Contents
About the project The Lecturers The Participants
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Prompts #1 Visible History #2 Inhabitants #3 Regional Culture
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This project was made possible with a grant from the UCA Creative Fund. Philanthropy is important to UCA. Donors are becoming an increasingly important part of the University community which supports and nurtures creative talent. By giving to UCA you will be joining a growing group of Alumni and Friends who, together, are having a collective impact on the future of the University and on the wider creative community. Visit us at: ucreative.ac.uk/supporting-uca
OVERVIEW This project experimented with the visualisation of points of view, through remote communication and collaboration. Student designers in Farnham, Surrey, UK and Portland, Oregon, USA worked together to visualise aspects of their own cultures and towns – two places that, while both English-speaking and mid-sized – are also quite different from each other terms of culture, proximity to design meccas, and even landscape. Designers were asked to visualise a moment/idea/thing based on a small amount of visual reference and writing provided by their partner designer, in the other country. What they created might have been a literal and clear representation of information they were given, or morphed into something completely new. This new moment/idea/ thing may have been born out of miscommunication, cultural differences, or simply from a merging of the original and new points of view. Either way, the final piece’s creation is dependent on both participants living in places that are similar, but different – existing only as a direct result of each other’s contribution.
HOW IT WORKED Students at Portland State University and University of the Creative Arts, Farnham, were paired together for the duration of three briefs (six weeks). Based on a fortnightly prompt, they collected and then shared visual research as it relates to the prompt. For example, the prompt might ask the designers to share information about their region’s historical treasures. Each student then collected photos, ephemera, notes, thoughts, sketches etc, and shared it with their partner. In turn each took their partner’s research and created a piece of work based on it.
DOCUMENTATION The process was documented on a shared blog among all the students:
About the project
similarly-different.tumblr.com This publication accompanies the blog, and exhibitions giving a full account of the project. EXHIBITIONS 25/04/13 University for the Creative Arts, Faulkner Road, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7DS 09/05/13 Art Building, Room 320 2000 SW 5th Avenue Portland, OR, 97201
OUTCOMES Each student created three final pieces. These pieces, along with the research – photos, notes, writing, sketches, ephemera etc, that were provided by the partners – will be displayed in exhibitions in both Farnham and Portland.
Some of the imagery supplied as visual research originates from a source other than the attributed student, in these instances we claim no ownership over usage. Due to the educational and non-commercial nature of the publication we have kept these in as an accurate document of the project.
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The Lecturers
OSWIN TICKLER
BRIAR LEVIT
Oswin Is a Lecturer at University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, on BA (Hons) Graphic Communication.
Briar’s passion is designing for content-driven projects— primarily in the publishing and cultural institution sphere. She is an assistant professor at Portland State University, where she teaches typography, page layout, and studio design classes. Outside of school, she designs books and covers for various publishers and institutions, including Timber Press, Counterpoint Press, and the Museum of Contemporary Craft. Her self-initiated work has centered primarily around visual representations of nature and place using walking guide books and photography as a medium.
Oswin is also an Associate Lecturer at Central St Martins in London. Additionally he runs Smallfury, a London based creative studio, working across all aspects of graphic design and communication. + smallfury.com + smallfury.tumblr.com + @wearesmallfury
+ briarmade.com + blevit@pdx.edu
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The Participants
KATIE BOORMAN
DARRYL FORDHAM
SARAH HAYTER
I’m always wanting to learn and understand how something or a concept works and why, constantly wanting to better myself and my work as a designer through different ways of working.
Design has always been a way out of a difficult situation where I can explore what I want to do. People make judgements about your work themselves and the way it is used and explored beyond the designers control is something I am fascinated by.
I enjoy all things creative, with particular passions for paper craft and illustration. Other interests include jewellery making, fine art and exploring the coast. Inspiration comes from exploring these places.
+ @katieboorman + katieboorman.tumblr.com + behance.net/katieboorman
+ behance.net/darrylfordham
+ sarahhayter.com + sarahhayter.tumblr.com
KIT MCALLISTER
MICHAEL MARIN
ELLE KELSHEIMER
I grew up in Santa Fe, NM, but moved to Portland about 3 years ago, and I love it! I love type and illustration, but what really interests me is experiential design. Design doesn’t have to be on a page. In my free time I enjoy screen printing, making comics, and stalking the town on my bike.
I come from Riverside, California where I learnt the Charleston. I like things that are clever and off-color, but also the serene and serious. I am fascinated by popular culture and the way our cultural memory is expanding into decades and centuries past by way of media and technologies.
I am one of those rare native Oregonians, a total Portlandiphile! I enjoy backpacking, illustration, studying German, and dream of going into toy design, or graphic novel / children’s book illustration – but will probably end up designing websites and or apps.
+ kitmacallister.com
+ aerayelleellekelsheimer.com
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MICHAEL HIRST
KAT HO
EMILY MCDOUGALL
I’m passionate about exploring the world of graphic design with a particular interest in branding. I have lived in Britain and Singapore and both design cultures influence my work. I also play rugby and am a keen photographer.
My focus is multi-disciplinary design. I believe that inspiration should come from everywhere, even if it’s nothing to do with design itself. Being passionate and curious about the world helps me create beautiful and problem solving designs.
I like to experiment with many different materials and media in my work particularly with illustration to create tactile effects. I find inspiration from anything and everything such as books, past experiences, nature and my surroundings.
+ behance.net/michaelhirst
+ behance.net/Katherine-Ho + youcallthat-art.tumblr.com
+ emily-mcdougall.tumblr.com
DOMINIKA KRISTINIKOVA
CAITLIN LOMEN
LEA LOO
I was born and raised in Bratislava, Slovakia. I was 17 when I came to the USA for the first time. I was an exchange student in my junior year of high school in the state of Washington. Exploring printmaking techniques has really helped develop my passion for illustration.
Originally from Seattle, I’ve lived in Portland for the last four years. I’m happiest when working with my hands, creating intelligent and beautiful work. When not at my computer or sketching, I’m in the kitchen, reading magazines, or riding my bike really fast.
I believe in design that is simple but playful and am an advocate for both playing dress up and for good typesetting. Interests include: mid-century modern design, architecture, personal style and the internet.
+ dominikakristinikova.com
+c argocollective.com/ caitlinlomen
+ hellolea.com
HARRY POOLE
JASMINE REES
JESS TICE
In my spare time I love to visit galleries and read up on what’s going on in the industry, and when I get the chance to I love to go on holidays to new and different places.
My main interests are print design and packaging but also enjoy digital publishing. I drink and eat all kinds of weird stuff because of the packaging. I don’t see things for what they are, but rather what they could be. I compulsively hoard ‘rubbish’ if I think there’s something that looks good.
My interests include graphic design, photography, art and textiles. The style and spirit of my work tends to be retro and distressed as I have a passion for the old, antique and vintage.
TRENT EDWARDS
SAMANTHA SACOMANO
ROMEO SALAZAR
I’m always on the lookout for something new and engaging. I love extreme forms of music, outdoor adventures, cycling, and learning about different cultures. Current creative fascinations revolve around; design meets social impact, user interaction, and the point where it spills over into fine art.
I am still exploring and experimenting with my voice as a designer, and also as an artist. My style is conceptual, modern, abstract, and streamlined. Inspiration includes: fashion, black & white imagery, contemporary art, magazines and books, conversations about human existence and behavior, and music.
I’m an Oregon native, and have always had a strong interest in illustration, which eventually led to discovering the world of graphic design. I love exploring conceptual designs, geometric forms, and illustration. Interests include: music, internet culture, traveling, video games, and technology.
+ @Harry_J_Poole + harrypoole.tumblr.com + behance.net/harrypoole
+ trentmakesthings.com
+ jessicatice.tumblr.com + @JessicaTice2
+ romeosalazar.com
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KIT MCALLISTER
KATIE BOORMAN
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KATIE BOORMAN
KIT MCALLISTER
#1 Visible History
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MICHAEL MARIN
DARRYL FORDHAM
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DARRYL FORDHAM
MICHAEL MARIN
#1 Visible History
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ELLE KELSHEIMER
SARAH HAYTER
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SARAH HAYTER
ELLE KELSHEIMER
#1 Visible History
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DOMINIKA KRISTINIKOVA
MICHAEL HIRST
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MICHAEL HIRST
DOMINIKA KRISTINIKOVA
#1 Visible History
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CAITLIN LOMEN
KAT HO
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KAT HO
CAITLIN LOMEN
#1 Visible History
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LEA LOO
EMILY MCDOUGALL
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EMILY MCDOUGALL
LEA LOO
#1 Visible History
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TRENT EDWARDS
HARRY POOLE
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HARRY POOLE
TRENT EDWARDS
#1 Visible History
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SAMANTHA SACOMANO
JASMINE REES
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JASMINE REES
SAMANTHA SACOMANO
#1 Visible History
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ROMEO SALAZAR
JESS TICE
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JESS TICE
ROMEO SALAZAR
#1 Visible History
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KIT MCALLISTER
KATIE BOORMAN
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KATIE BOORMAN
KIT MCALLISTER
#2 Inhabitants
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MICHAEL MARIN
DARRYL FORDHAM
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DARRYL FORDHAM
MICHAEL MARIN
#2 Inhabitants
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ELLE KELSHEIMER
SARAH HAYTER
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SARAH HAYTER
ELLE KELSHEIMER
#2 Inhabitants
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DOMINIKA KRISTINIKOVA
MICHAEL HIRST
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MICHAEL HIRST
DOMINIKA KRISTINIKOVA
#2 Inhabitants
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CAITLIN LOMEN
KAT HO
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KAT HO
CAITLIN LOMEN
#2 Inhabitants
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LEA LOO
EMILY MCDOUGALL
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EMILY MCDOUGALL
LEA LOO
#2 Inhabitants
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TRENT EDWARDS
HARRY POOLE
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HARRY POOLE
TRENT EDWARDS
#2 Inhabitants
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SAMANTHA SACOMANO
JASMINE REES
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JASMINE REES
SAMANTHA SACOMANO
#2 Inhabitants
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ROMEO SALAZAR
JESS TICE
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JESS TICE
ROMEO SALAZAR
#2 Inhabitants
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KIT MCALLISTER
KATIE BOORMAN
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KATIE BOORMAN
KIT MCALLISTER
#3 Regional Culture
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MICHAEL MARIN
DARRYL FORDHAM
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DARRYL FORDHAM
MICHAEL MARIN
#3 Regional Culture
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ELLE KELSHEIMER
SARAH HAYTER
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SARAH HAYTER
ELLE KELSHEIMER
#3 Regional Culture
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DOMINIKA KRISTINIKOVA
MICHAEL HIRST
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MICHAEL HIRST
DOMINIKA KRISTINIKOVA
#3 Regional Culture
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CAITLIN LOMEN
KAT HO
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KAT HO
CAITLIN LOMEN
#3 Regional Culture
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LEA LOO
EMILY MCDOUGALL
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EMILY MCDOUGALL
LEA LOO
#3 Regional Culture
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TRENT EDWARDS
HARRY POOLE
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HARRY POOLE
TRENT EDWARDS
#3 Regional Culture
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SAMANTHA SACOMANO
JASMINE REES
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JASMINE REES
SAMANTHA SACOMANO
#3 Regional Culture
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ROMEO SALAZAR
JESS TICE
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JESS TICE
ROMEO SALAZAR
#3 Regional Culture
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Prompt
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The difference between America and England is that Americans think 100 years is a long time, while the English think 100 miles is a long way. Earle Hitchner
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