ceci n'est pas une blog. http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/ Theorizing that one could make an impact within his own lifetime, Topher McCulloch stepped into the Chicago design scene and vanished .... en Copyright 2013 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:08:17 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.31-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss this is not a blog ...and say we did
You can find my current happenings at MyrthCo or view my portfolio.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2011/08/this_blog_is_defunct.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2011/08/this_blog_is_defunct.html random Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:08:17 -0600 Tokyo

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2008/10/tokyo.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2008/10/tokyo.html random Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:45:41 -0600 A redesign of sorts


Rooftop dining, originally uploaded by tofu mugwump.

The gray of this site was really starting to get to me, so it was time for a new template and some color tweaks. The new banner comes from some photos of a roof top dinner party I had when Art Guild visited back in June. Ah. Summer is at an end. As of a month or so ago. Hrmph.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2008/10/a_redesign_of_sorts.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2008/10/a_redesign_of_sorts.html Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:06:03 -0600 Make it big. Make it read.


Make it big. Make it read., originally uploaded by tofu mugwump.

I know the type is bad. That's the point.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2008/02/make_it_big_make_it_read.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2008/02/make_it_big_make_it_read.html random Sun, 17 Feb 2008 19:23:33 -0600 Train in the Alps
Train in the Alps
Originally uploaded by tofu mugwump I miss Europe, even if I hated Switzerland.
]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/12/train_in_the_alps.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/12/train_in_the_alps.html Sat, 22 Dec 2007 02:33:23 -0600 The politics of blogging Lately I've been contributing to blog controversy at the Art Guild page, but that's not my only poor updated web presence!

I have a deadjournal dating back to 2000 (high school, angst), a livejournal dating back to 2003 (freshman year of college, super angst), a myspace blog, a facebook account, this poor excuse for a blog, and who knows what else. As you can see, only one of those is really safe to link to though they can all be found easily enough.

I need to compile all the entries someday into a private file and then burn the computer it is stored on. And then make a machine to reburn those ashes. And then burn that machine.

Anywho, someday soon I need to consolidate/remove some of the ancient more embarrassing blogs and make the final blog look halfway decent. I also need to update my portfolio site very badly. At least my flickr page is pretty. My mnartists.org profile is also gaining in content, though currently out-dated.

I am officially done with undergrad two weeks from tomorrow. I plan to refine lots of my past life come then, as I'll have all the time in the world come then. Whee.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/12/the_politics_of_blogging.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/12/the_politics_of_blogging.html random Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:01:48 -0600 readymade CSS layouts The internet these days is just so easy. Check out some cross-browser supported, CSS columnar layouts ready to use.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/04/readymade_css_layouts.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/04/readymade_css_layouts.html Interactive II Sat, 07 Apr 2007 19:02:18 -0600 blog catch-up Week 5: Blog about a Kiosk you have found... What do you think about it? Pros and Cons?
Near TCF Bank on campus, there is an "automated teller machine" which I recently explored. Clear on-screen instructions combined with animated graphics made it apparent I was to insert and remove a magnetic striped card. I entered my personal identification number (2) and a screen with more options appeared. I opted for a withdrawal and selected an amount. The machine asked if I would like a receipt, to which I replied no. I was then issues cash. Of all the kiosks I have interacted with, I like this one by far the most. Bribery may be a factor. I also appreciate that most of the sounds have been disabled, because if anyone used it last fall or before, every key punch made a beep. Annoying. The only con for the machine is that when I take money out, a matching amount is removed from my bank account. I'd prefer free money.

Week 8: Why is accessibility using css important or not important for your current web design project?
Annie and I are redesigning the Arrowhead Regional Art Council website, which provides numerous grants to artists and art organizations in the area. Accessibility is essential, because access to the grant applications and information must be universal to provide equal access. If the site is not accessible, disabled artists would be unable to use the provided services.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/03/blog_catchup.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/03/blog_catchup.html Interactive II Sat, 17 Mar 2007 17:25:00 -0600 final variations for senior show material I am so incredibly f***ed.

Postcards

postcard.jpg

I think this is a keeper. I'm okay with having an entirely different look from the posters, and the cut up look of the photograph with the fading typography conveys the disconnect of the Chris/Topher christopher idea. Now to figure out if handwritten type works on the back. Augh.

postcard3.jpg

I was very pleased with myself when I decided to dot the "eye."

postcard4.jpg

Eh. Not as strong I think.

11x17 Posters

hair-posters-1.jpg

Same concept as my other posters, only I finally drew my 9th grade hair (unifies the series). I switched back to a sans-serif typeface. The color adds a lot, but I'm still deciding between Avenir or Din Schrift. Both look a little friendlier than some sterile modernist thing.

hair-posters-2.jpg
I think the larger type will work better for screen printing. I have already screenprinted 10 or 12 posters of just hair. Now I just need to make screens for type and test it out.

hair-posters-3.jpg


8.5" x 11" Posters

hair-posterssm-1.jpg
I'm not sure why I ventured into the 8.5" x 11" poster territory. Maybe because I need to see things printed, and my printer can't go any larger. With the book pages I could theoretically glue a real book page to each poster and do a hand-inked hair illustration (they take like a minute). It's cheaper to incorporate color that way because I can print everything at home.

Note the book's title: The Last Hurrah. This could double as a show title (since my name is the real title). Anyone paying attention would notice each poster has a different head of hair and a different page from the same book, which I think would be a cool postering exercise.

hair-posterssm-2.jpg

hair-posterssm-3.jpg
The hair isn't as effective in the 8.5" x 11" format.

The gallery guide has been nixed. There is no way I am going to finish any extra design material for my show. I still have 10 paintings to finish (17 days... Jesus), some photos to matte, all of my labels, printing of this material, and a printmaking portfolio due Tuesday. I need to find a couch and someone to commit to driving me. I need a few people. I will have a lot of shit to hang come March 20th.

Why am I going to Chicago for spring break? A brief bit of rest before my complete mental break maybe.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/03/final_variations_for_senior_sh.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/03/final_variations_for_senior_sh.html Graphic Design III Sat, 03 Mar 2007 23:58:49 -0600 thumbnails for project II (tweed website revamp) Click the thumbnails to open a larger version.

tweed website thumbnails . tweed website thumbnails . tweed website thumbnails

Presentation? We don't need no stinkin' presentation! Web design is so much about boxes inside other boxes. No wonder everyone wants rounded corners and drop shadows. I'm excited to make the Tweed website look like every other site (content everywhere! the hobloginization of the web! boxes! columns! lists!). It should be exciting. I am leaning towards the design on the bottom left of the third set of thumbnails. Header with Tweed name/logo and a photograph of the interior, Sax Gallery icon to right, with a large "feature" image of a current exhibition flanked by thumbnails for other current exhibitions. The column on the right is for weekly events like speakers and student exhibitions. Below the feature current exhibition there's space for upcoming exhibitions and a "modular" space for store specials, featured work from the collection, announcements, etc.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/03/thumbnails_for_project_ii_twee.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/03/thumbnails_for_project_ii_twee.html Graphic Design III Sat, 03 Mar 2007 17:55:47 -0600 purple monkey dishwasher

Do you find the above image distracting? If it were on a billboard and you were driving, would you get into an accident? Duluth is seeking to restrict electronic billboards, which at this point is a little silly I think. The signs are not yet animated. They are static images, that maybe have one to three frames per advertisement. The motion is limited. LED signs have been in use for at least two decades I think. I don't know how many people crash their car looking what time it is on the bank sign. Who knows, the temperatures are surprising in Duluth, so perhaps someone has gotten distracted by a Walgreen's display.

If billboards become televisions, then yes, they need to be regulated. Otherwise, it's just a way to display information that doesn't require paper and paste, which seems like a positive change from decaying billboards.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/03/purple_monkey_dishwasher.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/03/purple_monkey_dishwasher.html Interactive II Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:19:05 -0600 oh my blog I forget that professor make syllabi (or blog assignment listings as the case may be) for a reason. Also, blogging is the least like responsibility at this moment, so it wins out.

What is a good font for web / interactive design?
For the past four-six years I would have said Verdana and nothing else. Before that I had an unfortunate courier phase. Now that I am trying to design websites instead of just making them, I am at a loss. There are very few useful articles on web typography because its a difficult field. There was a period where it looked like font on demand downloading would become a standard feature, but conflicting systems and licensing issues have more or less killed that technoloy. Research a few months ago revealed these as "universal" display fonts: times new roman, georgia, andale mono, arial, arial black, impact, trebuchet ms, verdana, comic sans ms, courier new

Naturally I don't recall my source. Of those, courier is awful for almost all circumstances, times new roman is overused, impact and arial black look terrible for body text, and don't get me started on comic sans.

That leaves Georgia (a handy serif), Andale Mono (not much better than Courier New), Arial (which I've been using more lately), Trebuchet MS (a refugee camp of recovering Verdanites), and our good friend Verdana.

Yikes.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/03/oh_my_blog.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/03/oh_my_blog.html Interactive II Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:08:17 -0600 20 spreads for project II The spreads can be viewed here on a good day when my website does not suck. Augh.

Things to do:
Finalize gallery guide, postcard, poster by next Tuesday (must be approved)
Get estimates
Finish Screenprinting posters
Send to printer

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/02/20_spreads_for_project_ii.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/02/20_spreads_for_project_ii.html Graphic Design III Tue, 27 Feb 2007 14:50:09 -0600 possible non-profit website makeovers Duluth Rotary Club
Greater Downtown Duluth Council
Kitchi Gammi Ya Ya Ya
Arrowhead Regional Arts Council
Armory Center

Group members: Annie Haubenhofer, Laurie Lawrence, Topher McCulloch

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/02/possible_nonprofit_website_mak.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/02/possible_nonprofit_website_mak.html Interactive II Tue, 27 Feb 2007 14:34:26 -0600 Gallery Guide Roughs Front:
11x17folda.jpg

Back:
11x17foldb.jpg

It's designed to fold down into a map-like shape: 8 columns and 3 rows. I decided a simple accordian format would be too boring, and booklets folded down from 11x17 seemed too small. Folding down an 11x17 into this map format, however, makes the page seem much much bigger. I need to integrate the imagery better (I'd like to break the grid more instead of having a ton of equal sized rectangles), and the line through the white space on the bottom is space for a timeline of my life. The idea is that the gallery guide is literally a "guide" to my life, leading through all the development up to now. It's also a prototype for a "designer's memoir" which is told primarily through images and all that ephemeral crap kept around. Someone pointed out that that's the function of a scrapbook, but my approach is a little more abstract.

I have a prototype printed that I'm going to write all over and try to think of ways to enhance the design and content.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/02/gallery_guide_roughs.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mccu0154/mugwump/2007/02/gallery_guide_roughs.html Graphic Design III Fri, 16 Feb 2007 02:27:23 -0600