About the factor
To be honest, I'm not entirely sure how to describe this site. The OH, REALLY Factor is roughly one part online activism, one part gallery, and one part sabbatical project. As a graphic design educator with deeply held political stances, I'm using this site to learn about the American online electorate, pick up some new technical skills, and exercise my first amendment rights.
The galleries will hold several categories of art and design artifacts created during the current election cycle. Some are going to be national in scope, while others will be intensly local. Updates will be fairly regular, although not occuring on any regular schedule.
Mission Statement
As an educator in a Journalism and Mass Communication department, I tend to be somewhat idealistic about the nature of our allied fields. I believe that news coverage should be objective, relevant and factual. Those who wish to score political points against an opponent should be skilled enough to manage their goals within these ethical constraints.
I believe that design and advertising can be conducted in an ethical and forthright manner. A skilled designer and copyright can do plenty of good or harm while still maintaining a solid ethical foundation.
I believe that public relations can be based in reality, as opposed to practiced as the art of desperate spin doctoring in the face of mounting objective facts to the contrary.
I believe that all the above can be achieved using the truth, humor, and some really solid conceptual execution.
However, this does not mean one has to play nice. If the opposition is a liar, it is fair to expose their lies. If the opposition exploits a group of citizens, it is fair to attempt to enlighten and educate those citizens to end the exploitation. If your opponent brings the metaphorical knife to the negative campaign fight, it is fair to use a tactical nuclear device in return, as long as you stick to the truth.
Honesty is the key. Being nice is not necessarily part of being honest. Being nice is an option. I might not exercise that option very often.
About Joel
Joel is a thirty-something college professor that is dedicated to teaching the ethical practice of graphic design. Always politically aware, but not always politically active, Joel is no longer willing to sit around and watch the country go to hell in a handbasket.
Joel enjoys provoking strong reactions to his work. He advises you to "wear a cup" when visiting the galleries.
Joel does not really know why this last section is suddenly written in the third person. He believes it might be the expression of his inner Tyler Durden.