Week 5: Publish
Full Send
Published: 2/7/2023
Compiled by: Andrew Neyer
Why Publish?
Do we need another article on the Internet or another book on the shelves? Probably not, but publishing is an incredible opportunity to duplicate and share our creations (thanks to thousands of years of inventions). The basis of publishing is the act of making something generally known. It is an investment into the commons, and its audience is the public. But, it is also your way to take a moment to offer an idea, suggestion, plan, warning, or encouragement to your past or future self.
How should we gauge our efforts? First, do not measure the success of a publication by its quantity sold but by how long it stays in culture and is shared, remixed, or referenced. Time is the best critic. Make remarkable work, and people will most likely talk about it.
For Mat
Dear Matthew,
Too often, our creative work becomes crippled by the expectations we impose. The medium itself is less important than how we choose to use it. Our explorations are often met with failure but can lead to uncovering the extraordinary.
Think about publishing as an abstract. Don't be locked into a specific format of a genre. There are millions of ways to say the same thing. But, when we change vehicles, we can explore new territory. These subtle changes can have a considerable impact.
The format we choose can become a template for another work. For example, think about building in layers. How can you create a system to organize layers? Should it be a single stack or complied like a staircase or category binder?
Love,
– J.T.T.
(If we are writing for our friend Matthew, shouldn't we format it for Mat?)
Length
Once you have distilled your case study to a digestible article, duplicate it, and then try to compress an alternative version into half its length. After that, repeat until you are left with just one or two lines. Now you have arrived at the essence of your article. This exercise may help narrow your focus and shape how you present your Context.
Do the edits warrant publishing in different mediums?
Which is the most memorable?
Pace
Does the medium set the pace?
What is the optimal speed for your Article?
Time is relative.
Oomph & Zhuzh
Hierarchy of Articles
I use this template for writing an Article:
Title
Subtitle
Content
Context
Thoughts
The sections appear in this order, but their rank shows up differently. Note the image, Hierarchy of Articles, shown above. Their font size and weight reveal where your time may be best invested.
Is your title memorable?
Does your article create good questions?
Context
Here are links to the media we covered in class. Please call me if there is anything you cannot find ッ
“Here we go!”
– Charles Martinet
Superb Mario
Fig. 1
Super Mario figure
Fig. 2
Super Mario audio
Some mashups just work. Despite being an unlikely candidate, Charles Martinet decided to read for the role of Mario, the famous character from the Nintendo video games. His impromptu goofy take on an Italian Mario cut through and won over the hearts of Nintendo.
Martinet’s first gig voicing Mario (マリオ) was in 1990, when he would voice the character for trade shows via a computer-generated Mario head. Motion sensors were connected to his face to generate the facial movements on the screen. Nintendo was so impressed by Martinet and would use this gimmick often. He went on to bring the character of Mario to life in Super Mario 64 (Japan 1996, US 1997).
Fig. 3
Charles Martinet
Something magical happens when we combine unlikely mediums; we increase the odds of making Art. When we play, we discover. Charles Martinet had the guts to improv a silly take on the character prompt. Nintendo had the foresight to know that Martinet should be the voice of Mario. Having a good eye and ear for the edit is a precious skill set. Our play relies on the edit.
Fig. 4
Super Mario Remix
Photo Shop
Photographs are helpful media to add Context quickly. But, how we present and edit them matters (remember, the medium is the message). Whatever route you choose, aim at continuity and focus on a method you can repeat. Flex skills you already have. If you see photos you like, ask the photographer about their process. People want to talk about their work ッ.
Here is an example of how to get decent photos with entry-level equipment and minimal time:
Fig. 4
Helmet, Photoshop’d .jpg
Fig. 5
Process photos
The photos above were taken with an old Nikon D3100 (2009 @ $299) + two strobes (2011 @ $129) + seamless photo paper (2014 @ $99).
A low-budget version can be a white sheet or poster ($6), and you take a picture with your phone. There will be some extra editing time, but you can leverage your new editing skills.
Keep ‘Em Separated
Fig. 6
Class folder organization
Assignment No. 5
Hone your Taste.
Omit Waste.
The Medium is the message.
1. Publish your Case Study Article
2. Turn in a .zip of your complete Design Theory folder (.pdf’s or .txt)
3. What methods or skills do you want to learn?
Questions You Should Answer:
– What is your favorite publication?
– How does it match your tastes?
– Why do we collect?
