It's spring and that means copyright infringement time!!!
Here is one article about what happens when one guy doesn't respect a single artist's copyright. (here's the link. the comments are the important part. Start with comment 3 and keep going for a bit.)
And here is what happens when a multi-billion dollar company doesn't respect a bunch of artists' copyrights.
[Official White House Photos by Pete Souza ]
The Official White House photostream is a chance to see the first 100 days of President Obama's first term of office (I say hopefully) from the most intimate perspective. From quiet moments with his family to official functions, Pete Souza tells a moving story in pictures of a life lived in the public eye. Absolutely stunning portraits.
[Poster by Stefano Joker Lionetti]
Because Obama political humor + obscurist design references = solid gold
[Image from NPR. Credit: Mannie Garcia/ Shepard Fairey]
Thanks to Michael Surtees over at Design Notes for pulling together a comprehensive list of news and information regarding the on-going legal battle between Shepard Fairey and the Associated Press for his use of an AP photo in creating his legendary poster of Barack Obama.
(Seems we're not the only ones who can't stop talking about Obama. Just teasing you, Michael!)
Obama Art Report was set up to archive, document and promote art created about the 44th President of the United States. Items featured thus far include vinyl toys, street art and gallery exhibitions. I look forward to seeing future images!
This is the new poster from Jess Bachman at WallStats.com the creator of the Death & Taxes poster. Not quite available yet, he's using "crowdsourcing" for his proofreaders. We've come a long way. Makes you wonder if we can go as far in the next 389 years.
[Link from BoingBoing, via Madeline.]
[Poster by Shepard Fairey, totally sold out. Check out his new inaugural print.]
Paste Magazine is hosting the ObamiconMe app which lets you upload a photo and convert it into the iconic style of Shepard Fairey's now notorious Obama Hope campaign poster. Here's the Obamicon poster I made:
Goofy but fun. Finished posters can be uploaded to Facebook and various other meme sites.
At noon today even before Obama took his oath, whitehouse.gov switched from being Bush-ruled to Obama-centric. The new site incorporates much of the interactive and web savviness displayed on Obama campaign website. The site is all about functionality and clear design. It lets everyone find Obama's stance on everything from farms to the economy to healthcare in one click while allowing the American public to read his blog.
According to a Reuters article, the public can also has five days to comment on all executive orders and proclamations, as well as all non-emergency legislation, published on the website before Obama signs them. All that and a slide show about past presidential pets makes this one rockin' Whitehouse website.
[Thanks to my husband who pointed this out to me and showed me the AWESOME pet slideshow]
[Detail from the official presidential inauguration invitation, March, 1913.]
Quoted directly from The Citizen's Briefing Book on Change.gov on the power and affect that good design can play in the way our government is perceived by its citizens, how effectively it communicates and how efficiently it can disseminate information.
Change is good, good design is good, but change with good design is monumental.
As citizens, we deserve a government that’s efficient, effective, and respectful. Today it’s easy, even enjoyable, to buy an iPod, track a package, or bank online. In contrast, using our most vital public services – Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ benefits, and others – can be a time-consuming, humiliating nightmare. Americans design great products and service experiences in the private sector; it’s time to bring the same know-how to the public sector. Let’s start by passing legislation that requires professional communications design and writing in any activities that involve government communications with citizens.
Government must invest in quality graphic design and clear language for all its public communications. We need simple forms, easy-to-use websites, quality telephone support, and good signs and communications at public buildings. Well-designed communications can lower costs, reduce errors, encourage compliance, enhance understanding, and increase good will among citizens. Only when government serves the people effectively, with clarity and courtesy, do we achieve the goals of our inclusive democracy.
America has an extraordinary pool of design talent that is respected worldwide. For the benefit of citizens, to support American jobs, and to invest in the information infrastructure that will improve productivity over time, government should be committed to improving the way it communicates.
[From the Citizen's Briefing Book]
Shepard Fairey created one of the most iconic images of Obama in the past presidental election and it looks like the Smithsonian is taking notice. The museum is looking to purchase Fairey's portrait and add it to the National Portrait Gallery making it the first fine art rendering of a president to join the collection. The acquisition is still in the works as the Smithsonian tried to raise the $75,000 need to purchase the piece. It is pretty awesome that a street artist/graphic designer will soon have his work in the Smithsonian. Congrats Shepard!
[Via SuperTouch]
The New York Times published an interview yesterday between Steven Heller and Sol Sender, the designer responsible for creating the most ubiquitous political logo in history. Sender was hired towards the end of 2006 by Mode, a Chicago-based motion graphics firm. Check out the full interview to get the full story.
The Newseum site does a great job of showing over 700 front newspaper pages from 66 countries on this historic day. Pretty amazing to see so many places around the world to be just as excited as America.
Tomorrow Partners have created a series of three inspiring posters in an effort to use design to make a better world. In this particular case, they are urging anyone who reads the posters to get out and vote. The posters can be purchased from their site or printed out for free to help in the grassroots efforts.
[Tip from Grain Edit]
Spread the word and remind people to vote with this downloadable PDF with step-by-step voting instructions compliments of Chronicle Books, Paul Frank and Julius the monkey.
[Link from Chronicle Books]
We've all seen the Shepard Fairey poster of Obama but did you know that he was actually comissioned to create the poster by the Obama campaign to sell on their web site? Yep. Sadly, though, those posters sold out long ago. You can however, still get a poster created by Jonathan Hoefler or Robert Indiana at the Artists for Obama section of the site.
"When I was invited to contribute the first all-typographic poster to the Artists for Obama collection, I knew immediately that I wanted to work with the text of his stirring speech, "A More Perfect Union." Barack Obama is a leader unique in the history of our nation, who not only understands but embodies what it means to be an American in the 21st century: not only to reflect on our rich heritage, but to embrace our possibilities."
-Jonathan Hoefler
Although years in the works, "HOPE" was brought to a passionate finish by Robert Indiana in support of Barack Obama, who he hopes will be our next President. Robert Indiana, American artist and sculptor of the ionic "LOVE" sculpture, has donated all proceeds from the print and the various HOPE products made for the campaign to Barack Obama's run for Presidency and, while he generally stays in the world of art, he finds this election a critical one that will dramatically impact America's future. He encourages people to take a stand and vote Obama.
-Robert Indiana
The AIGA is hosting a Get Out the Vote campaign inviting designers to submit nonpartisan poster designs to inspire Americans to vote in the upcoming election. More information about submitting your design is available to AIGA member at the site.
Alternately, there is an exhibition of 24 selected Get Out The Vote posters on display at the AIGA National Design Center in New York. The exhibition will be on display through October 24, 2008.
AIGA National Design Center is at 164 Fifth Avenue (between 21st and 22nd Streets) in New York City.
Gallery hours are: Monday through Thursday: 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. and Friday: 11:00 a.m–5:00 p.m.
Firebelly Design is a Chicago design firm that specializes in sustainability and social responsibility, both the work they do and the clients they work for. Their work is beautiful and diverse and their clear goal to make the world a better place through design is truly inspiring.
A beautiful, typographic video about the worldwide social and economy changes that can be effected when an emphasis is placed on helping girls in developing countries. For more information, visit The Girl Effect.
We are not alone. The rest of the world isn't pleased with George Bush either. Check out this post of anti-bush graffiti from 25 countries on MatadorPulse.
