VCD NEWS :: Archive of Past News
Spring 2007 News
VCD Portfolio Show April 4-6, 2007
Fall 2006 News
Environmental Graphic Design Class Visits Chicago
Fourteen students in the EGD course in VCD spent three days in Chicago in September. This course teams architecture students from IIT (Illinois Institute of Technology), Real Estate MBAs from the DePaul Real Estate Center and graphic design students from Kent to develop sustainable eldercare housing proposals. The focus of the trip an interdisciplinary workshop on the IIT Campus. Other highlights of the trip included visiting the exhibit "Massive Change" by Bruce Mau at the Museum of Contemporary Art, and catching a Cubs game at Wrigley Field (The Reds won 4-1). The trip was organized by VCD Professor David Middleton and assisted by GTA Anne Berry. Another trip is scheduled for mid November.
VCD/JMC Student Creative Team Makes Cover of CMYK #34
An ad by Andrea Wolny, JMC, and Mike Burton, VCD, is featured on the cover of the current issue of CMYK. The work is from a new interdisciplinary course taught by Greg Thomas and Steve McKeown of Brokaw. This consists of JMC copywriters and VCD art directors work in traditional creative teams to develop ad campaigns.
The students worked on this campaign for the Independent Film Channel. Two of the ads from their campaign -- "Revolutionary" and "Warning" -- were selected to appear in CMYK 34, summer 2006 issue (on sale now at all major bookstores). “Warning” was selected as the cover.
"This is exciting news for these students and hopefully a warning shot for the industry about the quality of an ad portfolio from Kent. Congratulations to all." Greg Thomas
This course, in its first year, is a natural connection between Journalism and Graphic Design, and provides the students an opportunity to act as an agency creative team. The teams are provided a creative brief each week and develop concepts for critique the following class. Students work in a variety of teams, developing rough concepts. The best campaigns are selected and refined ads are developed over the last weeks of the semester. For more information about this course, contact David Middleton at damiddle@kent.edu
David Middleton recognized at 2006 SEGD Conference in Hollywood
David Middleton was awarded the “Angel Award”, honored as a member who has consistently practiced and promoted awareness of the values of the profession and the organization, and has made significant contributions to the direction and growth of SEGD.
David was also invited to present of the work being done by his students in the 3D Design concentration at the Education Seminar and Breakfast at the 2006 SEGD Conference in Hollywood. Coursework in this area include the Kent/SEGD Summer Workshop in environmental graphic design, an annual two-week workshop, and an EGD Interdisciplinary course. This course mixes design students from Kent, architecture students from IIT (Illinois Institute of Technology), and MBA students from The DePaul Real Estate into interdisciplinary teams, solving issues of housing and real estate development, and involves travel for workshops in Chicago. Find more information about these courses on the VCD Web site.
VCD Students Awarded at 2006 SEGD National Conference in Hollywood
VCD students took two of the three student awards at the 2006 SEGD National Conference in Hollywood in this summer. Amir Khosravi and Jerad Lavey received the top “Honor Award”, while Anne Berry and Kristal Ernst a “Merit Award” for projects executed in VCD classes.
SEGD (the Society for Environmental Graphic Design), an international non-profit educational foundation, announces 32 outstanding designs to receive recognition in the highly competitive SEGD Design Awards Program, which recognizes excellence in environmental graphic design. The winning designs were selected from 357 entries received from around the world, including entries from Australia, Canada, India, the Netherlands, Korea, New Zealand, Qatar, Thailand, and the US.
SEGD is an international non-profit educational organization providing resources for design specialists in the field of environmental graphic design, architecture, landscape, interior, and industrial design. SEGD members are leading designers of directional and attraction sign systems, destination graphics, identity programs, exhibits, and themed environments. Environmental Graphic Design embraces many design disciplines including graphic, architectural, interior, landscape, and industrial design, all concerned with the visual aspects of wayfinding, communicating identity and information, and shaping the idea of place.
Images of all winning projects are available at www.segd.org
2006 SEGD Honor Award - Kent State University Academic All-American Athletic Center
Location - Kent State University, Kent, OH
Design - Amir Khosravi, MFA; Jerad Lavey, BFA
School - Kent State University
Instructor - David Middleton
Fabrication - Kent State University Media Center
Client - Kent State University Athletic Department
Consultants - Michael Bruder (KSU architect)
Photographer - Amir Khosravi, Jerad Lavey
The goal of this project was to create an environment that reflects both outstanding athletic and academic achievement. A collage of images represent each athletic program at the university. Complementing these images are action shots of various student athletes participating in each individual sport and a video display. Moving into the study area, viewers are able to follow an abstract time line honoring past Academic All-Americans and their achievements. The project was printed at the Kent State University Media Center. Due to budget restrains, photography of the collage and installation was done by the designers. The project was entirely designed and produced in Glyphix, an honors design studio class through the collaboration of two graphic design students who were responsible for the concept, direction, client relationship, design, photography, motion graphics, production, and installation – all on a very limited budget.
Jury Comment
"Energetic yet restrained, this project was a standout, particularly since it was designed, produced, and installed by KSU honors design studio students with virtually no budget for implementation. The project, located in an athletic study hall facility, had two goals: to honor current and former athletes in the KSU Academic All-American program and to recruit other students into the program. An effective use of college colors are used in the main entryway graphics. Tightly-cropped duotone and grey scale photography abstracts the images, creating a visual energy that draws in the viewer."
2006 SEGD Merit Award - Sankofa Place – Student and Affordable Housing
Location - Chicago, IL
Design - Anne Berry, Kristal Ernst
School - Kent State University
Instructor - David Middleton
Client - Chicago Public Schools, Kimball-Hill Homes
In consideration of the neighborhood's troubled past, coupled with a spirit of celebration for the various groups of people who moved through the area, and renewed interest in rebuilding the community, "connecting with one's history in order to move forward" became the concept for this site's branding and identity. In the same vein, "Sankofa", which comes from a West African Adinkrap symbol and translates into "learning from the past," was selected as the name for the new housing development.
In addition to gateways and vehicular, pedestrian, and interior building signage, the wayfinding and design portion of the project will include a banner system along Fillmore Street, sculpture pieces located throughout the development and interpretive elements in the form of murals.
The project is one result of an interdisciplinary cross-listed course. The Real Estate Center at DePaul University, the Illinois Institute of Technology College of Architecture, and the Kent State University School of Visual Communication Design developed an interdisciplinary development and design project for student teacher housing, in conjunction with Chicago Public Schools and Illinois State University. Courses were taught via teleconferencing, and students traveled to attend workshops and to participate in the final project, which took the form of a juried competition in Chicago.
Jury Comment
"This document uses detailed numerical research from the real estate discipline to inform the architectural site plans with the branding and wayfinding system for a clear, target audience. The visual expressions of the system convey a sense of professional finish that is commendable." http://www.segd.org/awards/2006.html
VCD student featured in Cleveland Magazine
Johanna Armstrong was featured in the July issue of Cleveland Magazine in an article about a project she designed while in the Glyphix studio. The author of the article is a local writer who's poem she illustrated in a bus card layout. The experience was part of a group project that the Glyphix staff enjoyed designing during Spring semester. Coordinated by Professor Ken Visocky-O'Grady with the Cleveland chapter of AIGA, the project was a first-time collaboration for Glyphix and the Poets and Writer's League of Greater Cleveland.
The experience culminated in an evening reception at the RTA headquarters, with a chance for the students and poets to meet and appreciate one another's talents. The bus cards can be seen on the trolleys around Cleveland and on the League's website http://www.pwlgc.com/rta2005.html. Further information is also posted on the RTA website http://gcrta.org/pro_moving.asp
Summer 2006 News
The Super Shorts Film Festival
Tony Samangy's award-winning music video, “Strange and Sane,” was selected for inclusion in The Super Shorts Film Festival, which is presented by Talent Circle, the UK's largest online Filmmaker Network. “Strange and Sane” was created for local Cleveland artist viola, from his 2005 debut CD “Far From The Maddening Crowd.”
7th Annual Melbourne Underground Film Festival (MUFF)
Tony Samangy's award-winning short "3:18" has been named an official selection of the 7th Annual Melbourne Underground Film Festival (MUFF). "3:18," which has had a successful trip through the domestic festival circuit both locally and nationally, had its first international screening at MUFF.
Internship News
David Roll moved to D.C. over the summer to complete his internship at the Discovery Channel.
Spring 2006 News
West Virginia Flash Festival
Steven Hughes' website was runner-up in the professional website category at the 2006 West Virginia Flash Festival. http://faculty.wlsc.edu/2006festival/pw_2.htm
Telly Award
Tony Samangy has received a Silver Telly Award (the highest level bestowed) as Producer/Writer/Director for Autumn Haze Production's independent film "3:18." "3:18" is a dark comedy about life, death, and the persistence of time, or the lack thereof.
HOW Magazine Article
Ken and Jenn Visocky O'Grady have an article in the June issue of HOW Magazine titled - "Design Buddies." The article focuses on individuals who were friends or relatives before becoming partners in a design-based business.
Awards
Jerad Lavey and Tony Lindemann had a brochure design for Near West Theatre accepted into the AIGA Pittsburgh 100 Show where only 100 design projects are accepted for an exhibition juried by nationally recognized designers.
Internship News
Dan Phillips received an internship job offer from MTV this summer in New York City.
Deanna Dalesio, one of 7 students in the nation got accepted to a three-week, summer graphic design program at London College of Communication in London, England.
Matt Stevens accepted an internship at Liggett-Stashower this summer.
