By Brockett Horne

New graphics at the airport made my recent trip through security much more pleasant. Good design makes all the difference!

At Baltimore International airport, gorgeous graphics and cool colors brought down my blood pressure before entering the checkpoint at Gate B. An attractive holographic display of x-ray goods marked the threshold into the checkpoint (pictured). I zoomed past illuminated graphics with clear, well-considered typography because the line was moving quickly. An “organization” counter complete with recycle bins helps travelers with lots to manage, and posters were displayed along the walkway with portraits and profiles of the security guards. The walk through security was efficient, organized, trustworthy and friendly. Read the rest of this entry »

By Brockett Horne

Image: Chris Jordan’s Plastic Bottles, 2007 (detail)

This summer, I’m pondering the enormous weight of numbers:
426,000 cell phones retired every day
9 million American children with no health insurance
12000 plastic bags are used every minute
400,000 plastic water bottles tossed every minute
$60 to fill up my Honda with gas! Ouch!

Artist Chris Jordan presents compelling images that overwhelm with the magnitude of collective consumption. His haunting photographs depict, through repetition, our incomprehensible mass imprint on the world. His images really function as infographics, and illustrate statistical data through the lens of the camera just as effectively as a chart or graph. Read the rest of this entry »

By Brockett Horne

Design Goes All Conceptual

Beau Bergeron’s video (link via swissmiss)

I used to describe the objects I make as a graphic designer as “artifacts.” I really enjoyed the sound of it: verified and notarized with the word “fact” wedged right in there. And of course, it had connotations of being museum-worthy, since all museums are full of artifacts. In fact, I imagine the graphic design canon (of paper objects, mostly) displayed in well-lit gallery vitrines with labels underneath, for all to behold. But I believe the reason I most identified with the word “artifact” was because design both responds to and changes culture. And I still believe that. Firmly. Read the rest of this entry »

By Brockett Horne

My daydream is to have complete freedom in my design process and not have to focus on my client’s needs. Some designers, like John Bielenberg, have managed to make my fantasy their reality.

With this brochure and accompanying website, his Project M team has raised over $40K to buy water meters in rural Alabama, not by meeting client needs, but by addressing the lack of flowing water for impoverished families. Read the rest of this entry »

In this design primer, Lupton and Phillips represent graphic design basics for 2008 with profundity and clarity. The text reconsiders principles from the Bauhaus legacy, but in tune with current digital tools and culture. The approach is systematic, rigorous and brimming with postmodern inspirational examples from professionals and students. Finally! I’ve been waiting for the celebratory return of formal language to design dialogue. Read the rest of this entry »

Inspired by Kate Andrews’ recent related post on sustainable typography

In my typography course project at Maryland Institute College of Art, sophomore students are designing packages for eco-friendly compact fluorescent light bulbs. Not surprisingly, eco-asethetics have inspired their work and became active parts of class discussion. We debated hotly the role that design plays in creating expectations for the quality of the product.

Many “green” products are relatively under-designed with simple typography and color palettes. This tissue box for Seventh Generation downplays the use of packaging to sell the product, but rather emphasizes the integrity of the product’s manufacturing process. Other pared-down samples utilized hand generated-typography, visuals lacking uniformity, recycled paper, low-saturation colors, broken typographic rules, outdated typefaces. Read the rest of this entry »

Judith Uzcategui’s banner design for the Baltimore Urban Forest project

Surprise is the most magical element of birthdays, holidays, and vacations. When asked what gift I might like for a special occasion, I usually say “surprise me,” to maintain the amusing belief that something unusual can happen. The experience of not knowing what to expect is just as welcome a gift as an object like a book, new sweater, or fancy dinner out. Indeed, one of my best birthday parties featured all my favorite people hiding behind the couch in my living room and screaming “surprise” as I opened the door. Read the rest of this entry »