THE LAST TIME

I have finally ended my journey with blogger.

Please visit my new blog and follow me there.


-McKenzie 

PRO PRACTICE // CAREER GOALS

In a perfect world where you graduate and could get to do whatever you want I would love to become a blogger and do freelance and yoga everyday. As good as that sounds I still know I have a lot to learn. The constant changing and learning that occurs is a trait that has always attracted me to do design. 

With that being said, I have a couple of things/places/companies where I could see myself going. Like I said in class I see myself going in two to three-ish different directions. Last semester I was really inspired after meeting Andrea Pellegrino and the work that she does with designers. I took the workshop she taught when she came to KCAI and the way that she has helped uplift advocacy projects was very inspiring. So, needless to say that is a route I could see myself going. After taking Tyler's class last year made me realize the impact design can have. Really taking the time to work with people and understand their needs. I was also intrigued to work on bigger more social projects after taking the workshop with Ann Willoughby  last year.  More along the lines of the user experience and using design in a social way we worked to complete a  short project with the objective of figuring out a way to draw people into KC.

The next direction would be working for a company involved in health. That sounds really broad but more specifically lululemon or somewhere like LOLE. Everything from their design strategies, blogging, social events, to social media I believe is right on track. They understand their audience and how to really reach out to them through their products and identities. After going through this design department I can now see what a big role it plays for a large company and if they are using it in the best possible ways. I think these two companies are and now they are pushing themselves to really go out there and take the steps necessary to keep improving and pushing their brands. And of course, both of these brands are athletic clothing (yoga more or less) so that doesn't hurt either. 

My next direction is more or less just a visual aspect. I say that because the next companies I am going mention are known for their beautiful and creative ways of marketing their products as well just representing their brand. I have probably been in love with Anthropologie since I can remember. It's not even because of their products (not that I don't love that as well) but because I have never seen a company do such a phenomenal job in displaying/reprenting their products. Everything from their website, emails, and catalog. Same goes with Free People which is a branch of Anthropologie so it makes sense.

The steps to getting there I am really not sure. I suppose for all of them it starts with applying or sending my portfolio. Of course these are all perfect scenarios and goals. But I have no issues with starting somewhere else. I think I will be happy just to get a job after graduation. I know things take time and new things will always appear.

SERBIA // INSTAGRAM

Serbia through my Instagram...

SERBIA // ARCHITECTURE

 

BELGRADE, SERBIA

 

SERBIA // FAVORITE FINDS

I want to do some posts on my favorite places and spaces and I will start with probably my 
favorite find we were introduced to. 

SUPERMARKET CONCEPT STORE

Store

SUPERMARKET CONCEPT STORE

This was by far one of my favorite places we went to. It is all of my favorite things rolled into one. A retail space, bar, restaurant, and spa. Need I say more? It was heaven. The design of the store itself was stunning. The environment is very raw and unfinished so the merchandise stood out on recycled wooden units. I had to add the Pantone glass Christmas balls for all the designers out there.
If you want to see/learn more click here. Some better images then my quick snapshots.

SERBIA // UPDATE

 

Here are only a few pictures so far. I need to edit a lot more. It has been interesting for me to be in another country in the winter... which probably seems odd to say. It just gives you a different outlook. It's cold, dark early, and everyone is wearing dark colors, the trees are bare, so I just see everything in black and white. I will blog a lot more when I get home. I have been writing things down so I have lot to say on here. But I need more time. Overall, it's just been great trip because I have experienced the people. 

ciao, for now.

SERBIA // WITHOUT TECHNOLOGY

I am typing this on the iPad, so it will be short but it is a great trip so far. I have been able to spend a lot of time with the local people. I am taking it all the best I can! I don't have Internet in the apartment where I am staying... So I use Internet at the cafes and friends houses.

Till next time...

VA // VOLUNTEERING

I had the opportunity to go volunteering for the Rosadale community in KCK. They were have a Happy Halloween event where I got to do a bit of face painting! Can't say that it was my best work, but the kids seemed to like it. It was great to see a lot of people that care so much about a community and it's ability to thrive and support the people come together for an event. Rosedale has a large focus on a healthy lifestyle for it's kids. They had activities such as create your own trail mix, moon bounce, pumpkin painting, face painting, and a photo booth. It was a bit cold but a lot of fun! 

I painted a lot of hearts, ghosts, and spiderwebs that day... 

Thank you Abby for the pictures!

PARIS STUDY ABROAD // VIDEO

 

For a long time now, since June 2011, I have wanted to created a video of footage I shot while in France from my study abroad trip. A video contest was brought to my attention and I figured it would be killing two birds with one stone. Finally make a video and have the chance to win Student Diplomat as well as grant money to use for travel.  It's my first time actually applying effects in After Effects and doing a self initiated project in the program. It's obviously not the best, but I am getting the hang of things!

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This was a summer intersession faculty led travel program for students at the Kansas City Art Institute called A Moveable Feast: Paris, France. For the month of June we stayed at Cité Internationale Universitaire and also spent a week in Frejus in the South of France.

This video was created for the Connecting Our World Student Diplomat Video Contest.

WARWICK SOCIETY PRESENTATION

I had the opportunity to present to the Warwick Society at KCAI's President Jacqueline Chanda's house. The society consists of a group of people that give money to help fund scholarships. I had 8-10 minuets to explain my experiences at KCAI as well as my experience in the Graphic Design Department. 
*i'm sure my notes could be a bit confusing... but they are in my mckenzie language. I am sure it would help to hear my story in my words.  Warwick Society Presentation

TIRED

tired–
tired eyes.
tired body.
tired mind.
eyes that tired.
swollen and red. 
itchy, but oh so tired.
blood shot.
body tired like a sloth.
hanging, slugging, slowing.
going through motions.
blank mind.
slow mind.
just tired.
always.
tired.

-McKenzie Marston


Repetition poem for my experimental writing class and also how I feel today... I want to crawl in that teepee...

BRANDING INSPIRATION

A little branding inspiration for us all. Makes me miss the Olympics! I can't imagine getting to work on a project as immense as something like branding the Rio 2016 Olympics! When they say "it will be the most looked at the logo in the world for a period of time..." it reminds me that a branding system for the Olympics need to  register with the world not just a specific group of people for a certain one product. 

TOP FIVE

1. Visiting the Rosedale community in KCK
2. Figuring out what I want to rebrand/create while sitting at Starbucks.
3. My seminar class, Art in the Sixties, and convincing myself a 15 page paper is totally possible.
4. Having a best friend over and sitting on my balcony just because.
5. Eating a good dinner made at home. 

Most inspiring find for today. 

images 1 // 2

HEALTH

So technically I am late on my post for today seeing that it is 12:15am, but I had my third class so far this year tonight. I must say I think it will be a good one. It is really just a Health class, topics being person, communal, and societal health. We had to create a goal for ourselves that we will try and stay true to for the remainder of the semester. I figure I might as well post my goals on here so that I am held responsible in a number of ways. 

GOAL 1. Do something for myself once a day for ten minuets. This "something" could be meditation, a walk, laying on my floor listening to 90s music, maybe just writing... 
GOAL 2. To continue practicing yoga. I am sure this seams obvious or maybe odd, but when school starts a lot of my habits seem to diminish. My goal is to practice 2-4 times a week for 45-60mins at a time. If this happens it would be amazing. But we shall see in two weeks if I am holding true to my goal. Of course working out in general still needs to happen. 

Now that I have an entire class keeping me in check with my goals, I have no excuses. I am the first person to tell you that I change as a person when I am not getting some type of physical exercise. (it's called grouchy and unhappy.) 

So here is to maintaining goals and staying happy.

// washi tape again I know, but I wanted to spruce up my Moleskins a bit. 
instagram | pinterest

JOURNEY TO THE END.

Today was the first day of classes and I am so excited to get started on the projects for this semester. All of the things we are working on are things that I have interests in so I am hoping it will help me decide even more of what I want to do exactly in the design world. 
I also wanted to create some sort of small goal for myself to do everyday related to my day, life, design whatever I am doing. But I want to blog about it. Even if it is something small like a photo I take, or a video I find. Just to make my blog more personal. I say all of this now, but I just want to keep up with it even when I have to do 5 other blog posts for my other classes. I will do my best! I think it will be a good thing to be able to look back on from my senior year. 
I was sifting through quotes last night related to the word journey and moving forward. I am a strong believer in moving forward and to be constantly creating goals, but at the same time we must take time to experience the journey to get to that goal. I am sure, myself included, that so often all of our concentration is what is coming up and what is happening next that we forget how we even get there. (Moses on his way up the mountain.) ha  So, this semester I am going to try to enjoy the journey! Because it could possibly be my last first semester of college ever! (who knows, a masters program could be waiting for me)

I am going to soak. it. up.

//design inspired by washi tape. my new obsession.

TIME FLIES

Summer has officially started. I have a lot of plans for this summer including design and travel of course! These last three weeks have been great just being with family (my sisters and I above), friends, and my only responsibility is getting to work. It's nice how much your day slows down when you aren't pulling all-nighters and getting a sufficient amount of sleep each night. Last year at this time I was in Paris which is just crazy to think about. Already a year has past by. Even more bizzare for to think about is that this time next year I will be a graduate with a BFA in Graphic Design.

I am excited to be busy this summer. I have an internship at the Nelson-Atkins which I am really excited about. I am getting lots of work done for the Zen Zone which hopefully I will be sharing on here at some point. I also am excited to be completing some freelance work as well. 

I am also surrounded by wedding fever this summer which is a somewhat new adventure for me. I am happy to get to be a part of it all though. Seeing all the stages of it- my best friend getting engaged to a wedding in July to making invites! 

New adventures to come! Hope everyone is getting some sun! 

pihotos // taylor rice

ADAA 2012 SUBMISSION

ROLLER DERBY AD for the ADAA Submission

BLOGSHOP

Just wanted to post this really quick. A little blogging info and love for us all.

inspired by & found here

Girls Night Out Invite

This is a invitation  I designed for  Lulu's Grand Street Studio. The salon is having a girls night out, "Blow Out Before You Go Out" and I wanted the invite to be bright and bold. It really embodies the salon– bright, feminine, and fun.  There were a long list of things that needed to be included on the invites and I wanted them to each be able to stand alone in there own way through the type. These invites will just be handed out by the stylists at the salon and I wanted them to really look like an invitation to the event, and not so much a flier for a business... something more personal that they can give to clients! 

AMPERSAND

This is something I made over break! Wanted to share! 

final pic found here