Cory Burbidge: 2009 BFA Gallery
Hello Alumni! I thought I would contribute to this blog by posting my final BFA project. I hope to share some valuable insight and knowledge I’ve gained through this experience. In this book my aim is to draw a new map. A map that represents the culture and food cuisine of china and its peoples. Beyond the food is a metaphor (title of the exhibit) to explain that while we eat, there is more to it, more information, more to be heard, seen, and felt. I’ve not traveled to China, and perhaps that is my biggest downfall in this project. So the information in this book/show has been garnished and research through people, books, and time. I am now currently looking to start an exciting new career in Print, Web, Identity, and Packaging design. My family is willing to relocate as needed. If you know of a job oppurtunity or company that would fit these descriptions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at: Cory Burbidge | Cell - 208-757-1977 | website - coryburbidge.com | Email - me@coryburbidge.com
When I first began this project it started off as a love for food in general. I began by researching various Chinese restaurants and establishments in today’s culture. Eventually I came to realize I needed to experience the cooking experience for my self. I determined that I would need authentic as possible to alleviate the replacements and substitutions that we generally refer to as the Americanization of food. Through an acquaintance of my wife at BYU-I, I was introduced to Shen Lei, a college professor of Chinese. I came to realize that Shen Lei was the driving force and source for most of my information, she represented the culture, the food, the people, and to a certain extent the land. She could tell me more about life in china than I could ever hope to get on my own through books. So you could say that this book is alive. Alive with food and the people that helped it to become that way.
Most people are content with just “eating” but in this case I believe the user, if you will, is capable of acquiring more than just a physical eating experience, but a mental and cultural “eating” experience as well. I used this premise to educate and give the readers a visual/internal experience that could be mentally digested and internalized. This project represent a myriad of problems, concepts, and design things worked out. It involved but not limited to: cooking, directing photography, authorship, typography, mediums, software experience, plating solutions, translation, calligraphy, book making, and letterpress techniques.
ADVICE FOR OTHERS - I can go on forever on this subject but I will just go over my top three things I feel will aid you in preparing you for the work force:
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#1 - Take your advanced type classes the first chance you can get. (pivotal to changing your portfolio and your presentation). Work hard on getting to know 2-5 type faces really really good.
#2 - Visit design firms and get to know the work they do. Knowing the market and the work that is being done will push you and help you gauge were you need to focus at all times.
#3 - Let your love for something guide your work and project. When you have a subject project you love and have a passion for; the more you’ll push yourself to represent it well.
P.S. finding your subject for your BFA project ahead of your BFA classes will drastically impact the project itself.
Thanks for your time and hope you enjoy a little sampling of what I enjoyed immensely!
Cory Burbidge
Tags: BFA Project, Book, Chinese Cuisine, Cory Burbidge, Food, www.coryburbidge.com