Attend CD Lecture(3–4pm EST). Zoom link in CD App. Respond with a critique of the lecture and position it in the context of contemporary design culture(200 words).
Name
Response
Helen
I see so much connection with how we’ve been thinking about thesis with Nishat’s advice on the professional working world. It feels like in school we have so much room to question, explore our own interests, and feel like we can design for the greater good. When we actually start working after school It feels like we would have less room to question what we’re doing and why we’re doing it because of how fast paced the working world is. Or we would be restricted by“the client said so” or“its not in our budget”. I am glad that designers like Nishat who have been working for a while still are question the why's of designing an the imbalance of power in the workplace. We don’t have to be complacent no matter how long we have been working.
Xinyi(Vella)
It was quite interesting to listen to Nishat talking about the“definition” of artist and designer. She ask the question that”who you’re serving” to differentiate the artists and designer, as artists are mainly self-serving and designers often work for clients. I quite agree with this idea but at the same time thinking about if it's possible to let the designers’ express themselves more on the clients’ projects. Nishat also talks about she has been working with Nike and google for many different projects and somehow incorporate her style a bit into the projects, which shows that designer could possibly merge their personal styles into some commercial projects. But at the same time, I am wondering if there is a possibility that through working with the same company for so long time, designer's own style might get influenced by that company’s style and thus the company is more willing to take a step on presenting more of the designer's personal style related work. Overall, the whole lecture is inspiring, and the questions in the end of slides are simple but deep to really make me think more about being and developing myself in this creative world.
Claire
Lindy
Nishat emphasize on power relationships and putting design in perspective. I find that part of the conversation extremely interesting. It reminds young designers like us to think about why peers will give feedback that way and why clients need a certain design. Her talk and her experience as a designer is great to see. She also reminded us that not just school project and thesis, by using the work she has done for nike as an example, other work of ours in a commercial environment is also gonna be a part of us and somehow reflect ourselves. I find that part very inspiring and a huge encouragement. With brand guidlines and brand identities, sometimes I feel lost in the commercial world, without an identity, she kept reminding us not to forget and reflect on what makes our design special and what make us special. I think it is very important to remember that and not to get lost in the world.
Alisa
Disha
I liked that Nishat touched on the differentiation between art and design, as well as the differential between the individual and the collective. Design more often tends to cater to the needs and wants of others rather than the designer themselves, but I appreciated that Nishat explained designers can still have an individual creative voice that is developed through the collective e.g. by crits. I also liked that she touched on the subject of brand voice and how large companies can amplify voices of specific communities in creative ways by bringing in individual voices and getting a sense of creative control.
Allison
I love that Nishat touched upon our role in a larger collective practice, whether it’s within an agency, brand, or specific project. I think about this a lot, especially when job hunting and thinking about the difference between working in the tech industry versus a smaller design agency or studio, and what my impact might look like in either positions. Similar to Nishat, I found that producing my own work separate from any organization is my way of articulating my voice or vision within my work, without any outside influences. What stuck out to me from her lecture was the quote she mentioned,“you can look at your life as a result of the past or the cause of the future.” This is something I’ll continue to take forward as I routinely redesign my portfolio, and change up my“design style.”
Ashley
I was glad that Nishat Akhtar was able to differentiate artist and designer for us. I thought it was an interesting perspective to listen to. And to mention that you don’t have to be well-known or famous to be recognized. It was humbling to hear that it is more focused on creativity and expression.“Individualism and collectivism can work together.” I’m glad to see that she was able to put in her own sense of creativity and voice into her work even though she was working for a client.
Thesis Fair: 9am-2:40pm
We will gather together in class at 9am
Please have your materials, thesis statement, presentation ready!
The critique pairings will be shared at this time
Message from Juliette:
Again, this is an opportunity for you to clarify your thoughts and writing about your thesis. Your thesis is not a project: it’s your individual journey towards a question or curiosity you have about design and how it lives in the world.
Design Culture
Thesis Fair: 9am-2:40pm
Upload your presentation here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16xwcjBbTl-7gSJcWIgeIENk96N6SonD8?usp=sharing
Upload your critique sheets here:
👉 I will also be sending you your grades in the class thus far