Well, this reading list review is being typed up much later than anticipated. I admit my reasons are self centered. I had to put together 2 exhibition boards as well as study for my last ARE. By last I mean the last one I can take for 6 months. Anyway, here we go, May of 2013.
Design is a Job: Mike Monteiro - the man behind "F*ck you, pay me", the Creative Mornings talk that showed the design world that what we do is work and should require compensation helped launch the podcast "Let's Make Mistakes" which appears on Monteiro's Mule Radio Syndicate, a "subsidy" of Mule Design. Enough of the accolades, let's get to the meat. I don't have this book anymore. I read it, was completely frustrated by how taken advantage of I felt (from working in a creative field) and subsequently loaned it out, with a fervor reserved for religious fanaticism. The book itself is easy to read, almost conversational, and contains strategies of the utmost importance for any designer, the most important being that your ability to design/problem solve is a skill and you have every right to compensation for your work. That being said, quite a bit of the book is not only how to protect yourself (via contracts or knowing when to use a lawyer), how to best interact and most importantly how to help slightly allow yourself the higher potential of enjoying your job. It is a necessary read for anyone running or involved with a design business. 10/10
LOG:26 - Most interesting articles (from my perspective): "Three Aphorisms", Wes Jones; "Digital Darwinsism: Mass Collaboration, Form-Finding and the Dissolution of Authorship", Mario Capro.
Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change: Victor Papenek - A suggested reading from Design is a Job. Another design book from the early 70’s, revised for 1985. Primarily a manual of “Do more then no harm, go forth and do good”, exposing the appropiation of design by marketing/sales in leui of fulfilling needs to humanity. One can see the light bulb go off in Cameron Sinclair’s noggin while reading this. It isn’t so much a call to arms as an attempt to be an alarm clock. Great ideas touched upon (and in no way limited to) include what we call BioMimicry, Designing for teaching self sufficiency to the ‘third world’, design for those of limited mobility/physical ability, overall, design for those that NEED it. As well as idea of the Creative tithe (Kymmenykset) - reallocating 10% of your time/income or CREATIVE ENERGY for something or someone in need. Do more, do more good. Also got me excited about teaching again, dang it. 8/10
Seeing Voices: Olivar Sacks - An insight into the world of the deaf, via historical and sociological perspective of the development of ASL and other cultural sign languages. What started as an interest in cultural distinction has blossomed into a full blown interest in studying this emotive, physical and temporal language. A fantastic writing of a subculture that exists parallel to the world of hearing and offers a new perspective to experiencing our built environment. 10/10
This exercise, in attempting to codify what I have been reading lately, is teaching me quite a bit about myself, including the importance of an altruistic design culture in the workplace.
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