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Final Title and Table of Contents

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Revised Double Spreads

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Milton Glaser:

The Start of a Design Genius

If you have ever lived in or visited New York City, you have set foot on the same ground as one of the most influential and celebrated American graphic designers. Milton Glaser was born June 26^th, 1929 in the capital of an art and design booming state. As he went from infant to young adult, he attended only art centered schools. New York City’s High School of Music and Art was where he spent his teenage years until reaching graduation. He furthered his education at the Cooper Union art school, not desiring the leave his city quite yet. With a full ride scholarship and a determination to learn more about design, Glaser set out for Italy. There was his last stop for schooling, where he attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna.

The Founding Designer

Starting in the 1950’s, while Glaser had still not reached his 30’s, he began to create more ways to leave his mark for the world to see. In the year 1954 Glaser accomplished a feat that many designers still strive to do. Alongside Seymour Chwast, Reynold Ruffins, and Edward Sorel, Glaser co-founded Pushpin Studio. The graphic design and illustration studio is up and running in present day. He then moved forward and 14 years later founded New York Magazine, which has proven to be an extensively successful publication. Six years passed and Milton Glaser, Inc. was created. Lastly, in the year 1983, Walter Bernard and Milton Glaser founded a publication design firm that turned out profitable, which was named WBMG. Thanks to the much needed publicizing of his work, it can now be seen all over the globe, in places such as New York, California, Japan, and Paris.

The Creativity in Binds

Throughout the 82 year old graphic designer’s lifespan, there has been room to create texts to go along with the abundant amount of posters, advertisements, logos, etc. The beginning of his writing career was not even centered on art or design. His first text was all about food, called The Underground Gourmet: Where to Find Great Meals in New York for Less Than $3.00 and As Little As 50 cents. After his first text in 1970, Glaser decided to go back to what he knows best. In 1973 he wrote Milton Glaser: Graphic Design, which was revised 13 years later. He was clever enough to create a poster book with all of his posters made as of 1977. There were multiple novels written by Glaser up until present day, however the most famous two texts would have to be Art is Work and The Design of Dissent, which were both revised as time passed. Glaser’s Art is Work, spreads out over 500 personal pieces within its pages. The Design of Dissent is focused more specifically on designs that are influenced by society and the world of politics.

The Designer and his Work

When you hear the name Milton Glaser one image seems to never fail to come in mind. That image, in which Glaser is most famous for today is the I Love New York logo. One symbol alone has created a model for hundreds representing adoration in states, cities, or simple objects. The other well-known piece by Glaser is that of Bob Dylan. The use of line, positive and negative space, and color created a design that has passed through generations. Overall all, Glaser has created designs that will be recognized for many years to come. From logos to posters to sculptures to ads, Glaser has put his name out there any way he can. He has experimented with music icons, consumer products, massive corporations, free hand illustrations, and much more. Considering the collection of art and design that he has accumulated throughout his years, it comes to no surprise that he has received multiple awards. Including the Lifetime Achievement Award and Cooper Hewitt National Design Award, Glaser has gotten his share of recognition. Lastly, Glaser is the one and only graphic designer so far to receive the National Medal of Arts, personally from President Obama himself.

References

Argent, Patrick. "Milton Glaser Biography." Milton Glaser. Milton Glaser, Inc., 2010. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. <http://www.miltonglaser.com>.

Boom, Design. "Milton Glaser." DesignBoom. Designboom, Inc., 08 May 2004. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. <http://www.designboom.com/eng/interview/glaser.html>.

Gallery, Artist. "Milton Glaser - Biography." RoGallery.com Fine Art Auctions & Select Artworks Online. RoGallery, 2012. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. <http://rogallery.com/Glaser_Milton/glaser-bio.htm>.

Glaser, Milton. Art Is Work: Graphic Design, Interiors, Objects and Illustration. London: Duckworth, 2008. Print.

Some of Milton Glaser's Work

Below are famous designs from Milton Glaser:

recent and old, from logos to band posters to advertisement posters

 

 

 

Chosen Graphic Designer for Book

Well Renowned Milton Glaser 

• Born in NYC and still alive today at age 83
• Still teaching graphic design in colleges today 
• One of the most famous and influential designers known 

The Final Personal Vessel

Reflection on David Pye's "Nature and Aesthetics of Design"

I enjoy finally seeing that a designer is discussing the economy as a factor in design. It seems like many individuals think more of what they are making over what it will take to make the actual object. Designer, David Rye discusses how the word “better” can be manipulated. Most jump to the conclusion that better means cheaper. That is true in most cases, but not in all. The word better can mean something is more aesthetically pleasing. It can also mean that the functionality of the product beats all the rest of its kind. In Rye’s case of course, he is talking of the cheap aspect. Rye talks of how many people do useless or “bored” work and do not consider the economy while creating things that are expensive but not needed. For instance, if I was low on money but decided that I wanted to build my own egg chair for my living room to make it look vintage, it is unnecessary material use. The metal, plastic, or wood, plus fabric that I would be using could be used for a design project that I need in order to get a grade for class. If I use money to but materials to create a class project then money is not being wasted technically. I believe that money should always be considered when creating new products. Looks are second. The lack of thinking economically savvy has hurt a lot of businesses by making them go into debt and get shut down or slowed down. This will continue to happen as long as companies do not stop and think of ways to create cheaper consumed products. From Rye’s essay, I understand more so that what I will be doing for my vessel project could possibly end up as wasteful. When I cut the blocks of wood and do not use certain scraps, it is wasting. However, if I use them to create something such as a handle or a stopper for the top, it is not wasteful. I am aware that I will not be able to avoid not wasting any wood at all or any glue at all for that matter. However, I will try and think of Rye when creating my vessel or box for project three.

Before Poly Urethane Coating

Before putting the poly urethane onto my box, the cherry wood was not that red and sort of a dull color. It almost looked dusty and with all the chips of wood after sanding, it probably was.

Here is my vessel or box before the final finish.

The Reciprocal Wood Sander

Weirdly enough, this machine was fun to use during my process in creating a wooden vessel. However, it did not smooth the wood that well, but sure did cut off tiny excess pieces. 

Let the Cutting Begin!

One photo is of me using the band saw to cut my vessel into snorkeling goggles. 

Another photo is of the result of cutting the top and bottom of my box off of the goggle shaped cherry wood. 

 

Gluing Wood Together

So after clamping, clamping, and then clamping some more, I got some blisters and a few sticky fingers. But for the lost part, the gluing went well and only one clamp result left me with a tiny gap in my vessel.

The below photos show my first gluing of my uncut vessel. 

First Time on a Band Saw

I've got to admit, the first time was pretty scary. The blade gets so close to your fingers and one mess up and you may lose the tip of a finger. I like how thin and small the blade on the band saw is though. That makes it a little less intimidating. Even if it is kind of scary, it's also a lot of fun and I cannot wait to start cutting my wood. Hopefully it turns out the right shape!

Here are photos of my first experience with a band saw.