Last Thursday’s opening reception of What the *#&! is social design? (*#&! for short) at the Academy of Art University’s Gallery 79 in SF rendered several hundred people euphoric, including me. The exhibition is info-packed, interactive, and uppercase Inspiring. It is also the collaborative MFA thesis project of AAU students Ashley Ciecka and Michael Jeter.
As you might surmise, *#&! seeks to define Social Design. It is the kick-off for Ashley and Mike’s SoftSpot initiative. Their irresistible call to arms is “Be a Softy,” and Mike himself managed to enjoy a softy moment at the party (Look left). He comments, “So many people wanted to figure out how to get involved. It inspired us to push this to the next level.” *#&! profiles the work of some current social design heroes and also gives visitors a chance to show their soft spots by finishing the phrase “My soft spot is….”
Phil Hamlett, Graduate Director of the AAU’s School of Graphic Design, gave the project its initial green light. “As a design educator, what was particularly compelling to me is that Ashley and Mike were interested not only in applying their own individual skills, but also in lighting the way for others who are similarly inclined. That these students wanted to ‘give back’ before they were even out there professionally brought a smile to my face. I will continue to wear my ‘I’m a Softy’ badge with pride.”
*#&! is up until March 31 at Gallery 79, 79 New Montgomery St., SF 94105. M-F, 9-6; Sat, 9-5. If you can’t make it, click quick to buy the official pub before it vanishes.
Photo credit: Jonathan Snyder
