Inspiration from Cardboard: Colin Matsumoto

Colin Matsumoto: Fine Arts Major & Interdisciplinary Studies Minor.

Colin Matsumoto recently found inspiration from cardboard while
designing a chair for a 3d modeling class. I had the opportunity to ask him a few questions about his inspiration for the project as well as some of his future academic goals. Here are his responses:

What was a main idea/function you wanted to express through the design of your chairs?

"My chair took a lot of improvising to arrive at the final design, so my inspiration changed many times. Ultimately I wanted two separate chairs that would sit side by side, facing toward each other. It would be literally a conversation piece as the chairs complement each other in color, shape and orientation."

What challenged you when creating a design using cardboard?

“My challenges included the need to frequently change my design, either for aesthetic reasons or because the chair had no concept behind it's design and was supposed to have one. The two chairs idea that I arrived at was very very time consuming and also made it pretty tough to find enough cardboard to create a sturdy chair.”

Can you fill us in as to your academic interests and future goals?

“My interest in fine arts is the basis of my learning here at school. It is what I have done and have been good at doing since I was very young. I hope someday to make a career out of the work I'm doing now, possibly as an illustrator or a muralist, though there are many cool options to explore. I also have a deep interest in Spanish, activism, justice, music, public art, intellectual property law and a few others. I plan on completing a minor in interdisciplinary studies, which I think will help me develop inquiry skills and a broader perspective on learning. This kind of stuff will be useful to me as a force for my art as well as a basis for other sorts of work I may want to explore.”

Thanks Colin for your time, we appreciate the photos and interview! Keep up the good work. We would love to hear from more Western students about current or past projects that have challenged them this year. Email us at the westerndr@gmail.com

Senior Shirts Designed by Edun Live on Campus

The Western senior class shirts have been organized and designed by Edun Live on Campus. Western senior and former President of Edun Live, Ali Tanker, has headed up the initiative to get the shirts printed. Below is a photo of the shirt design, the only difference on the final shirt is that it will be printed on a green shirt. (Click photo to enlarge)
Contact Ali on the Western list serve for details on the shipment.
Also here is a cool wiki about Edun Live on campus:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edun_Live_on_Campus

MU English Department Highlights the new Western Program

I am sure by now many of you have read the feature article, if you have not yet here is a quick description and a link to the article!

English Department Feature on the Western Program

It is very refreshing to read and gain perspective of how other Miami University programs view the Western Program. Recently the Miami University English department posted a feature about the reconfigured Western Program. The story written by Lauren Karch, brings to light the many advantages of integrative studies. The article discusses plans for the new curriculum as well as provides backgrounds of many of the new faculty. The feature also interviews future Western students (including Rita Skiba, Emily Volkmann, and Colin Matsumoto) and shares their academic interests with in the Western Program. I hope that we can continue to share our Western Community with the greater Miami University community. I encourage all Westerners to share and post links to the English feature on there social networking pages!

http://www.units.muohio.edu/english/People/Features/09Features/WesternProgram.html

with(out) a doubt- Part 1

2-12-06

Don poked at his pre-cooked rubbery sausage, and the cholesterol-free powdered eggs. Releasing the spores of a mass distributed scent --- known only as “Cisco Food Systems.” The dingy fluorescent lit cafeteria reminded him of one he had eaten in before. Some eighty some years before when he was a grade school boy, at St. Agnes Catholic School. Only back then Cisco did not exist and he enjoyed the fluffy farm ‘made’ eggs of Sister Juliet.

The best part of his breakfast was when he downed his orange juice along with his seemingly endless stubby looking memory pills. A well-practiced pattern Don would perform, and then mozy back to his quarters to be greeted by his favorite magazine.

Laying on the pulled taught comforter on his single mattress was his favorite issue of popular mechanics magazine. Every time his mind interpreted the pages of the eighty-page magazine, it was as if it was the very first time he read it. Don would spend hours reading the April 26 1998 issue on future fighter planes. He would marvel at the advances in aviation technology and think back to his war days in the pacific, the only thing he seemed to remember.

MBA-Need for creative/cross discipline students

A current article in The Economist discusses the importance of academic diversity in MBA programs. The article delivers a message that in addition to cultural and gender diversity, academic background diversity is an important aspect that is often overlooked by MBA programs.The article cites economics professor Dr. Gauthier Lanot from Keele University, Staffordshire, UK

Professor Gauthier believes schools should not just be selecting ‘usual suspect’ candidates from traditional sectors such as banking, consultancy and industry. They should also be seeking individuals who have backgrounds in areas such as political science, the creative arts, history or philosophy, which will allow them to put business decisions into a wider context(Nov 18, 2009, The Economist).

From the magazines interview with Professor Gauthier and other professionals they try to tackle the question of structural and operational deficiency's in the business world. Building an argument that a more integrated and interdisciplinary background for some MBA students may help the overall strength of business decision making.

While I have been interviewing various Western College Alumni, I have realized that they all possess very succinct problem solving skills. The Western Program has provided its students with the tools to creatively solve and think about problems whether the students focus is in economic development, gender equality, or environmental science the culture of thought at Western paves the way for future success. The open minded and collaborative style of the seminars that make up the core of the Western Program serve as incubators for creativity. Myself being a more business minded student--studying entrepreneurship and marketing-- have found these seminars irreplaceable. This article in The Economist shows there is still a great need, particularly in the business realm for open minded and creative thinkers.

Here is a link to the article feel free to read and comment!

"Conformity and MBA's: Different Strokes for similar folks"

Miss out of Ernst Fall Fest Shirts?

If you missed out on this years Ernst Fall Fest Shirts we have posted an online store through paypal on this blog (see right side bar). We have a limited supply of shirts left so get yours while they still last! It would be a perfect gift for any Western Alumni, student, or avid Ernst Fest Shirt collector! Just select the size you would like and click the "buy now" button and it will direct you to our pay-pal store! 

The design is very stylish and fashionable and sure to please a wide range of people. 

Here is an image of the shirt! (Youth sized shirts are maroon)

Not sure about pay-pal purchases? Learn more about there services here: PayPal

Ernst Fall Festival was a lot of fun. I had a great time working with all of the great bands and musicians that performed. I would like to send out a special thanks to all parties that made the event a great one— Oxford Drum Ensemble, Boogie Boys, Patrick Woods, John Hurd, GhostBear, and Karate Coyote– The event would not have been the same without all of your wonderful musical skills and talents. While the event itself did not attain the attendance I had projected, the quality of the event was evident as all student organizations, corporate partners, and attendees were entertained and excited about future events at Ernst Nature Theater.

I hope that with the help of strategic campus partners such as the Miami Student Radio, and the Miami Concert Board a spring musical event can be hosted at the Ernst Nature Theater. It was truly a beautiful venue to host this event and I am already beginning to organize a follow up spring fling festival at the venue. These alliances will help us expand the line-up for the spring and incorporate a national act into the set list.

Overall, Ernst Fall Festival increased exposure and raised money for the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. It also established the Western Program as an academic program with a goal of building community and providing outreach to communities at need. We hope over the next few weeks online donations and shirt sales from the event will help us raise even more money for the charity!