grad school/life/crazy delicious

Monday – Let the Flood Gates Open

lizzrossi — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:48:50 +0000

Monday, August 31st

The first official day of classes being. I’ve been waiting for almost a year. A year of waiting, prepping, interviewing and, finally, I feel like I’m here. Thanks and appreciation to my parents and siblings, you’ve helped more than you’ll know.

San Diego has been welcoming and not nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be. Lovely beaches, plenty of sunshine so far. The highway system is far simpler than it looks on Google maps! Iphone and my TomTom have been a huge help.

Campus is huge, far larger than anything I’ve seen in Oregon, and I’m sad to report that SDSU’s football team does not have quite the fire that Oregon State does. Ehhh, maybe with a little time. But we have our graduate space organized and I’m excited to use my Faculty/Staff parking sticker! HA, glad I don’t have to compete with all the freshman for parking. Wheeww!

My California road trip down was great. Lots of memories with Mom, and photos to accompany those events. Disneyland next time Mom – it wouldn’t have been the same without Suzanne and Jennifer. As I remember the things we saw…the Sand Dunes, Crescent City, San Fran, Morro Bay, Berkeley, The Shattuck Hotel, Monterey Bay, the awesome aquarium and the 10 days or so in San Diego. The drive south really makes me appreciate the two and half hour airplane ride.

Thanksgiving isn’t far away, I’ll be home soon – but not too soon.

Ready – Set – Go

Rugged California Coastline – Northern Cali

lizzrossi — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:31:00 +0000

California Road Trip Photo Collection

lizzrossi — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:15:12 +0000

Got any Scraps Bruv…?

lizzrossi — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:05:28 +0000

Got any Scraps Bruv…?, originally uploaded by farkfk.

Splatter Munny

Big Munny

lizzrossi — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:03:48 +0000

Big Munny, originally uploaded by MariSheibley.

Big Munny!

Mini Munny

lizzrossi — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:02:13 +0000

Mini Munny Contest, 1st submission, originally uploaded by ellevegas.

Looking to collect Munny design ideas! Here some I located on Flickr!
Enjoy.

Fruits of the Summer

lizzrossi — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:35:22 +0000

Summer sunshine always yields beautiful strawberries from my mothers yard. Perfect and sweet if the blue jays don’t get to them first. I have seen evidence of them taking bites, perhaps they think we planted the strawberries there for them. The tale tale signs of the jays visiting are little bird beak shaped bites right through the center. There is enough for both myself and the birds, however if the raccoons find the patch, I will surely be out of luck.

Pancakes without Words

lizzrossi — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:38:14 +0000

Wordless pancakes v1.2, originally uploaded by macro girl.

Unique and an original way to walk through the steps of a pancake recipe. The “user” needs not to necessarily be able to read, but must contain some basic cooking skills.

As I continue to consider various forms of information design, this design concept always comes to light.

Questions-
1. How legible is it for the average person?
2. Does this need to be simplified further?
3. Can the same principles be applied for a more complicated set of directions?
4. What kinds/types of symbols are universal to various group of people, and can they be utilized similarly when the written language
is not adequate?
Found: Flickr – Macro Girl

Just Wait’n For Summer

lizzrossi — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:57:28 +0000

DSC_0032_051908, originally uploaded by Blink.Color.

The Rhodes are blooming everywhere. Summer it seems is officially here, even though, typically for Oregon we are not graced by such lovely weather. No complaints from me – bring on the sunshine!

Graphic Design, as Distinct from Product or Other Kinds of Design

lizzrossi — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:42:51 +0000

Trying to sort through my ideas and concepts to create clarity for my graduate work. Looking into resources such as Edward Tufte and Here, The Cooper Carry Magazine .

I’m choosing to focus on Information Design. Wikipedia states, “Information design is the skill and practice of preparing information so people can use it with efficiency and effectiveness. Wikipedia goes on to say…One of the first uses of the term was by the London graphic design consultancy Pentagram , who used the term in the 1970s to mean their graphic design, as distinct from product or other kinds of design.”

I believe as our daily lives become increasingly bombarded with various levels and kinds of necessary information, its becoming apparent that the preparation of that information for efficiency and effectiveness is paramount.

And lastly, the website, Design Observer has an archive of articles collected specifically about Information Design.