Division Twelve’s Twigz Is Small in Stature, Big on Impact

By in Design

High impact meets compact design in Division Twelve’s new Twigz café collection, created in collaboration with design duo Jones & de Leval. The furniture family’s throughline is a minimal frame with a small footprint, proving you don’t need visual heft to make a big impact. Twigz’s design details are ready to add plenty of interest to any small space, with both indoor and outdoor options available. Combine stackable chairs, benches, and tables to create a unique setup that’s all your own.

Twigz offers plenty of options to make it happen. Steel or upholstered chairs, round or rectangular table, and 20 powder coat colors are your creative playground. The one thing you won’t have deliberate is whether to play up form or function – Twigz does it all. Furthermore, the collection does so while being fully carbon neutral. Watch below to learn more about Twigz:

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Kelly Beall is senior editor at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based graphic designer and writer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, and enjoys sharing her finds with others. When undistracted by great art and design, she can be found making a mess in the kitchen, consuming as much information as possible, or on the couch with her three pets. Find her @designcrush on social.

Clemson’s first digital brand communications cohort moves into their second and final year

By in Art World News

Clemson’s first digital brand communications cohort moves into their second and final year

This is what they’ve covered so far and what they’re excited to tackle next.

By: Drew Henry

In the fall of 2022, Clemson University partnered with the Erwin Center for Brand Communications to launch an MBA with an emphasis in digital brand communications (DBC). The well-received program is built around traditional analytics, focusing on the creative skillset of marketing and branding — preparing students for a market where consumer connections and data reign supreme.

“This program resonated with students and became so popular because it is so unique,” explains Academic Program Director Jane Layton, Ph.D. “MBA programs traditionally are designed for a broad range of students, but this concentration appeals to creative minds who want to implement data for more compelling branding.”

The two-year part-time hybrid program is designed for working professionals, many of which are already in marketing roles looking to further enhance their brand communications. Classes are taught in a way that allows students to immediately implement what they learn in their careers, addressing real-time work challenges and exploring new tools.

“We selected professors for the program because of their direct corporate marketing and branding experience alongside their academic qualifications,” Layton continues. “Additionally, we coordinate speakers on the cutting edge of industry tools and trends to enhance the coursework. It really sets this program apart from others out there because it is so adaptable to the quickly evolving world of branding and communications.”

Classes covered in year one

DBC concentration year one coursework centered around marketing and branding strategies and the appropriate tools and platforms for effective delivery. “These classes gave them the tools to better understand branding, how consumers interact with brands, how to reach the right audience and how to tell that story in an engaging way,” adds Layton. Designed as a cohort-style schedule, students from various professional backgrounds attend the same classes together throughout the program. This format builds networking, peer-to-peer learning opportunities and a strong bond among classmates.

Brand insights and digital trends covered how brand strategy fits into a cohesive marketing plan. Course content included brand strategy development, design, program implementation and equity measure in the digital era.

Digital content strategy

Ankita Bakre, Ph. D., has over 20 years of corporate brand-building experience.

Taught by Professor Ankita Bakre, digital content strategy looked at how brands build audiences through digital channels and how to evaluate effectiveness with company goals. “The most challenging and enjoyable part of the first year was creating the course, keeping in mind the learning needs of marketers with varying lengths of professional experience and diverse industry backgrounds,” Bakre explains. “The strategic focus was on organic learning through a robust suite of curated resources and case studies, incisive discussion forums, virtual meet-ups, hands-on projects and industry-leading insights with guest speakers from varied industries, such as fast food, social media tech, global communications and international consulting. The goal was to help these professionals connect with the value of long-term content strategy in brand building and its alignment with business ambitions in an increasingly digital world while also focusing on the emerging industry outlook and trends to help build a strategic viewpoint that would help boost their careers. The experience of teaching the course to the first cohort of DBC was simply unparalleled with the energy, engagement and sheer brilliance of our insight-driven discussions.”

What Clemson MBA students are saying

While the DBC concentration is rigorous, students completing their first year relish in the experience and look forward to their second and final year of coursework. Here’s what they have to say.

“The friendships we’re building and the skills we are sharing to collaborate and elevate each other are invaluable.” —  Jenny Nichols

“It is such a pleasure experiencing this journey with the first cohort of the digital brand communications concentration. These individuals come from various backgrounds and bring invaluable insights to our current marketing courses. Beyond their wealth of knowledge, they are incredibly creative and fun.” — Victoria Roth

“I have really enjoyed the time spent with my Clemson MBA cohort. The digital brand communications focus has been a great fit, and I am already looking forward to learning from Brian Stearns this summer!” — Daniel Austin

“It hasn’t been easy thus far, and we sure have many more hills to climb, but I wouldn’t want to climb them with any other group of superstars!” — Bubba Britton

Classes anticipated for year two

While year one focused on the foundations to become an innovative marketer and brand strategist, year two will use tools and data to explain the strategy behind the creative assets. “These courses will empower students to make strategic decisions as leaders in their field,” explains Layton. “We introduce analytics and digital strategy into this concentration because we believe this holistic approach will give them the cross-functional strategy necessary to work across teams.”

Digital media planning

Brian Stearns, a Clemson MBA graduate in 2017, returns to teach digital media planning.

Digital media planning is a summer course taught by Brian Stearns, a Clemson MBA graduate and owner of RingoFire, a Greenville-based marketing agency. This course will take an experiential approach to media buying and planning amid constant shifts in the media landscape. “How we approach media is changing every five to 10 weeks now,” explains Stearns. “So rather than laying out a blueprint, we’ll be engaging in discussions with media planners, influencers and other guest speakers to examine the human connection that’s at the root of these virtual platforms. Rather than celebrities, billboards and mascots, we — the audience — are becoming the spokespersons for brands. We’ll examine how to unlock the power of user-generated content as its importance grows.” As a former Clemson student, the opportunity to teach in the MBA program is a full-circle moment for Stearns. “My business concept started in a Clemson classroom seven years ago,” says Stearns. “Now, I’m returning to that same classroom to teach. It simply couldn’t get sweeter than that. I’m beyond excited to contribute to the program that was the launching pad for everything I’ve built today. Without Clemson, it wouldn’t have happened.”

Data visualization

Data visualization is a course found in other Clemson MBA concentrations. This coursework teaches students how to use data to inform branding and justify marketing decisions.

E-commerce platforms

E-commerce platforms will focus on how industries can stay relevant in changing e-commerce platforms to drive growth. The coursework will cover e-commerce tools, direct-to-consumer platforms, enterprise resource planning and customer service and conversion strategies.

Digital strategy capstone

Finally, two years of coursework will come together in a real-life application through the digital strategy capstone. For this capstone, students split into groups and work together to identify and solve an active problem in their career through an effective communication plan. Students share cross-industry learning and utilize their expanded experience to deliver a real-world solution they can enact in their current roles.

The first cohort looks to what’s next

As the first digital brand communications cohort enters its second year, students will continue to perfect their understanding of the art and science of brand building. After graduating with their degrees, they will have strategic insight to leverage creative content within digital branding to advance their professional development. “We’re excited to see the full program come together,” says Layton. “Watching the DBC family grow over first-year residency weekends and online chats has been amazing. In this second year of coursework, we’ll see the skills they’ve learned come together through real-life digital marketing strategies to solve current problems in their industries, setting the stage for their next career moves. Upon graduation, we are excited to see this group stay connected and engaged while continuing to give back to future DBC cohorts!”

Want to Discuss?

Get in touch and we will connect you with the author or another expert.

Or email us at news@clemson.edu

Dan Lam’s Radiant Otherworldly Sculptures Evoke Interstellar Phenomena in ‘Cosmic Shake’

By in Art World News

Dan Lam’s Radiant Otherworldly Sculptures Evoke Interstellar Phenomena in ‘Cosmic Shake’

“Waxing.” All images © Dan Lam, courtesy of Chefas Projects, shared with permission

Oozing over the edges of shelves and dolloping tendrils across flat surfaces, Dan Lam’s vibrant sculptures (previously) play with form and space. Using polyurethane foam, epoxy resin, and acrylic, the Dallas-based artist makes otherworldly sculptures that appear like alien substances from outer space, apropos to the pieces in her upcoming solo exhibition, Cosmic Shake. 

The artist created 52 new works for the show at Chefas Projects with galactic titles like “Dark Side,” “Waxing,” and “Stellar Wind” that glob and bubble in saturated color gradients and textures. She continues to play with new shapes, sizes, and patterns. “I have discovered that experimenting with scale has altered my approach to materials,” Lam tells Colossal. “This shift has presented new challenges to overcome, but it also leads to new opportunities. Recently, I have been exploring different textures and methods of paint application.”

Cosmic Shake is on view from July 7 through August 5 in Portland, Oregon. Lam has also installed her largest piece to date in the newest Meow Wolf location in Grapevine, Texas, which opens July 14. Find more on the artist’s website and Instagram.

 

An abstract, colorful sculpture made of resin, acrylic, and polyurethane foam that looks like it is oozing onto a shelf.

“Dark Side”

An abstract, colorful sculpture made of resin, acrylic, and polyurethane foam that looks like it is oozing onto a shelf.

“Stellar Wind”

An abstract, colorful sculpture made of resin, acrylic, and polyurethane foam that looks like it is oozing onto a shelf.

“Limb”

Two abstract, colorful sculptures made of resin, acrylic, and polyurethane foam that look like they are oozing onto shelves.

Left: “Zero.” Right: “Nova”

An abstract, colorful sculpture made of resin, acrylic, and polyurethane foam that looks like it is oozing onto a shelf.

“Nebula”

An abstract, colorful sculpture made of resin, acrylic, and polyurethane foam that looks like it is oozing onto a shelf.

“Synchronous Rotation”

An abstract, colorful sculpture made of resin, acrylic, and polyurethane foam that looks like it is oozing onto a shelf.

“Absolute”

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Dan Lam’s Radiant Otherworldly Sculptures Evoke Interstellar Phenomena in ‘Cosmic Shake’ appeared first on Colossal.

Landscape Photography in the Middle of the Day

By in Photography

Landscape Photography in the Middle of the Day

Most of the time, when you think of landscape photography, you probably think of golden hour, with soft and warm light spilling across the scene. And while that can make for fantastic images, if you restrict yourself to just a few hours a day, you are missing out on quite a few opportunities. This great video tutorial shows you the benefits of landscape photography in the middle of the day.

Coming to you from Brendan van Son, this excellent video tutorial discusses landscape photography in the middle of the day. While golden hour can provide some fantastic opportunities, you can make compelling photos in any kind of light at any time of day. The key is to understand what types of photos different qualities of light are conducive to rather than trying to fight the light and will images into existence, particularly through extreme editing. It can also be a great time to scout different locations you would like to shoot in different light so you are prepared when you return. Check out the video above for the full rundown.

And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out “Photographing The World 1: Landscape Photography and Post-Processing with Elia Locardi.” 

Best Aerial Photography: Winners Of The International Drone Photo Awards

By in Photography

Best Aerial Photography: Winners Of The International Drone Photo Awards

The ‘Photo Of The Year’ and the winners in nine categories of the Drone Photo Awards 2023, have been released by the renowned Siena Awards festival of visual arts that organizes the competition.

The overall winning shot, ‘Must Resist’ by Israeli photographer Or Adar, depicts thousands of protesters partially concealed by three enormous billboards in Tel Aviv, during demonstrations in March against the government.

The competition is open to aerial images and videos taken from flying platforms that include fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, balloons, blimps and dirigibles, rockets, kites and parachutes.

The Drone Awards contest, according to the organizers, is “the most important worldwide competition about aerial photography and video, dedicated to a different photographic genre deliberately separated from being compared to traditional photography.”

This winning photograph, along with the other awarded entries, were selected from thousands of submissions received from participants from around the world and will be showcased in the exhibition “Above Us Only Sky” taking place for the first time at the extraordinary San Galgano Abbey in the beautiful historical city of Siena, Italy.

The Siena Awards festival will run from September 28 to November 19.

Photo of the year

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Israeli cities in March to protest against a government plan to overhaul the country’s court system.

This aerial view was taken in Tel Aviv.

Sports

Amidst intense cold, the renowned tightrope walker Nathan Paulin successfully crossed a 200-meter-long, 2.5-centimeter-wide “highline” at Pointe d’Areu in the Aravis range in France’s Haute-Savoie at an altitude of 2,460 meters.

This incredible achievement required the dedicated efforts of a team of six individuals over the course of three days to execute this world premiere.

A group of runners at the start of the Dead Sea Marathon, racing towards the misty horizon as they appear to be crossing the sea in a manner reminiscent of the biblical story of Exodus from Egypt.

Wildlife

In the eastern province of Sri Lanka, wild elephants with their keen scavenging instincts have developed a peculiar, distressing and dangerous behavior of searching for food in a designated garbage dump near the forest.

It’s disheartening to witness these majestic creatures resorting to such destructive and unhealthy habits.

A shark gracefully glides through a dense school of menhaden fish off the coast of Southampton, New York, during the summer of 2022.

Groups of king penguin chicks congregate around a freshwater pond in Gold Harbour on the remote island of South Georgia. Both molting adults and chicks refrain from entering the water due to their non-waterproof feathers. Instead, they gather near freshwater sources to stay hydrated.

Ng snapped a bird’-eye view of a group of buffaloes dipping in a pond to cool off on a hot sunny midday. The contrasting colors of the buffaloes and their surroundings created an eye-catching, earth-toned image.

In Baja California Sur in Mexico, gray whales interact with people as if they were friends (in Spanish “amigos”).

Urban Settings

A playground full of joy hidden somewhere deep in the south of Poland shows its beauty in the first flash of sun from above. This region is known for its mines and strongly urban character of architecture, so such a colorful playground is a kind of pearl on the ground and also from the air.

The 14th-century church tower in Italy stands as a poignant reminder of the sunken village of Curon Venosta. In 1950, the entire village was submerged following the construction of a dam, resulting in the creation of the artificial basin known as Lake Resia. Today, only the church tower remains.

The human-shaped town of Centuripe in the Enna province of Sicily glows in the rainbow light of sunset.

The Taj Mahal emerges at dawn — seen here from the Yamuna River side. A layer of clouds and mist was covering the river, imparting a floating, surreal look to the timeless Mausoleum.

People category

Sun-lovers bring their brightest towels, swimsuits and umbrellas to the shores of Cascais, Portugal, creating a wonderful, vibrant wallpaper when viewed from above.

At the onset of spring, the people of Iranian Kurdistan joyfully embrace the arrival of the new year by kindling a bonfire and merrily dancing around it. This tradition, called Nowruz, is celebrated in various countries.

In a salt dune, two women and four men are working and creating patterns. It helps to soak the salts in sunlight. They work six days a week from 9:00 am to 5 pm, creating multiple patterns that impress especially from overhead.

Opening the day at the strawberry field looks from above like the opening of a theater curtain before a big show. This shot was taken at the end of winter near the Israeli city of Hadera.

Haitians wait at Dajabo to cross the border to the Dominican Republic for Friday’s binational market day.

Nature from above

The beauty of the cycle of life, as fallen trees rest gracefully in dried-up ponds amid autumn’s vibrant hues. The photo was taken in South Bohemia when the ponds dry before winter.

“I have visited this place several times before,” said Vijayan. “But last year it was disheartening to witness the sea ice melting as early as June. Our ship was able to navigate through the melted ice and reach the ice cap. However, even the ice cap had begun melting earlier than usual.”

From above, this drone photo of a geothermal pool in Iceland looks like an eye.

“When visiting the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland, I never thought that I would get the best image while the volcano was dying out,” Viñé writes. “At that time, the volcano was intermittent and every 10-12 hours of eruption it would die out. One of those times I saw a skull…smoking.”

Abstract Category

The Colorado River basin has been severely impacted by a combination of poor management and prolonged drought, reaching a critical point of no return. The intricate patterns formed by the water, metaphorically resembling the lungs of the earth, have become depleted and are teetering on the edge of collapse.

An alluvial river flows like a river of fire from the mountains to the ocean on the southern shoreline of Iceland — an island country that serves as a mecca for aerial photographers.

This photo is one of a series: Thousands of vibrant red chili peppers are harvested under the scorching sun before being sorted for delivery to spice companies in Sariakandi, Bogura, Bangladesh.

More than 2,000 women work across nearly 100 chili farms in Bogura to supply local spice companies with high-quality chilies for their recipes. Among the vast quantity, they meticulously pick out any inferior chili peppers. Chilies hold great significance in Bengali cuisine, widely enjoyed in Bangladesh, and are incorporated with other spices in a variety of meat dishes, including chicken and beef.

All galleries of winning photos and series here.

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