Derek Maxwell's Field Reports

How to teach Graphic Design (For Beginners) Part 2

Derek Maxwell — Thu, 24 May 2007 12:41:11 -0600

With my idea set I began to plan how I would accomplish my teaching. I started writing up a detailed lesson plan. Mapping out hour by hour each weeks activities. I realized early on I would need to include the history of graphic design, but I only had about an hour of space to do it. This was blocking point for me for awhile. I set about creating charts and posters and other means to instill a knowledge of the evolution of graphic design. I gathered images and texts from many books and websites. Soon I realized that in the next week the class would begin.

So what happened the first day of class. Not much. After having visited multiple schools, getting info from over 50 kids and making call backs, 2 youth showed up. I was a little heart broken. It had been decided that on the first Thursday of the workshop I would give a brief talk to all the you who participate in the 3 different programs on Thursdays. So as I said earlier I had spent weeks preparing every minute detail. What did I do when it came time to give my talk. I through out all my plans. I simply decided to have a conversation with the you about graphic design and let them decide where we would go with it. This to me seemed much more in the spirit of the workshop anyways, to give the reigns over to the youth and simply act as a moderator. It worked, I was amazing, every kid participated. Some as usual were the main talkers but eventually everyone found a point at which they had a question or an answer. We talked about history of art, advertising, corporate identities and logos, t-shirts, shoes, cell phones, and on and on. Eventually we had to cut the talk off because it was past time to get to work.

I learned a lot from giving this talk. I learned that with youth you must create an environment which they can engage. You can engage them if you want, but that is what happens the rest of the day. Teachers assigning them work, parents setting rules, and companies selling them junk. And they love to learn as long as it doesn't seem like work.

How to teach Graphic Design (For Beginners) Part 1

Derek Maxwell — Thu, 24 May 2007 12:32:30 -0600

When I first started at PCTV I was introduced to a number of very broad and ominous projects that I was to be filling my time with. Of course these project overlapped the skills I had acquired in school to some degree, but plenty of them fell outside of my knowledge.

One of these large projects was to create a new visual identity for PCTV. In the past things had been made as they came up and were not quite coherent. This of course was well within my skill set, having graduated with a degree in graphic design. Without realizing it I was jumping into the real world of graphic design. For those who are not a part of this cult like group of artists who don't make art, there is a major difference between what happens in academic design and what is made for the real world. In academic design things happen, they don't get made. Concepts, images, colors, typefaces are all great but if they are not put together to make a real thing which serves a real purpose they become convoluted quickly.

Enough about this academic / real world clash. I found myself trying to design the identity for an organization which has existed for 14 years and currently has 5 programs running. PCTV does everything in media with everyone. Worst of all the make media with youth. Youth are not an easy target, of course if you selling them shoes or something it is a different game. So how could I make PCTV attractive to youth, eureka, I will simply gather some youth to do it for me. That is how I decided to start a Graphic Design workshop at PCTV. My hope was that in exchange for teaching the youth about graphic design, I could get out of them designs which would speak to their peers. When I say this to myself sometimes I feel like a villain tricking some kids into my scheme, but my intentions are good I assure you.

Getting in to it.

Derek Maxwell — Fri, 11 May 2007 10:49:39 -0600

So I have finished 1/3rd of my year as a Vista. When I started I was very ambitious ready to sink my teeth into the community and my organization. I was on the brink of a new life and I did not know what to expect. I went to Boston and completed my PSO. I returned to Minneapolis and showed up to my organization on the next Monday. I could not guess what my first day was going to be, who I would meet. So I walk in and say hello to Michael the program supervisor here at PCTV and my mentor and partner. I was ready to pounce at any task he would give me. After I set down my bag and removed about six layers of clothing (This is Minneapolis in January, and I ride a bicycle every year all year; it's not so bad it just takes some preparation and determination) we got started. What happened, what was the beginning of it all. This is what Michael said "Well we should probably get you some keys for the building and all". That is what I had been waiting for, it was sort of a shock to me at first. Then is when I realized that Vista life wasn't going to be a superhero action movie, it was going to be regular life, with a more positive and rewarding purpose.

So the first day passed, I got my keys, met the staff and the after school youth and got my desk in order. At this point I had no idea what was next. What was I suppose to do. The next few weeks were filled with learning Acronyms that I still don't know the meanings of and trying to remember who is connected to which one. I had a meeting with the staff and we started talking about what it was that I was going to be doing at PCTV over the course of the year and when I should be doing it. I started researching, ideating and thinking a lot. It's been four months. I have planned out two new websites, started an after school graphic design workshop, and mostly just gotten adjusted to working in the non-profit world.

1st Day

Derek Maxwell — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 12:46:15 -0700

So I have started my first day at Phillips Community Television (PCTV) here is a link to their website
phillipscommunitytv.org
I have got my desk and phone, so I think at least I will be comfortable at work.
In addition to serving PCTV with my skills in Graphic Design I will be working with the Twin Cities Youth Media Network (TCYMN). This is a coalition of local youth media initiatives. Below is a link to a list of those sites.
TCYMN
Thats all for now. Good luck to everyone on day 1.

My Website

Derek Maxwell — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 14:29:20 -0700

here is my personal website which I try to update consistently please feel free to browse.

livinginthetwenty-firstcentury.com

don't bother with the search because it doesn't work yet. sorry.