Visual Responses

Dear Scott,

It has been some time since we last communicated; the students from last semester's graphic design class at Zayed University would like to share the visual responses they developed based on the research, and the Q&A e-sessions they had with you.

I found the students' reaction to your Vogue cover a great opportunity to extend an invitation for a conversation, and I thank you for responding last semester. The intent of this effort was two fold: 1) an exercise for the students to apply critical thinking, and contribute to the discourse of a complex and very personal subject, and 2) develop a visual response to their experience.

As an educator, I found the discussion to be quite valuable, and hope that the students will continue to develop their concepts. As members of a young, emerging country, they have great potential to contribute to the discussion of world perception of Arab Muslim women.

We very much appreciated you sharing your process and reasons for designing the "6 ways..." Vogue cover, and welcome any additional feedback that you may have, whether it be in reference to their design decisions or their concepts. I recall that you find it important for a student to develop design skills prior to contributing to a critical discussion thus we welcome your feedback on your terms. This is definitely an organic experience.

Thanks again, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Welcome!

Dear Mr. King

My Graphic Design III students and I want to welcome you to this blog, and thank you for taking the time to discuss your Vogue cover "6 Ways...".

As we know, the practice of categorizing individuals based on similarities or the process of stereotyping has its positive and negative influences.

As creatives we also know that the interpretation and reaction resulting from the messages we create and publish will differ from one viewer to another.

Students in my GD3 class have been reviewing the book "Contemporary Graphic Design" by C. & P, Fiell. Some of the works showcased stir exciting critical discussions in class. As female Arab graphic design students, your Vogue cover "6 Ways..." was of particular interest to them, and we felt that what better way to continue the discussion than to invite the designer.



So we thank you for this opportunity to have this online discussion, which we hope will be educational, and will provide energy and inspiration for a final class project, which we hope to also share with you.

So, let's begin the Q&A!