Here's what happened...

SOMEONE WROTE 60-SECOND WINDOWS pointing out that I dwell on the negative too much. The letter said: "What I found was that everything is so negative in tone, full of bashing someone or another."

Well, I certainly hope everyone doesn't find all the articles negative. When there's an issue to be tackled, then sometimes I have to get a little tough. With the news and the media the way it is today, it's difficult to avoid difficult issues. I guess the old saying "You never hear about the good stuff." is true, an has been reflected in the 60-Second Window column for too long.

There are so many good things happening in the world around us -- sadly, too many never make it into the media -- It's my pleasure to pass this along to you, and to find more that we can all enjoy and benefit by.

Three cheers for creative youth...

by Fred Showker

LET'S TALK ABOUT SOMETHING VERY UPLIFTING. I don't know if you've noticed, but this spring seems to be bringing forth all kinds of new and exciting talents. Out of the dozens of samples I've received this month, I'd like to mention just two that really restores my faith in the creative spirit.

In March we saw a group of talented high school students compete on the state level at the Virginia Technology Sphere. This is the annual gathering of all TSA (Technology Students of America) teams in the state -- and they come together to compete in technology competitions sponsored by middle and high school tech departments. Wow!

Think about this: build a robot car that can be driven by remote control, and drive around picking up 3 x 5 index cards, store them in an on-board container, and deliver them through a small gateway to deposit them into the specified container. The sheer challenge is baffling, but when you see high school sophomore and junior students racing against a time clock to get the most cards delivered -- that's a knock-out.

There are others too, like the hydraulic robot arm that has to grab a handful of nails, and stick them through an opening is a wall, and drop them into a container on the other side. Sure, you could engineer one of those, right? Now race against the other teams to see who gets the most nails!

Our hats are off to the Technology team from Fort Defiance High School, in Augusta County Virginia who brought home top honors in the technology field for superb design and engineering.

Creativity and spirit for tomorrow

Young folks these days just beam with promise for the future. When you actually witness kids who have invented and fabricated such devices from scratch, it reveals the true light of creativity and spirit for tomorrow.

If you want to experience a little visual and creative excitement just check out your local high school or middle school and ask if they are participants in the national TSA. If you're lucky, they'll invite you in for a look around. Be prepared to get blown away by the talents you'll discover.

International Accomplishment

Climbing up the ladder a bit, I'd also like to thank Scott Taylor, and the folks out at California's Art Center College of Design for keeping me posted on their March 7, 2000 victory. Ten exceptionally talented CACCD students in the field of environmental design were selected to showcase their design excellence at the prestigious Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan Italy. This is regarded as the premier environmental and furniture design event in the world. You simply can't get much better than that.

We have photos of the selected pieces and they surpass the quality and insight one might expect to find coming from the hands of seasoned industrial designers. Our hats are off to everyone at the Art Center College of Design. See The Design & Publishing Center's DT&G Design department for a pictorial of their awesome work.

If you've been a DT&G reader very long, you know I adhere to the philosophy that the thought processes of good design carries over into all facets of the society, and truly affects the very quality of our lives. Patricia Belton Oliver, AIA and Chair of the Environmental Design Department of CACCD puts it this way:

"Whether we are creating pieces for expensive showrooms or for low-income community housing, the message we want to impart is that everyone deserves good design."

Bravo, Patricia. And a big bravo to all those creative individuals who have visions, and the incentive to chase those visions into higher goals for everyone's future.

Now, folks, go out there and design something beautiful and functional. Above all have a good time, and feel good about yourself.

Thanks for reading...

Fred Showker

NOTICE: if your school has made substantial accomplishments to the design world, or has been honored with an award or show appointment, please contact me. We want to spread the good word about the wonderful creative youth in the world today! You can reach me at: 540-433-8402, or use my email form. See the "DESIGN" department of DT&G, for more information and continuing coverage of creative people we discover.
 
      "Let us be thankful for the fools.
        But for them the rest of us could not succeed."
            Mark Twain

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