Reflections on self-validation and the role of “Social Design”

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The Masterstudio Basel explores the idea of Furniture

What makes The Chair a chair? The fact that someone’s sitting on it? And if a person sleeps or eats on it, would that make it a bed or a table?

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June heralds graduation, student shows and reflections upon “Design in the Real World”. In the spirit of the season, the Crosscultural Junction would like to showcase the work of Michael Tsang, a Product Design graduate from the Parsons School of Design.

Following is a recap of his Senior Thesis, with the images of  prototypes made out of bamboo plywood and finishes. We invite you to take a look at Michael’s exploration of Culture in Furniture Design.

If you are a student and would like to share your experiences, email us.

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Russian-American Poster Throwdown
Rufus Wainwright vs. 9/11; Band of Horses vs. Chernobyl

Given the relaxation of historic political tensions between U.S. and Russia, The Seattle-Moscow Poster Show (opening September 4, 2009, Bumbershoot, Seattle) will differ from its predecessors, The Seattle-Tehran Poster Show and The Seattle-Havana Poster Show. Instead of avoiding difficult content out of necessity to protect designers in those cities, this exhibit includes posters referencing tragedies that once could have been viewed through the prism of national politics, but in reality are universal tragedies.  Read more…

Acts of Self-Censorship

As the organizer of a series of Seattle-based international design exhibits, I’ve witnessed the power of graphic design to breakdown stereotypes and unite cultures. I’ve coordinated projects with designers in countries that are politically difficult for Americans to visit much less maintain sustained contact with. And I’ve seen the joy on each side when an audience realizes that what we do is radically interconnected, despite government attempts to limit information, to keep us apart. To make these exhibitions possible, however, I have to admit to a certain level of self-censorship. Read more…

The latest stop in the AIGA XCD Road Show was Querétaro, where we picked up up some new friends at Déjando Huella, edición número 12. Read more…

In addition to all the fun, it was very clear that Mousharaka offered a unique opportunity to share views with our counterparts in the Gulf States. So, AIGA XCD cornered a few Graphic Design majors from the American University of Kuwait (AUK) for some Real Talk about their lives and perspective on the Profession. Read more…

Mousharaka!

Icograda Design Week in Doha, March 2009.

Observe as Malaysian Muhamad Tamyez and Canadian David Berman collaborate to find missing body parts.

Then, watch as David Berman shows us an updated version of the Vulcan Greeting Ritual

For a detailed account of the Icograda Design Week in Doha, March 2009, click here. Visit us here for a photo account

Designing for Others who are “Different”.

We must ask new questions when challenged to design for people we don’t understand and often we don’t know the questions to ask.

Jody Graff, Graphic Design Program Director, and I are teaching an independent study class at the Drexel University Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design. As part of a Sappi Grant awarded to Drexel University and the ex;it foundation, the students are challenged to design identity and marketing materials to support the success of the Sunflower Oil Cooperative in the Ruggerero Genocide Survivors Village in Western Rwanda. Read more…