It’s interesting to think about how many subliminal messages are sent through animations. I have been researching Max Fletcher’s animations for a class project. Though sex is built into Betty Boop’s identity, I never really noticed how much Fletcher manipulated the character, and how much she was being revealed in ways that I didn’t even notice until it was pointed out to me.

CNN has been following the case closely, and even goes so far as to site the perpetrator’s MySpace page, listing Edwin Roy Hall’s interest “eating small children and harming small animals.” It’s sad that there are people like this in this world, but why didn’t anyone take notice and address the issue. Probably because we thought he was joking around, since he seemed to be friendly and have a nice family.

Anyways, I go to grab a delicious cookie that I brought over and Jackie and Grace so graciously prepared, and as I go to pick it up, the center of it decides that it is not leaving the pan. These are the type of things that always happen to me. I’m like the trusty sidekick of Batman waiting to say some clever line when something goes wrong. Enjoy your cookies!!

Okay, so I have to explain the situation. I was trying to talk Jackie and Grace into going out to the lake by Red Mountain on Wednesday after the bulk of our critiques are over. I said Wednesday and then heard the long dramatic pause that I usually receive from Jackie and Grace when the answer is a “no.” So, I followed up with the “It’s after Tuesday.” Moral of the story is that I say the most obvious things when my brain is fried.

But this is a stressful time because there seems to be so much to do and we want to make our projects as perfect as possible. I finally had my break down today. There always comes a time in the quarter where I’m just so frustrated and tired that I emotionally cannot work (for at least a good hour). Tonight, I a taking a break by going to Tacqueria Del Sol. I suggest every PC student have their own form of intervention. Go to your favorite spa, go for a walk, go out to dinner, or something.

Good luck with  studio week!

Also, I re-shot Jamie’s photo shoot today. A bit of her frustration came out in the photos. You will survive, Jamie!

But this got me to thinking of how it will affect our future. Are our children really going to finally address this awful issue that we avoid? And how severe are the conditions going to have to be to get us to finally listen?

Anyway, I feel really passionate about this issue and I want to encourage you all to recycle. Think Green.

Greenpeace has so many great ways for anyone to get involved with spreading their message. Their student network helps to spread the message worldwide about all of the harmful and long-lasting effects that our culture is leaving. Thanks for being such a great model for me, roomie!

Audrey: How did you get into design to get into design?

George: In high school, I took some art classes and I guess I was always more into art than design. And when I was in my undergrad, I bounced around from business to something else and then I decided on art studio. So, I started taking art classes then I started taking design classes. And I really liked it because I liked computers and I liked art.

A: A combination of your favorite things?

G: Yeah, and it’s a good way to make money and do something you like. I don’t want to have a job that I don’t like, where I don’t get to be creative, that’s always the same day in and day out.

A: When would you advise students to start looking for an internship?

G: I would think as soon as possible. Maybe like 5th quarter.

A: New York or Chicago?

G: New York

A: Spiderman or Superman?

G: Spiderman

A: Where do you see yourself after Portfolio Center?

G: Well, I see myself in maybe two different directions. I could see myself getting a job with a small firm. I don’t know where I would fit in because I don’t really enjoy doing corporate stuff. I could do it, but I probably wouldn’t like it. I enjoy doing branding, typography, logos. A lot of stuff with illustration. Or our plan is right now to start Epidemik as our own design firm. Do our t-shirts but also design.

A: So, if you could you would start your own company right now?

G: I would. But it’s probably better to go out and get a job and some experience and then start your own business. Not many people are successful just jumping into their own business. We have friends that we can rely on in the industry. It’s not like we are going to be pushed into the industry with no help. If we do start our own company, we would have a lot of support and friends to guide us.

A: Do you feel like EC has helped you to get to know other people in the industry here in Atlanta?

G: Yeah, just like from the shows. We’ve met everyone from like Micheal Knights. We also have almost fans. People have asked us to have them as interns.

A: Who has asked you to be interns?

G: Some kids from American Intercontenital. But we didn’t know what to do with them. There was no space for them. Come work at the school. I don’t know

A: You can start doing marketing stuff for us.

G: Go get me coffee. Give me a hundred logos. Get them to do my work. You know, give them a direction and advise them.

A: Do you want to stay in the Atlanta area because you’ve built up a reputation?

G: I guess because I’ve met so many people here, I wouldn’t mind staying in the Atlanta area. I’ve already gotten like request to do freelance work, but I haven’t really had time. But hopefully if I do need work when I get out, I’ll have it here, and if not then I’d like to move somewhere like New York or Chicago and maybe find a firm that I would fit in and work there for awhile.

A: Do you feel like EC has helped you to network?

G: Yeah, we’ve met people in the design industry. But we’ve met a lot of other people, like stylist and people in the fashion industry. We haven’t networked with just designers.

A: You wake up from a nice long afternoon nap and find yourself in an enchanted forest. In front of you the path divides, to the left is a long winding path filled with flying berry bushes. If you eat 3 of these berries you can fly whenever and wherever you want for the rest of your life. The path to the right is filled with money berry bushes. If you eat 3 of these berries you poop $100 dollar bills for the next 5 years. The two different berries taste the same kind of like strawberry chocolate spaghetti sauce. So….which berry would you eat and why?

G: Money berry bushes, but I would love to fly, but with the money I could buy plane tickets.

A: What is one trick/idea that you’ve learned which you apply to your designs to make them work? (just a small ingredient in your delicious recipe for design)

G: To have a story or concept behind your work, because you will be able to sell it to anyone. Anyone can make it look good, but if it has a purpose then it will meet the needs of the client.

A: Okay, well that’s all I can think of right now. Do you have any more words of wisdom

G: Don’t be scared to take risks.

The last comment made me think about my own ability to take risks, and how I don’t feel like I’ve challenged myself to do that enough yet. The process that we go through at Portfolio Center brings us different challenges and tasks. Sometimes we question why we are doing things, and if it is the right choice. Whether or not we follow our advisors suggestions is our choice. But it is our willingness to stand up and challenge that and to take risks is what will make us good designers.

This year’s requirement is that submissions be environmentally-sound, commercially-viable and enable people to better live in harmony with the environment. The goal is to go above and beyond simple energy and water efficiency and suggest ways to foster sustainable behavior and product usage.

I hope many of you will take the time to enter your design into the competition. The site even displays, down to the second, how much time that is left in the competition. But good news, the competition doesn’t close until August 1st, so you can work on this over break. But it’s never to early to start concepting.  Visit their site to see all of the rules.

A sound. A sound so loud that is pulsing through your body. Releasing your inhabitions and completely letting go. A space closing in around you. People closing in around you. The bright lights. The smoke. The sounds of complete experimentation.

This was my adventure last night into a world completely foreign to anything I’ve ever known. A group of us went out to see Deerhunter and I have to admit, it was the most interesting people watching I have ever experienced. In a way, I was jealous. These people are so into this music, and are just so able to let loose and do whatever. They are carefree. And I wish I would have had a camera to catch some of their expressions. Jessica got some good pictures though.

The broken drumstick flew through the air and landed at my feet. I had found my free pizza of the night. But later, I saw the drummer walking around looking for the end. But that got me to thinking, are you really going to want the broken end of a drumstick. The silly thing is, that I wanted it, too. The drummer and I think alike. Nothing is as great as the broken end of a drumstick.