe each time a person walked in. Instantly I felt enclosed and ready to turn around. I was very uncomfortable with the dark and not knowing anything around me, but I could not turn around because I was leading people behind me.

Finally hands grabbed mine and led me to a seat. The entire time we were saying each others names and explaining what was happening to let the others know where we were. We sat down, everyone was talking about how we were automatically hunching because we couldn't figure out how tall the ceiling was, or where the walls were, or how close we were to the people beside us. Our waiter came over and told us to place our hands on the table, he found each of our hands and asked us what we would like to drink. We ordered and he came back a little later with our drinks and knew exactly who ordered what. I was on the end of the table closest to him, he found my hand instantly and placed the mug into my palm.. all so carefully. Then even though I could not see him I could feel him reach over and do the same with the others at my table. He served us milk and sugar by tapping the items into the palms of our hands. Talking to us the entire time. How he managed to find his way through out the room is unreal to me. There were atleast 10 tables in the cafe, music playing, people talking, you could hear the coffee machines running. After about 20 minutes I became totally relaxed with the situation.

We were trying to imagine what the room looked like, what color the table was, what color the coffee mug was...everything.

Being blind has always been a HUGE fear of mine, because I feel like it would completely handicap me from being able to see graphic design. I feel so selfish saying this now. After doing this I have an overwhelming feeling that I can not even describe. I just said to myself, if it does happen... there is a way to make it.

When the coffee was done, they took us by the hand and lined us up to leave. I was holding onto someone I did not know, and guiding my group behind me. It was just amazing how sensitive we all were to the touch, even when the waiter found my hand, it was so comforting to know that he was there.

When we finally stepped outside, the sun was so bright and I just felt like I was shaking a little. It was like limbo or something, because all of the sudden I had a grip again.

One of the most memorable things I have ever done, hands down.

http://svetluska.centrum.cz/clanek.phtml?id=2

check out the photo gallery here...

Back from Berlin

2009-06-16T02:09:00.001-07:00

Ok I am so behind. I still need to post up a TON of pictures, but I will put them on flickr.

I went to Berlin for the weekend, and loved it. The only let down was the bauhaus archive... we had to find our way there, only to find out that it was under construction. We still got to see the building and a small little set up of things, still way cool. I picked up some postcards to make a little something when I get home.

We saw the Reichstag, had a little beer in the beer garden, and then went to the Holocaust Memorial. The memorial was amazing, something that you would never be able to understand unless you go. The space is covered with cement rectangles of all heights. It seems like they are all on the same plane, but once you get closer people start to disappear because in the middle of the space the floor goes down. It was like a maze, but it makes you confused. Such a good solution to the memorial.

On day 2 we went to the Berlin Wall, and then we were on the Metro and saw a museum with an airplane on top... decided to go. It was a technical museum that had an old viking boat with a sail that went 4 stories up in the museum, old planes, and machines/engines... I really enjoyed the displays the most. I will have to post some pictures.

After that we went to the Zoo which was smack dab in the middle of the city, and I feel like I paid money to see animal cruelty. It was awful, the animals were in cement walls behind bars with a random stump to play with. Yes, they were feet away but they all looked so sad, skinny, and just depressed. The animals were completely out of their element, and it seemed like they did not even try to make it seem like their element. I could rant about this for a while...

All in all, we made it home on Monday morning at 3:00 am. The night train arrived in Prague at 12:30 and since the Metro stops at 12:00 we had to find our way back via tram... which takes forever because they don't run like they do during the day. But its always fun to see this city at night, so it just added to the adventure.

PS-

Here is the typeface I have been working on here... inspired by prague.

Update on some work I am doing.. just in case you forgot

2009-06-10T01:12:00.001-07:00

my beer stache

So yes, I am here for school... sometimes I forget that.

Last week in Usti we had to make posters... spit them out quick so we could play at night.

Yes I will toot my own horn, mine seemed to be a hit with the Czech students... I am not ultimately satisfied with it yet.

Here is my poster, it has a shape that is defined by the path we took on our "journey"... the words define the path because we got simple directions to guide us in the right direction.

No Map No Direction

my english is getting bad

2009-06-02T02:22:00.000-07:00

We are in Usti now, designing posters with czech students. Yesterday I was put in a group, being the only one from NC State, and the only one who speaks only English. We have to design travel posters.. and we decided to go out and explore Usti.

We walked outside, found a homeless man and asked, where do i go now?

When we finally made it to that place, we asked someone else, and did it again. We walked around for about 2 hours! It was actually a very cool way to go out and get to know the city, no map -- no direction... and one translator. ha Our path took us from the middle of the city all the way to the top of the valley.

It has been such a great experience, we are spending every waking moment at the studio or out at night because they want to take us out while we are here. Yesterday we got the opportunity to see the "Senior Show," which was awesome. Of course that included a couple pivos, its is like water out here, and much cheaper!... might as well.

Tonight we have saved up for the club because one of the guys is a DJ, should be fun! Hopefully I will be able to post again before we go to Cesky Krumlov... I heard rafting was possibly on the agenda.

As for my English.. after paying close attention to the language here and listening to translations, I have realized how my syntax had changed. It changes things when you have to start thinking about how to simplify what you say.

mom if you are reading this

2009-05-31T10:18:00.000-07:00

can i get my flight changed a little later? i want to go to amsterdam with kenan!

I LOVE IT HERE!

laundry

2009-05-31T10:09:00.000-07:00

HI! I have been totally mia for the last couple of days, and will be for the next week!

I just got back from a trip at an organic farm about an hour out of Prague. It was such an experience. We had an agreement to work 4 hours a day in order to get fed. We got there Thursday night and piled into a barn and slept in the cold on tiny little mats on the floor. We woke up at 6:30, a little yoga, a little breakfast, and then work time.

It was a beautiful place, but still very early in the making to becoming a "farm." We definitely roughed it!

Sorry no pictures, I did not have enough room in my backpack, but I know some of my friends got some.

Tomorrow we are going to a czech college, and staying for 4 days to work with their design students, then I am coming straight back to to go straight to Cesky Krumlov... some hotel "resort." Pretty jammed packed... so right now I am busy with some laundry.

hope to give more updates soon on my projects and travels.

Dalibor

2009-05-28T03:07:00.000-07:00

We took a tram, a train, a ferry, and walked to this little institute about an hour out of Prague. The "king of the bees" as Bob would say, Dalibor, has been studing bees for years. When he began to talk about them he was so into every little detail. First he went right into the hives and picked up each honey comb to find the queen. He talked about how they bees behave, the job of each bee, the relationships between the hives and the environment, and how they make honey. It was so fascinating to see how these guys interact. We took honey straight from the comb and dipped bread into it 3 minutes off the comb.

Then he served us with traditional czech soup, and homemade pizza that he cooked in his outside oven. So dank. We made bees wax trinkets, walked around his little garden, and then he decided he would just inseminate a couple of the drones so we could see exactly how it was done! This guy doesn't even use a computer.. all of his bees and studies are recorded in books on site. The "lab" was a table with a couple of instruments and all of his books. In three seconds he had captured the drone's sperm and tossed it into a dixie cup.

Dalibor

2009-05-26T04:42:00.000-07:00

class at the cemetery

2009-05-21T07:33:00.001-07:00

Sorry, basically no internet in the hostel! Sorry for the delays... Yesterday we went to the huge cemetery in Prague. There are three sections, German, Jewish, and Russian. They basically span so far you can get off the metro on 2 different spots. There is no way you could cover this space in one day. We basically focused on the German plot because it is the oldest and basically overgrown with English Ivy. It was so eerie because normally cemeteries feel very disconnected and bare, but this one was very lively. Instead of grave stones, we saw grave stones and small beds of green plants overcome by ivy.

Our main reason for hanging out in the cemetery was to look at the type from the 1800s and up. The type that was engraved into stone is very important to the history of type design. It was very cool to see how different each grave stone turned out to be, some had VERY old type, but some had completely modern type faces for it's time. It was really uncomfortable at first to be touching this graves to get the type rubbings, but after all of it I really got a lot out of the exercise. I think these examples will be very important to our typeface design project. I never would have thought to go explore a graveyard for type...

Check out how mod this one is! 1925... pretty impressive.

this is my one splurge, ok maybe two

2009-05-19T06:36:00.000-07:00

this is the Institute, where we have all of our classes...

So my one splurge so far, was another pillow for my bed. The one that is there now, it just not cutting it! The pillow seriously the cheapest one I could find in Tesco, the Czech equivalent to Walmart. Sadly it was 94 crowns, about $10. I guess I blame Beth for this one, spoiling me with the world of scrumbliness! I am just trying to bring it to Prague.

And today my studio class took a trip to a Czech Poster Exhibit from the late 1800s to 1900s. It was absolutely amazing to see the actual pencil drawings, painting, prints... I could have spent hours in there. They were so huge, and so impressive with how colorful and detail oriented they were. It makes me wonder about the advertising we have today, the time that went into making these posters all by hand is unthinkable, very inspiring. The hand generated typography was just amazing up close.

I loved it so much, I had to just go ahead and splurge on the book since I could not take pictures. $8 is not that bad!!

Some of the artists included Toulouse-Lautrec, Mataloni, Privat, and some great others. Here are some of the posters that I saw, I just dropped them in from google. But I saw them in real life!

day 1 of class

2009-05-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

I had my first day of classes and met my teachers and have spent the whole day at the Institute.

My studio has 7 people in it, 5 students from NCSU in Graphic Design, one in Landscape Design, and 1 that is from Missouri who also studies Graphic Design. Our theme for the semester is "Graphic Design: Will Travel"... our first assignment is to make a Prague Poem made from found typography by taking pictures of the type/ads/labels/posters/whatever catches our eyes. We are supposed to find some kind of similarity or contrast between a group of words and find a composition... without knowing what exactly it translates into. It is very open ended, but I am super excited because I have already started to notice the difference between here and home. I am excited about what is to come, we have scheduled a trip to work with some czech design students in the next week!!

My STS class "Global Sustainable Human Systems" is really going to be great. My teacher is sooo into his class... he asked each one of us to introduce ourselves and explain our live goals and majors... after we grouped all of the desks into a huge circle. He was honestly interested in each and every one of us, and what we could bring to the class. We are exploring how we can bridge the gap between very industrialized cities and third world cities through different tactics like food, human involvement, ... sustainable systems. He has an awesome outlook, and understand that is it not important to dwell but to take action instead. He has planned for us to go to an Organic Farm to do a bit of volunteering, as well as check out the Bee Institute here. As our final project we are going to build small raised bed gardens outside the institute as well.

He left our class with a thought... A friend was part of a small group that wanted to aid an Aborigine village, when the American people went to meet with them in the village an older woman spoke as their leader "If you came here to make us a better people you should turn around and go back, but if you came here because it will benefit both of us we should sit down and talk."

tonight we cooked dinner at the institute as well...

Pasta and tomato sauce, snap beans, and bread, YUM!'

don't waste a day

2009-05-18T02:56:00.001-07:00

(I am a day late posting because we have not had internet for a couple of days, at the hostel or Institute)

Yesterday we went to the Prague Castle!

We woke up from the sun coming through our huge windows, and couldn't go back to sleep...sounds poetic, but it was a little too early.

panorama of the view from the bridge

We hopped on the Metro to the Charles Bridge, then we decided we were going to just start walking towards the Castle and just find our way there without the map. The city is in no way on a grid, there are so many things built around the old historic buildings. We really wanted to just walk the streets and take a ton of pictures. When we finally thought we made it to the castle, we realized that we had only seen the Cathedral, it is a Castle Complex with homes, gardens, shops, and a thousand walkways.

i made it...

2009-05-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

Hey, just wanted to make a quick post to let everyone know I made it here safe and pretty sound. I am running on about three hours of sleep and that intensifies how confusing the language, money exchange, and living situations seem to be. Right now I have 3 other roommates... all very nice and fun (just as worn out) and there is still one more empty bed in this room!

The city is nice, very big... we are on the outskirts of the really old pretty part. My first meal was at a pizza place, because how can you mess up ordering that when you don't know the language.

Now I going to go to bet at 9:00-- so I can be moving by 9:00 am for orientation.

Miss everyone, I can tell these first days are going to be tough! I stick out like a sore thumb "ohh she is an american!" - guys in my bus on the way to the hostel responding to my flustering actions trying to figure out where I am going!

Family, Friends, Friends of Friends, and Strangers

2009-05-12T10:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome Back! a fresh start...

I am working on my website, and packing for Prague.

stay tuned for more updates.

I leave home on May 14!!