where do journalism ethics come from?

I have been reflecting on my four years at Drake as a journalism (and art) student the past couple of weeks. I can still remember sitting in JMC 030 at 8:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday morning the first semester of freshman year. I do not think any of us freshmen journalism majors would have made it through if it were not for David Wright, our professor. He was always so full of life and energy (even when he Skyped us from China one week), which really made us want to pay attention—or at least not fall asleep.

And then I drift back to the cheesy writing assignments for JMC 054, designing newspaper layouts for JMC 059, learning about the history of American journalism in JMC 066 and debating ethical and legal journalism practices in JMC 104. And as I reminisced about my time in JMC 104, I could not help but wonder: where do you journalism ethics come from?

As I think more and more about the issue, I do not think they solely come from our personal values or something we learn in a classroom. As a freshman in college, I can remember posting raunchy photos on Facebook after an eventful weekend or going on a rant about someone who made me mad. As my journalism practices developed, I now notice how those juicy photos and nasty Facebook updates became fewer and fewer over the years until they have simply stopped showing up. And it was not because I did not want people to see them—it’s because I no longer found them necessary or the person I wanted to be.

Personally, I think everyone is born with positive values and ethics—it is how we are raised and/or our personal experiences that shape whether we hold onto those values. But, conversely, I also believe we can be taught what is right and wrong, even as college students. If some of my professors had not explained how a poorly written and/or researched news article can not only hurt the reputation of the writer but also the person(s) it is written about, I probably would not think twice about fact checking every ounce of my writing now.

So to me, I think the ethics journalists and communications professionals possess both come from the heart and from education. Although I thought I was making the right choices before I got to college, my professors, bosses and peers have all helped shape me into the creative professional I now am today. If I had not gone to journalism school, I think it is safe to say I would not have a greater understanding of the world around me, how to be accepting of differences, write with an unbiased mind and make ethical choices in the world of communication.

drake magazine fashion editorial feature

I spent a good portion of my day today shooting a fashion editorial feature for Drake Magazine. After over a month of preparation, it was nice to finally get to photographing. The end result will be a five-page feature in the next issue of the magazine.

I had so much fun working with and photographing the model, Evan. She’s a natural beauty, and even though she said she’d never modeled previously, she was a natural in front of the camera.

Here’s a sneak peek from the editorial. Look for the rest of the photos in the next issue of Drake Magazine, hitting the shelves toward the end of this month!

 

package design: refined ideas

Since my last post, I have refined the design of the packaging for the Pico walnut opener. The design is at the bottom of this post.

I’m trying to connect the design of the walnut opener to the furniture store brand through the use of color and the brand logo. Let’s be honest—there isn’t anything fun or exciting about a $40 walnut opener. I’m hoping to change people’s mindset about a walnut opener through the use of clever packaging, bright colors, and modern typography.

It’s kind of hard to visualize, but the white triangles will be the sides of the package, and the bottom will be where the barcode is. All of the orange areas will be hidden and glued together, while the green areas will make up the interior of the package.

package design: initial ideas

For project three in graphic design II, we’re creating packaging designs for a walnut opener and a home/kitchen accessory. Additionally, the design and concept of the package design must be able to be sold in the furniture store we conceptualized for project two.

I’m going to try to construct a pyramid-like structure for the Pico walnut opener, which will open from each side to expose the product.

For my home/kitchen accessory, I am going to construct a package for three shot glasses, which will be lined up horizontally.

personal identity system

Here’s an update on the personal identity system I have been designing for myself. I’ve made a few changes from the initial designs and I know there is still some work to be done.

Business card: front

Business card: back
This looks better printed but I'm still not sure if I am 100% sold on the design. What do you think?

Resume
I plan on changing this up quite a bit, particularly with the heading and getting it more consistent with the rest of the system.

Thank you card
This is the final design for the thank you card and one of the driving forces behind the rest of the system. I have already had these printed and they look great.

graphic design ii: furniture store final

I have finally finished the identity system for the furniture store. Overall, I am very happy with how things turned out.

As I set out to create an identity system, I was constantly thinking about the target audience and how they would perceive the brand. The target audience is affluent, hip professionals ages 25–40. They are involved in the community and care about supporting local businesses. When they shop for furniture (just like anything else they set out to purchase), they are always looking for the best quality without compromising personal style.

The identity system started with research into color theory. Originally, I had chosen a red and charcoal color palette to emphasize power and impulse purchases. But then, I thought more about the target audience and how they are not attracted to those indicators of purchasing. Instead, I went with a combination of bright green, orange and navy blue. The palette is inspired by Americana but has a softer tone and encourages customers to take their time while making decisions.

From there, the idea of continuity and establishing a long-term relationship with each client who walks in the door, which in turn will result in more frequent purchases. Naturally, I was drawn to a circle to communicate this idea. And that is how the logo was born—the name Michael Allen surrounded by a circle. The brand is at the center of everything.

As I designed each identity piece, I kept being drawn to the circle and wanted to emphasize that through most of the parts of the system. The circle found its way to the corporate letterhead, business card and the booklet.

Below is every piece of the system with a little more explanation.

Click here to view the direct mail brochure. I continued the use of the circle in the brochure by using a light on the front and back of the brochure. I also used a variant of the logo as markers on pages highlighting specific pieces of furniture. The copy is to the point and highlights what the customer wants to know—how he/she is going to be treated well and how the service he/she will receive cannot be found anywhere else.

Logo

Business card: front

I originally had a larger circle around the logo but removed it after I received negative feedback about it in a class critique. I wanted to keep the front of the card very simple and to the point.

Business card:back

I did, however, keep the circle on the back. I think it helps shape the card and focuses the viewer's attention to the information right away.

Letterhead
I continued the use of the cycle on the letterhead by adding a curve on the right side of the page where all the contact information is for every store across the country. I received great reviews for that part of the letter head. The line height is the same for every body of text so that everything lines up perfectly.

Promotional poster
I had trouble coming up with a poster idea. But when the idea hit me, I loved it. I used witty prose throughout the booklet so I wanted to incorporate that into the poster, as well. Not only does it catch your attention but it also makes a nice connection between the light and the tagline. This is probably my favorite piece in the system.

Envelope
You have to look closely at this image to see the blue outline of the envelope. This is the file that would be sent to the printer for custom envelopes to be made from. It allows for a bleed along the edges. It didn't take me long to come up with an idea for the envelope because I knew I wanted it to pop out amongst other pieces of mail and I knew I wanted it to be bright.

Building signage
The building I chose is just south of the center of the East Village. I love the big building space because it fits in with the company's need for extra space to perform custom upholstery services. It would've been nice if the building was a little taller but I made it work. Notice the freestanding sign in the right corner of the image.

graphic design ii: furniture store system update

Since my last post, not much has changed. I’m currently working on the promotional brochure that will be used as a direct mail piece. Below, I have included the logo, what the logo looks like on the building, business card, letterhead and promotional posters.

Business card: front

Business card: back

Letterhead

Logo

First promotional poster

Second promotional poster

Store front

graphic design ii: furniture store stationary

I decided to go with the Michael Allen logo design but modified it so it is in a circle rather than a rectangle. After a few minor changes to the logo, I am very happy with its outcome.

Below, I have the updated logo, letterhead and business card designs. I’m really playing with the circular motion from the logo and will be incorporating that into all stationary and collateral pieces.

Letterhead

Front of business card

Back of business card

graphic design ii: furniture store logo

Today, I started working on potential logos for the furniture store. My original idea for the name of the store was “Michael Allen” but I am not leaning more toward “1087″ (pronounced ten eighty-seven).

I am town between the two because they both speak to potential demographics I am interested in targeting. Michael Allen attracts more sophisticated people who are going to research the products before purchasing, like to be pampered in the store (and in life in general), shop on Saturday and Sunday mornings while strolling around the city with their significant other and lead an overall classy lifestyle. On the other hand, 1087 attracts more younger, hipper people who are more concerned about the design and style of the product than the overall function and if it is going to be a piece they keep for the long haul. They are fun, are constantly on the go and tend to make more impulse decisions and purchases.

The logos I have created are below. I did decide on a beach-like color palette, which will fit in for either name I choose. Both designs could go to very creative heights in terms of branding, signage and even store design. Which is your favorite?

graphic design ii: furniture store identity system

For the next project in advanced graphic design, we are working to create a complete identity system for a fictional modern furniture store. The store’s esthetic and overall business model is based on Design Within Reach. Included in the identity system will be:

• Original name
• Logo
• Letterhead
• Envelope
• Business Card
• Promotional poster for store’s opening
• Exterior sign for the building
• Small mailer/brochure
• Optional: mailable print catalog of at least 24 pages

I am really excited to get started on this assignment because the finished product will be a perfect addition to both my design and PR portfolios. I am going to treat this assignment as a PR blitz for a newly-established company. I will be able to showcase my grassroots marketing + PR skills in addition to the type of designer I am. I love the client is a modern company because my design esthetic is becoming more and more modern driven with simple lines and a clean grid system.

Below is where I am starting to gather my inspiration from. Right now, I am primarily looking for inspiration for a logo and color palette. Those two will be the driving forces behind everything I do from this point forward.

The assignment is due in a month so while I have plenty of time to get everything done, I am going to have to plan ahead for production and plenty of critiques.

And this is what I’m thinking about for potential color palettes. Thoughts?