Sometimes the best way to make something, is to buy it.
-- Johnny Parker
Mangan,
Agreed. Absolutely. Sorry I have been so absent recently. I blame the fact that I will soon be physically absent.
tuesday / June 1, 2010
Viscount Ryan,
It's June 1st. We need to do a final farewell post before departure. Lets make that happen...
tuesday / June 1, 2010
tuesday / May 18, 2010
Blitz Remembered.
Great site put together by the SCAD/OSU Greensboro Blitzers. Nice job guys!
tuesday / May 4, 2010
Dear Rachael,
tuesday / May 4, 2010
BikeLab Re-location
As well as renovations had been going at Old School Candy... Things just weren't moving quickly enough.
With less than a month left in Greensboro, I wanted to make sure to give BikeLab a proper home. So, beginning this week, BikeLab is officially moving into the Whelan House (the original home of the original PieLab).
The house is already slated to be next year's M VISTA home base and therefore BikeLab will not only be easily accessible, but it will almost always have someone available.
Construction has begun, more updates soon.
With less than a month left in Greensboro, I wanted to make sure to give BikeLab a proper home. So, beginning this week, BikeLab is officially moving into the Whelan House (the original home of the original PieLab).
The house is already slated to be next year's M VISTA home base and therefore BikeLab will not only be easily accessible, but it will almost always have someone available.
Construction has begun, more updates soon.
tuesday / April 27, 2010
Pardon, while I talk about myself
In an effort to stay connected with all things Detroit, I entered a competition hosted by AIGA Detroit entitled Next Voice. The question: How should designers engage in their communities? My verbal and visual answer here.
Why is this relevant? Simple. Community is universal. What I learn here in Hale is transferable. It matters. That is all.
Special thanks to Robin for being my hand model.
Why is this relevant? Simple. Community is universal. What I learn here in Hale is transferable. It matters. That is all.
Special thanks to Robin for being my hand model.
tuesday / April 27, 2010
We do not claim affiliation with this at all...but we like it. It's good. Go.
tuesday / April 20, 2010
tuesday / April 13, 2010
BikeLab off Main Street: Episode 3
"Saved by Churnley"
Dan and I were back in BikeLab today demolishing the interior roof. To explain, the building (now BikeLab) used to be much smaller. When the original owners wanted to extend it, they simply built a new roof above the old one and elongated the space.
This sounds kind of cool, but stop right there, it's not... With a tin roof encapsulating another tin roof with about 3 feet of clearance between the two, that tiny clearance (where Dan and I were working) quite literally becomes an oven.
After we spent two sweat drenched hours slowly peeling away tar and tin, Chris and Turnley finally showed up with some YouthBuild students. Within the hour they had torn down half of the ceiling using nothing but sharp intellect, calculated strategy, and a couple of sledgehammers.
Dan and I were back in BikeLab today demolishing the interior roof. To explain, the building (now BikeLab) used to be much smaller. When the original owners wanted to extend it, they simply built a new roof above the old one and elongated the space.
This sounds kind of cool, but stop right there, it's not... With a tin roof encapsulating another tin roof with about 3 feet of clearance between the two, that tiny clearance (where Dan and I were working) quite literally becomes an oven.
After we spent two sweat drenched hours slowly peeling away tar and tin, Chris and Turnley finally showed up with some YouthBuild students. Within the hour they had torn down half of the ceiling using nothing but sharp intellect, calculated strategy, and a couple of sledgehammers.
tuesday / April 6, 2010
Travel Greensboro is back on track.
P.S. Megan is out of town for a week. Expect a lot of images and very little writing...
tuesday / March 30, 2010
Saturday, April 3rd
Renovations going from 12—4pm
Race at 4pm
Entry is either 2 hours renovating or $10
Party & Prizes afterward
Meet at PieLab
Renovations going from 12—4pm
Race at 4pm
Entry is either 2 hours renovating or $10
Party & Prizes afterward
Meet at PieLab
tuesday / March 23, 2010
$$$$$BLITZ$$$$$
tuesday / March 17, 2010
What is this? You will find out soon. Very very soon!
tuesday / March 2, 2010
Follow up:
I even have an "Abandoned 2009" folder...
The folder itself apparently being a project I have given up on (seeing as I haven't gotten to 2010).
Landmine Bear.
A project that I thought might change the world—Never made it past initial sketches.
Untitled Portrait
Who knows where I was going with this? The point is, I stopped.
The folder itself apparently being a project I have given up on (seeing as I haven't gotten to 2010).
Landmine Bear.
A project that I thought might change the world—Never made it past initial sketches.
Untitled Portrait
Who knows where I was going with this? The point is, I stopped.
tuesday / February 23, 2010
You Could Fly Alabama!
...If only I could finish.
One of my lifelong struggles as an artist/designer/wannabe designer-artist has been taking my projects from conception to completion. I would like to imagine that this is a problem we all face (not just us designers, but everyone). Whether it be finishing that short story you until recently had such high hopes or coding that iPhone app that you knew was going to earn your early retirement... Some of these projects end up by the wayside and simply never get done (no matter how brilliant).
The most recent example is a website that I had planned for use by Greensboro residents that would track flights to and from Birmingham, AL. Being the closest airport (and over 90 miles away), it didn't take long for me to realize that trips to and from were being wasted, often. This tool would have been a public calendar that allowed users to input their flight date, time, and airline (even if they were just going to be driving through the area, they could specify that) ideally so that folks would then plan travel arrangements based on one another and thus save gas, money, and time.
In my head the project sounded quite simple. Just a basic calendar with a few bells and whistles. In execution it proved to be quite a burden and quickly my initial excitement fizzled out to a slow trudge.
Were my plans to grandiose? Do I lack whatever gene it takes to follow through? Did I take on a project that required too much PHP knowledge for my patience? I wish I could say that this rant was leading to some sort of enlightenment (or any kind of conclusion for that matter), but the truth is that I have no answer. I only make a promise to keep trying. So that hopefully, one day, fewer projects will slip through the cracks.
One of my lifelong struggles as an artist/designer/wannabe designer-artist has been taking my projects from conception to completion. I would like to imagine that this is a problem we all face (not just us designers, but everyone). Whether it be finishing that short story you until recently had such high hopes or coding that iPhone app that you knew was going to earn your early retirement... Some of these projects end up by the wayside and simply never get done (no matter how brilliant).
The most recent example is a website that I had planned for use by Greensboro residents that would track flights to and from Birmingham, AL. Being the closest airport (and over 90 miles away), it didn't take long for me to realize that trips to and from were being wasted, often. This tool would have been a public calendar that allowed users to input their flight date, time, and airline (even if they were just going to be driving through the area, they could specify that) ideally so that folks would then plan travel arrangements based on one another and thus save gas, money, and time.
In my head the project sounded quite simple. Just a basic calendar with a few bells and whistles. In execution it proved to be quite a burden and quickly my initial excitement fizzled out to a slow trudge.
Were my plans to grandiose? Do I lack whatever gene it takes to follow through? Did I take on a project that required too much PHP knowledge for my patience? I wish I could say that this rant was leading to some sort of enlightenment (or any kind of conclusion for that matter), but the truth is that I have no answer. I only make a promise to keep trying. So that hopefully, one day, fewer projects will slip through the cracks.
tuesday / February 23, 2010
New old business cards.
tuesday / February 16, 2010
STRESS.
tuesday / February 16, 2010
This Photo isn't Good, but...
York, Alabama is.
Ryan scored us a group visit to meet Shana and Nathan at the Coleman Art Center. The co-directors, who have both lived in York for five years, gave us a tour of their facilities and spoke about some of the many wonderful public art initiatives happening at the center. It was a great opportunity to share ideas and suggestions. We can't wait for the duo to visit us in Greensboro!
Now Ryan is going to elaborate further because my mind isn't working today and surely a much more valuable account of our day would be useful.
Ryan here, reporting from his laptop a day after the fact... As Megan alluded, York was incredible. On our way into town we spotted this. The famous attraction that got me researching Coleman Arts and York in the first place (also partial inspiration for BikeLab).
After snooping around the Bike Shed we met up with Shana and Nathan who spoke with us about their own experiences as artists in residence and the time they have spent in York since. It was uncanny how relevant their words were and how similar their struggles have been to our own.
After that, they toured us around their campus and showed us: their lasagna style garden which, along with only one full time staff member, is tended by the York community; the local library which also serves as two galleries, one showcasing student work; their living spaces (empty at the moment) for artists in residence; and their classrooms/wood-shop that was full of outstanding work done by local youth.
Needless to say, it was an incredibly enlightening experience and we all hope to visit again soon.
Ryan scored us a group visit to meet Shana and Nathan at the Coleman Art Center. The co-directors, who have both lived in York for five years, gave us a tour of their facilities and spoke about some of the many wonderful public art initiatives happening at the center. It was a great opportunity to share ideas and suggestions. We can't wait for the duo to visit us in Greensboro!
Now Ryan is going to elaborate further because my mind isn't working today and surely a much more valuable account of our day would be useful.
Ryan here, reporting from his laptop a day after the fact... As Megan alluded, York was incredible. On our way into town we spotted this. The famous attraction that got me researching Coleman Arts and York in the first place (also partial inspiration for BikeLab).
After snooping around the Bike Shed we met up with Shana and Nathan who spoke with us about their own experiences as artists in residence and the time they have spent in York since. It was uncanny how relevant their words were and how similar their struggles have been to our own.
After that, they toured us around their campus and showed us: their lasagna style garden which, along with only one full time staff member, is tended by the York community; the local library which also serves as two galleries, one showcasing student work; their living spaces (empty at the moment) for artists in residence; and their classrooms/wood-shop that was full of outstanding work done by local youth.
Needless to say, it was an incredibly enlightening experience and we all hope to visit again soon.
Tuesday / January 26, 2010
Meet the all new MLab intern, Britney.
tuesday / December 15, 2009
"We believe in the role of 'citizen architects,' working from within the community."
"The Economic Progress Instigation Center (EPIcenter) is located in Green River, Utah, a rural community of 973 residents. The EPIcenter is a housing and business resource center, along with a hospitality center. Currently run by three emerging young professionals who are working to instigate a revolt, the EPIcenter is having a profound role in the perception of architecture and design, working to make it relevant and critical to the success and growth of the town."
above stolen from EPIcenter website/blog
In short: Amazing young people doing truly amazing things.
above stolen from EPIcenter website/blog
In short: Amazing young people doing truly amazing things.
tuesday / December 8, 2009
The NADA Frames Hath Arrived.
tuesday / December 1, 2009
Bike Donations
Ryan (with the help of Dan and Marc) has been trying to wrangle confiscated bikes from Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Greensboro police. The donations would eventually be fixed up and given to members of Hale County who could use a lift.
This fine bike came from Greensboro and is scheduled to be fixed up and given to one of YouthBuild's students.
This fine bike came from Greensboro and is scheduled to be fixed up and given to one of YouthBuild's students.
tuesday / November 18, 2009
tuesday / November 10, 2009
Ryan had an interview with Anne Bailey (Writer for the Greensboro Watchman and Co-Owner of Sledge Hardware) about the most recent Blitz with Auburn and M Lab.
tuesday / October 13, 2009
As per usual.
Things never seem to work out as planned. After an unsuccessful early-morning-mad-rush to find the license and registration for the ambulance and trailer, Christapher was stuck in Greensboro.
Johnny Parker would have "driven the goddamn thing all the way to California," but Christapher didn't share his confidence or enthusiasm and so that night we worked to move the (blank)LAB to a new trailer.
Johnny helped signal Greg as he pushed the container onto the new trailer with a tractor. After some welding and light bulb replacement, the trailer was ready to go.
Christapher was pleased. Then we all crossed our fingers for a successful launch the next morning.
Johnny Parker would have "driven the goddamn thing all the way to California," but Christapher didn't share his confidence or enthusiasm and so that night we worked to move the (blank)LAB to a new trailer.
Johnny helped signal Greg as he pushed the container onto the new trailer with a tractor. After some welding and light bulb replacement, the trailer was ready to go.
Christapher was pleased. Then we all crossed our fingers for a successful launch the next morning.
tuesday / September 29, 2009
The Pie Lab Contractor
tuesday / September 15, 2009
Day-Twa: Day 3: in five lines
1. Good Coffee
2. John B.
3. Horseshoes
4. BBQ (& Fantastic Beer)
5. Whoppers
2. John B.
3. Horseshoes
4. BBQ (& Fantastic Beer)
5. Whoppers
tuesday / September 8, 2009
tuesday / August 25, 2009
M Lab now has organic insecticide.
tuesday / August 13, 2009
tuesday / July 28, 2009
tuesday / July 28, 2009
We sat at one anyways.
A computer that is...we sat at the computer anyway.
Tuesday / July 21, 2009
A Diptych for Youth Build.
We're in charge of designing a flyer to promote HERO's Youth Build Program. Anything to avoid sitting at a computer.
Tuesday / July 21, 2009
-- Johnny Parker
Tuesday / July 14, 2009
Tuesday / July 14, 2009
Poster for this Thursday's Greensboro People's Theatre. Dry-erase collab.
Tuesday / July 7, 2009
Megan learns how to use a nail gun; Ryan stands at least 3 feet away at all times, while Megan learns how to use said nail gun.
Tuesday / July 7, 2009
Tuesday / June 30, 2009
and done.
Tuesday / June 30, 2009
Done...
Tuesday / June 30, 2009
Tuesday / June 16, 2009
Accidentally pink.
Tuesday / June 2, 2009
Megan Deal and Ryan LeCluyse:
are two graphic designers living and working in Greensboro, Alabama. They each found themselves in the rural south after taking their Americorps vows, and then swearing a year of their life to service. Megan, who hails from Detroit, and Ryan, who comes from Baltimore, will work together over the next year to operate the very first Project M Lab.
The M Lab was born out of the 2008 Project M session and has since been used to station passionate young individuals interested in the possibilities of meaningful graphic design. For the remainder of this year M Lab will be the design studio (whatever that means) of the combined forces of Meg/Ryan.
Copyright © 2009 Meg/Ryan,
All Rights Reserved
About Meg/Ryan