As an instructor at the Art institute of California – San Diego, each new quarter brings with it the challenge of coming up with a fresh assignment for each class; which incorporates the core competencies of the class, while inspiring the students to be enthusiastic and see the value of how the project will advance their design skills and experience.

Design Team 1 and the Pushpin Project

This quarter one of the classes that I will be teaching is Design Team 1. I have had a lot of experience in team-based projects, indeed that is the main thesis of this blog; so I was excited to take this on, knowing full well the challenges working with students on teams. So I wanted to create a project that would first of all, give them an opportunity to showcase their creative talents within the parameters of real world job specifications and also demonstrate the benefits of collaborative synergy and how it can enhance the productivity of each  member of a team.I think that the Pushpin Graphic is a shining example of how collaboration can benefit all who participate. Creating nothing short of a mastermind group.

My Introduction to the Pushpin Graphic

Back when I was a student I had the opportunity to study at the prestigious School of Visual Arts in New York. The great thing about attending the school is the opportunity to study with legendary graphic designers, typographers and illustrators. I took classes with notable artists such as Milton Glaser, Seymour Chwast, Paul Davis and got to meet James McMullan whose studio was and probably still is, located in the same building as Milton Glaser, Inc. These visionaries are just some of the group of artists who created and contributed to the Pushpin Graphic and later established Pushpin Studios. The publication lasted for eighty-six issues spanning the period of 1957-1980 and the work that came out of there has been a major influence in Graphic Design indeed creating a new design movement.

History of Pushpin Graphic

Pushpin Studios had a major effect on the visual design of the
1960s and 1970s. The two principal founding members, Seymour Chwast and Milton Glaser, achieved extremely high profiles in the graphic-design field, both through Push Pin and independently. But they began in the early 1950s as hungry design students out to make an impression and a buck. They were fabulously successful.

Why I chose this Project – Pushpin Graphic Remix

I feel the this project will give my students a chance to showcase their talents and will serve as a promotional piece. The challenge is to showcase your talent while collaborating with a team to interpret a theme that allows for a lot of creative innovation. I hope it will teach these young creatives the power of collaboration and innovation. I will be posting more about the Pushpin Graphic and more on the project and the experience my students have while doing  it.