Stream update 3-31-2009

Hi all,

Just an update in preparation for Thursday class.

GRAPHICS

The postcard has been sent to the printer -- psprint.com. The cost is $950. We are printing 2000 but only mailing 1100, which means we'll get some money back (the way the automated system worked) which can be used towards brochures and possibly posters.

URGENT next items:

Call for entries poster.
We talked about two copies vertical format. Please send me the latest layout and also price the cost at BPS or other printing service, to see if it's worth printing in this format. Also, see the links below for psPrint. Their prices are very competitive.

Call for entries long poster.
As discussed, this would go in the corridor and be about 3' x 12' or more. It would have a "tricky graphic", like the stretched logo going all the way across that can only be read by getting closer to the wall. The actual info would be grouped at one end. B&W printed at kinko's oce' printer. Need to price. Send me a version of this if you have it.

Call for entries flyer.
Please send me a letter size version (PDF) so that I can print some copies in the DAI office and we can put them on the walls in DAI. If I get it today, they can be up tomorrow.

All these call for entries items are very urgent as the deadline is April 17 and students need to be reminded and encouraged to submit their work.

http://www.psprint.com/posters
http://www.psprint.com/brochures
http://www.psprint.com/vinyl-banners

Other Items:

Exhibit program
Make a list of the information that needs to go on it and decide on a format. I am thinking the list of students showing work might have to be an insert as it will likely keep growing until the last minute.

Exhibit Graphics
Take a look at the wall prototypes in the shop. We have two areas where graphics can be applied (this will likely be vinyl): the white sintra panels and the plywood side pieces. We can use vinyl for the stripes (if we use the stripes) and for any signage, like the exhibit areas: graphics, product, etc.
I would recommend starting a spreadsheet to keep a running list of the items that need to be designed and produced. Google docs is a good place to start the spreadsheet. In conjunction with structures, we'll need to determine exactly where all the units go on the floorplan, and what goes on each unit (inventory).

Website
The collaboration between Joshua Singer and John Roberts (computer science) will take care of most the graphic and backend. However, we are the client in the project and will be providing feedback and approving the design, even making suggestions, whether to use a little bit of Flash for example. The main feature of the website will be the online catalog of the exhibit.

Micah J. if you want to continue on the 3D rendering of the exhibit, we now have all the info in solid works of the wall units.

Projection area
This needs to be designed together with structures

Entry piece and sign
This is likely going to be a single wall unit with the large sign in either vinyl or projected. Needs to be designed.

Outdoor banners
TBD - if budget permits

Labels with course descriptions
Smaller labels with individual project descriptions
The format for these needs to be designed

From now on, my recommendation is that you meet as a group to define the general direction. Decide on it and then each individual works on a separate item, no more duplicating of work. If you don't know what to do or have nothing to do, check with logistics or structures and get assigned to a different task. We can't afford to be idle as we have so little time left.

LOGISTICS

Call for entries
This is highest priority. We need to send out emails again to both teachers and students, but also contact individual teachers and ask if brief presentations can be made in their class. We need to compile a list of people from the class whose job will be to present to the classes and also to periodically remind the teachers about encouraging their students to submit their work. Putting the flyers and the posters up will help the process.

Advertising
Advise graphics to provide you with all the programmed ads for the various publications.

Web presence
reminder to send info for May newsletter
SF_State_Creative_Arts_E_Lert@mail.vresp.com
Matt Itelson
College of Creative Arts -- Publicity
work 338-1442
work matti@sfsu.edu

send info to CAmpus Memo newsletter
pubcom@sfsu.edu

post stream info in all SFSU online calendars
this is a submittal process that can be done online, but it requires some lead time. please check.

email or post stream info to design blogs
research whether sites like AIGA or IDSA have a news section where we might be able to be listed.

Budget
Please update budget and report so we know where we stand.

Donations
Ask Rosa if it's possible to find out if there have been any online donations, if so update our budget.

Catering
IDSA says they will sponsor us. I know they wanted to have their logo in some of the publications. Please check on catering, where they want to have a role. MK told me they spent $1000 on the catering for the portfolio night. Maybe I am wrong, but that sounded terribly expensive for what was served.

Music
Flowers (I might have a source for this)

STRUCTURES

Wall Units
Everybody should look in the shop at the prototypes built so far. They look really great. Like all great things, they take time, on average 1 hour per sheet of plywood. We are building 16 units which means we have 36 hours of just shopbot time ahead of us, plus all the finishing. We will be reusing the lights we have and they work nicely. If not busy, everybody is expected to work on the finishing of the plywood, sanding the edges either with an electric sander or by hand. The white curved material is sintra, a light-weight foam plastic with a hard surface.

Sintra
Order the sintra this week, cut to size and delivered.

Lighting
The light we'll be using have an adjustable arm, this needs to be dismantled and the plugs reconnected. A job for the electrically inclined.

Floor plan
All three groups need to contribute to the final arrangement, to satisfy all the requirements. We now have a very refined 40 scale model with miniature wall units that allows us to try different configurations. Once the arrangement is definite. A drawing needs to be produced indicating location of units (in relation to power outlets) and with distances marked between all the units. This way, when we get in the space we know exactly where each unit goes. We'll mark each unit with a number and each part with left, right, top, bottom, etc. We'll use blue painter's tape and markers, then remove after assembling. There are actually two types of units, one with the shelf convex toward the viewer, and one with the shelf concave towards the viewer. These get arranged in an alternate pattern.

Projection area
This needs to be designed together with graphics

Entry piece and sign
This is likely going to be a single wall unit with the large sign in either vinyl or projected. Needs to be designed.

Stream Team area
Scrapbook area: photos etc of the process.

DAI show history timeline
Examples from past shows (?)

Pedestals (high and low)
Depending on entries and projects submitted.

GENERAL

I am still trying to see if we could add an element of lightness and festivity to the rather imposing wall unit structures. I am thinking light streamers hanging from the ceiling, thin threads that could fluctuate if blown by a fan for example. In other words, how can we make the lines and stripes in our theme more three-dimensional, more like an environment. We could also use projections I suppose.

If anyone has any ideas, please contribute. We have figured out the core of the exhibit, now we just need to make it all dance together.

See you all on Thursday but do email me if needed.

Pino