Major Media Project- Detroit Sprouts

I have created a logo and plan to create a pamphlet and possibly other materials as well.  My project changed from what I originally thought it would be because as a mother I know I have a great need for affordable, quality childcare.  Supporting families is a vital part of community building.  Being a parent is a constant balancing act.  Most parents do not have the resources or support they need.  What does a single parent do when family is not an option.....  They have to rely on the community around them or their child may not receive the care they need.  I have looked at timebanks in the area and thought it would be helpful if it were possible to simply plug into those already existing networks but they are generally restrictive in terms of zip code and may not span the full area where possible members may live.    I would like it to be open to parents and non parents so that it operates as a timebank but is centered around our children and building communities.

My Journey into Detroit Future Media


The workshops in graphics and entrepreneurship  have been intensely transformative.  The entrepreneurship track required that we first take a look at our relationship to capitalism and how we live, love, and lead.  We then applied these principles to our ventures.  Then we learned about the actual mechanics of a business. The media workshops required that we use the skills being taught to create our own work.

I participated in the full four sessions of graphic design and print making.  At the beginning of the graphics workshop we were given a sketch book and colored pencils so that we could practice putting our vision on paper and to help facilitate the creative process. We learned the fundamentals of design and the process for creating logos. During the first class we had to interview one of our classmates and then use the information we used to sketch a logo, in class!  We had a very short time frame to execute this.  Then we all looked at each others logos and critiqued them.  We then got a lesson about what types of questions to ask a client.  We then interviewed our teachers and were given the homework to create a logo for our teacher and to redo the logo for our class mate.

This was the revised logo for my classmate. She wanted something that was small yet possessed a big spirit and strength.  She loves color.  I did not like my first rendition of the leaf so I taped a new leaf down as I was pressed for time.

Brainstorming.  He wanted specific letters, numbers and element.  

Rough draft.

Final logo.  

I personally didn't like the cliche symbol that I chose but it had all the elements and it was representative of many of the character traits we were given. I would have liked to develop other ideas had time permitted.

Final Project- Graphics #1

We created a piece of original art on a board that was supplied to us, any media could be used.  It needed to represent Detroit's past, present, and future.The graph-like streets represent the narrow way of thinking that we may have used in the past. The blue and green are two aerial photos of the Detroit river that I spliced.  For me these represent the present.  The colors are quite beautiful and are diverse.  The organic side is actually a microspopic pickture of mysillium which is the more organic and grassroots future I envsion.

In Graphics #2 we started by creating a business card to help us start learning Illustrator.  We were then given the task of creating images that would be printed on our binders.  We were given specific elements that needed to be incorporated.

The next project was to create a logo for a client while working in a group. This was challenging.  We had three people working on the design. 

My early stages of development, idea behind these spirals was the Fibonacchi sequence.  

We were not completely satisfied with our finished product but we had to present something for the sake of professionalism.  

We also learned how to use photoshop.  Also, how photoshop and illustrator can be used together and what are the benefits of each program.  In the third workshop we were given time to work on our individual major media projects.  I chose to work on a logo.

These were several renditions of a logo for a childcare collective I am creating for my major media project.  In the print making workshop we printed shirts.  I used this final rendition of the Detroit Sprouts logo.  

What is your vision statement for your major project?

To create something that will not only create change in our communities but, also be a viable business.  



What ideas do you have for your major project?

*A product
*A Distribution system for Detroit made goods that will help with distribution as well as help facilitate    growth and sustainability in the businesses.
* Creating menus and marketing materials for a friends' catering business that is still in it's infancy.



What are you planning to investigate and how does it support your vision of Detroit’s Future?

I would like to investigate many things.  How to bring more money to the city of Detroit and help socially conscious businesses thrive.  How to bring better food options that are accessible especially when on the run.  How to support families with an emphasis on single mothers.  How business can be used to uplift our communities. How Detroit can create a sustainable economy.



What media skills do you need/want for to complete your major project?

I'm super excited to learn graphic design and print making as these skills are applicable to all businesses and non profits.  It can also be a determining factor on whether a venture will fail, exist or thrive.