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Creation in Isolation
Bleed 2020 • Volume 11
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Fletcher Herring - Art Director, Writer, Photographer, Graphic Designer
Emily Stevenson - Copy Editor, Writer, Graphic Designer
Toni Kerr - Editor in Chief, Copy Editor, Writer, Illustrator, Graphic Designer
Amanda Blaeuer - Copy Editor, Writer, Illustrator, Graphic Designer
Tammy Roche - Writer, Graphic Designer
Kirsten Zacharek - Production, Writer, Photographer, Graphic Designer
Alysia Rodriques - Copy Editor, Writer, Illustrator, Graphic Designer
Emmalee Parks - Copy Editor, Graphic Designer
Andrew Arriola - Copy Chief, Copy Editor, Writer, Illustrator, Graphic Designer
Connor Baker - Production, Writer, Illustrator, Graphic Designer
Chloe Hendrickson - Writer, Illustrator, Graphic Designer
Mary-Frances Case - Art Director, Writer, Illustrator, Graphic Designer
Nathan Wirth - Writer, Illustrator, Graphic Designer
Brianna Butler - Editor in Chief, Illustrator, Graphic Designer
4  The Bleed
How Brains are Different for Visual Artists Words by Chloe Hendrickson Designed by Andrew Arriola
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t’s no surprise that artists think differently, or more visually, than others. You’ve probably heard the term “right-brain thinkers,” referring to people who think with emotions, imagination, and who are more focused on art and poetry. In comparison, left-brain people are more factual, logical, and mathematically minded. We’ve come to find that the concept of “left and right brain thinkers” aren’t actually as scientifically accurate as we think.
Many studies have shown that there’s been little to no evidence supporting the “left brain and right brain” theory. If you compare the brain scans of a mathematician and another who’s a painter, you’d find little difference. When the right side of your brain lights up in an MRI scan, we find that artists have more neural patterns in the precuneus of the parietal lobe. This part of your brain is used to combine and deconstruct visual images. There’s also increased gray and white matter in the cerebellum, which is used for fine motor skills. But that raises another question; are artists born and not made? Well, it’s a little more complicated than a yes or no. Let’s think of it as playing piano. People are not born knowing how to play it. Anyone of any age can sit down and slam their fingers against the keys with reckless abandon, making something that is, by technicality, music. Some people have an advantage with a longer reach, giving them a wider range of octaves. Others don’t quite
reach the pedals on a Baby Grand. Some people can read sheet music naturally. On the other hand, I know professional musicians who write out which note is which. The only thing that matters when you play the piano is the drive to learn and the enjoyment of the music. It’s exactly the same for art development. While others are more naturally inclined to it, it takes practice and dedication, which is nothing if you don’t enjoy the process of development. Let’s take a look at how the brain functions when it is being used to create. There’s an increasing amount of scientific evidence showing that art enhances your brain function, from academic achievement to social and emotional development. In a study titled ‘How Art Changes Your Brain: Differential Effects of Visual Art Production and Cognitive Art Evaluation on Functional Brain Connectivity’ a group of researchers took 28 men and women and split them into two groups. Over ten weeks, one group learned from an art historian how to analyze art, while the other group learned painting and drawing techniques. Both groups were tested before and after the experiment with a scale used to measure emotional resilience. The group that was taught to draw showed “a significant improvement in psychological resilience” and “functional connectivity” that surpassed the art analysis group by leaps and bounds. So I implore you to pick up a pen and draw whatever you want. You may not be naturally inclined to creating art, and that’s ok. The fear of inadequacy should not be a barrier to your enjoyment and improvement.
How Brains are Different for Visual Artists 5
P PRI PRI R IN NT’S T’S NOT NOT DEA DEA EAD D D Writi ng, d e
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“Print is dying.” Most people have heard this statement, especially those in the print and design industry. It’s been said for the past couple of years as more people are moving away from reading magazines, newspapers, and the like in their physical forms to reading online. With the sudden isolation because of today’s events, this statement might be even more true than before as print shops have to work with their crew to distance themselves from each other, clients, and vendors. Things have certainly slowed down as many businesses have closed and are no longer in need of printed advertisements and mail for their patrons, but printing isn’t coming to an end today. I interviewed Melissa Koke, the CEO of QSL Print Communications. QSL is a local print shop in Springfield, Oregon. The Melissa Koke CEO of QSL Print business began as Quick Service Litho Communications in 1950, and is owned by the Koke family. Koke might be a familiar name for people in the area, as they have been printing for the community for a long time. During our interview, we discussed why print is important and how QSL has taken measures to ensure that their family at the shop is being safe and staying healthy during these scary times.
What do you think about the statement “print is dying”? Print in general is not dying. Newspapers and bookmakers are declining, but packaging and signage are still growing. Our company does not see technology as a threat. Technology has helped our business tremendously, and we embrace it. My great grandfather started a printing business in 1907. Print has changed a lot since then, and we have learned to adapt with the times. We’re in the 4th generation and our company is in a good place.
Can you explain the benefits of having print over digital? Some studies say information is better retained when consumed on paper vs a screen. We don’t believe it’s about “us vs them”. Good media campaigns contain digital, radio, TV, and print media.
Are there currently industry concerns about projects going digital, and having less being printed? Our glass is half full. We will continue to adapt to provide ideas and solutions to our customers.
What is something that you wish people knew or did when submitting projects to you? The #1 issue we still see is receiving files without bleed, ironically. I also can’t stress enough that we are a resource before it’s time to submit files, just to make sure you’re on the right track. And, we can produce anything from simple to extraordinary. There is a time and a place for a quick, digitally printed piece, but we’re also able to execute complex projects.
Did you have to change the process of printing in the shop due to COVID-19? We shuffled hours of personnel in the shops and many worked from home so we could spread out and safely serve our customers. We have stayed open and kept all staff on full time.
What did you have to do so that your employees were able to social distance/isolate? We have moved to working from home whenever possible, as well as staggering shifts so there are fewer people in the building at any given time. We’ve also stopped in person meetings both internally and with vendors and customers until further notice. Our lobbies are now closed.
Do you have any predictions for the print industry in coming out of current events? I believe this accelerates the transition to more efficient workflows, smaller but smarter print runs, the need for precise communication, and buyers with less time and more responsibilities on their plate. Everyone talks about their quality and price, but those things are just a given, they do not set you apart.
What are some valuable things that you’ve learned from this experience? I’m reminded that people always have and always will be our greatest resource. I believe in the resilience and strength of humans – Americans – Oregonians. I am so ready for a return to some kind of normal and will not take it for granted going forward.
B Print’s Not Dead 7
COVID-19 ALMANAC Designed by Amanda Blaeuer
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Missing Celebrations
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Longing To Hug Again
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Wanting To Say “Hello”
Sending Letters Cancelled Plans
Keeping To A New Routine
Creating Anew Making Masks Remaining 6 ft Apart
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Essentials Of Self- Care
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Bouts Of Doubt
Not Being Able To Say “Goodbye”
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c i h p a r G esign D
in an Economic Downturn by Toni Kerr
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midst the covid-19 pandemic when people across the country are forbidden to leave their homes, when all businesses deemed “non-essential” must shut their doors to work remotely or lay off employees, when social distancing prevents travel, vacations, conventions, festivals, high school and college graduations, weddings, reunions, and funerals…our economy is suffering, and it’s suffering greatly. Some businesses will not survive this pandemic. Some non-profits will take years to recuperate because they will have spent every penny trying to continue onward without the fundraising events they rely on. The momentum of a strong economy has come to a screeching halt and no one knows if it will bounce back in a heartbeat, or if it will take a few years to recover. But so long as there is an economy to speak of, there will be a place for graphic designers. As a past LCC graduate, Johanna Clemente-McNutt, said in her analysis paper titled, Graphic Design Industry During Economic Recessions, “The industries that weather the economic storm are also the ones to get stronger.” This is not to The industries say that graphic that weather the designers are immune to losing their jobs. economic storm Businesses are being are also the ones forced to evaluate their expense reports and to get stronger.” graphic design might be considered less important than paying rent on a building, keeping customers, or in supporting their employees so they don’t seek work elsewhere. Businesses need to think creatively, designers included, if they want to survive the current economic environment. “On the one hand, designers may be laid off and the steady income and traditional stability they may have enjoyed could be threatened in some ways during an economic crisis, however, designers are more resilient to these threats due to their capacity to work freelance and the fact that marketing and business needs to continue in some form in order to power out of any
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recession or economic downturn,” says Tom Madison, Lead Faculty, Graphic Design Program, LCC. Economic downturns often favor the creative designers who are accustomed to thinking outside the box and hustling for business. “Designers are best placed to look at problem-solving,” says Emily Penny, brand strategist and voice at BeColorful in an interview with Henry Wong. “If people who have contracts that are falling away, or bookings that are disappearing, it’s not just about holing up at home and watching Netflix. Thinking ahead, there are lots of things designers could do.” Not only to help themselves, but to help their local areas and neighborhoods in a more personal and meaningful way. If you find yourself with some extra time on your hands, take advantage and sharpen your tools, learn some new programs or techniques that could widen or update your skills, explore some theories that will improve your artistic process. You’ll be a stronger designer because of it and more options will be available for you in the future. Technology is on our side. There will always be plenty of work to be found for graphic designers, partly because the field has been shifting to a remote atmosphere for many years now. Businesses who have been forced to give up their in-house designer or agency can find a freelancer quite easily with countless online resources such as Guru, Indeed, or Behance, and graphic designers have a plethora of choices for where and how to promote themselves. The playing field is no longer limited to a “local” environment like a lot of service industries are. We can work for any type of business, anywhere in the world. THIS is what gives graphic design such an advantage in times of recession. The business world is shifting and graphic designers will survive. We are resilient, we hustle, we solve problems, and we think creatively. Designers help a business grow, we create brand equity and represent the voice of a company. There will always be businesses who value these things differently, but the field of graphic design will always be essential to help sell, entertain, and to communicate in all areas of commerce. Graphic Design in an Economic Downturn 9
Working in
Is ol a t i o n Andrew Arriola, Mary-Frances Case, Toni Kerr, and Tammy Roche Andrew Arriola and Mary-Frances Case
We interviewed a few people operating from home to ask how their work flow has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Selected answers from: Michael Radliff Associate Art Director AHM Brands John Nguyen; Graphic Designer Taco Bell Design Jennifer Patterson Technaprint Katrina Strafford General Manager Unity Technologies Tom Burton Web Designer Resolution Design & Development. Chris Berner Senior Designer Funk/Leviz. 10  The Bleed
Michael: The biggest change has been in the way we collaborate. It’s not the same as working together in person, but video calls have really helped. We already had several people working remotely so the infrastructure for remote work was in place. It’s taken some getting used to, but I think it’s been a relatively easy transition. In some ways, we are connecting more as a team. Tom: At the beginning of the shutdown, most of my active
projects were put on hold due to how my clients’ businesses were impacted. Things were looking uncertain for my workflow at first, but after a week or two, I began receiving requests for work from other clients, most of which were due to new needs for their website’s role in their operations during this situation.
Katrina: An interesting side effect has been we all have more visibility into everyone’s lives, such as when the children pop up in the background of a ZOOM meeting, or babies, cats, spouses. We are getting to know each other on a more personal level. Additionally I’ve noticed we Slack and text each other much more frequently throughout the day.
Michael: Working from home is a new thing for me. I’ve done
some freelance work but it’s different working a full work week from home.
Jennifer: Do not work from home. The printing industry is considered essential as a means of communication, so we are still operating fairly normally. Can’t bring large-scale printers, plate makers, or offset presses home. John: Most creatives have some expe-
rience of working from home as they explore their own careers. For the team Taco Bell Design, we have had opportunities in the past to work remotely when necessary. In addition to that, we are taught and tested to always be nimble and flexible which I believe are good qualities of a creative.
Chris: I consider myself very adaptable. I’ve gotten used to working from home. I have a full internet connection, and the same software as at work. The only real difference is I’m not at the office, and less connected to the daily hum of other folks going about their business. The only slight challenge is large files. 100 meg downloads can take over a half-hour, and I’ve found I can’t do other work while downloading because it interrupts the data stream. John : Working home is not new to me, but it can certainly can be challenging at some times. I miss working alongside the Taco Bell Design team. Also, presenting your work via the internet is not as thrilling as presenting work in person in an office. However, there’s a certain tranquility and calmness you get from working from home. I try to make it enjoyable for myself and others for the time being. Having our team separated has also encouraged us to be creative in our virtual meeting. (For one of our marketing meetings, we had a virtual tour of an animal sanctuary!)
Katrina: A week ago I realized I like working from home. I mean, more than like it. I think I prefer it. It was like a light switch. I enjoy getting up early and making breakfast before or during my morning calls with Europe. I like
having my coffee and tea 5 feet away, and the extra time with my husband, even if that is most spent making lunches and dinners. I also appreciate not having to squeeze onto the Muni (San Francisco public transportation). It will be hard to adjust to going back to the office 5 days a week. Although I do look forward to seeing everyone!
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Chris: Yes. My sweetheart, Nancy,
uses the art studio upstairs. So, I’ve set up a home office in the dining area. I have a great view, and can concentrate on my work quite easily. Since it’s just the two of us, it doesn’t feel crowded in our rather small home.
John: I am fortunate to have my own
workspace at home and I am lucky to now have to opportunity to revamp it up and make it a fun space. It has also become my own personal and creative sanctuary to escape the world which can be noisy. (I might have spent a little more money than I should for new office dĂŠcor and I have a new chair on the way! Check out some of our Work From Home spaces from Spring 2020 (https://www.tacobell.design/ blog#/040120/ )
Katrina: At first it was a bit of a transition with my home setup for being for a few hours on nights or weekends. It was not intended for 8+ hours a day. After the first week, I dug out an old mouse. After the second week a colleague in my building lent me an extra monitor he had, and last week I ordered a keyboard and mouse pad. My webcam sits on a planter to bring it to about eye height since I’m on Zoom most of the day.
“...I can very easily find myself spending much more time at the computer than I would have normally.� cation with their stakeholders. I think messaging is more important than ever at this point. There’s an opportunity for companies to build lasting brand loyalty and there is also the threat of losing it all together. The public wants to know what brands are doing to help. We have a part to play in that. I know people are on devices and connecting online more, so designing for screens will be a valuable skill. At the same time, it feels like anything can happen at this point, and major cutbacks will need to be made in most industries.
Tom: Web Design seems to be a strong
industry in situations like this or like the economic downturn we had back in 2008. With so many businesses and the general public relying on web-based systems for daily activities — even more than usual during a pandemic situation — web-related work is likely to at least hold steady, if not increase.
Katrina: Digital direct has been critical to users and businesses for well over a decade. That was naturally accelerating even before the pandemic and shelter at home orders. If anything, I think our recent collective experience is accelerating the advancements in digital direct, usability, self-serve, and putting a spotlight on equitable access.
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Michael: It’s an unprecedented time. I think we’re in an industry that is vital. Even in dire circumstances like these, companies still need good communi-
Chris: Well, I don’t shave as often,
and can wear my grubby jeans on my commute from the kitchen to the dining room. We have wonderful clients Working In Isolation  11
who are in the same boat. So, they also are working from home, and we Zoom meet with them and conduct business via email as before. We just don’t meet face-to-face during this quarantine time.
Tom: The biggest adjustment for me
personally has been figuring out how to deal with an increase in time needed on the computer and being much better about balancing my time between work and home life. Maintaining a structured, daily routine was already a challenge for me and now I can very easily find myself spending much more time at the computer than I would have normally. I’m working on establishing a cut-off time for work and attempting to get back into a routine of self-care such as practicing tai chi every morning and getting away from computers and devices at regular intervals during the week. Of course, I also need to balance that with meeting deadlines and keeping projects (and the classes I teach at LCC) on track. Professionally, the adjustments have been minor. Most of my client contact was already primarily by email or phone, though I am missing being able to meet face-to-face with my clients when needed or to visit their locations as part of my interaction with them.
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Chris: If you can, volunteer to help
people who are less fortunate than you. I helped with a food drive for the 4J school district last week. There is so much food insecurity out there. Do anything to help. As Mister Rogers said, “look for the helpers.� That is how you will be satisfied in your heart and soul. Also, garden. Make compost. Plant trees. Hike. Enjoy the spring blossoms. Live life like it won’t always be like this. Because it will get better.
Tom: I do believe that this situation
and the hardships it has brought will pass. I know that it’s a difficult and frustrating time for many who have suffered major impact. I’m not sure what things
12  The Bleed
will look like after the pandemic ends, hopefully some of the imbalance in our society will be corrected as a result of this. Whatever the case may be, I hope that those who are not doing well at this time are able to find support and safety that will help carry them through.
Jennifer: This is an unprecedented
time- there is no playbook or script to reference. We have to be patient, and try to stay as positive as we can. In situations when I’m feeling sorry for myself, I try to concentrate on doing something to positively affect someone else... there’s always others less fortunate than yourself. We are a creative people, so we need to get creative to figure out how we can affect positive change.
John: One bad day does not define
the person you are. Tomorrow will be another day for another chance. Check out some of these words of wisdom from the TBD Team: (https://www. tacobell.design/blog#/042820/).
“...I don’t shave as often, and can wear my grubby jeans on my commute...�
S T N O S I F S I R C M
F
elvetica
onts are essential when it comes to delivering a message in the appropriate tone of voice. A jury summons in Papyrus would seem like a joke. Hospital signage in Comic Sans would be worrying. You might have noticed an uptick in public service announcements these days. Do you think you’d take the situation as seriously if an announcement for quarantine was written in a curly script? Good typography is about capturing the viewer’s attention. When considering a font for a serious message, one of the most important aspects is readability and legibility. Readability is how easy it is to read body copy, by navigating through the lines of text, such as a book, a web page, or an article. Legibility is how easy it is to distinguish one letter from another in when using a specific typeface.
Helvetica has been widely used by the BBC.
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Arial
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For example, you only see road signs written in sans serif fonts because they are clean and precise as can be, designed for you to clearly read and understand what the sign is trying to communicate with just a glance. It’s the same principle for communicating important information to the public—you want it as clear as it possibly can be.
There have been many public service announcements, posters, flyers, and digital ads created during the Covid-19 crisis to communicate to the public the seriousness of staying home, social distancing, wearing masks, and hand washing. Here is a sampling of the common fonts used during this recent global crisis.
weath Merriw eather a World Health nd Arial have Organiz b combin ation’s een the ation in preferr variou ed fon s twee t ts.
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Arial has been used by the CDC.
used Gothic is e. Highway n ay sig ag for highw
An Alternative State of Mind. How illustrative posters have become a staple for the film industry
by Nathan Wirth
IN
my opinion as a graphic designer, the biggest issue I have about the film industry would have to be the bland and repetitive style of modern film posters. Film posters today are severely lacking the charm of classic film posters. They frequently consist of the main character of the film looking dramatically off to the side, or a disastrous photoshop mishmash of every promotional photo the film had to offer. Even though today’s film posters may not be as creative or original, film studios have found a way to maintain the artistic integrity of poster design by utilizing illustrators to create unique takes on iconic franchises.
T
he rise of the superhero film craze has brought pop culture to a new high, so much to the point where everyone in my family knows a talking raccoon by name. Along with this genre’s increase in popularity, came a new form of art that has become a staple for almost every major film released today - alternative illustrative posters. These posters provide a spotlight for illustration toward an audience that would not normally take notice. Illustrative posters have become commodities for both filmgoers and pop culture geeks alike through their unique look and limited printing. I remember seeing the midnight premiere for The Amazing Spider-Man back in 2012. As I walked into the theater I was handed a beautiful illustrative poster created by artist Laurent Durieux. This poster showcased the best aspects of the film in a very stylized fashion. This blew my mind as a kid! Not only did I get to see a film I was excited to attend, but I also was given a unique keepsake to bring home after the film was over. With blockbuster films releasing more frequently over the past decade, these poster releases have also become increasingly popular. These posters make seeing these films more exciting because there is anticipation about what illustration you might get in addition to your ticket. With poster art becoming a mainstay for major film releases, film studios began to reach out for specific artists to create themed posters alongside their premieres. For example, Disney has utilized artist Dan Mumford to create unique posters for each new mainline Star Wars film that has been released since 2015, making for a beautiful set of nine posters representing each week the films were in IMAX. This also started a trend of theater chains advertising the poster sets they will be offering with their releases in order to develop more hype for films. Mumford’s success established a major change in the world of illustrative posters. He spent the majority of his freelance career up to 2015 designing album covers
for small bands. Disney provided him his big break with their Star Wars poster proposal. This usage of a relatively unknown artist gave other film companies the idea to license out their work to independent artists around the world. Film companies now host contests to discover unseen talent. Talenthouse and Poster Spy are two major contributors to the film poster contest scene. Over the past few years, they have hosted creative briefs for major films such as Spider-Man: Far From Home, Bad Boys for Life, No Time to Die, and Terminator: Dark Fate. These contests provide promising artists an opportunity to have their work utilized for mass releases, and potentially having their illustrative work printed and handed out in theaters. These original illustrations provide filmmakers additional exposure and an opportunity to showcase creative takes on their films. Illustrative poster design has become a mainstay in the film industry. It has given film fans something unique to look forward to, as well as provide an opportunity for talented illustrators to create official work for their favorite franchises. What started out as a niche collector’s item has become something almost every filmgoer looks forward to seeing. Alternative illustrations are not as “alternative” as their name used to imply. By popular demand, these illustrations have earned their place in the industry as official film posters.
An Alternative State of Mind 15
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oes anyone else feel like right now is a time of uncertainty? Almost as if we’re not sure about what is going to happen next? Most of us have been feeling that a lot lately. Right now, more than ever, is a time to show compassion, support, and use emotional maturity like you never have before.
COVID-19 is the perfect segue to learn about personal boundaries. With the news going 24/7 and social media warriors from every side posting up to the minute, it’s exhausting. We should learn how to put a time limit on how much information we’re consuming daily. This also means limiting your time talking about the virus. Spending all day sulking over it is not helpful for anyone. Sensory overload is at an all-time high already in today’s age, so give your mind a rest and be selective about when and where you want to invest your mental energy.
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Although it’s called social distancing, we prefer the term physical distancing. Yes, we should be physically distancing, but we should not be emotionally or mentally distancing from our friends and family. In fact, we need to be calling and virtually checking in with them more than we normally would. It is not human nature to be secluded in your house constantly. We desire touch, long for conversation, and human interaction. Of course, going over to someone’s house isn’t a great idea, but checking in via phone or setting up a happy hour with your friends on Zoom is a must for emotional stability during quarantine.
A consistent routine will help maintain your environment. If you’re working from home, waking up at the same time, showering, and having your cup of coffee or tea is a great way to stick to something familiar. Keeping things orderly in your world can help relieve the feeling of helplessness. Eat a healthy diet. It’s too easy to reach for snacks and alcohol beverages during this time. We need real fuel for our minds and bodies all the time but especially in times
nde
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of stress. Emotional immunity will lower when you’re filling up on empty calories, and alcohol lowers physical immunity. Think of other ways you can relax. We all need to do our part when it comes to slowing down the spread of the virus. It does not matter if you are at high risk or if you are a perfectly healthy 20 year old, act like your grandma’s life depends on social distancing. The thing with social distancing is that it only works if we all participate. As human beings, we crave consistency and familiarity; during these COVID-19 times, we receive none of that. Uncertainty and wondering what will happen next has been our new day-to-day flow. This is a complex situation that puts us in uncharted territories. As adults, we tend to have more choices in how we cope and the ability to use emotional maturity in this difficult situation.
Emotional Health in Times of a Pandemic 17
HOW FAILURE MOVES YOU FORWARD
Written by Chloe Hendrickson & Mary-Frances Case
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum,The philosophy behind the technique is to recognize the history of the object and to visibly incorporate the repair into the new piece instead of disguising it.
18  The Bleed
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o fail is human nature. We’ve all faced it, and we will all face it again no matter how desperately we don’t want to. Many a designer have cried in their rooms surrounded by mountains of rough drafts and rejected copies. Instead of fearing the inevitable, it’s important to embrace it and learn from the mistakes.
Paula Scher is one of the world’s most influential graphic designers. She’s done work for Microsoft, Coca-Cola, the Museum of Modern Art, the Sundance Institute, the High Line, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and more. When you think of a successful graphic designer, Paula is sure to be on the top of your list. But in ‘The Failure Interview Series’ with Jay Dixit, Paula stresses the importance of failure as opportunities to make breakthroughs.
“You have to get bad in order to get good. You have to try a lot of things and fail in order to make the next discovery.” -Paula Scher
Ford Motor Company’s 8D Solving Process: D0: Plan D1: Team formation D2: Describe the problem D3: Develop a temporary containment plan D4: Determine and verify root causes
You shouldn’t worry about mistakes. Mistakes are inevitable, and in art, mistakes should be encouraged, it’s how you learn and grow. When you’re not making mistakes, you’re getting too comfortable instead of challenging yourself to go farther. Professor Dean Keith Simonton of UC Davis debunks the myth that successful people don’t fail. They fail all the time, but they keep working and creating. They simply put out so much work, that you don’t see their failures. You see the successes created from them.
D5: Verify the permanent solution
To improve, you must fail in the first place. When you accept that, you learn confidence, you gain the knowledge that despite the setbacks, you will be able to succeed. There are important steps to consider when learning to fail. Accept that you will fail, then learn how to analyze the mistakes.
D8: Congratulate your team
D6: Implement the permanent solution D7: Prevent recurrence
A great model for analysis is the Ford Motor Company’s 8D Solving Process. It may be more fitting to fixing an engine than a logo, but the principals are the same. Think as a team, isolate what your problem is, identify what factors are causing the problem, provide a temporary solution to halt the impact of the problem until you can come up with a proper solution and prevent the problem from recurring. The most important part is that you embrace critique and feedback from others, and know that you’re on the road to improvement.
How Failure Moves You Forward 19
Growing up, I loved to skateboard. I would spend hours outside learning new tricks, only to retire indoors for more time spent watching skate videos. Before social media, these tapes were the only chance I had to watch some of my favorite skaters in the industry. I would study their skating, and I would pay close attention to the shoes they wore. At this time, in the early 2000s, Nike SB was experiencing a resurgence. Thanks to collaborations with designers, musicians, and well-known streetwear brands. As a teen who loved both skateboarding and art, I admired the way Nike SB bridged the gap between skateboard counterculture and the corporate world of professional sports through these collaborations and creative designs. Although Nike SB was quiet for a few years, currently there is another resurgence as the brand has put out countless new releases. There have been some continuations of classics, but we have also seen several creative new releases. While everything is a team effort at Nike SB, I had the opportunity to chat with one of the designers behind some of these new and creative designs. Bryce Wong is a multi-talented artist and designer from Southern California. Bryce has a degree in product design and is currently living in Portland, Oregon, working as a footwear designer for Nike SB.
Art: Bryce Wong
Interview & Layout: Fletcher Herring
When I’m on a good schedule, I get up around 5 or 5:30am. Since high school, I’ve been getting up early for sports practice and things like that, so it’s trained into me a little bit, but I find those extra hours of freedom and quiet in the morning gives me a sense of owning my day. Although my job is enjoyable and creative, it’s still corporate, and that’s all good, especially when I have time in the morning to take in the quiet and do some creative things for me and not for anyone else. That’s the ticket for the way that I work.
I went to school for product design at the University of Cincinnati, I didn’t know what product design meant, I thought maybe I would design toys or who knows what? I started school in 2012, after the first year of classes, I started internships. That put me in a position where I didn’t know what to do, and I ended up getting a job with a friend of a friend who did some footwear stuff. My photoshop and illustrator skills improved, as well as my knowledge of the footwear design industry. I also did some things in consumer electronics and home goods.
As a company, I don’t know if they appreciate me as much as people might think, but on a smaller, more personal level, that is one of the reasons I got hired. My work shows I’m not just a sneaker guy, and that is something that goes a long way. You want to work with dynamic people, and I have to say that out of the people I work with, I’m probably the least dynamic. Everybody I work with is incredibly multitalented, you wouldn’t always think that Nike people would be looking for people with such a wide range of skills. Everybody I work with is beyond talented, and it looks like I’m doing a lot on Instagram, but you should see some of the people I work alongside. It’s inspirational.
Yeah, when I went to Vans, it kind of made sense, and I don’t want to say I was good at it, but it felt natural to me. Being in that space was interesting, it was fun, and it was new. I got to meet a lot of great people but by my second or third year of college, I doubted If I had what it took to be a designer.
Super easy answer. Yes. 100%. Nothing can be done by yourself, just bouncing ideas and having a conversation with someone is going to create a result better than what would have been created alone. I’m not the best designer but what I’d like to think is that I’m a good team player and I try to make it as easy as possible to work with me. That has gotten me farther than anything.
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Just in general. I was always interested in art, and design was my path to a creative career without selling paintings for a living, which is kind of ironic because that’s what I’m doing on the side. It’s a roundabout thing; I was finding that I was being told one way to be successful and that there was one type of person that is successful as a designer, and I didn’t fit that mold. The more I tried, the more I found I was just bummed out, feeling like I was trying to become the idea of what design is instead of carving out my path. Man, My professors were telling me what makes a great designer, and I wasn’t checking those boxes as well as the people around me. That changed my mindset, and I had some conversations with mentors and friends from Vans. One of my friends from vans told me I shouldn’t care about trying to fit in, and I should have fun and enjoy what I’m doing. This seems obvious, but I needed to find out that what was interesting to me, wasn’t always in line with what product design was.
Yeah, almost exclusively. There was a group of like 3-4 of us out of 100 who were interested in footwear design. But I was kind of fringe, and I would float between the product area and the user experience stuff, but yeah, ultimately, there was a small crew of footwear kids that were pushing on their own to go for it. That’s when I found that was my avenue to do what I wanted, so come my second internship at Vans in 2015, I was in a different headspace, and I just wanted to have fun, and that paid off. Around this time, I got away from the strict style of drawing I had been taught for product design and started drawing in my style. I found freedom in the things I was doing, and I was getting exposure for it. To sum things up, I had six internships by the time I was a senior, and Nike was my seventh internship, which happened after graduation.
Yes, I did. I had things in my portfolio that I went to and said ‘hey, here’s a project that shares my values, here’s another project that shows my technical skills and interest in footwear’. Then for Nike I did a project that took me two days, and if you’re passionate about something, take the time and show that you are invested.
It seems like a general life thing, but try your best to be friendly and understanding. Enjoy what you are doing and be yourself, make sure you are doing something interesting to you, and that will take you farther than being something you’re not. You can only be inauthentic for so long. The hashtag I always use is “have fun�. Just make sure you are going into this field because you enjoy it.
I learn from every project, dude. I look back at something I did five months ago, and I’m like, what was I thinking? That’s just the name of the game, you’re always getting better, and it never stops. At the point you think your work is the best, you’re probably just missing something.
A Conversation With Bryce Wong  23
Creating a creative space How to make your workspace more workable
Digital illustration, Layout and article by Connor Baker
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raphic Design is an industry that was built with the help of the computer, a device that is now mobile. So as the world descends into chaos, companies and design firms around the globe are sending designers home to do their work. For many, this means leaving their well-lit, large monitor, and collaborative workspaces and trading them in for makeshift coffee table desks. I’ll be telling you a few of my favorite tips for easily elevating my at-home workspace. Adding a plant to any space I’m in always helps to boost my mood. In addition, plants can improve air quality by filtering out lingering toxins. Don’t worry if you don’t get much light—there are plenty of low-light plants that work perfectly, my favorite being the snake plant. The snake plant requires both little light and water, making it great for a busy designer.
Lighting is another issue many of us run into, but this can easily be solved. Living in Oregon, seasonal depression is something that many people have to deal with. To combat it, I use a standing desk light designed to mimic the sun. This light is perfect for my desk because it stands no more than eight inches tall, yet it gives off much more light than other conventional lamps. Compromising on where or what our desk is also means we’re probably compromising on what we are sitting on as well. As someone with chronic lower back pain, my chair is important, but I don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend on a chair. So instead, I recommend purchasing a foam back roller. Foam rollers come in a variety of hardnesses, so decide what would work best for you. Rolling helps keep my spine elongated after being crushed by my chair all day. Hopefully these tips I use to cultivate my space will inspire you to create a space for yourself as well, because who knows how long we’re going to need to use it.
Life with a Disability.
*This article isn’t researched or statistically based. It’s a short story about my own meandering experience with Meniere’s Disease during Covid-19.
Nearly six years ago my life was turned upside down. I was once a solo traveler, bike rider, fiercely independent, and strong-willed. I formed deep connections in the world around me and always felt so safe in every environment I was put in because of those relationships.
With Covid-19, the world is finally realizing what it’s like to live with the effects of an illness. I wobble constantly. I’ve been known to fall into structures, knock over displays in markets, drop my bowl of cereal in the morning, spill my morning tea all over me, etc. Social distancing provides the space I need to wobble. Because my body can’t get its shit together I have to cancel plans all the time. Now the whole world is canceled and coming to us in our living rooms over video chat. I finally have the luxury of deciding when I need to be productive and when I can relax.
Written and Designed by Amanda Blaeuer
One day after work I felt tired and took a nap. I woke up to what sounded like an explosion going off in my ear. I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t control it. I had no previous context to what was happening to me. When the deafening ringing stopped and my tears dried up, I was able to find out my eardrum had popped. I had no insurance at the time and it took a month to save up the money to see a doctor. In that month I stayed home as much as possible. My whole attitude to the world changed. Quickly I realized that most of the people in my life were only in my life because I could be counted on to follow through. While that seems normal, it’s not. It is demoralizing when you suddenly have to cancel plans because your body needs attention, meanwhile having others not understand why and to slowly stop including you. People are worth so much more than their productivity. Even though I eventually got to see the doctor about my ear. I had lasting sensations of struggling with my ability to hear, inner ear pain, and vertigo. This made keeping up with everyday tasks very difficult. For four years my symptoms were disregarded by doctors. I gotta tell you when you don’t have people that understand what is happening to you, it triggers severe depression and hinders the will to carry on. Four years ago, I met my fiance and kept my daily struggles hidden for six months until I was brave enough to tell him. He saw me in my moments of anger, and he told me one day, “I’m not dating an ex-badass. I’m dating a badass in a new environment.” That fueled my motivation to figure out what was happening to me and be bold in my research and doctor visits. It took the better part of the next year to find out I have Meniere’s Disease. A chronic inner ear disease that slowly takes away the ability to hear in one ear combined with vertigo, and nausea. It took another three years to be approved for Vocational Rehabilitation. This past March... just two days before the stay at home order in the State of Oregon, I finally got my hearing aid and cane. It was bittersweet to have the ability to work efficiently in a traditional space again, only to finally be able to live and work remotely in the comforts of my home. With Covid-19 the world is finally realizing what it’s With
I hope Covid-19 has taught us about giving people space, patience, and kindness. About the beauty of being able to work from home. That financial trouble isn’t always a personal failing. Accessibility is mandatory. And as I’m writing this now, community Art Classes are figuring out a way to deliver tools and supplies to their students, including pottery wheels! I certainly have enjoyed watching the change in others as they slowly learn the essentials of being there for each other. To the readers out there, here’s a friendly reminder to be kind, and always look for a way to include everyone. I hate having to cancel plans because of inaccessibility. I have seen the face of someone who is seen for who they are and has access to the things they need because of their community. It’s fucking beautiful!
Quarantine Hobbies by Alysia Rodriques
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uarantine has been quite the experience. With a majority of us learning and working from home, things are different. It’s been nice being able to slow down a little bit and pick up hobbies that we didn’t know we wanted to pursue. Here are five of our favorite hobbies that have gotten us through quarantine so far. This is such a perfect time to lean into something you always wished you could do. There’s no better time to learn a new skill than right now!
Procreate – This app has transformed the
artist’s world. Procreate has every visual artist in mind. It allows someone to work comfortably with a digital medium, permiting them to create quicker, while effortlessly deleting and correcting, and sharing work. It does all this while recreating the familiar experience of holding a pen, pencil, and paint brush to paper. It bridges the analog and digital world together. Once you have your iPad and Apple Pencil, you’re ready to go to YouTube or Skillshare where they have some wonderful tutorials to get started.
Going for more walks – When you’re bored in
the house and have all your work done for the day, going for neighborhood walks or hikes have saved the day. Springtime is amazing in Eugene. That fresh air, smells of blossoming flowers, and yards being mowed couldn’t be a better reminder that everything will be ok.
Cooking and Baking – We’ve enjoyed taking this time to eat better and take care of ourselves a little differently. This includes getting to know what we are putting into our body. Since we have a little more time lately and many restaurants are not open, cooking and baking have been a great pasttime for any household. Get Creative – There are so many people
who are creating epic art pieces using various mediums right now. A couple awesome ways to release this crazy quarantine energy are: painting, drawing, embroidering, coloring, getting into photography, and so much more.
From The Front Porch An interview with Emily Schwank Written by Chloe Hendrickson
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mily Schwank is a professional photographer and a mother of five wild kids, residing in the sleepy suburbs of Indianapolis, Indiana. I’ve known her my whole life, I grew up practically glued to the hip of her eldest child. When I think of Emily Schwank, I can’t picture her without her camera. When she takes pictures, she captures people’s personality or essence; you can feel their personality when looking at their photographs. Indiana went on lockdown March 25th, and not soon after Emily started doing her porch series. She captures families on their porches, some in their pajamas, some wrangling their cats, documenting the experience of these families living in these times, with such grace and dignity that the world needs so much more of now. The following is an interview with Emily Schwank. I’d like to start with a little background about yourself on how you got into photography in the first place. When I was in ninth grade, I took a class on photography and darkroom work. As soon as I took that class I was completely hooked. All through high school, I really focused - no pun intended - on photography, by the time I got to college I mostly did independent studies for photography. I started working with four photographers here locally in Indianapolis, I went totally independent when I was 24 and I’ve been freelancing ever since then. Pictured left: Emma Schwank’s Mother Pat, standing on the front porch of her home. She use to babysit the author of this article.
From The Front Porch 29
You have such a knack for capturing people’s personalities when you work for them. How do you get people to open up to you? It’s really important to me that I try to make people feel as comfortable, at ease and as natural as possible. So, a lot of times it’s just about talking to people while you’re photographing them. Sometimes I feel a little bit like a bartender, you’re just talking to people and getting them to talk to you when it’s little children you talk about simple things. Kids start opening up really easily. Adults need a little bit more coaxing to relax. During this pandemic one of the things I’ve been talking to people with, adults particularly, when they’re on their porches has been ‘if you could eat anywhere in the city right now, where would you eat if restaurants would open?’ and people get really excited! It’s finding a conversation that helps them start to relax and then they open up and surprisingly a lot of people start pouring out feelings to me, which is always really interesting, I think it lends that sort of intimacy in the pictures. Has the pandemic made it harder or easier for people to open up to you? Easier. People are so on the edge of their emotions right now, that as soon as you start talking to them, they just start pouring forth words. A lot of the people I see are not seeing other people besides who they’re with, and so they get excited to talk to somebody. The other day I did a shoot with a little girl, she told me the entire plot of ‘Beezus and Ramona’ [Laughs] ’cause she was so excited to talk to someone besides her family. With adults, if they’re parents, they connect to me on that parental level and they start talking about things they’re afraid of, or things that have been really great, you know, like being home with their kids. People are pouring out emotions right now. Do you think being a mom has really helped you? I think it’s one of the few jobs in the world where being a mom is considered an asset. When I photograph young children, sometimes parents are worried that their kids aren’t acting the right way and I’ll say to them ‘well I have five kids, 30 The Bleed
I know how kids are!’ They start to relax because they realize I’m not going to judge them, or parents trust me with their kids, or people just trust you ’cause you’re a mom. It definitely helps me in my work. You photograph kids so well, they always look like they’re not those Victorian stiff ‘mom made me sit down for this’ pose. It’s important to me because children are so unique and interesting. All children, even the really nice polite tidy ones, are all a little bit feral. I like it when they let themselves be, and a lot of times I have to remind parents that it’s ok, let them do what they need to do to be themselves. When Indiana first went on lockdown, what was your first initial reaction? In terms of, not only your family but your career as well? I was a little bit panicked. My work involves other people and the first week I had all the cancelations, everyone had to cancel or reschedule for an indefinite date. My income is important to my family, and my work is important to my mental health, like most artists, it’s part of who I am. So, I panicked, then I decided to start doing this project independently for myself, and it really stemmed from the fact that I always photograph my kids on our front steps. I’m always piling the kids on the steps and taking pictures of them. The idea of ‘this is our home; this is our shelter’ stemmed from that. But Panic was my first thought. This is obviously such a weird time, and you’re documenting such a personal aspect of people’s lives in this impactful historic event, how does that make you feel? It makes me feel like I have a role, and that feels good. I don’t know how important my work is in the scheme of history, but it’s important in the scheme of these lives, and it’s important in my life that I don’t sit still during this time. This is my way of telling the story of what’s happening. Thanks to the grant from the Harrison center, I’ve been able to connect with some communities in some parts of the cities that I’m not as familiar with. I’m meeting people who
are outside my normal circle of friends. People are grateful for the documentation and I’m grateful that they let me document them. More times than not, people are so happy when I’m there. An interesting aspect of it is that they start talking about all the things that are really good in their lives right now. Recently, the Harrison center who I’m doing some of this work through, were targeting parts of the downtown and they have a series of women called the ‘Greatriarchs’ who are women who have lived in their community for forty to sixty years or longer. One of my projects a few weeks ago was to photograph them. They are all older African American women, the oldest was a hundred and four which was amazing. I photographed her and her daughter who lives across the street and they had so much fun with me and they enjoyed the process of everything, and those are constant reminders for me that so many people and so many ages and races, socioeconomic situations, living situations are enjoying this, they all enjoyed that I was documenting them. I feel like it’s my role right now, in this situation, my role is to tell people’s stories.
feeling is sadness or anger or loneliness or boredom, there are those days too. I think artists are going to be affected by this time long after it’s done. I think we’ll see art in all of its forms in visual, literature, musical, theater and all of that. It’s all going to be influenced for decades and decades by this experience. I feel as artists we need to look at where we are and be inspired by it you know? Which can sometimes be easier said than done, because sometimes you’re like ‘I have no ideas!’ [laughs] My last question would be, what do you want to photograph first when the pandemic is over? Gosh. I think, [sighs] it’s a funny feeling cause I wonder if I’ll be scared to get close to people. I think we all will be, but I keep picturing being able to be with large groups of people enjoying each other. For me, photographing people is my passion, at our house we tend to have people over a lot, I just picture being able to have lots of people in my yard or in my house and having people hanging out and talking to each other, and sharing drinks and sharing food. Yeah, I think I’d really like to photograph that.
Do you have any advice for artists and photographers such as yourself who are stuck at home and are unsure what to do? I feel like this is a time for artists more than ever to look at where you are and draw your influence from that, even if the From The Front Porch 31
& TYPOGRAPHY Design and Photography by Fletcher Herring
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he ominous whistle of a freight train echoes throughout the night, like cries from an iron giant, weathered and rusted from years on the tracks. The beauty of these beasts lies within their blemishes. Hidden underneath the scrolls of modern nomads, the scarred and sun-baked surfaces of freight trains boast immense beauty. Written by the patterns of corrosion like an old ship’s anchor, each train car tells its own story.
Trust Your Process
We interviewed a variety of artists and asked them to share with us their creative processes. Selected answers from: Author Michelle McLean; Jan Halvorsen, who is a painter, former graphic designer and current multimedia instructor at Lane Community College; Michael Maruska, a video producer, videographer and audio engineer; Georgia Harter, an indie film maker and portrait photographer; and YVR a singer-songwriter duo, Courtney and Stephen Stahl.
Designed by Andrew Arriola & Mary-Frances Case
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hat helps you enter a creative space/zone? Jan: To enter my zone… I am lucky to have a small studio that I built several years ago. Just going out there is the first step. I also keep what I call my “desk scroll” on one of the tables. It is a free form drawing space that starts with blots of ink or neutral hues of water color on a roll of inexpensive bond paper. This was inspired by DaVinci’s description of seeing landscapes in stains on a wall. I’ve been doing this for years… Sitting down and letting ideas “appear”, finding all kinds of images and developing them. I call them illustrations in search of a story. I also have sketchbooks in every bag I own…
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here do you receive your inspiration? Michael: I get inspiration from many places, movies, music, and talking with people, listening to their stories and their hardships. Inspiration is like a spark. It is undeniable when it appears in my brain, I then boil it down to 1 or 2 sentences and try to record it in some way. It’s difficult to explain to someone else your idea if it’s just a spark, I can see it’s potential but others can’t or won’t. So, having something written down helps. I have a Google Drive folder where I keep all my ideas. Filmmaking for me is a community activity, I can’t do it all myself so communication is essential to success.
Michelle: Research! If I have an idea Stephen: I’ve got this internal engine about something, I’ll watch movies with thing going on, I feel I’ve got to make similar style, write notes, take screenshots, the best song possible, that’s just a motilook through hundreds of photos, listen vation I have and I think that’s inspiration to soundtracks, anything I can think of! in of itself. I feel like that’s always a drivThen I collect everything I found and ing factor when I’m creating a new sonic create a comprehensive mood board. landscape or a (new) track. I always like I’ll reference this board throughout the to continue the pursuit of what I deem entirety of the project. is really good music to the best of my abilities. But I also can get inspired from Stephen: I think it’s just an overall feel- hearing a really cool sound, like a random ing, (whether) you’re feeling good that sound of a car door shutting, or a wave day or it’s something you want to say and from the ocean. Sometimes those kinds talk about, ...a new sound you want to try of sounds can inspire me to be like, ”Oh, and you’re not being too hard on yourself. wow, that can be used as a snare drum.” or, That’s kind where the best creative energy “That can be used as a chord.” Those kinds comes from. of things can inspire me. 34 The Bleed
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hat in your personal life has influenced you to choose your creative field? Georgia: I, like most teenagers, was really struggling to figure out who I was and who I wanted to be. I found my escape in movies. For two hours at a time I could visit someone else’s world and get lost in their problems (which conveniently always ended up solved in the end). It made me feel less alone. Now with my creative work, I often find myself thinking back to 2012 Georgia and imagining she’d be comforted by it. Michelle: Books. All the books. My earliest memory is opening a box of books with tapes for Christmas. My mom said I was two. I remember reading along with the tapes. I don’t ever remember a time where I didn’t have a stack of books near me. Books are my earliest and happiest memories. So, a career that involved books in any way was always something I wanted. Growing up, being an author seemed unattainable. But I still wanted to be involved with books in some way. As an archivist or librarian, for the most part. But being an author was always my dream job.
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ow do you keep yourself motivated and interested in your work? Courtney: [Laughs] That’s a really good question. I think for me, as much as I hate to admit it, I’m very routine driven and without any sort of routine, not being able to go to the gym, see my friends, or go wherever, I start to crumble a little bit. So I think just creating that routine (in my mind), of getting up, getting in the shower, [laughs] putting jeans on to my body, or putting on a stitch of mascara. Just something to make me feel human. Those are things that help just the smaller bits of inspiration through the day that help make the larger scale inspiration to continue to be creative. There’s nothing wrong with having days, weeks, or months even, just seasons of your life, that are more creative than others. I think that’s just the natural ebb and flow of creativity. But overall, just little things add up to the bigger picture of being creative and motivated.
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ave you ever been discouraged? If so, how did it affect your creativity?
Courtney and Stephen Stahl of YVR
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o you strive to be unique in your creative endeavors?
Stephen: For me, I think [Laughs] I like walking. I know that sounds funny, but… Courtney: Naturally, it might coincide Courtney: Stephen’s a walker. with what’s going on with our culture. We’re aware, but it’s never our goal to Stephen: I like walking around the neigh- sound like somebody else. But were borhood. Especially now, that’s our only always very inspired by others. I think form of exercise or going outside. I kind naturally, that will show in our music of decompress while I walk. Then, some- from time to time. times, that creates more of an opportunity for me to think about the creative process. Michelle: There’s a saying, something Courtney: (Putting pants on) really does along the lines of “there are no new stories, something for your mental state. It helps. only new ways to tell them”. How does Beauty and the Beast put it? A tale as old Michelle: I read it (my work). Which as time? Very true. No matter the genre. might sound funny, but sometimes I get Murder mystery – bad guy kills someone caught up in writing the words and don’t and good guy catches him. Romance take the time to go back and read them. Main character meets the main character I think about the story constantly, but and lives happily ever after. When you that’s not always helpful [laughs]. Really, pick up any fiction book, you’ll usually the thing that motivates me to write the know what, in general terms, will happen most, that sucks me into that storyworld in the story. It’s the specifics, the characthe most, is to sit and read what I’ve ters, who set the story apart. So in a sense, already written. making that story unique is my entire job.
Michael: Oh yeah, I feel discouraged a lot. I think “no one will care if I do this or not” or “this is not worth doing” and both of those things may be true. I have taken long breaks from creativity, but always return because if I’m not being creative, I’m not happy, and at the end of the day all I want is to be happy. There is far too much misery in the world without me adding to it. Jan: I really love Michael’s answer… I always have the choice about how I feel. I don’t always have a choice about many other things in life, but like Michael, I’d rather be happy than unhappy. Well, “happy” is maybe not the word I’d use… Thefeeling is more like a sense of clarity and focus, and it is completely engrossing to me. I think I am past being discouraged, that really is about expectations not being met. If I consider what my expectations are about anything, I can usually find a healthy way to adjust them and move on. Courtney: I would say that there is a level of discouragement that happens almost every day. It’s just a matter of keeping the ones you love nearby and keeping positive people in your life. Just surrounding yourself with the ones that really do care about you and love you. Because, this industry can be extremely heartless. It can kind of take that joy away from you if you’re not careful. For me personally, discouragement happens all the time, but you have to keep your head above water by surrounding yourself with the right people and keeping in contact with them. Especially now. ...So, yes, the discouragements of the music industry definitely affect me. But you know, I’m human. Trust Your Process 35
Michelle: I’m always discouraged [laughs]. Writing is hard… After you’re published, you deal with more rejection and bad (sometimes horrifically nasty) reviews. Bad sales numbers. Canceled contracts. Really tough edits. Stories that just don’t turn out right no matter how much work you put into them. It’s incredibly hard for your creativity not to take a hit when everything seems to be conspiring against you. There are moments when your creativity and motivation are gone and feels like they will be forever. When that happens to me I either focus harder or take a step back and just let myself breathe for a bit. I do those things that help inspire my creativity. I read. I listen to music. The creativity always comes back. Sometimes I just need to shut out all the outside noise first.
people together to watch it so we are looking to online options such as Instagram or Zoom. Jan: Post [production] on our project is basically the same as I’ve been doing for years. The editor uploads video, we watch it and make notes, and keep working. Before Covid, we could sit together and look at the work, and that is really great because you can work through subtle details. But that sometimes also means you don’t document as carefully. I’m currently working on some videos for an instructional project, and my editor and I use Google drive and sometimes Zoom with screen share. But I do miss seeing Michael… I miss the spur of the moment conversations about the project we would have almost every day.
ow has Covid-19 social restrictions affected your work? How have you adapted?
Stephen: That’s been affecting us, I think.
Michelle: I’m lucky in many ways as I already work at home and the vast majority of my books have always sold online. Working with everyone else at home is Michael: Our current project is in more difficult than I thought. Homespost-production, and that is solitary work chooling two teenagers has been a delight. by nature. I will edit and then upload to But the biggest challenge has been trying Google Drive so whoever can watch it to focus on writing with so much going when they are ready. Then we commu- on in the world. My kids are home all nicate through emails or whatever portal the time and want more attention than is most comfortable about changes. The usual. I find myself getting sucked into same workflow will follow the project articles and research and newscasts more throughout the post no matter who is than usual. Sometimes sitting down to write something light-hearted and funny working on it. just isn’t possible on a particular day for a Exhibition will be tricky however. Social variety of reasons. And I’m trying to give restrictions will not allow us to gather myself a break. 36 The Bleed
Michael Maruska
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ow do you know or decide when a piece or project is finished and needs no additional work?
Stephen: Realistically, I don’t think our process has been affected a whole lot, because everything is done in the studio to begin with, Michael: I look at it until my inner critic which is where we live. has nothing more to say, then I ask others Courtney: We’ve always to look at it with the intent of giving me worked from home anyway. feedback. Then I like to sit on it for a while, so I can look at it with fresh eyes. Stephen: That really If I still like it then I’m done working on it. hasn’t changed a whole lot. But not all projects allow for all the steps What’s changed is what’s to happen, often deadlines are the biggest been going on outside, the whole world marker as to when a project is done. is crumbling. Courtney: And how that affects your Georgia: It’s imperative that I have deadmental state. lines, or I will fiddle with things until I
"The creativity always comes back."
H
Jan Halvorsen
ruin them.
Courtney: My version of when a song is done can almost always be different from when Stephen’s version of when something is done. That’s the beauty and curse of being in a duo or a band is that it has to coincide with everybody in the process. It’s not just your own opinion. Getting to that place where both of individually and together feel like, “This is the very best lyric, the very best melody, the very best production, the very best sounds that were capable of giving this piece of music.” It’s so hard to get there. We’ll go up, we’ll go down. It will be one day when we say, “It’s there! It’s done! We’ve got it!” and the next day we say, “No way! We're still way off.” Sometimes you’ll be a little bit off. It’s all subjective... it’s bizarre.
post-graduation plans - I didn’t stand a chance! I remember calling my mom and telling her that maybe instead I wanted to study butterflies or something - that I wasn’t cut out filmmaking. I wasn’t instantaneously impressive, so that meant I could never be. WRONG! I was so wrong and it took the encouragement of my friends and instructors telling me to “keep going” and to “not give up,” for me to gain the confidence to try. So, I tried and then I tried again and again, and here I am years later still trying! You’ll always be a student of your craft and you’ll always have to try. Keep going and don’t let the temporary gap between your taste and your skills discourage you!
"The process of making is all yours..."
Michelle McLean
A
Georgia Harter
mongst your creations is there something that you hated or were disappointed with, but the public may have loved?
D
o you have any insights or words of encouragement for those who might be struggling?
Courtney: Stay true to yourself. If you want to take a break and if you want to take care of your mental state then do that. Don’t be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone a little bit, because there’s something to be said about being able to push past that mental state. Being able to push through and create something you can feel good about and coming out of the other side of that rut. Be easy on yourself, don’t be so hard on yourself... Everybodys struggling in their own way.
Jan: This is a big topic… I can be all positive and say “just keep working”! But that doesn’t really acknowledge the deep and sincere anxieties that artists face. All I can do is say what is working for me now: Separate the process from the product. The process of making is all Jan: Film only exists when someone yours, personal, individual, essential. The watches it. To have someone pay atten- product is out of your hands, and will be Michelle: Just to repeat the best advice I tion and seek to understand what they assessed and valued by others with crite- was ever given – don’t compare yourself are watching is important. What really ria that you can’t control. Own the process, to others. feels great? When someone sees more in love it, live it. Let go of the product! it than you anticipated. I know some writers who are being crazy But also… Art is a big space. All are productive right now, who are diving into On our projects, I think Michael and I welcome, all have a right to be there. Art their storyworlds and cranking out books both know what we would do differently, making is a natural human urge, it will be like crazy. Which makes it easy to get what we felt worked or not. We aren’t hard at times and beautifully joyful too. down on myself for not doing the same. haunted by them, instead we learn from Figure out your own individual cycle and But again, everyone’s journey is different. them and move on. trust that you can work through anything. Everyone deals with stress in different ways. It’s a crazy time we are living in Georgia: I’m in the stage where I’m Georgia: I realize it’s cliché to say “keep right now. Unprecedented for most of us. learning new skills so rapidly that even going! Don’t give up!” but it’s common It’s okay if we aren’t sure how to handle projects I made a year ago are difficult encouragement for a reason! When I it all. If you are in a creative slump, it for me to watch. I’m very critical of my first started taking Media Arts classes, won’t last forever. Give yourselves a break, own work and I tend to overthink every- I had never held a real camera before maybe spend some time indulging in the thing. While I am proud of the work that and I was super overwhelmed. Every- things that feed your creativity, and just I do, I’m still figuring out how to accept one was smarter than me and knew more do what you need to do to keep yourself compliments for it. film references than me and already had and your loved ones safe. Trust Your Process 37
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THE MAC VS. PC
Change Our Mind
War is Dead:
by Alysia Rodriques
T
wenty years ago, everyone knew that a designer’s best friend was an Apple computer. Fast forward to 2020 and this is not the case anymore. Personal taste happens to be the main factor today, as Mac and PC have grown and improved. The main difference between Apple and Windows (PCs) is that Apple sells computers that it assembles, while PCs use around a dozen major manufacturers to produce their products and use Microsoft licensed software, (think HP, Dell, etc). This gives Apple more freedom to create eye catching machines and helps ensure standards are maintained. This also makes them typically more expensive. PCs can vary depending on which brand of computer you chose to invest in. You have hundreds of different choices when it comes to style and configurations; it’s not uncommon to find a PC for as inexpensive as $500. Apple’s OS is said to be more intuitive, streamlined, and esthetically pleasing. One of my personal favorite things about Apple's OS is the Airdrop feature. Being able to simply stream photos from my iPhone to my laptop is a great feature! PCs are traditionally more customizable, making them more complex, but rich in features. The UI on programs can vary quite a bit and can take some getting used to. Everything from its file explorer, start menu, and task bar is just a little more complex than using a Mac. When it comes to security, Mac has been proven to hold up better when it comes to combating virus or malware. But Windows OS has become more reliable. At the end of the day, you need to ask yourself, “why am I getting this computer?” Do you want to customize and build your dream machine? Or would you be happy spending a little more and get a topnotch computer with preinstalled software and components? The war between Mac and PC is becoming irrelevant because they both can do so much these days. In the end, it’s all about personal preference.
Mac vs PC 39
Staying Creative, Avoiding Burnout, & Overcoming the Blank Page by Toni Kerr
Put fuel in the tank
Work isn’t everything
Sometimes the best way to be creative and avoid burnout is to take a break. It’s not a waste of time if you come back feeling refreshed and motivated with a new or better plan in mind. Go for a walk or get some exercise. Explore Behance—not to compare yourself to others, but to be inspired by the amazing stuff out there. Investigate famous museums online—many have 360 virtual tours. Volunteer somewhere. Go do something that you rarely have time to do, and your brain will reward you with creative energy. This is self-care at its core.
Have a personal goal and work toward achieving it every day. An hour would be nice, but entire novels can be written with just ten minutes a day. If you want to be a better illustrator, spend a few minutes drawing instead of scrolling. Your brain will be more compliant when it knows you’re not neglecting what you want for yourself. What’s that? You don’t have time to spare for personal goals? Break them into tiny baby steps and make them part of your morning or nightly routine. Give up ten minutes of social media time, TV time, gaming time, or train yourself to wake up thirty minutes earlier. These tiny steps will keep you actively engaged and focused on achieving your greatest goals for self-care purposes. Call it a compromise between work and self. Besides, where will you be a year from now if you take zero steps toward your personal goals?
Explore new mediums When you’re getting tired of the same process day in and day out, give yourself a break and try something new. Have you ever tried calligraphy with a fork? Sculpting with clay? Origami? Have you ever considered following a Bob Ross tutorial with Photoshop or Procreate? Whatever your creative talents, explore something fun in an entirely different medium! It doesn’t mean you’re changing specialties—you’re just branching out. 40 The Bleed
Keep a scribble book If you dread ruining a perfectly good sketch book by drawing something bad in it, then take a deep breath, close your eyes, and ruin the first page. Get it over with. Then get out of your own way and let your brain run off-leash! Use a scribble book to explore all the random thoughts and unplanned ideas. Make a deal with yourself that if a certain concept shows potential, it can be developed further in your real sketch book, or in a venue where you could present it to someone if you had to. Having a ‘safe’ place to let your creative side roam without criticism (constructive or not) is a great way spark something new and exciting.
Look within It could be that turning ink blobs into characters or rearranging your workspace isn’t going to rekindle your creative spirit. Maybe you have taken your craft as far as you can and it really is time to try something different—something more inspiring that has no relation to whatever you’re currently investing in. Take these thoughts seriously. What is it that you want for yourself, and what will it take to get there? Just the thought of moving toward something more fulfilling might be all the fuel you need to make it happen.
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esigner Karlito Melero describes the word niche well when asked about its meaning in regards to fashion, “specialty, made to order, not massive amounts of quantity, me myself and I working out of their own workspace.� New generations continue to push the envelope of what is acceptable fashion, as things that held previous generations back fall by the wayside; gender, communication, racial injustice, and even some gatekeeping of high fashion (These issues are obviously not solved but we are making progress.) While large trends are still typically set by large houses, this younger generation is interpreting these trends in their own unique way. I spoke with both a stylist and a designer in the industry and wanted to know what they knew about the growing niche movement.
understanding niche fashion Layout and article by Connor Baker
Marissa Baklayan is a 22 year old fashion stylist and casting director in LA. They have been working and building their business in the industry for the past three years now. Karlito Melero is a 28 year old designer who got their start in production and now runs an ambiguous streetwear brand based out of LA, whose colorful tongue-in-cheek work explores the relationship between masculine and feminine energies and pop culture.
Do you think it is important to be an individual? answered by Marissa Baklayan
In your own words describe what niche means to you in regards to fashion? answered by Marissa Baklayan
I think everyone is an individual and at the same time nobody is. Identity has been turned back around and marketed back to us. User generated content is fed to us to make us buy stuff, we are encouraged to post every day, [we have] targeted ads, we do funny insta questionnaires, [and] share our opinions. Being an individual has become a great thing for marketing and consumerism, and it seems like identity has become linked to products. Everyone is an artist now apparently. But on the flip side, maybe it’s a good thing because fear is a lot lower now. I think the real individual is the soul inside the body, and projecting that energy outward is what will attract like minded people.
Niche in fashion essentially means editorial. Editorial means not for commercial use or mass consumption. In a way all fashion workers are niche — some people work with mainly rappers, some on advertisements, some on campaigns and editorials, some strictly with pop musicians. But I don’t think styling a Target commercial can be called niche in the fashion sense, although that stylist might be specific & niche to commercial work. Niche fashion is meant to be provocative & a form of fine art.
Do you strive to be an individual or follow trends? answered by Marissa Baklayan
Traditional with work. Working with fashion I do a lot of computer work surprisingly. I’m not fluid in Photoshop or Illustrator but I use an iPad to create stencils which I then print and cut out. Also I work out of a personal studio space. I feel like this is a little less common to see than to say a painter working alone in a studio.
I don’t think about trends, but I’m definitely aware of them. I strive to make things I can only see in my head, and haven’t seen elsewhere. But I’m the first to admit imitation is a great way to learn. It just depends on who you are imitating, and what you’re adding, how you’re making it your own. I’ve learned a lot and grown a lot as an artist by copying stylists in Paris and New York who have been around forever & seeing if I can make something like that out of a pile of thrift store clothes. That’s how I started out, and then eventually there was no need for that anymore. But I’ll always draw inspiration from the eccentrics of the industry— and I think we all inspire each other.
Is there anything about your creative process that you or others consider non traditional? answered by Karlito Melero
Do you think new generations with less rigid gender expression are contributing to fashion trends we are seeing currently in independent brands? answered by Karlito Melero Definitely, younger people just don’t give a shit. I too felt [the same] when I was younger and it’s nice to see people channeling it into really amazing work. Also as someone who is sometimes gender fluid it’s nice to have other people just like me working in the industry, it allows me to create more freely.
Do you think that what you create is considered niche, or non traditional? If so do you enjoy that label? answered by Marissa Baklayan I think that fashion in general is always niche, whether it’s commercial or editorial. What makes fashion so amazing is that it pushes boundaries. As an editorial stylist & not so much a commercial stylist, I think what I do is inherently niche, as everyone has to find their own voice and style to make it as an abstract artist.
Fashion is a never ending ride, but with younger generations caring less about outside perception new ideas have been given plenty of room to grow, new designers are pushing the boundaries of what we even call clothing, and who knows maybe one day the idea of me wearing a button up shirt as a skirt will be derivative and boring.
Ripped at the Seam 43
How companies are doing their part amidst a pandemic by Nathan Wirth
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e live in unprecedented times, and companies are adapting in order to help support the greater good during the coronavirus pandemic. While medical staff may be lacking in certain medical equipment, major companies from varying industries are stepping up to ease the struggle in any way they can. Due to the majority of businesses coming to a halt because of the pandemic, this also provides an opportunity for these companies to help keep their employees working.
ne such company making a major change is Ironhead Studio based out of Panorama City, California. Ironhead Studio is known as one of the biggest contributors to the film industry, working on costumes and props for properties ranging from the Alien franchise, to the Avengers films. While their normal production might be shut down, company founder Jose Fernandez has shifted their focus entirely toward making masks for medical workers lacking in supplies. These masks are not a proper replacement for official medical equipment, but they do provide a barrier for workers without access to masks. In addition, Fernandez announced all proceeds from masks sold will be put toward making more masks, and a second mask will be donated with every sale as well.
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nother example of a company adapting to help in the midst of this pandemic is Anheuser-Busch, who along with other distilleries has transitioned to making hand sanitizer, which has been in short supply. A spokesman for the American Distilling Institute, Brad Plummer, stressed this transition was not done to create business for the company but as a way for distilleries to help their communities and people they’ve known through business over the years who are now struggling.
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maller companies are also making changes to help. Due to a lack of car repairs, Central Auto based out of Portland, Oregon has transitioned almost entirely to creating protective face shields for medical workers. Owner Bret Bothwel has stated “we’re just tying to do our part,” and as long as funds are there to support his company’s production, these face shields will all be donated for free to first responders in need. Based on their rate of production as well, Central Auto could produce thousands of face shields, making a profound impact in their local communities.
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We’re just trying to do our part
hile our medical community struggles with acquiring enough personal protective equipment, companies of all sizes are stepping up to do their part in helping fight this unprecedented pandemic. People are coming together in unexpected ways to help one another in ways never before imagined to meet very real needs. This truly shows the resilience and adaptive strength we have as a people, and it is incredibly encouraging to see these changes happen. We will all get through this together. The adaptations companies are making are just the beginning.
s r o t a e r C Meet the
of The Bleed
Layout by Emily Stevenson
Kirsten Zacharek What are your go-to colors? Colors in the range of #329da8 seem to be a big go-to for me. As for color combinations, #ff9587 and #7ee6d3 are really nice together. Salmon and teal or navy is pretty. I like yellow and blue together as well. Describe the pieces that you submitted. The first piece is a linocut piece. I discovered this art form in October of 2019 and fell in love with it. The act of cutting the linoleum is very relaxing. When inking and printing, it’s repetitive and the motion is soothing. This piece in particular was done with two blocks. One was a blank wood block that I inked with a gradient and printed onto the paper. After that dried, I went in with my linocut. I inked that black and printed. This is part of a limited edition set of three. The second piece is an illustration of me that I did in Photoshop. I have a big interest in fashion photography and illustration, so this seemed like a natural step for me. It’s a self portrait because I’m the easiest model to get a hold of ! This is right after I had cut my hair super short - and around the same time I got that jacket, which I love - and I was feeling confident for the first time in a while. I loved the energy of the photograph, and the makeup look.
Toni Kerr What inspires you? Graphic designers and artists inspire me the most. It used to be the thing that held me back, comparing what I might do with what others have done. But now I’m just in awe of how creative and different people can be! It’s been a true highlight of my time in college—being surrounded by such amazingly talented and unique people whom I never would have met otherwise. The positive energy of a creative collective is inspiring. Do you have any advice for people who are new to or interested in pursuing graphic design? Do it! Go to school! You’ll progress SO much faster than you will by watching YouTube or experimenting on your own, just for having feedback, actual assignments, and real deadlines. You’ll be immersed in a group of highly creative people, class critiquing teaches you a ton about what works and what doesn’t—using everyone’s projects as examples, and the variety of classes and experiences is invaluable for expanding your sense of what good design is. 46 The Bleed
Chloe Hendrickson Do you have anything you like to do while you are creating to help you stay focused or to bring out your creativity? I have to listen to music when I’m drawing. I’ll make a playlist to match the overall tone of the drawing. It helps me visualize what I want to do. Sometimes, I’ll just have one song on repeat until I’m done. Describe the pieces that you submitted. Why did you pick them? The first one is about this dream I had. I was holding this heron, and I was in the back of a golf cart, speeding down a highway. We ran into an oncoming truck and both cars shattered into a million pieces of glass. It freaked me out, but it was fun to draw. The second piece is about the time there was a giant moth in my room.
Nathan Wirth Are there any themes or subjects that you tend to focus on when creating art? I’m a huge Marvel and Star Wars geek, so I tend to almost always make art involving those franchises in some way. These were both a huge inspiration for me as I grew up, and it’s so fun to pay tribute to that with my art. Describe the piece that you submitted. Why did you pick this piece? The reason I chose this is because this piece was what made me decide to move from traditional pencil art to digital art.
Amanda Blaeuer Do you have anything you like to do while you are designing to help you stay focused or to bring out your creativity? Sketchbook. Spotify and Goldfish crackers. Describe the pieces that you submitted. Why did you pick them? I lost my hearing in my left ear a few years ago from an unexplained event. It just happened. At the time I felt like a helpless vulnerable rabbit. I was away from home with no health insurance. I finally got the medical help I needed with the support from a few friends. It turned out I was experiencing the beginning stages of Meniere’s Disease. In dealing with this new change I created this self portrait.
Emily Stevenson Do you have anything you like to do while you are designing to help you stay focused or to bring out your creativity? I usually have something to snack on when I’m designing or creating art. I love listening to music that makes me feel energized and powerful rather than music that is calm and slow. I enjoy listening to alternative rock, electronic dance music, and metal. What materials do you like to use? I love to use lots of different materials. When creating pet portraits or drawing people, I love to use pencil or charcoal. I like watercolor as well, but I don’t use it as often. My favorite material to work with is polymer clay. I usually make dragons with polymer clay. I love being able to play with different color combinations and textures. I use other things with polymer clay as well, such as glitter, mica powder, and acrylic paint.
Alysia Rodriques How and/or why did you start doing graphic design? When I was younger I used to look at menus/signs and feel annoyed that they were hard to read or feel excited that they looked so “cool”. Little did I know this was graphic design. I’ve always enjoyed sketching and losing myself in art, so graphic design just kind of made sense. Do you have anything you like to do while you are designing to help you stay focused or to bring out your creativity? Whenever I need to get into a project I like to have all my drinks, such as tea, coffee, and water within arm’s distance. I then put on a genre of music referred to as chillstep and get busy.
Tammy Roche What inspires you? I realized that I am inspired in helping others to communicate their important messages. I just had a conversation about this and how difficult it can be. I think it is important work so I’m always thinking about ways I can help share the good work of organizations that help so many. Do you have any advice for people who are interested in pursuing graphic design? My take is that you have to work a good majority of your life, if you are like most people. The sooner you realize what it is that you love, the better off you are. I am so thankful to be getting into a field that I enjoy as I believe it will keep me busy and happy the rest of my life. 48 The Bleed
Mary-Frances Case Do you have anything you like to do while you are creating to help you stay focused or to bring out your creativity? Music, fear of a deadline (haha), and Cherry Coke, but my favorite thing to have around is a friend to bounce ideas off of. What materials do you like to use? Which do you like to work with the most? Sketching with pencil has become very important to me. It’s where I can first get my ideas from my head to the physical world. To quote Illustrating Designer, Craig Frazer, “The DNA of the illustration exists right in the sketch.” I’m still recovering from “I can’t draw syndrome”, so I’m learning to be patient with myself. Pentagram Principle designer Paula Scher says frequently in interviews, “It took me a few seconds to draw it, but it took me 34 years to learn how to draw it in a few seconds.”
Brianna Butler What materials do you like to use? I use pencil, charcoal, and pens the most. I appreciate the process of an art piece. Sketches are the active idea stage and I like the imperfect beginning part of the process. A goal of mine is to learn digital painting. Describe the piece that you submitted. Why did you pick this piece? I chose this poster because it is the most recent illustration I have completed since being accepted into the Lane Community College Graphic Design program. My drawing is the foundation to myself and my career choice.
Andrew Arriola What are your go-to colors? I have a palette I constantly go to. I extracted colors from an old Formica chip sample page. (Formica is a brand name for a heat-resistant, wipeclean laminate that was used A LOT in 60’s and 70’s countertops and table surfaces.) Describe the piece that you submitted. Why did you pick this piece? I picked a design I did for my Graphic Design History class. It’s inspired by textile designer Lucienne Day, who at her height created many iconic patterns in the 50’s and 60’s.
Emmalee Parks What is your favorite thing to design? I have enjoyed working on brochures and packaging most recently. Brochures have so many different formats and sizes, so you can adapt to fit the needs. With packaging, I like adding the three dimensional element, and designing to fit the product’s needs. What materials do you like to use? Which do you like to work with the most? My paintings are acrylic, but I would like to branch out to other mediums of paint. For photography, I prefer black and white film photography, but that gets expensive so I usually do digital. It is a dream of mine to be able to have my own dark room and be able to work with and process small and medium format film.
Connor Baker
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Are there any themes or subjects that you tend to focus on when creating art? A lot of the art I make are digital illustrations. Gender is something that often comes up when I’m creating. I think art makes it easier to digest sometimes.
CARHARTT
PATAGONIA
NANO PUFF JACKET
ITEM #84212
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A RE-IMAGINED CLASSIC. THIS SPECIAL EDITION NIKE AIR FORCE ONE TAKES INSPIRATION FROM WINTER IN OREGON. FEATURING A CLASSIC WOOL BLANKET FROM PENDLETON WOOLEN MILLS, A PATAGONIA NANO PUFF DOWN JACKET, AND A WORK READY CARHARTT DETROIT COAT.
PENDLETON WOOLEN MILLS PLAID 5TH AVENUE MERINO THROW ITEM #71014
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Fletcher Herring
AIR FORCE 1 DETROIT JACKET ITEM #103828
Describe the piece that you submitted. Why did you pick this piece? The piece I decided to include is a redesign of a very popular shoe from Nike called the Air Force 1. I have always been interested in footwear design and this was one of my first attempts at re-imagining a well known sneaker. I used durable materials from some of my favorite products often worn throughout the winter in Oregon. This project was created with Adobe Photoshop and photos of items from my home.
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Describe the pieces that you submitted. Why did you pick them? This piece is a set of playing cards I created. Tom of Finland is definitely an inspiration for the cards. I enjoy these because they highlight sex workers — who are a marginalized community, especially if they are queer.
Letter from the Editors
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This eleventh issue of The Bleed Magazine was created by the graduating class of 2020, from Lane Community College’s nationally recognized Graphic Design program in Eugene, Oregon. One hundred percent of this issue was created off-campus and in isolation due to the statewide “stay at home� orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bleed staff had to finish the school year working remotely from their homes with the use of Zoom, Slack, and Facebook groups. It is our hope that Creation in Isolation will stand as a historical issue from a time that will forever be recorded in our global history. We would like to thank all the creative individuals interviewed for this issue, for sharing their personal and professional insights during this time. We would also like to thank QSL Printing and Lane Community College for allowing The Bleed to continue with traditional printing during these unprecedented times. And finally, special thanks to Tom Madison, who managed to stay two steps ahead of us to make sure we could follow in the footsteps of those who have conquered The Bleed in previous years. Tom, we could not ask for a better leader, department head, and friend. Sincerely, Toni Kerr and Brianna Butler, Editors in Chief, and LCC’s Graphic Design graduating class of 2020
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The Meeting Has Ended