Assignment #1: Journal BLOG

Bio: 

Hello world, my name is Eric Velasquez. I am a senior at San Francisco State University School of Design. My major is Visual Communications Design. I have always been interested in art and design. For as long as I could remember, I would marvel at the skills exhibited in galleries, architecture, and sidewalk graffiti pieces. I always wanted to be involved in that world, looking at life through different perspectives, different stories, and different frames. I enjoy playing guitar, going to the gym, creating artworks, exploring life and pursuing different experiences. 

"I realized that most people waste their lives earning a living, and I wanted to live. I love painting, so I keep painting. That's how I became an artist." ~ Pierre Soulages

Inspiration: 

I am inspired by people doing crazy things. Mountain climbers, scuba diving, survivalists, artists, musicians, wildlife photographers, and all things intrepid and on the move. People who follow their passions and pursue their goals never fail to inspire me to do the same. 

Influences: 

Artists like Pierre Soulages or Jean-Michel Basquiat. Local business owners and people who create their lives from the ground up by building a space for other people to come together and enjoy. Other influences would have to be Sir David Attenborough and Steve Irwin, they each brought positivity and an appreciation for nature into my childhood.

Vision or hope: 

I hope to build a community around me, helping people connect, and raise each other up emotionally, financially, and creatively. I want to create strong bonds and help people realize their creative endeavors, and to inspire others to reach out and do the same. I feel that if everyone was more able to express themselves more effectively, then maybe we could ameliorate some of the injustices and problems in our local communities and society. 

Determined...
Honest...
Leader...

Empathetic...
Amicable...
Gregarious...

Proposed Prelim Project:

My proposed preliminary project is Golden Oras. A newly formed group of like minded local Bay Area creatives who are hoping to establish themselves and build up their local community through free creative writing workshops, live performances, newsletters, and fundraising for charities. They are in need of visual designers and graphic artists, and I feel like I could make a positive impact for them and hopefully enhance their ability to reach and build community.

Problem: This new organization has some local visibility and outreach. However, to reach their proposed goals of creating a beneficial outlet for local community members and establishing themselves within the local Filipino culture, Bay Area music/art scene, the Golden Oras and its subsidiaries/side projects must be able to present themselves meaningfully, openly, and effectively. The group lacks visibility, solid brand identity, and design understanding in graphics/posters/flyers/merchandise.

Need: The organization requires design expertise to help establish clear design identity, brand identity, and other forms of effective visual communication to include: posters, marketing, merchandise, logos, usability, task flow analysis, user testing, and case studies.

Who Will Benefit: The immediate members will benefit, grow in reach and scope, and provide more opportunities for local community members as well as other designers and artists. The effective use of design by Golden Oras, its subsidiaries and side projects will create a safe space for locals to express themselves, learn creative writing, arts, and have a space for meeting others, and growing collectively as a community.