New Ridley Class in 2011: Graphic Design for Dummies!???
Posted on November 17 2009. Comments: 5
Posted by:
Dave Hughes
I am taking Seth Godin's advice, and becoming a really good graphic designer by spending one hour a day for a month on it.
So far today, I've probably spent more like 3 hours - but hey, who is counting! I've looked at this great tool for choosing colour schemes for design called Kuler by Adobe, and rampaged through this great design blog called 'Presentation Zen', which has a great post called Personal Kaizen.
In my line of work graphic design is hugely important. I'm constantly involved in making websites, fliers, presentations, blog posts, articles, videos, courses etc. etc. etc., and as I go further down this path, I'm pretty sure it's going to become increasingly important. Church-planting, sharing the Gospel, starting new ventures, running services, helping gather and mobilise people to serve, all takes communication. And to communicate well you need GOOD graphic design!
Theological college teaches you how to 'preach', how to 'exegete', how to 'think theologically', they even have a class on 'communication', but nothing, NADA, ZERo, zip, on communicating with images or graphic design. I mean, even if people don't have the creativity or natural skills or inclinations towards design, it would still be super helpful to understand and discern what is good and what is bad! Think about all the LAME-O church 'bulletins' out there, not to mention the 'powerpoint' presentations, the microsoft clipart images from the 90s, and the weeeeirrddd church logos - we could save them all, if only we had an eye for design!
Come on RIDLEY Melbourne start a new class in 2011 - 'Graphic Design for Dummies' and make it an ordination requirement!!
Comments
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Arthur Davis says:
I take it even further, Dave—getting good at design isn’t just about communication, it’s about *serving others*. For me, design is a natural part of any Christ-focused work, because any Christ-focused work is *other-centred*.
The first Christians designed their communication using culturally appropriate means (Greek rhetorical conventions such as logos, ethos, pathos—eg in Ephesians). Today, in our image-rich culture, our communication must likewise be appropriate. Design is never a gimmick or an optional extra. There are only two options: good design or bad design.
Monday, 23 November 2009
Luke Isham says:
Obviously those blessed with design skillz and the time to develop them will need to help those without.
Monday, 30 November 2009
Andrew Malone says:
The good news, ordinand Dave, is that the Communications class does include a component on visual communication. (So I’ve heard, anyway. No need to cite a guest comment as an authority.)
I presume we can expect to see this unit on your academic transcript in coming years, and a commensurate critique on your blog? 
Friday, 04 December 2009
Tim Foster says:
I like Dave’s style too. Sadly we won’t be introducing this subject though! Like Dave I taught myself some graphic design during my first Curacy. I bought some books on makeovers, and learnt some really useful stuff. I am not naturally arty, but it has certainly helped me and my church appear professional.
The post raises two interesting issues.
First, shouldn’t we be utilising the gifts and skills of others in just this kind of thing instead of thinking that we have to do it all?
Second, it is helpful to realise that we can’t and won’t learn everything we need for ministry at college. I know Dave is being tongue in cheek, but we need to know what we can expect, and can’t expect from our training.
Chris, I will see what I can do about the RSS so you don’t have to click. Wouldn’t want yoru mouse finger to wear out.
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Friday, 20 November 2009
Chris Bowditch says:
Firstly, my spam check word was hell63… interesting :p
I like your style Mr Hughes.
Also, anyway we can get the full RSS feed coming into our feed readers?
I hate clicking!