ELLIOTT EARLS July 15 - 19 "And yet the simple fact remains that on one very important level the human brain is a nothing more than a highly evolved excuse machine. It's important to not let 'the system,' or circumstances dictate what is possible in life." (P)assionmethod This class will emphasize direct media production, and will draw on models from other disciplines to help redefine the designer. We will look at the traditional role of the musician, writer, film maker, painter, sculptor or plumber to help rethink the designers role within society. While the class will examine these different roles, the focus will be placed squarely on production. During the course, each student will be encouraged to produce a short digital film, piece of music, or interactive media piece. Thinking by doing will be stressed. Students will also be asked to consider the economic dimension of the work produced. The economic realities of the nontraditional design practice will also be discussed. BIO Elliott Earls began as the Head of 2-Dimensional Design Department at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in September 2001. Following in the footsteps of the many illustrious designers at Cranbrook is a challenging proposition for a young designer, but Earls has already established himself as a significant force in the graphic design industry as well as a larger creative world. His graphic work, original typefaces, music, performance art pieces, and self published interactive CD-Rom's always stem from design as a primary frame of reference. His thriving commercial practice, The Apollo Program, incorporates his experimentation with nonlinear digital video, spoken word poetry, music composition and graphic design. Founded in 1993, his company has an impressive client list including Elektra Entertainment, Scribner Publishing Co., Elemond Casabella (Italy), the Cartoon Network (U.K.),Nonesuch Records and Janus Films. Earls is excited about his return to Cranbrook since receiving his M.F.A. here in 1993, and offers his personal perspective to new and current students about the Cranbrook lineage: "It is my belief that all institutions have a sort of DNA that can be traced back to a founding impulse. Cranbrook as an historical entity has a 'spirit' of greatness; the architecture and setting speak to this in a sublime and yet very direct way. And while there is a responsibility to live up to the name, the best policy on an interpersonal level is to work like the devil, and burn down the house of your forefathers." While talk is cheap, but Earls' actions are a direct reflection of his words. His exhortation for hard work comes from his own experience and a philosophy that insists personal responsibility is the largest factor for one's success or failure in life - "'Personal responsibility', unfortunately is a cultural cliche that seems all too at home on "Opra." And yet the simple fact remains that on one very important level the human brain is a nothing more than a highly evolved excuse machine. It's important to not let 'the system,' or circumstances dictate what is possible in life. " Consistent with these concerns, the reading list for his students during the first semester at Cranbrook includes (among others)" Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" and "The Hero with a Thousand Faces." Earls states "The inscription to Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance reads ' And what is good, Phaedrus, And what is not good - Need we ask anyone to tell us these things? ' here we find one of the central questions of not just aesthetics, but life." Earls also instituted a departmental film series which focuses on works a diverse as the Frontline documentary "The Merchants of Cool," " Salo, 12O days of Sodom," and the seminal documentary "Gimme Shelter." Cranbrook welcomes his energy and an articulation of the need to stimulate thinking at the Academy from a broad-based intelligence.