Illustration Friday: Tango

With the word "tango", my initial thought was closeness and positions. Layering and adding color to the poses brought the energy and movement of the dance to my sketches.

Observations: Hand Lettering

One thing I love about design is how flexible and unique it can be. What better way to represent that than in hand lettering. It's as one-of-a-kind as a fingerprint or snowflake. And to top it off it has such a genuine feel to it. Even a mysteriousness like meeting a person for the first time. Whenever I come across hand lettering my inclination is: "I'm not sure who you are, but I like you!"

Take Nate Williams' work for example:

A favorite of mine is Jessica Hische:

Definitely inspired to try hand lettering in the future.*

*Mental note: If you can't find or can't purchase a typeface you like - make your own!

Noteworthy: Studio On Fire

Studio on Fire is a "design and letterpress workspace" in Minneaplolis, Minnesota whose internet presence I happened upon, and if you're like me, you'll bookmark their blog Beast Pieces just to drool over letterpress, great design and letterpressed great design.

Observations: Social Design

No. This is not an entry on how to design/market/invade/assault social networking avenues. 

(Enough of that already.)

This is about something more important. Something that has to do with socializing, designing and influencing, but on a more humane level.

Social design is an avenue not many pursue for the fact that revenue received does not meet the effort or time given. But those who take that route might just say that the returns are immense. It's worth considering not only what it does for your agency's PR, but the deeper ripple it produces in the community you're in. 

It's amazing to see how the advertising/marketing industry affects so many lives by influencing opinions, ideas and decisions. Unfortunately we see it happen on more superficial levels for the benefit of our polishing the little boxes we live in. But imagine the world outside that box and how your efforts could be polishing it instead. Imagine taking the opportunity to influence people to a greater level. Imagine the possibilities... 

No. Complete change in society will never come of this, but for those who feel their time and talent is worth more than investing in what this industry truly offers, then social design is worth learning more about. 

Some places to start:

Design 21 

http://www.design21sdn.com/

Designism Connects

http://www.designismconnects.com

Illustration Friday: Impossibility

I am not very good at keeping up or making time for Illustration Friday. When I remember and have a chance, I like to at least doodle something even if it's not submitted. 

That is the case with last week's topic. The word was "Impossibility" and so I thought a pig flying was suitable. 

Here is an unfinished, not submitted sketch: 

Noteworthy: Information Aesthetics

Information Aesthetics is a very informative blog, if you will. There focus is to direct your attention to data realized in visual form, whether it's an ad that charts a male and female relationship with beer or an graph that tracks your day.

If you have any kind of data that needs to be visualized, this blog lends inspiration or at least a name or two of someone who can process it for you.

Noteworthy:Pop!Tech

Hmmm...it's been a little too long since I've posted anything. In fact, I am irritated that I haven't had the chance to do anything for Illustration Friday since August.

Life got busy, but I'll get back into that creative outlet sometime soon.

As for now, I'll share a link to some online popcasts from the Pop!Tech conference. I enjoy listening to different approaches to thinking and questioning purpose in the work we do, and these speakers address that very thing.

If you have time, I recommend listening to Marian Bantjes, Benjamin Zander, Jonathan Harris and Bill Shannon.

Illustration Friday: Sail

Super late and didn't put as much work into it as I wanted.
Maybe I'll get to it another day!