Personal Learning Environment Pinball

The map of my Personal Learning Environment is represented as a pinball machine. There are the obvious metaphorical reasons for this illustration such as the playful nature of a personalized approach to learning and the push vs. pull of different places and resources in my life which enable me to learn. As I was deciding on which logos to incorporate in my map, I realized there were three primary ways in which I use knowledge – search, organize and share. Firstly, when I search for information everything else seems to stop. Secondly, as I organize my thoughts and resources I try to use caution so that I will be able to easy relocate these bits of data for future reference. Thirdly, when everything is a go and I’ve made my peace it is time to share my interpretation with the world…or with anyone who will listen at least.

I appreciated Steven Downes quote from his slideshare show that, “The Network is connected and interactive (not ‘integrated’) – small pieces, loosely joined” (http://www.slideshare.net/Downes/connectivism-a-theory-of-personal-learning). I feel my PLE Map demonstrates this in that it depicts the machine (a.k.a. the Network) using multiple pieces to move me (a.k.a. the pinball) around. Personal Learning Environments suggest that we are in charge of our learning to some extent; in my experience, I would argue that we are bound by walls of money, time and motivation. We choose which avenues to take within these restrictions. Sometimes we are cognizant of this process and sometimes it happens subconsciously – maybe that’s what makes it so personal.

PLE MAP

Media Inventory for M.E.C.C.A.

M.E.C.C.A.’s new director, although she has only been there for a month, is clear on which avenues the organization has and will continue to rely on for marketing purposes. The marketing budget for this nonprofit is tight, therefore, M.E.C.C.A. steers away from costly print ads. Flyers and posters are reserved for large exhibitions and events. Instead, M.E.C.C.A. prefers to utilize free social media channels for advertising such as Facebook, Pinterest and Eugene a go-go (please see links below).

 These media channels are deployed mainly through the organization’s website, http://www.materials-exchange.org/. M.E.C.C.A. has recently assembled a marketing team and the director has expressed they would like their established media channels to be more interactive (i.e. a community blog, comment sections, an online teacher resource center forum, etc.). The organization has linked two Youtube videos on their website’s archive page to showcase their efforts in promoting community activism at a local concert as well as an awards ceremony for their Annual Object Afterlife Contest. On the homepage of M.E.C.C.A.’s website, you are presented with another avenue for communication open to the public, the E-newsletter. M.E.C.C.A. works extensively with the Network Charter School of Eugene and NCS’s website presents a limited information page on this nonprofit to nonprofit partnership at http://networkcharterschool.org/content/mecca-ncs.

https://www.facebook.com/MECCAEugene

http://www.pinterest.com/eugenemecca/

http://eugeneagogo.com/Mecca-Materials-Exchange-Center-For-Community-Art/v/KKTUNKJ/

 

 

 

 

Organizational Questions – Brand Identity

 1. What is your organization or company. Give background history including who, when, and why it was founded. MECCA – Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts. This non-profit was founded in 1999 as a grassroots organization dedicated to “diverting useable materials out of the waste stream and into the creative endeavors of our community”. It is largely volunteer run and the board just recently appointed their new director, Heather Campbell, a graduate of the Arts Administration program at UO.

2. What do they do or make – describe the products and services and what makes them unique. MECCA is devoted to three program areas: education, artist services, and Materials Exchange. MECCA volunteers prepare project packets accompanied by sample works of art for schools to use as inspiration. MECCA serves as a venue for local artists to showcase their creative expertises in the studio and during First Friday Art Walk. MECCA’s supply store is made available to anyone interested in purchasing a variety of donated materials that may be used for creative reuse art making. What makes this organization so unique is that it invites artists to host on-site workshops in the studio space where featured projects incorporate the use of recycled materials. For a small, sliding scale fee anyone is invited to come and work in the studio space outside of guided session times to create their own original works of art. According to their website, “By encouraging the creative reuse of scraps and discards, MECCA offers a low-cost and environmentally friendly way for people to express themselves artistically.”

3. Describe the culture of the organization or company. What is the work environment like – the atmosphere? What is the building like – exterior/interior, architecture, fittings and furniture? How do the employees work together? What are the jobs and roles of individuals? How are they treated by management? The work environment may be challenging or somewhat hectic in that the volunteers are faced with the constant challenge of organizing materials in a matter than maximizes storage space. MECCA frequently attempts to liquidate their build up of donated materials through purchasing incentives such as “fill-a-bag for a dollar” clearance events and promoting weekly store supply specials. The organization has just moved into a new building in the heart of downtown Eugene and is now located next to the Eugene-Springfield Amtrak Station. The building is constructed out of brick and there is a large parking lot in front. The building’s interior boasts high ceilings, yet the studio space is fairly small. When you enter through the front door you are greeted by the volunteer store cashier, to your immediate left is the teachers’ resource center and to your immediate right are aisles of shelving with donated materials available for purchase. When you walk past the store section, you enter the studio/workshop space which has additional materials available for art-making. Alongside the wall is a small exhibition area is reserved for featured projects. The furniture and shelving units are eclectic and most likely donated as well.

MECCA is supported by two boards, the Board of Directors and the Advisory Board. The re-use store is entirely volunteer run! The only staff listed on their website is the director and a Network Charter School teacher. MECCA has outlined components of strategic planning as recently as 2012-2013 and is “on a growth trajectory, expanding store hours from 22 to 37 per week” and is actively working to increase its supporting membership.

4. Who is the targeted audience? What are their demographics? MECCA welcomes anyone interested in art and recycling materials to participate in programming or just simply shop the store. This organization thrives on the creative support of artists, recyclers, families and teachers. MECCA also maintains a presence at local arts events such as Art & the Vineyard, Family Days at JSMA, Earth Day, The Whiteaker Sculpture Project in 2001, and at Network Charter School. MECCA supports individuals on an artistic level by providing space and resources and it also supports the city on an organizational level by curbing the amount of waste destined to enter local landfills in the city of Eugene.

5. What is the organization or company mission statement?

“MECCA is dedicated to diverting scrap materials from the waste stream and into the creative endeavors of our community. MECCA provides access to low-cost arts programming in an inclusive environment that enhances the cultural life of Lane County.”

Resources:

 MECCA Website, http://www.materials-exchange.org

 Press Release, http://www.materials-exchange.org/documents/MECCA_ED_HeatherCampbell.pdf

 

logo critique

Sarver Winery, http://sarverwinery.com/

This is where I work. I really enjoy their logo because I’m a sucker for balance and it tells a story. I don’t have the heart to break it to the owners about the Papyrus and no wonder it’s one of the most hated fonts because it simply makes me cringe. The isolated logo design is intriguing in that the vines create an illusion of antlers behind the crest. It may be a too busy or odd shaped for logo display in digital contexts, but if you knew the Sarvers this would make perfect sense – their disinterested in merchandising and are adamant about not “doing what everyone else does”. The winery is a family owned business with three years under it’s belt and as it continues to evolve perhaps so will the logo. For now, I appreciate the simplicity of the letters/shield design and believe this creates a nice contrast with the intricacy of the grapevines. If I could rework the logo I would clean up the foliage elements and create more variety in line stroke.

http://www.logomoose.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/music-poet.jpg

This logo was pulled from a post on music industry logo designs. I like the playful juxtaposition of a traditional calligraphy tool symbolized in a contemporary online platform. The all lowercase letters read clean and are comfortably spaced beneath the pen tip imagery. The word combo is provoking and the subtle note created by the offset line and negative space circle center is sharp and clever. The pyramid layout makes it so the title reads simultaneously with the logo and vice verse, the words and graphic working inseparably. The monochromatic color scheme is powerful here and would be easier to work with from a production stance.

 

www.mtv.com

Love this old school logo for MTV! Nice use of the hard-edge trompe l’ oeil effect with the block font capital M. Identifies with a generation(s) of people. The active, humanist stylization of the tv creates a nice overlay of text. I appreciate the square format of the overall piece, how the logo enjoys a compact existence free from the constraints of say a logo designed with radial symmetry. The company has given this icon a sense of evolution by exploring gradients and patterns of color over the years. I don’t know if I speak for everyone when I say the M somehow evokes a television.