Trick-or-Treating Gone Bad

5 frames to tell a story. Our group took a good bit of time developing the story/concept, and once we started cutting and pasting we were on a roll. This is the most fun I've had with construction paper since I was a kid!

Se7en

The title sequence for se7en nearly doubles as a trailer for the movie. As with many opening credits for movies type and image provide a short version of the story.

Typography is especially inspirational. The replacement of the "v" with a "7" is a brilliant use of typography.

George Carlin - F*CK Documentary

If you ever need a synonym for "dirty" don't bother with the thesaurus – just listen to this famous bit by Carlin. And he ends with the 7 dirtiest words! Now this is good old-fashioned entertainment!

Show & Tell: Typography

Poetry speaks more eloquently when the presentation is imaginative. The typography has a mood of its own, flowing on the page like a melody. Line breaks are especially important in poetry, where rhythm dictates a pace and tone for the reader.

Classification: Kids' Parties

Party Time! (headline)
What kid doesn’t enjoy the fantasy world of imagination, a place where the only rule is to have fun? A creative party will transport children to a land of magical and memorable adventures. And what parent doesn’t long for inspired ideas that won’t empty the piggy bank, a celebration that can transform your home into a mystical land laced with dazzling memories? These party themes are loaded with creativity, and smiles will abound with the personalized take-home crafts and keepsakes.

Zoo’s Who? (class one)
Dazzle
Presto! A creative mask transforms your child into her favorite furry friend. Elephants trumpet and lions roar as the children march to music in a fun-filled parade. Be sure to record this memory on video! Animal masks, $5.95 per dozen, orientaltrading.com.

Frolic
After the fanciful procession ends keep the kids busy with games. “Pin the tail on the donkey” is an age-old favorite. Try this twist… Why not pin the tail on a zebra instead?

Enjoy
Mini Pizzas add pizzazz to any party. English muffins, split in half and spread with tomato sauce and cheese, make excellent pizzas. Use sliced olives, mushrooms, bell pepper and cheese to transform the pizzas into unique animal faces. Recipe for Animal Mini Pizzas, see page 179.

Re:Think Green (class two)
Dazzle
Dig in! Kids love dirt, and planting seeds is the first fun step to a beautiful garden. An egg carton nursery will teach the children to cultivate and nurture plants of their own. The seedlings sprout and your child’s fascination grows. Instructions for egg carton nursery, see page 179.

Frolic
Toys are exciting, but not for long. Ask each child to bring two unwrapped gifts – a toy or book that is in great shape – to recycle in a toy exchange. Children take turns choosing one “new-to-you” toy to take home. Donate remaining toys to a local organization for less fortunate children.

Enjoy
A “seed planting” snack is yummy fun. Snack packs of chocolate pudding provide the “pot” and “mud” for this tasty treat. Scoop crushed Oreo cookies on top for “soil.” Then plant M&M “seeds” into the soil and mud. No need to wait. This garden is ready to devour.

Budding Artist (class three)
Dazzle
Voila! Your little Picasso is bursting with brilliant ideas. Provide a blank canvas and all the paint, glue, glitter, beads and whimsy to create a work of art. Add a simple wooden frame, and this masterpiece is ready to hang in the child’s home gallery.

Frolic
Artsy lollipops are fun to make and more fun to eat. Kids arrange brightly-colored crushed hard candies into funky shapes and patterns before baking in the oven. Be sure to photograph each child with his colorful lolli-”pop” art. Recipe for lollipops, see page 179.

Enjoy
Chicken nuggets make a picture-perfect snack. Simply arrange nuggets on a palette-shaped plate (or a plain white plate) along with three small cups of sauces. You’re sure to please even the pickiest palettes. Recipe for dipping sauces, see page 179.

Royal Ball (class four)
Dazzle
Bippity Boppity Boo! Fanciful jewels, puff paints, glitter glue, and markers embellish prefabricated crowns and bestow the royal touch. Photograph the crowned prince or princess in front of a fanciful backdrop. Prefabricated Design Your Own Crowns, $12.95 per dozen, orientaltrading.com.

Frolic
Your living room is an ideal setting for a royal ball. Push the furniture to the walls, adorn the room with streamers and fill the air with whimsical music. Then sit back and delight in the merriment.

Enjoy
“Magic wand” cookies add the crowning touch to a day fit for a king or queen. Bake star-shaped cookies with long lollipop sticks and let cool prior to the party. Each child frosts the wand and adds her own magical sugar sprinkles. For recipe and assembly, see page 179.

A Special Thanks (conclusion)
Your child’s hand-written notes are thoughtful and personal, but most kids don’t have the patience to write each card individually. Have your child script a single message and sign it; then scan and print the message onto the thank you notes. Remember the photos you took of each child at the party? Slide the photo into a picture-frame note card. This extra special touch turns an enchanting photo into a memorable keepsake.

Conjunction Junction

Remember School House Rock? Actually, it was on before many of you were born. There was a whole series of educational cartoons that ran on Saturday mornings. They were G-rated so, of course, the cartoon on interjections did not include "Fuck!" Check out other School House Rock videos at youtube.com

Show & Tell: My favorite words

Most of these words are just fun to use in conversation. I use a few of them in writing, as well…
vexed
vacillate
abhor
charisma
eloquent
lugubrious
gregarious
pontificate
whiz
zoom
zip
glub
swoosh
poosh (my father's pronunciation. We all know the word as "push")
spit
Spanx
chit chat
tchotchke
kitschy
gobbledygook
gaggle
malarky
supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Godspeed
mitbringel (German for "small gift")

Note: a few of these words fall under the category "onomatopoeia" which is a wonderful word, as well!

I really enjoy the many expletives I can't say in front of my children:
ass
arse
damn
shit
bitch
stupid
fuck
piss
bollocks
but never the "c" word

Usual item, unusual use

I am fascinated with handbags. Over the years, I've amassed a sizable collection of very unique and unusual handbags. My collection includes Van Gogh's "Starry Night" on a woven wood bag, a Santa bag carved of monkey wood, a bag formed from a Maryland license plate, and even a bag that was once a cigar box (still seasoned by the divine scent of Arturo Fuente cigars that once occupied the case).

I recently acquired two handbags (very different designs) made completely of duct tape. Size and function are not really the goal with these bags; both are barely large enough to hold the essentials. Aesthetics and individuality is what it's all about. They are little works of art and fun conversation pieces.

Check out this Web site:

Education Inflation

I completed all of the course work for an MA 15 years ago, right after I completed my undergraduate degree. By the time I started looking for my first job I was so tired of talking about design. I just wanted to DO it.

My first job search proved to be challenging. The comment I heard most often at the conclusion of an interview, and the reason so many job opportunities slipped through my fingers, was that I was "overqualified." No one wanted to hire me for an entry-level position because they feared that I would want too much money or I would become bored quickly. Perception won over truth.

The only people that seemed to be impressed by an MA were the HR reps in a corporation or association. Every design studio I've ever worked for – which is where I grew the most as a designer and art director – put very little emphasis on education (the owner of the company doesn't want to be one-up'd on education!) and almost all credibility on talent and ability to get the job done. The reason I got any subsequent jobs was only because of my previous experience. Beyond my first job my education didn't matter at all.

I'm seeking an MFA because I love teaching. I want to make it a career path. But if all I ever wanted to do was work as a designer and art director, my BFA would be education enough.

So has education really become inflated? I think it's in the best interest of the education institutions to tell you as much. And certainly there are fields of study where graduate degrees are helpful if not required. I don't believe design is one of them.

It's just my opinion. I might be wrong.

Campaign

Magazine Ad
Art: Photo of woman sitting on toilet talking on cell phone.
Headline: Always on.

It’s with you everywhere you go, and every call is important. So don’t hesitate to answer, no matter where you are. And if your friend calls you out when the toilet flushes, simply turn it around. “Would you have preferred my voice mail?”

Voice of the People invokes basic principles of common sense and educates Americans on courtesy and good will to others. Join us today in the war against bad judgment. We can change the world, one idiot at a time.

[logo]
Voice of the People
www.pet-peeves.com

Postcard
Front:
(sign) Express Lane, 100 items or less

Back:
Headline: No rush.

You are the only one with deadlines or other destinations, so take your time. Hold up the line. And if someone objects, be sure to ask “What’s your hurry?”

Voice of the People invokes basic principles of common sense and educates Americans
on courtesy and good will to others. Join us today in the war against bad judgment. We can change the world, one idiot at a time.

[logo]
Voice of the People
www.pet-peeves.com

Poster
Art: Photo of 4-light stop light, orange light has been added.
Headline: Orange is your color.

It’s the not-quite-red light, created just for you. Because waiting two additional minutes for the next green light is simply out of the question, your time is too valuable. And if you cause an accident, be sure to remind the victim that the orange light trumps right of way.

[logo]
A message from Voice of the People, a non-profit organization to educate Americans on courtesy and good will to others. Join us in the war against bad judgment. We can change the world, one idiot at a time. www.pet-peeves.com

Show & Tell: Classification

Nylon magazine classifies spring fashion according to style. Minimal text and grand imagery visually reinforces the theme of high style.

Your expertise, please!

My husband is a video guy, so we are both schooled in creativity. We often critique syntax, design, and continuity of editing while watching movies and television shows together. Here's one we can't resolve:

"I'm so happy that a person as caring as he is looking after you and Summer."

Hugh maintains that the sentence is structurally sound, and I disagree. Shouldn't it read "as caring as him?" Can someone help?! Who wins this round, my hubby or me?

Jeans for Dogs

Many years ago, there was an Dog Emperor who reigned over the entire neighborhood. He was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in canine couture. He had a different outfit for every occasion, made only from the finest materials and the most beautiful colors and elaborate patterns.

Time passed merrily in the neighborhood kingdom. One day, two scoundrels, who claimed to be good friends of his humans, and weavers by trade, appeared at the Dog Emperor’s front door. They offered to make the Dog Emperor an all new wardrobe. They claimed that the clothing would remain invisible to any one who was simple in character or not worthy of the crown.

The dishonest people appeared to work busily, though in reality they did nothing at all. They kept the fine materials and gold thread for their own, and they clothed the Dog Emperor in deceit, and nothingness. “How splendid His Majesty looks in his new clothes, and how well they fit! You will be the best dressed dog in the park.”

So the Dog Emperor walked through the streets of his neighborhood kingdom, his loyal servant humans at his side, and all the people who passed him cried out “Oh! This dog is so beautiful, so regal.” Indeed, simple-minded humans could not see his clothing, nor did they care. They were quite content with the Dog Emperor scantily dressed in only his fur coat. And when a dog passerby commented, “But the Dog Emperor is naked!” His Majesty was completely humiliated.

The dogs in the neighborhood would no longer be fooled by their people. From that day forward, all of the dogs in the neighborhood kingdom insisted that they be clothed only in the finest canine couture.

Canine Couture
11725 Sunshine Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 91604
woof: 800-HIP-DOGS
online: no-naked-dogs.com

Now that there'll git'r done!

Bob and I were chatting one day about redneck notions, and I mentioned the Mt. Dew imagery from the 60s and 70s. So this one's for you, Bob.

I remember when Mt. Dew used hillbillies and guns to sell soda (pre-Pepsi, of course). Wow, how times have changed!

Show & Tell: Call to Action

The campaign for social security reform speaks to a vast audience. It will affect not only our children but most of us, as well. This simple message conveys interest and intrigue.