In today's Design Alliance Board meeting, there was much discussion about how relevant we want to be as an organization. We developed a "loftyness" scale ranking what our relevance should be to the broader UC Berkeley Design Alliance constituency.
The scale began with the most basic "Down to Earth" needs like: Design 101, typeface use, and competency within our respective offices.
The next "Not So Lofty" level contained those topics that would most inspire our ranks: SF MOMA exhibits, a treatise on Helvetica, and paper choices supporting sustainability.
The uppermost "Lofty" level cited our social responsibility to ourselves and to our environment, and our commitment to be agents of change.
As promised (and as a means to further this discussion) I am including here the essay questions that prospective Art Center students are required to answer as part of the application process. Clearly our professional peers are thinking about this too.
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Undergraduate and graduate students: Who do you believe to be are the three major artists and designers who are shaping the discipline you are interested in pursuing or who have influenced you? These should be individuals who have brought relevence to the world or to you in some social, political, emotional, economic, or other meaningful context. Explain why you feel they are important. In what ways do you want your own work to contribute to or make a difference in the world?
Undergraduate students only: Choose one of the essay questions below and respond in a personal and thoughtful way. We are especially interested in the depth of your thinking, as well as the quality of your writing ability.
1. The ability to think critically and to approach the classroom with curiosity is vital to success at Art Center and in the professional world. Explain something that you once believed to be true that you have since come to question.
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2. Taking a risk comes more easily to some than to others, but for most it will be an important part of becoming an artist or designer. Explain a risk you've taken in your life that has paid off—exploring something new, confronting a fear or problem, or taking a stand on an issue.
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How would each of us answer these? Should we care?
Roland
