FOOD,
IT IS
GI ING.
Michelle Kim CalArts Graphic Design BFA 4
FOOD,
IT IS
GI ING.
Michelle Kim CalArts Graphic Design BFA 4
INDEX
I
II
II
{ { {
I GIVE YOU RECEIVE PASS IT ON
Unwrapping Meaning Intentions Research
//
And You?
Transitions From Me To You
Receivers Isaac B. Eli K.
// //
// //
Real Deal Domi L. Sean W. Thomas V.
BEST GIFT EVER
// // //
Sharing Is Caring Thanksgiving Christmas & New Years
Present / Presence To you For you
// //
// //
07
21 26
30 32
34 36 38
40 42 40 42
I
{
I GIVE YOU RECEIVE
gift
a is the transfer of something without the expectation of receiving something in return. Although giftgiving might involve an expectation of reciprocity, a gift is meant to be free. In many human societies, the act of mutually exchanging money, goods, etc. may contribute to social cohesion. Economists have elaborated the economics of gift-giving into the notion of a gift economy. By extension the term gift can refer to anything that makes the other happier or less sad, especially as a favor, including forgiveness and kindness.
intention
my is to do a good deed by giving others gifts with small snacks inside, mainly healthy since many students don’t have time and money to take care of themselves. It was also about inspiring others to do nice things as well as consider food wastes and recycling through the information and messages I put inside the packages.
research
this started by looking at healthy food, then turning those into the idea of gifts. Through this research about giving, I was able to discover others out there who are seeking to reach and be reached for help. They are not always some personal helps, but still about making changes around the world by trying to prevent food wastes, encourage recycling, and focusing on every minor actions that counts, which fit perfectly to my project!
research & resource links http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/ slideshow-energy-mood-boost-diet http://www.mnn.com/food/healthyeating/stories/5-reasons-not-to-drinkbottled-water http://www.cleanair.org/Waste/ wasteFacts.html http://www.lisashea.com/lisabase/ aboutme/paperusage.html http://answers.yahoo.com/questioind ex?qid=20080422142752AAB4NYn http://www.5minutesforgoinggreen. com/255/when-good-food-getswasted/ http://www.soundvision.com/Info/ poor/statistics.asp http://www.fatsickandnearlydead. com/index.html http://www.thegivingproject.net/ http://www.thecausemopolitan.com/ the-giving-project-launches/ http://www.giftsproject.com/ http://www.thegiftproject.net/ http://doubleaprojects.com/ emporium.html http://cleanbinproject. com/2010/12/29/charitable-giftgiving-is-waste-free/
here is the
transition
Inspiration:
During the quick model making time in class, I already had packages made beforehand so what I decided to do was to think about a way to approach people to give these gifts. All these crafting time reminded me of this school event when I was a kindergarten when one of the competition of that event was to bite off as many cookies with your mouth without using hands. Such was a fun idea and a way to be noticed by others.
Beginning:
1. Anonymous minor food gifts for inspiration and just good deeds. 2. Package design that could intrigue some thoughts in people, even small details. 3. Package/label/poster/sign designs to motivate people do have better food disposing and recycling system. I felt that I could combine all three together such as... Along with the food gift, I could have a mini message likefortune cookie reminding people about how much food is getting wasted a day or how long it takes and how easy it is to dispose food properly and recycle all the materials that could benefit the environment as well as our selves. By doing so, hopefully they will be inspired to follow simple instructions to eat right and clean up ourselves right as well as pass the karma on.
my first
manifesto
My project will not only be about doing a good deed by giving people small gift boxes made out scratch papers with food inside, but also convey messages about food waste, recycles when it comes to food and also with paper use, as well as health facts in hopes that people would be inspired to recycle more, waste less food, eat healthier, as well as pass the karma on by sharing or giving as well. I will also be interviewing people apart from gifts about same issues relating them to gifts, food, recycles, etc. It will happen every Wednesdays while I am working in the film services so it is easier to secretly document the receiver and his/ her reaction. The idea of documenting on my phone is to hold a bit more of intimacy and that closeness and oddness of using this device that is used daily to symbolize the relationship that is built when a gift is given.
I feel that while we are at the topic of recycling and environmental friendly acts, it is important to not contradict myself to the audience, so by creating a package box out of scratch papers, I am recycling them myself and how easy it is to use the resources around us to create something new that is perfectly functional even if second handedly used. This project comes purely from my desire to affect others even in a slightest way with a belief that every small actions could really inspire others. Food is a very important necessity to all, but it should highly be acknowledged that not only getting food is necessary, but also aftermath of food is important as well. I feel that this matter has always been a great issue everywhere in the world and if I want to make a change, I need to start one myself and try to encourage others to do the same.
from me to
you #1
from me to
you #2
my struggles My idea had too many tangents and became unclear what my focus was. Giving gift and talking about food waste did not tie together too well so I had to simplify my idea. As my main interest was giving gifts, I decided to just focus on giving and observing reactions without any lectures about food wastes and recycles. Gifts did not exist on every Wednesdays because I felt the need to take different approaches everytime until I find what really works. By letting go of some ideas, I felt that I was losing the whole intention in giving a gift in a way.. I mean other than doing a good deed, I wondered if my interviews about food waste and recycling meant anything anymore? I still wanted to involve these issues in my project somehow, but deciding to focus on the idea of gift, I did not really know how. Was that an unnecessary worry? I guess since I’ve drafted away from my first idea, I kind of lost myself and couldn’t really tell if what I let go was the really important part in the project... Getting responses for the gifts seem to be somewhat the only interesting thing to my project, which I don’t really mind, but they have been a bit slow.. Hopefully more replies will be received soon. I will be making a bunch more to set out and try different approaches, but until then I only got interviews. In the end, I feel that the project will reflect more on the transitions I went through than how successful whole anonymous gifting was.
where i stand
now
1. What is your project title? Give it a relevant name. Food is Giving. It ties in with the first book and speaks for itself. 2. What specific circumstances does your thesis investigate? What are you examining? In one sentence, write a descriptive subtitle for your thesis. By giving gifts of small snacks anonymously, I would examine receivers reactions, and if successful I would receive their responses in my mailbox as well. 3. How is the project relevant to the practice of graphic design? What is the theoretical framework of the project? Consider the following: Who is your audience? Is this a model for your future design practice after school? What examples of “design thinking” are you using to complete your project? This project is relevant to the practice of graphic design because there is a creative thinking process, ideas for problem solving, learning experience, chance to explore package designs as well as approaches to the audiences. 4. What existing ideas, analogies, and physical examples exist as ‘models’ for your project? Give examples from inside and outside design practice. There are many people and organizations that do gift projects to just give, in same hopes as mine to reduce food waste and encourage recycling. Such as Clean Bin Project where they speak exactly about free gift giving with good karma that also considers zero landfills and charities. There is also an art project called Free Emporium and Gift Exchange, which presents an exhibition and interactive storefront experience, demonstrating principles of generosity, self-sustainability and a gift economy in art.
5. Is it possible to realize your concept? Show your visual tests/studies/boards/ experiments/etc As photos already shown in previous pages, I tested different packages and couple ways to leave the packages and documenting them. My concept is currently still going through a change, but now that it is simplified to just giving a gift, the concept should be more clear. 6. What form will the final outcome of your project take? Described the proposed format in as much detail as possible. This presentation is in the form of my final book, which will be an acordian book like my first, but a bit changed. All my process, transitions, results, researches, and responses will be collected into a single book. 7. How will you know if your project is successful? I will know if my project is successful if I have enough responses back from receivers and my point of giving food as a gift and its values come across clearly. 8. What are the tasks that will be required to complete your project? Brief outline in list format. - Making more packages - More interviews - Approaching more people with gifts for more interviews - Receiving responses - Perhaps giving something back as a final thank you to the receiver - Documentations - Collect them all into a book 9. Define at least 3 key resources that will inform your project. Include at least 1 person from outside of CalArts. 1. Noura Al-Naggar 2. Double A Projects 3. Clean Bin Project
II
{
PASS IT ON
from me to
you #1
from me to
you #2
interviews: local & international
Interviews
Local & International Friends
Domi LaRussa 21, Student, California.
How important is food to you? Does food mean something more than a necessity? Food is very important as a necessity as well as to how it affects us physically, mentally, and spiritually, too. How much do you spend on food (on a weekly basis)? Do you have a meal plan on campus? About $50 and 5 meal plan. Do you like to give or receive gifts? Do you get back as much as you give? How often do you give? Yes and I do so pretty often without any special reasons. I do not get back as much as I give, but I don’t mind because gift is an act of pure giving with no expectations to receive. Has a random person given you a gift before? How did you feel? Yes and it was surprising and shocking, yet pleasant. If a stranger gave you a gift made out of a cheap looking package, but inside is full of some snack with notes about recycling, food waste, and so, how would you feel? Would you be suspicious of the food inside? I would be more aware depending on how well you know the person, place, and situation, especially with food.
Do you waste food often? How is the way you eat and treat food different from when you were living back home? Do you waste school food? If so, how come? I try not to, but often times waste a lot of CalArts food because of their big portions. Sometimes I go through my food fast, but also waste at times. I try to share what I can as much as I can. With informational notes about food waste, recycle, and all, would you feel inspired to waste less / recycle more / give more? I would feel inspired as long as it is not preached. Do you waste food? Do you recycle often? If so, how long have you been recycling for? What is your way to be conservative with food, if you are? I recycle all the time and sort of try to influence others, too. My grandma used to be the only one who recycled, but now my habit comes from home. What do you think it is that we need for people to be more aware of recycling and food waste and to act on it? Eat according to the enough portion of food for the individual and share if there are left overs.
Sean Wassermann 23, Student, Switzerland.
How important is food to you? Does food mean something more than a necessity? I spend a lot of time learning about the effect of foods on me. I literally regard food as medicine and try to maintain a diet that serves my body the best. Based on observation I figured out a diet which makes me feel the most active and healthy. It's simply two meals a day, one only protein (meat/lentils) and the other only carbohydrates. That's turned out to serve me best.
How much do you spend on food (on a weekly basis)? Do you have a meal plan on campus? About 100$. No meal plan, I try to avoid campus meals, but still usually eat in the cafe 2-3 times a week due to scheduling. How is the food different from the states and in your country? The general food quality is much higher in Switzerland, the regular corner store is on the level of a trader joes. The food control in regards to quality is also much more rigorous, resulting in less pollution in the food from pesticides, fungicides and the other poisons. Here I see myself forced to buy organic quality die to
the high poison residue in the regular sortiment. But in Switzerland I feel fine eating regular because the regulation are much stricter. In general, I prefer european food much more to the American diet, as the quality is usually much better. I remember over 3 years ago when you found portions in America bigger and how you were impressed by how big the pizza was. What do you think of America's portions? Yes, I still think they are huge! But actually I found it's only the fast food portions that are huge. In a regular restaurant portions are not that much bigger, if at all. It's only pizza, and all that belongs to a McDonalds. But there's no doubt that the average American eats too many calories and is mall nourished. Due to the bad quality of the food, the body craves nutrients and asks for more food, but the new food still lacks the nutrients. So you eat more and more and more, but still don't get what you need. I feel a small portion of highly energetic food serves much more than a large portion of low nutrient food.
Do you like to give or receive gifts? Do you get back as much as you give? How often do you give? It depends of how the gift is given, whether I like it or not. It's about the intention thats' behind the gift. If it comes from a place that just wants to give without expecting anything in return it's a good gift in my opinion but if it comes from a place that is seeking some advantage through the gift it's not a good one. Also, I don't like to owe anything to anyone, but gifts tend to create a imbalance that force you to give back a gift, even if you don't feel like giving. But in general I feel giving a gift is how we should see our work. Specially as an artist, the motivation for what I create is not money, but sharing beauty and art. That's a form of gift, too.
Do you waste food often? How is the way you eat and treat food different from when you were living back home? Do you waste school food? If so, how come? Sometimes I waste food because I cook too much and then it stays in the fridge until it's not edible anymore. It happens usually once or twice a month. But in general I think I can say my food management is pretty good. Cafe food I usually don't waste.
If a stranger gave you a gift made out of a cheap package, but inside is full of some snack with notes about recycling, food waste, and so, how would you feel? Would you be suspicious of the food inside? Well, basically I’m always highly suspicious of the food inside a packaging, wether it comes from a stranger of from a familiar source. Cheaply packed food tends to be of cheap quality, but at the same time a nice packaging is not a guarantee for good quality ingredients.
Has a random person given you a gift before? How did you feel? Yes, once at burning man. Someone came up to me a gave me a plate of delicious vegan raw food. It felt and tasted good
With informational notes about food waste, recycle, and all, would you feel inspired to waste less / recycle more / give more? Of course, change is overdue. We have to do as much as we can on an individual level to make for a more sustainable environment. At the same time a lot of effort needs to go into politics. For example, it's a much bigger effort to recycle here in the US than in Switzerland. That's because there is no trash separation out here. In Europe there's a huge trash recycling program, with different trash containers for each material all through the towns. Here there's very little awareness about recycling.
Do you waste food? Do you recycle often? If so, how long have you been recycling for? What is your way to be conservative with food, if you are? In Switzerland we made a compost where all of our organic food leftover go, but here I haven’t gotten around doing that. The single biggest step we can take towards more sustainable food production is to reduce our meat consumption. I eat meat, and I like it. But the average eats too much, it’s not necessary to eat meat all the time.
What do you think it is that we need for people to be more aware of recycling and food waste and to act on it? A new way to perceive our role in the universe. I think there’s no single action or incentive we can do to change the mess we’re in. It’s not just recycling and food management (although thats a big part), it’s the whole system that needs to be overhauled. Our society (American, Europen - the “western” worlds) are a deep insult towards this planet with all our mindless behavior. We rape this planet, extract it, pollute it and kill its species. That needs to change, and it starts on an individual level. Only when the individuals are changing, politics can follow. I think as the economic and ecological crisis will deepen, the end of the system as we know it will show itself. More and more people will be left poor, hungry and desperate (just look at the recent poverty numbers in the US) and this creates a force that changes things. I think we now at the dawn of a new consciousness that struggles to be born. It will be one of sustainability, recycling, abundance, ecologic integrity, love towards all species, health and balance.
Thomas Velluet-Draper 21, Technician, London
How important is food to you? Does food mean something more than a necessity? Food is quite important to me, yes. I certainly view it as something more than just something to stop me feeling hungry three times per day. Ever since I moved away from home, became in charge of my diet and had to cook for myself, I have learned more about food, and now very much enjoy cooking. I try to cook a new dish or food at least once a week.
How much do you spend on food (on a weekly basis)? Do you have a meal plan on campus? I generally do one large food shop per week. This covers all meals for the week, and ignoring buying some milk or bread when needed, the shop is an average of $92. There is an element of planning in my meals. I try to cook meals like chilli or curry in batches bug enough for four people. I freeze what is left over for another time. This really helps keep costs down.
How is the food different from the states and in your country? That’s a good question. The obvious answer is that food in the US tends to be greasier. Fast food is more readily available, and much more tempting to a first time traveller like me. I found it a lot easier to get hold of. Each country of course has its own influences. I found that Mexican was very popular in LA, just as curry is the most popular dish in the UK right now. Also, British food tends to be food that, for want of a better phrase, keeps you warm in the winter. Dishes such as casseroles, cottage pie, roast dinners and porridge are hearty meals that, although not particularly attractive, are perfect when the grim British weather rolls in. I remember over 2 years ago when you were impressed by the amount of food given in America. What do you think of America's portions? I did find them to be bigger than what I was used to in the UK. However, I don’t think the food was proportionately more expensive, so the food is maybe better value for money. Seeking some advantage through the gift it’s not a good one. Also, I don’t like to owe anything to anyone, but gifts tend to create a imbalance that force you to give back a gift, even if you don’t feel like giving. But in general I feel giving a gift is how we should see our work. Specially as an artist, the motivation for what I create is not money, but sharing beauty and art. That’s a form of gift, too.
If a stranger gave you a gift made out of a cheap looking package, but inside is full of some snack with notes about recycling, food waste, and so, how would you feel? Would you be suspicious of the food inside? Well, basically I'm always highly suspicious of the food inside a packaging, wether it comes from a stranger of from a familiar source. Cheaply packed food tends to be of cheap quality, but at the same time a nice packaging is not a guarantee for good quality ingredients. Has a random person given you a gift before? How did you feel? Yes, once at burning man. Someone came up to me a gave me a plate of delicious vegan raw food. It felt and tasted good.
Do you waste food often? How is the way you eat and treat food different from when you were living back home? Do you waste school food? If so, how come? I try to waste as little food as possible. I have gotten pretty good after 3 years of feeding myself of knowing how much I can eat, how long food keeps for etc. This all means that I generally cook all food I buy, and eat all food I cook. Do you like to give or receive gifts? Do you get back as much as you give? How often do you give? I do enjoy giving and receiving gifts. Who doesn’t? I give when I feel I am required to, but probably could give more often. It depends on the situation, I guess. Has a random person given you a gift before? How did you feel? Yes they have. I felt happy, as you do when you receive a gift. There is always that feeling of not having something to return the gesture with. But with spontaneous gift giving, I think it is not about the receiving . If everyone “passes it on”, then we are all better off for it. If a stranger gave you a gift made out of a cheap looking package, but inside is full of some snack with notes about recycling, food waste, and so, how would you feel? Would you be suspicious of the food inside? I suppose I would be. Not knowing the origin of the food, or what the stranger had done with it, if anything, I would be hesitant in eating it.
With informational notes about food waste, recycle, and all, would you feel inspired to waste less / recycle more / give more? I always find the figures about how much food we waste startling. For example, I heard to today that we British are throwing away 1M tonnes of food less per year than we did 3 years ago. My question is why were we throwing that much food out to begin with? I also take notice of the facts of how long it takes plastic to decay, especially when it can endanger animals. Do you waste food? Do you recycle often? If so, how long have you been recycling for? What is your way to be conservative with food, if you are? I try to waste as little as possible. As said before, I only cook what I know I can eat. What I don’t eat I freeze and eat later. The inedible parts of food, (egg shells, apple cores, banana skins, etc), I dispose of in a compost heap. I also recycle whatever plastic, cardboard and glass packaging I can, and have done since I was at high school/ What do you think it is that we need for people to be more aware of recycling and food waste and to act on it? Cold, hard facts work on me. However, facts and figures, accurate as they may be, are hard to comprehend. Scale diagrams, or pictures of food waste, images that can give people a better idea of what the figures actually translate into I think are the best way of telling people just what a tonne of food waste looks like. Additionally, the infrastructure needs to be in place to support a greener way of living. There can never be enough recycling bins. The more they become a part of our everyday lives, the more people will come round to recycling/ composting naturally. If we can achieve this, then children who are born into that sort of culture will hopefully not think twice about recycling and being economical with food. For example, in Belgium they charge you according to how much trash you throw out, http://news. bbc.co.uk/1/hi/6539813.stm. Children there will be so used to recycling by the time they grow up that it will be second nature.
II
{
BEST GIFT EVER
While working on this project, it has been challenged to me that I create a poster about my food experience. Which came with a perfect timing of Thanksgiving. I went down to San Diego with my best friend Domi to spend wonderful 4 day weekend with her family, stuffing myself. I gained 8 pounds, but all worth every pound of it. They’ve done so much for me and I am truly thankful. It was a good replacement for lack of my own family time. Through this thanksgiving, I learned that real and best gift is not something that given on a special occasion, but every minor thing we have in life that should not be taken for granvted. As well as that food makes great gifts that show the the intimacy level between relationships.
“DID MICHELLE GO HOME? BACK TO KOREA?” — Dad
poster #1: Thanksgiving
“ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANTED TO EAT WHILE YOU ARE HERE? I’LL BUY ANYTHING YOU WANT!” — Dad
poster #2: Christmas
& New Years
Another great opportunity and timing came called Holidays for the back side of the poster. It has been 10.5 years since I had a winter life in Korea. I visited every summer for past 4 years, but not during winter. What I missed more though was my holidays with my family that was missing for past 6 years. Unlike Domi’s family, my family is pretty small. Family of 5 including my grandma, so it was pretty quiet holidays.. Although Domi’s family gave me much love and care, it can never be compared to the real family. Despite all the hecticness from moving on Christmas Eve and my grandma’s illness that occured a day after Christmas, it was still a very meaningful 3 weeks I got to spend with my real family. It was worth every penny and second.
thanx to you: This
project became successful.
Running into many walls and drowning in struggles, I am glad I had my fellow family, friends, teachers, and colleagues for all the support, advices, and opportunities.
Thank you Gail for assigning us this fun project that lead me to realize and appreciate many precious things in life. Kate for helping me out through this project, advising me that helped me expand my perception. Domi and her family for a great thanksgiving and always looking out for me. My family for providing me with this blessed life and supporting me with no matter what despite the distance, time, and money. Classmates for giving me advices, opening my eyes to different ways of thinking and adding ideas on to the project for better outcomes.
for you: Dedication
I would like to dedicate this book to my parents, who made all possible for me and are always there for me. I love you. ♼