Author Archives: rjohnson37

Final Thoughts

Posted on December 4, 2011 by rjohnson37

In visual aesthetics, it seems that simpler is better in almost every case.  Information is understood and absorbed better when it is presented simply and without any visual frills.  It’s been hard to determine when what I’m designing, though it … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings | 1 Comment

Nabakov & Design

Posted on November 27, 2011 by rjohnson37

It makes the most sense to me to compare designers to writers.  Perhaps because design is so new to me, and I’ve been reading for as long as I can remember, so writers are the most accessible comparison in this … Continue reading →

Posted in 79 Short Essays on Design | Leave a comment

Information is the Interface

Posted on November 18, 2011 by rjohnson37

Edward Tufte gave a lot of great insights in his video about the iPhone interface and the pages excerpted from his book about kiosk design for the national museum.  He really likes the information-heavy, elegant design of the iPhone’s interface, … Continue reading →

Posted in iPhone Interface Design | 2 Comments

Graphic-Physical-Architectural

Posted on November 13, 2011 by rjohnson37

In his Lynda.com interviews, Rick Morris repeatedly mentions the connection between the graphic, the physical, and the architectural.  These three elements represent his design aesthetic, very shape and form-driven.  His current project is very representative of this approach, focusing on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadcast Design | Leave a comment

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Posted on November 8, 2011 by rjohnson37

I was SO excited when the first problem that designers chose to solve (or at least the first video…) was transportation.  I did a lot of flying this past year thanks to my parents’ current residence in Shanghai, and every … Continue reading →

Posted in 30 Conversations on Design | 1 Comment

Starting at the beginning

Posted on November 2, 2011 by rjohnson37

I hadn’t really given much though to title credits before this, and now that I think about it, there really are a lot of cool ones out there.  Like the overture in operas, musicals, etc., they give viewers a hint … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Title Design | 1 Comment

In the Shadows

Posted on October 30, 2011 by rjohnson37

I think one of the best techniques in film for creating a sense of foreboding is good use of shadows.  The Pica Towers shorts really used shadow well to heighten the sense of unease throughout the shorts.  In short films, there’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Pica Towers | 1 Comment

Uneasy

Posted on October 19, 2011 by rjohnson37

I get the creeps after scary movies.  Like I’ll be afraid to turn around, because I don’t want to know if someone is there.  That takes a lot of emotional investment and good storytelling to achieve that feeling from a … Continue reading →

Posted in Short Films | Leave a comment

Amateurization of Data

Posted on October 9, 2011 by rjohnson37

It was really interesting to see the story of infographics in this documentary.  We may all joke about how out of control it’s gotten, but maybe it’s more than a fad?  Clearly the people who make them put in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Journalism in the Age of Data | 2 Comments

Advocate- the Multimedia Way

Posted on October 2, 2011 by rjohnson37

I LOVE the Story of Stuff.  I wish I were as brilliant as Annie and her crew (or maybe could just work for them, nudge nudge).  Merging advocacy with multimedia platform makes so much sense it’s just silly.   When … Continue reading →

Posted in Story of Stuff | Leave a comment