Julie Diewald

I will be a senior graphic design major next year at Maryland Institute College of Art. I grew up just north of Boston. I decided to travel to Dubai because I really wanted to know more about the Middle East. I wanted to understand the fear behind the image that American media spews out every evening. I wanted to unwrap these false preconceptions and get to know people that call the area home. I wanted to expand upon my experience of social design. Design can be so many things and do so much towards change. That is what I hope to continue learning. 

I AM

Two Posters

 

We wanted our poster to mimic the the dual conversation we have in our video. By having these posters visual join together we are able to tell this story of two cultures joining as one. Before dividing the poster, it composition was conflicting with the type, each battling for attention. The two posters resolves this friction.

Poster Design

Work Completed

SUN Day 1- Discussion Introduction

MON Day 2- Dual Plans

TUES Day 3- Finalizing Concept

WED Day 4- Write Script in English and Arabic, Create Storyboard (1 min. max.)

THURS Day 5- Create Graphic Design for Poster, Stickers and T-shirt

SUN Day 6- Filming, Editing

MON Day 7- Re-filming, Editing

TUES Day 8- Design Editing and Finalizing

WED Day 9- Printing, Presentation editing

THURS Day 10- Present

Flock 3

Our group faced a few bumps in the road the past few work days. Our filming on Sunday was all for naught because the format would not comply with the editing program so we had to reshoot the following day. Though we lost a day this ended up being a blessing because we were able to film with better equipment (thanks allen!) and the script was pretty well rehearsed because of the day before so our shots came out with alot more confidence. 

Our group has a alot of optimism and a great sense of humor, which has been alot of fun to be around during this process, it allows our energy to remain upbeat when we are getting work done. Although the subject matter of our discussions are fraught with heavy political matter, the atmosphere remains open and accepting of our differences.

Building Cultural Connections Through Design

Zayed University & MICA Summer Design Program 2008

Design in the Connected World: Building Cultural Connections Through Design

Faculty: Dr. Nanci Takeyama, Bernard Canniffe, Peter Chomowicz

 

Project Description: Baltimore and Dubai are both cities that were established mainly because of their access to the ocean and sea. The water connected them to a greater world outside their landlocked borders as the ships imported and exported cultural diversity and understanding as well as trade. One could argue that the coastal highways became early vehicles of conducting the flow of information; the building blocks of what would become the worldwide web. East and West, and North and South are becoming less significant as we embrace the global economy yet as we embrace a vastly changing and complex market place we run the risk of moving further and further apart. We are breaking down so many barriers and at the same time we are building so many walls. Art and Design have never been so important to understanding these paradoxically different socioeconomic shifts, and art and design education has a pivotal role to identify, translate and connect these cultural chasms. 

This course is based on bridging cultural differences through design. Develop design processes and methodologies through cross-cultural experiences in search and promotion of one’s own cultural identity. 

 

Background: This course will explore our collective understanding of what it means by the term “Globalize” as it is applied to economy, culture, and world. We will look at and discuss the role of the media and socioeconomic structures that factor into cultural significance. We will discuss how tensions arise between cultures and how these fractious situations might be prevented. 

The USA and The Middle East have similar and also different world views and cultural beliefs. Each of you comes from different countries, cultures and political, social and religious backgrounds that inform and shape your understanding. Prejudice, bigotry and stereotypes are at the local and international level and they always lead to one group being marginalized and misunderstood. Can design play a role in building cultural bridges and preventing myopic views from occurring?

Purpose: The main purpose of this course is to focus on cross-cultural experiences. Looking positively at different ways of thinking, build upon the differences.

I AM Campaign Logo

The logo brings together the english and arabic forms of “I AM”.

T-Shirt Design

 

Our final solution for the t-shirt incorporates our logo into the front and the back. Our 3 variations, strong, proud, and free, are a few of the messages expressed in our video. We felt that they represented our two cultures personal feelings. Shared by all, these words show how we are similar. We chose the black t-shirts with the white type because it references the beautiful black abayas worn by Emirates. The box outline in our logo represents a “fill in the blank” spot where one can insert their own personal feelings. It becomes a place for customization and invention. I am [Strong] [Awesome] [Angry] [Whatever].

Poster Sketches