SYMBOLS - SIZE REFERENCE

ALL SYMBOLS TOGETHER:


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

THE SYMBOL

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

SYMBOLS - CIRCLES

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

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

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.