John Caserta » Graphic

Moderating panel at “A Better World by Design” conference

jc — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:23:19 +0000

I am moderating a panel this Sunday that includes top practitioners in the field of communication-based design. Julia Vasker from Hyperakt, Scott Stowell from Open, Lindsay Kinkade from Little Giant and Steve Duenes from The New York Times graphics department. The panel is part of the Brown and RISD student-run conference, “A Better World by Design,” a completely student-organized conference that places innovation and impact over individual success (their words).

We’ll be at Brown’s Granoff Center, Studio 1, on Sunday October 2 from 9:30am to 10:45am.

You must register in Salomon Hall (Brown University green) to attend — starting at 8:30 am on Sunday or from 8am to 6pm on Saturday.

W More information at abetterworldbydesign.com

Lessons learned from the panel

Updated Oct. 4

Design process

Design process is not a conveyer belt, but a group that works together from beginning

Julia Vakser couldn’t remember the last time one person took a project from start to finish. I wonder how collaboration works as equals? Subcontracting is one thing, but “co” laboring is another.

When you start out, don’t just take work to pay the bills. You might find yourself doing that 15 years later. Scott Stowell

Do what you’re passionate about says Lindsay Kinkade

End forms

Design is a conversation not an end form. Lindsay is wrestling with how to show the work she’s doing because it involves facilitation and culture change.

Design is about systems/modules/parts that can be put to work. Gone is the perfect end form. Scott spoke of making posters like churning butter — not so common.

Concept (Scott) and content (Steve Duenes) are way more important than the end form. If the client is talking about color, then the concept is home free. (Scott)

Scott showed a big green dot as a solution to a logo for “the big green planet.” He said there were many proposals just like it, but they liked his the most. I wonder was it the presentation? The people? The portfolio backing it up?

“Not all films need to be documentaries”

Work that ends up not as you want can simply not be promoted … except if you’re The New York Times, then you have to wait a day to disown it.

Designs that made a difference

Workers after Sept. 11 cut out New York Times maps and used them onsite to do their work

Lindsay’s work on health communication that reduces errors in hospitals

If you want to change the world, you need to know what’s going on in the world said Lindsay. She and Scott praised the New York Times’ work.

Reuters Financial Infographics

jc — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:33:15 +0000

Reuters Financial Infographics is an automated, full-service solution created specifically for newspapers. At the end of each market close, six different layouts are created from a custom formatted Reuters feed. Coded in applescript and postscript by Hanaan Rosenthal, the charts are fully editable once produced. Launched 2009.

The Normandy Campaign Interactive map

jc — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 07:43:20 +0000

High resolution touch screen display (30″ 2560×1600 pixels) installed at the new Normandy American Visitor Center in France. Includes detailed map of troop position and the front line at key intervals in the quest to conquer Paris. In-depth stories and video are available for each division at each interval. Located towards the end of the museum focusing on the effort to regain Paris.

Credits: John Caserta, designer, developer; Jori Ketten, production; Gallagher & Assoc, exhibit design

Circle of Blue Diagram

jc — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 18:54:43 +0000

Diagram of fresh water sources and issues of water management in the Tehuacán Valley. Illustrated, animated and scripted for a special report by the Circle of Blue.

NY Times Magazine chart prototypes

jc — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 02:48:49 +0000

Six chart solutions for the following information: “Percent in selected countries who say that the following are a ‘great danger’ to world peace.” These graphics were not published, but were commissioned by the graphics department of The New York Times. Completed 2007.

NYTimes.com Exit Poll Results

jc — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 01:36:42 +0000

Designed and scripted in Flash for The New York Times on the Web. 2006.

W See the House results
W See the N.Y. Senate results
W See how voters responded to the issues

NYTimes.com Sector Snapshot

jc — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 02:46:22 +0000

See the S&P500 companies by group (sector). The online application compares company performance both in the short-term and long-term. This program was commissioned to coincide with the newspaper’s print version … both appearing when the daily stock tables were dropped in April 2006.

Credits: John Caserta, designer; Joshua Sullivan, developer; The New York Times business and graphics departments

Burying Pope John Paul II

jc — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 16:38:44 +0000

I was the onsite graphics reporter covering the death of Pope John Paul II for The New York Times graphics department. My research lead to many print graphics, including the ongoing coverage of the length of the line to see the body lying in St. Peter’s.

September 11 CD-ROM

jc — Wed, 11 Sep 2002 17:53:54 +0000

Design and programming for 16 Flash-based graphics included on the Chicago Tribune’s 2002 September 11 tribute CD-ROM. Illustrations, for the most part, created by the Chicago Tribune graphics department.

World’s 35 Tallest Buildings

jc — Fri, 27 Apr 2001 22:46:10 +0000

Self-promotional poster created in 2001.