Harrison Gray Otis Saturday Night Specials

SYMBOLS - SIZE REFERENCE

2010-04-29T11:31:00.001-07:00

ALL SYMBOLS TOGETHER:

ACCOUNT:
this are all of the symbols together to show how they relate for sizing reference.

THE SYMBOL

2010-04-24T02:00:00.001-07:00

HGOSNS:

A BIT ABOUT HARRISON GRAY OTIS:
the founder of otis college of art and design.
fought for the north in the civil war and supported lincoln.
owned the los angeles times.

MORE:
WIKIPEDIA
PBS: INVENTING LA
CALIFORNIA STATE MILITARY MUSEUM

WHAT I LEARNED

2010-04-24T01:45:00.002-07:00

ACCOUNT:
things are never as simple as i think they are, but i like that. this project taught me a lot of my instincts and understanding what they can do for me. beyond discussions of rejection and approval, i felt like it changed the way i chose to speak about my work - by necessity; i was constantly learning to sell the project to the people i had invited, so they could understand the idea behind it and what they would be receiving in a couple months.

i struggled with all of the following at one point or another:
idea conception
symbol creation
sweatshirt production
the review process
trusting my hand
supply retrieval
sleeping
fleshing out minute details
throwing away mistakes
methods for madness

WEEK BY WEEK BREAKDOWN

2010-04-24T01:44:00.001-07:00

ON PAPER:

ACCOUNT:
this was my initial plan for moving forward on a week-by-week basis. it quickly dissolved as screenprinting kept being pushed back because of alterations, delays, rethinking, and scrapping of symbols.

NOTES/FEEDBACK

2010-04-24T01:43:00.001-07:00

FROM DISCUSSIONS WITH OTISSIANS:

KOREAN AND JAPANESE NOTES:

ACCOUNT:
talking to and pulling from otis students became a critical piece of the hgosns puzzle. the sweatshirts for them should be about them, and i tried to allow the symbols to reward the people who would wear them by using bits and pieces of all of the cultures found in otis.

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EARLY FEEDBACK NOTES(W/ SKETCHES):

FEEDBACK AGAIN:

FEEDBACK ONCE MORE:

NEXT ROUND OF FEEDBACK:

LAST FEEDBACK, WITH RANDOM ED FELLA NOTES:

ACCOUNT:
feedback is really crucial to my process. i often overwork a project to the point of bordering irrelevancy, and my teachers and classmates were incredibly important throughout the whole refining process. there were definitely good weeks and bad weeks, but every step was important to understanding the necessities of my design process.

THANK YOU

2010-04-24T01:39:00.001-07:00

TO MY TEACHERS:

i need to thank YASMIN KHAN for her constant belief in the the value of the audience. for making me stay sharp like a knife, even when i didn't think i could muster it. for having a wonderful attitude at all moments that transcends the idea of learning at a basic level for something much more incredible and rich every week, i will be forever grateful. my experience with her this semester has been one of the most rewarding i have had in school.

in the same accord, miss JESSICA WEXLER was a true blue teacher in every way i could want one. recently, when she revealed she was heading back to the right coast, it was a moment of intense reflection. LAST SEMESTER was the best experience i have ever had with design - and she was integral in my development. she will be missed and definitely considered a friend and comrade for life.

TO MY FELLOW COMMUNICATION STUDIO WARRIORS:

their constant pushing and prodding gave me all the jostling i needed to see this through fully. their inquiring eyes and incredible projects were inspiring every week. they kept me working hard. they kept my nose down and my legs moving.

TO THE HARRISON GRAY OTIS SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIALS:

i need to thank the hgosns for giving me the opportunity to make something for them. this project is for them and about them. it would not have been anything of what it was without their involvement. i love them, for their incredible spirits and terrific smiles.

TO THE PEOPLE WHO CAME TO HELP SCREENPRINT:

i am extremely fortunate to be surrounded by such giving people. i need to take a moment to say thanks to brennah, melanie, natalie, robyn, lindsey, john, george, emma, stephanie, mary, tritia, and roxy, because without them it would have taken me months to complete this project. their helpful hands and pleasant company were my saving grace. it was a pleasure working with all of them making this project come to life.

SYMBOLS - CIRCLES

2010-04-24T00:45:00.001-07:00

X-ACTO:

ACCOUNT:
the art school version of a purple heart. this symbol was composed with an x-acto blade as it's primary focus, because it seemed like that was most people's downfall. they would cut themselves quite badly when being a bit haphazard.

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A SKETCHBOOK:

ACCOUNT:
through all the things i've learned at otis, it seems like keeping a sketchbook has been one of the most important. this symbol was composed to look a bit like the red cross symbol. i wanted to refer to the fact that i feel like sketchbook's are our saving graces.

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FOUR YEAR DENOTATION:

ACCOUNT:
this symbol was made to be altered. it is intended to show how many years a person has been at otis. it offers for cirlces, ready to be made, marked, crossed, or dotted. i wanted to leave the option for marking open for the wearer.

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ELEVATOR BUTTONS:

ACCOUNT:
this symbol is made to reference something i felt was central to the wearer's experience at otis - the elevator. i liked the idea that it could be altered in so many different ways for the wearer to assert what floor they spent most of their time on, what floor they wanted to be on, or even what floors they loved the most.

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CLOUDS AND A BOTTLE OPENER:

ACCOUNT:
for the people who drown themselves in bottles and the people who touch the high sky, this symbol was made for the wearer to love both equally - if need be.

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TWO CATS:

ACCOUNT:
the russian gang tattoos often referenced cats as symbols of being thieves and working alone; i felt it would be a nice thought to take the idea of being alone, and make it about being together in the literal and figurative sense. also, when the cats merge, they seem to for a butterfly between them. with this, i placed the symbol in the bottom center where a tramp stamp would be, to reference the culture that often will place a tattoo(flowers, butterflies, dolphins, tribal decoration, etc.) above their rump to show how sexy they are.

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WORMED APPLE:

ACCOUNT:
for the people who preferred macintosh computers, i wanted to talk about how sometimes the apple can be rotten and also make reference to what STEVE JOBS seems to always wear.

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A WINDOW:

ACCOUNT:
this symbol was made to reference the windows system that really changed windows' systems - windows 95.

SYMBOLS - TRIANGLES

2010-04-24T00:45:00.000-07:00

THE POISONOUS RAT:

ACCOUNT:
when making a symbol about smoking, i already had a strong point of view that this is a terrible habit. the rat is a reference to the phrase "you dirty rat!", which i felt agreed with the nasty smell that comes with smoking. in japanese, above the rat, it says "yellow teeth". while underneath, the hand preparing to shake another is made to reference that main thing smokers seem to like about their habit, it serves as an introduction and way to meet people.

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THE BADGE OF LOS ANGELES:

ACCOUNT:
this symbol is about the trouble experienced with the long arm of the law. it features a police badge and a speeding ticket underneath, because this is the main problem people discussed when referencing their problems with the law. in korean, on the badge, it says "run", which is something most people want to do when seeing the law.

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THE SMELLY TRASHCAN:

ACCOUNT:
this symbol serves mostly as a warning sign to people. it is intended to denote showering less than one shower every two days. the symbol is placed on the front, left pocket so people can see it from far away and be warned.

SYMBOLS - FOUR-SIDED

2010-04-24T00:38:00.000-07:00

SPIDER AND VINEGAR:

ACCOUNT:
this symbol is made to reference the long, sleepless nights that otis students take on trying to finish projects. some people are seasoned veterans at not sleeping, so i spoke with them about their experiences. one person talked about how bitter they were about them, so i drew a vinegar bottle. another person talk about how, after three days of no sleep, saw a spider - so i drew a spider common to california. lastly, a person spoke about how these sleepless nights always seem to "bite you in the ass" at a later point, so i had the spider biting into the vinegar bottle.

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STUMP AND AXE

ACCOUNT:
this symbols references working a job outside of otis, while in school. when talking to people and in my own experience, working a job while going to school is generally very taxing. spending all day at school, then turning in to work for someone else can be quite a lot for someone's plate. i chose chopping wood because it seemed like a very intense job, that requires devotion and energy. in text, in japanese, says "sweat".

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THE PUNCHCARD:

ACCOUNT:
this symbol is for all of the students who tend to reside in the ahmanson building, which is the main building for otis. the symbol references the buildings beginning for ibm, and their punchcards - which shaped the design of the building itself.

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A PENCIL:

ACCOUNT:
for the who enjoy the texture and feel of graphite, the HB pencil is very common in the otis art school experience. the pencil is the rival of the pen.

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PEN:

ACCOUNT:
the pen is unforgiving and permanent. while discussing the merits of a pen vs. a pencil, someone said that you had to have a brain to use a pen; though, i'm not sure i completely agree - i thought it would be a good idea to attach a brain just in case the pen user doesn't happen to have one.

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MOTHER AND CHILD:

ACCOUNT:
this symbol is for the people at otis who have met someone they would do anything for. i tried to play off of religious artwork that featured the virgin mary and jesus. in the same way their relationship featured devotion and an intense bond, it seemed important to discuss the idea of two people becoming one - which is why the faces have melted together.

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DOWNTOWN BUILDING:

ACCOUNT:
for the fashion campus, i took a cue from MY XMAS CARD. the idea of fabric cutting and downtown seemed like something that were necessary.

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COMPUTER PLUGS AND SOCKETS:

ACCOUNT:
for the people who prefer making things on the computer, to making things by hand. I drew every hole i could find on the backside of computers.

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SHOE AND HAMMER:

ACCOUNT:
this symbol is for the people who have been teacher's assistants at otis. they come in and do a lot of work, that can be fun or mindless. there was a video i watched quite a bit in my childhood which showed elves cobbling shoes, but because they sang a song - it looked like a very enjoyable job. i felt like that was something that needed to be conveyed in this symbol, because some people love the work and some don't.

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THE BOTTLE:

ACCOUNT:
this symbol is for the residents of the fine art building, also called the galef building. when i looked into how the galef family made their money, i learned that the family has a history in alcohol distribution, from los angeles and chicago specifically.

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LOG BEARD FACE:

STORY:
this symbol is for the people who can grow beards.

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UPSIDE-DOWN AL CAPONE:

ACCOUNT:
this symbol is for anyone who considered leaving otis at any point. it seems like the ends can justify the means. as people might be churning this in their minds, i feel like people get many things backwards when considering the big picture. i took a reference from a russian gang tattoo, and tried to discuss the meaning of al capone in crime, currency, and power by flipping him. in korean, it reads without - which is what would happen if they left.

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SPOOL AND NEEDLE:

ACCOUNT:
for the people who prefer to make things with their hands, the needle and spool are the epitome of handmade.

LAYOUTS

2010-04-07T22:44:00.001-07:00

ACCOUNT:
two more symbols to draw.
the layout is being worked and re-worked; it must have intention.
a few i's to dot and negative spaces to check.
i need the pattern and want the system.

FORM – EXTRANEAOUS INFO

2010-01-01T00:06:00.001-08:00

FULL:

ACCOUNT:
one person almost received every symbol offered in the initial printing of HGOSNS. while writing the form - i forgot to write one question; i had forgotten to ask if the participants if they averaged more or less than one shower every two days. sadly, this member washed his member quite often, and, thus, didn't receive the smelly symbol.

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JOYFUL NOTES:

ACCOUNT:
many kind people left nice little notes and drawings all over their forms.

THE BEARD WOULD LOOK LIKE:

LITTLE GRIN:

DILLY-DALLY:

TRUTH:

THE FORM

2010-01-01T00:06:00.000-08:00

BLANK:

ACCOUNT:
this is the form people were required to fill out, which determined which symbols they received on their jackets.

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ALL FORMS:

ACCOUNT:
these are all of the forms i received that were filled out by each member.

THE BOX OF SWEATSHIRTS

2010-01-01T00:05:00.000-08:00

ACCOUNT:
everyone has dropped off their sweatshirts.
i am working to finalize all of the symbols.
i would say around half are finished.

AUDIENCE

2010-01-01T00:03:00.000-08:00

ACCOUNT:
as i was initially brainstorming this project, i had intended for this project to be for a small, select group people. it seemed important to make the group highly selective, because it would allow me to create symbols that could reference very specific things - and have greater significance because of it.

as i thought about it more, that idea seemed nice - but didn't feel like the right project for me at this time. as i began selecting the people who would receive an invite for the project, i quickly realized i wouldn't be able to select only 10. the number of invitations continued to balloon until it ended up around 45, and that was after trying to still be selective.

with the invites out, the project felt more appropriate. this project was something i wanted to share with many people, and it was something i thought people could want to get behind. it would simply be a wearable testament to our time at otis, and be a more thorough version of the OTIS T-SHIRT.

i sat a LARGE BOX out for the sweatshirts, and ended up receiving 23. i was really satisfied with the number and people who chose to participate. i only invited people who i thought would appreciate it, and now i could speak directly to them with their forms and my symbols.

as i moved forward, i wanted to talk about the diversity of the otis student body. i attempted to reference many different drawing styles, languages, and cultures. i felt this would be the most natural way to harmonize with the sundry people who would soon be wearing the sweatshirts.

SKETCHES

2010-01-01T00:02:00.000-08:00

WHERE IT STARTED:

IDEAS FOR JACKET LAYOUTS:

ACCOUNT:
i started early sketches while on SPRING BREAK. from the beginning of the project, i had many thoughts for production - but still needed to investigate how to make everything function properly within a system.

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EARLY SYMBOLS SKETCHES(W/ FEEDBACK NOTES):

IMPORTANCE OF PLACEMENT:

SYMBOL OPTIONS IN EARLY STAGES:

SECOND PAGE OF SYMBOL OPTIONS IN EARLY STAGES:

ACCOUNT:
many of the early sketches were simple, fast, and plain. i began working towards layered imagery quickly - and attempted to find a harmony between obvious and abstraction.

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EARLY LOGO DEVELOPMENT:

HGOSNS SYMBOL WORK:

ACCOUNT:
i had almost completely finished every symbol for the sweatshirt before i took a true attempt at the symbol which would unite all of the sweatshirts. i wanted the language of all of the other symbols to inform the designing of the HGOSNS mark. it needed to be the crown of the whole project, and it was the most enjoyable of all the symbols to design.

THE MARK, IN CASE YOU'VE FORGOTTEN:
THE HGOSNS SYMBOL

INSPIRATIONS

2010-01-01T00:01:00.001-08:00

FROM MOST IMPORTANT TO LEAST:

RUSSIAN GANG TATTOOS

COLLEGIATE SWEATSHIRTS/SWEATERS

HIGH SCHOOL LETTERMAN'S JACKETS

MILITARY UNIFORMS

NATIVE AMERICAN ADORNMENT

AVIATION UNIFORMS

ASTRONAUTS

GANG LETTERING

THE OLYMPICS - UNIFORMS, MEDALS, and DECORATION

YAKUZA TATTOOS

BOXING

ACCOUNT:
i sat for many hours in the otis library scouring books. i took somewhere in the thousands of photos to keep track of everything i liked and thought could be useful.

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PRIMARY:

ACCOUNT:
these books were extremely helpful for research and inspiration. they offered great insight into the tattoos and their backgrounds. i need to say thank you to michelle for lending me these books. this project would not be what it was without your kind lending.

ON AMAZON:
VOLUME ONE
VOLUME THREE

INTRODUCTION

2010-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

the hgosns jacket is my junior communication studio project. the main requirement was that we create a deliverable that was not a publication or poster.

there were probably two things that inspired this project.

first, when i was in the 4th and 5th grade, i wore a grey hoodie all the time. it was my favorite item of clothing and was about as close i have ever come to having my skin become one with another product.

second, otis holds an annual design competition every year for the otis t-shirt. without fail, people always complain about the designs offered - and i am never too excited myself. with that being said, i wanted to create something that was more elaborate than an otis t-shirt; i wanted to create something that was more personal to the experience of an otis student.