Let's talk about graphic design...

...and graphic designers' ability to change the world. Tonight my students are required to attend a screening of Miss Representation.

http://www.missrepresentation.org/the-film/

My hope is they will see and choose to change the way they think about design. We joke regularly about how 'sex sells' regardless if you're selling soap, dog food or vacuum cleaners. Unfortunately the by-product of this has been underselling the females in our society.

Take this ad, for example...





I found this on another blog, so honestly I can't say that I've ever seen it in print or online...but what in the world is Burger King thinking? The obvious reference to a sexual activity (can I say this without offending someone?) is clear. Any one above the age of 12 'gets it.' The woman...looking like a dumb blonde...seems in shock...appears to have no intellect...only amazement at the size? task at hand?

It clearly targets the males in our midst, but does Burger King have NO idea that women comprise over half in our society today? And women have the pocket book, typically the household buyer of food and groceries.

Just one more reason AND this comes from a fast food junkie...to stay away from BK!

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Unity Newsletter

This week-end came and went and I didn't even realize it! Other than a couple of three mile walks, I've been at my computer finalizing the design of a newsletter for our local union (MEA at MCC.)

This was a brainchild of mine and so it's especially gratifying to see it to fruition. A few weeks ago at a conference for negotiating practices, I remembered that nothing is more potent than up-to-date communication when facing the looming challenge of negotiations. Today's anti-union environment in the state of Michigan could make our negotiating committee's job very difficult. However, believing in the power of collective bargaining, believing it is the ONLY voice many of us have in an organization or corporation, and believing it is critical to keep members aware and interested in the issues at hand, the newsletter was born.

Fortunately, the writers selected to write in this first newsletter responded quickly as asked and with informative articles about topics of interest to union members. The editors did their job as requested...timely and with a fine-tooth comb and the webmaster worked with the file to get it uploaded and to a great 'resting spot.'  And I, with pride put it together :)

So...click on the link above to see what I've spent much of my free time over the last couple of weeks to create. Note that it is interactive...you can click on the content page numbers (big numbers (except for the 1 on the left side of the first page) or you can click on the lower right to go forward...upper left to go back to read this great information.

Let me know what you think.

Well...from 80 degrees to 18 in a quick minute! Here I am...enjoying the warmth...and if you could see me now...in long underwear, sweatshirt and jeans, coat and mittens (and I'm inside!)

What is it about Michigan I like, anyway? Well...love that my kids are near, love the people, and the seasons. But about this time every year, I'm asking myself again...why is it I stay here? Let's see...let me count the reasons;

1) Kids
2) Extended family
3) Students
4) Career
5) Neighborhood - great place to raise my dogs
6) Green trees and grass, snow, flowers and beautiful water just a 1/2 hour drive away
7) Back in time...here it's as though we take a few years to catch up with the rest of the world :)

Some forty years ago we made the conscious choice to relocate from Southern (warm) California to Michigan. At that time we were moving away from smog, traffic and a poor environment to raise kids. We felt we were moving to good air, little traffic (now our roads are inundated with Amish buggies and horses and an occasional tractor) and a neighborhood with strong family values. We were right and we're still here. So what if occasionally there's no power, a ton of snow, limited sunshine and an occasional puritanical attitude towards women, choice and liberal politics. I guess I can take it.

The Virtues of Napping

Those of you who know me well know many of my life lessons are learned from friends of the furriest kind. The virtues of napping are no exception.

My eleven year relationship with Frida my chocolate lab, ended last summer when she died of cancer. However, her lessons live on...like napping for instance. She taught me there is no greater pleasure than curling up in the sun with one or two of your best friends. She taught there is no shame in just hanging together, doing nothing but enjoying one another's company. Not surprisingly she must have taught my two puppies the same lesson as evidenced here.

That's me with Georgia and Jessie...all blissfully napping, in the sun on a lazy Sunday am. Wish you were here, Frida :)