Friday, May 1, 2009
Noteworthy: Studio On Fire
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
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:
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
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.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
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!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Observations: Rosewood
Being in my profession, you come across many typefaces. What I love the most is that feeling I get when I recognize them in public. For instance, this typeface is called Rosewood which I happened to find on at least 3 different book covers on my most recent trip to Barnes & Nobles. It's interesting to see which subject a designer applied them to. In the cases I saw, two were cookbooks. One was a texmex cookbook, which I thought was highly appropriate.
Rosewood is one of those typefaces that has a nice look and applicable to more than a few topics, however it might never find a place in the corporate world.
Maybe that's why I noticed it around - I keep thinking of using it but never can!
(*edit: The other day there was a sighting of Rosewood at Quaker Steak and Lube used on a beer sign!)
Friday, August 1, 2008
Illustration Friday: Poof!
I've just recently become aware of Illustration Friday and thought I would give it a shot someday. Well, here's my first shot for Poof. I immediately thought of a transformation, so here's Prince Charming and a mishap.
{I sketched the concept then scanned it and added color in Photoshop}
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Ode to summer
So I mentioned a few posts ago that I have started sketching more. Here is the first one from a series of framed flowers I've been working on. (Work in progress indeed!) I took this one into Photoshop to add some color. It gives it a bit more dimension and I especially like how the colors multiply over the lines. My favorite are the orange flowers and the purple daisies. I'll have to try and scan a few more using this technique.
I put it up to see if anyone as any comments, but mostly because, if anyone is reading this, I believe people would rather see some kind of a picture instead of just paragraphs and paragraphs of my ramblings.
So. Here is a pretty-ish picture for you to look at and not be bored. Unless you find the picture boring.
Then I will try harder :)
My oh my...
it has been too long.
Where have I been with design? Sadly, just getting by. I love print, however, I don't feel I have many opportunities to take print design to the limits. So it's been a little steady and a little boring.
I have, however, been venturing into the world of web design. Of course I have designed websites before, but by venture I mean exploring the technical side in Dreamweaver. My hope is that our websites at work become more controlled, more understandable, easily updated and hopefully unleashes our creativity.
But man, is it a lot of work! I admit, I am no programmer and I admire the knowledge they have, but just "getting by" in Dreamweaver takes a lot of understanding. I never thought I would get this deep, but with the direction our industry is heading, it's probably for my own good.
Going back to being bored. I have realized that a remedy to this solution will have to occur once a week (hopefully). I plan to take one night a week and call it my "hobby night." This is where I venture into the creative aspect of design. The artsy side. On this night, I can finish making that necklace I started weeks ago. I can create art for the bare walls of my home. I can jazz up a sketchbook or journal cover. The possibilities are all mine and I am relieved to know that I have a time now to exercise my creative muscle.
So cheers to hobby night!
Where have I been with design? Sadly, just getting by. I love print, however, I don't feel I have many opportunities to take print design to the limits. So it's been a little steady and a little boring.
I have, however, been venturing into the world of web design. Of course I have designed websites before, but by venture I mean exploring the technical side in Dreamweaver. My hope is that our websites at work become more controlled, more understandable, easily updated and hopefully unleashes our creativity.
But man, is it a lot of work! I admit, I am no programmer and I admire the knowledge they have, but just "getting by" in Dreamweaver takes a lot of understanding. I never thought I would get this deep, but with the direction our industry is heading, it's probably for my own good.
Going back to being bored. I have realized that a remedy to this solution will have to occur once a week (hopefully). I plan to take one night a week and call it my "hobby night." This is where I venture into the creative aspect of design. The artsy side. On this night, I can finish making that necklace I started weeks ago. I can create art for the bare walls of my home. I can jazz up a sketchbook or journal cover. The possibilities are all mine and I am relieved to know that I have a time now to exercise my creative muscle.
So cheers to hobby night!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Feeling a little sketchy
It is typical for me to "doodle" in Monday morning meetings. Now just because I am drawing flowers around a punch hole doesn't mean I am not listening, but most of what is discussed isn't pertinent to me. Therefore I indulge in an adventure with my pen in order to pass the time.
Being a more concrete thinker, one who does best with clear direction and limits, I find that free expression is just not up my alley. In fact, if there were a blank canvas in front of me, I would be so afraid of unending possibilities, that I couldn't just come up with something to paint or draw.
I remember clearly how in art school one side of the building was driven by reason and order, graphic design, while the other side was lead by abstraction and imagination, fine art. You could even tell the difference in the students. One memory of my graphic design education was taking a Drawing 2 class as an elective. That experience only solidified my understanding of the major differences between these halves of the school.
I remember our first assignment. "Come in with something finished," my fine art teacher said. I immediately felt lost. Where is the direction? Where is the reason? Where do I start? And the question I had the entire semester: Where are the still lives? I signed up for this class because I do love drawing. I enjoy trying to create a replica of what I'm seeing. I admire the work of artists who can make a painting look like a photograph. I see true skill in that. So obviously, abstraction and expressing imagination gives me a little anxiety. Sadly in our class I carried that anxiety till the end. The assignments were always the same and I never had something finished to bring in. It was the greatest struggle for me. I was never able to excel inside the classroom either because we spent our class time working on personal projects, which really gave fine artists the opportunity to be free, but kept me in lock down. I couldn't help but feel out of place and the only thing I really got out of that drawing class was a watercolor skill.
I was a little ashamed of myself. I'm in the art school after all, I should be able to do this. I knew I had some talent drawing, but I just didn't know how to express anything and that somehow made me feel less of an artist. In time, I learned that there are several ways to approach art because we use our minds differently. Art doesn't always have to be a dream world, and for me, I find commercial art is just as expressive.
Yet I do crave the life of a fine artist. Mainly just to let this caged creativity free. Like most creatives in the advertising/marketing industry, I feel hindered and find it is up to me to let that imprisoned creativity out. The solution I came up with is to take my doodling to a higher level. After observing work from illustrator Daniel Merriam, I realized I don't have to be afraid of a blank page. There is nothing wrong with drawing the first thing that I think of, whether it is a cat eating food or a portrait of my niece, the beauty of art is the translation from mind to paper.
With that, I am always looking for opportunities to draw in my blank sketchbook. I find it is a necessary daily practice in a confined creative world, a treasure in the mist of chaos and as freeing as a journal. It is so personal, I love it.
All I know is now Monday morning meetings will never be the same.
Being a more concrete thinker, one who does best with clear direction and limits, I find that free expression is just not up my alley. In fact, if there were a blank canvas in front of me, I would be so afraid of unending possibilities, that I couldn't just come up with something to paint or draw.
I remember clearly how in art school one side of the building was driven by reason and order, graphic design, while the other side was lead by abstraction and imagination, fine art. You could even tell the difference in the students. One memory of my graphic design education was taking a Drawing 2 class as an elective. That experience only solidified my understanding of the major differences between these halves of the school.
I remember our first assignment. "Come in with something finished," my fine art teacher said. I immediately felt lost. Where is the direction? Where is the reason? Where do I start? And the question I had the entire semester: Where are the still lives? I signed up for this class because I do love drawing. I enjoy trying to create a replica of what I'm seeing. I admire the work of artists who can make a painting look like a photograph. I see true skill in that. So obviously, abstraction and expressing imagination gives me a little anxiety. Sadly in our class I carried that anxiety till the end. The assignments were always the same and I never had something finished to bring in. It was the greatest struggle for me. I was never able to excel inside the classroom either because we spent our class time working on personal projects, which really gave fine artists the opportunity to be free, but kept me in lock down. I couldn't help but feel out of place and the only thing I really got out of that drawing class was a watercolor skill.
I was a little ashamed of myself. I'm in the art school after all, I should be able to do this. I knew I had some talent drawing, but I just didn't know how to express anything and that somehow made me feel less of an artist. In time, I learned that there are several ways to approach art because we use our minds differently. Art doesn't always have to be a dream world, and for me, I find commercial art is just as expressive.
Yet I do crave the life of a fine artist. Mainly just to let this caged creativity free. Like most creatives in the advertising/marketing industry, I feel hindered and find it is up to me to let that imprisoned creativity out. The solution I came up with is to take my doodling to a higher level. After observing work from illustrator Daniel Merriam, I realized I don't have to be afraid of a blank page. There is nothing wrong with drawing the first thing that I think of, whether it is a cat eating food or a portrait of my niece, the beauty of art is the translation from mind to paper.
With that, I am always looking for opportunities to draw in my blank sketchbook. I find it is a necessary daily practice in a confined creative world, a treasure in the mist of chaos and as freeing as a journal. It is so personal, I love it.
All I know is now Monday morning meetings will never be the same.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Designing for the spirit
Read this first:
Blank: The Spirit of Design
Not sure what to write about. I just know I bond to what this person wrote. I've always felt this desire to express more with graphic design than just create something that looks pretty. It's clear that a fine design piece, very attractive on the surface, is simply shallow. Without any thought or cleverness, the piece doesn't hold much power. It can only go as far as the surface and it may only win a bronze at best. But it seems what makes "good" design, the kind that makes your heart skip a beat, is a mix of beauty and intelligence.
But could there be more to it? Is there another ingredient in that mix? Can plain old good design become great? More importantly, what is it about great design that skips past the flirtatious phase and immediately draws us in?
That question makes me wonder: Are we only flirting with customers? It's easy to see that the meat market of advertising only likes to toy with people. No wonder this industry has little respect. No wonder it's difficult to get noticed and accepted. We've caused people to become numb to our advances. Even though I am in the industry, I'm tired of the way advertising treats me. Basically, I don't want to be led on, I want to be pursued.
But maybe we don't value our customers enough. We only look at the exterior and thus create work that has no depth. Yet you and I know that people are more than just "surfacy". Yes, some come across that way and some really want what's on the surface, but all customers are extremely complicated and full of depth, full of something more than we give them credit for.
It is typically described as "our hearts." That place that yearns for more and longs to be recognized. It's a vulnerable area that needs to be handled delicately. It is the source of our passions, our desires, our convictions and our treasures. It's what burns for love and the goodness of life. But the most important thing about our "hearts" is that they tell us who we are. You could almost say that it is the "spirit" of a person.
And that is the very place that needs to be spoken to.
By no means should we use this to manipulate customers. That is just vicious. I've realized lately that there is a fine line between manipulation and influence. I think the way we can speak to the hearts of our customers is to first step into their shoes, feel what they feel and make those feelings your own. Develop a connection with your audience by looking at your own heart. Basically, develop a relationship. A pet peeve of mine is when I'm in a conversation with someone and they look past me or through me. Worse is when they only come to me when they need something. That feeling of being used strikes right at the core and most of the time this industry does that: uses people.
The blog that has inspired this post, inspires these questions too:
How can we communicate to an individual's spirit through design when you are dealing with a self-centered product?
How can we use this understanding to develop great design?
These are tough ideas. Difficult to administer when there is a mold already set in place. I guess a simple step to take is to ask these questions, one project at a time, one person at at time.
Blank: The Spirit of Design
Not sure what to write about. I just know I bond to what this person wrote. I've always felt this desire to express more with graphic design than just create something that looks pretty. It's clear that a fine design piece, very attractive on the surface, is simply shallow. Without any thought or cleverness, the piece doesn't hold much power. It can only go as far as the surface and it may only win a bronze at best. But it seems what makes "good" design, the kind that makes your heart skip a beat, is a mix of beauty and intelligence.
But could there be more to it? Is there another ingredient in that mix? Can plain old good design become great? More importantly, what is it about great design that skips past the flirtatious phase and immediately draws us in?
That question makes me wonder: Are we only flirting with customers? It's easy to see that the meat market of advertising only likes to toy with people. No wonder this industry has little respect. No wonder it's difficult to get noticed and accepted. We've caused people to become numb to our advances. Even though I am in the industry, I'm tired of the way advertising treats me. Basically, I don't want to be led on, I want to be pursued.
But maybe we don't value our customers enough. We only look at the exterior and thus create work that has no depth. Yet you and I know that people are more than just "surfacy". Yes, some come across that way and some really want what's on the surface, but all customers are extremely complicated and full of depth, full of something more than we give them credit for.
It is typically described as "our hearts." That place that yearns for more and longs to be recognized. It's a vulnerable area that needs to be handled delicately. It is the source of our passions, our desires, our convictions and our treasures. It's what burns for love and the goodness of life. But the most important thing about our "hearts" is that they tell us who we are. You could almost say that it is the "spirit" of a person.
And that is the very place that needs to be spoken to.
By no means should we use this to manipulate customers. That is just vicious. I've realized lately that there is a fine line between manipulation and influence. I think the way we can speak to the hearts of our customers is to first step into their shoes, feel what they feel and make those feelings your own. Develop a connection with your audience by looking at your own heart. Basically, develop a relationship. A pet peeve of mine is when I'm in a conversation with someone and they look past me or through me. Worse is when they only come to me when they need something. That feeling of being used strikes right at the core and most of the time this industry does that: uses people.
The blog that has inspired this post, inspires these questions too:
How can we communicate to an individual's spirit through design when you are dealing with a self-centered product?
How can we use this understanding to develop great design?
These are tough ideas. Difficult to administer when there is a mold already set in place. I guess a simple step to take is to ask these questions, one project at a time, one person at at time.
Friday, August 31, 2007
What is purpose (maybe)?
I recently read an article from AIGA entitled "What is Success?" by Helen Lupton (the link is on the right). I don't know if that title really describes where the article went and instead I found it had more to do with purpose rather than success.
However, I guess I never put into words what makes a designer successful because I've never really analyzed it. I know what makes me upset about design and what gets me excited. For the most part, I can determine what is bad design and what is good design. But that doesn't determine success.
I guess it comes down to your gut. Your heart actually. That's most likely where you'll find your focus. So what is it that drives your focus in design? For some, it may be the amount of money they gain through their career. For another, it may be the job position they hold. Yet for others, and I hope most, it is about their work and the level they achieve. Though she seems to cover many ideas in this article, Lupton seemed to briefly describe what I would define as successful.
That is, the impact design has on the world.
After all...we are engaging the world visually. Through graphic design, there is an opportunity to tap into a person's mind. To influence what clothes they buy, where they'll eat dinner on Friday, and even what bank to join.
But is that success? To influence 2,000 people to buy an ipod? or a new ceiling fan? or 2 packs of Pepsi for the cost of one? Does that sort of an impact determine the success of a graphic designer or the success of their boss' pocket?
If you read the article, Lupton isn't talking about that kind of success. We all desire for our work to be seen and even to witness the influence it has on consumers, but of course that's only part of it. She makes a good statement when she says:
"One way to think about success is asking whether your work gets seen or used, and if so, whether using it enhances people’s lives."
Ahhh....enhancing lives. That's better than just impacting. It's a positive influence. Wow. Can you imagine if you could influence those 2,000 people to drive hybrid cars? or to invest in a cool, modern office chair that helps back pain? or just to make smarter choices when it comes to eating...just by one ad. I say that would enhance a lot. It might even enhance your own life.
But of course, that's not everyone's version of success. I will end this entry with the same closing thought Lupton ends her article with. One that might spin off into another blog for me.
"Success is more than going to work every day and getting paid. Success means finding personal satisfaction in your work and loving what you do. And it means engaging with a social world: a world of clients and employers, but also of readers, users and other designers. It is those things that make us rich."
However, I guess I never put into words what makes a designer successful because I've never really analyzed it. I know what makes me upset about design and what gets me excited. For the most part, I can determine what is bad design and what is good design. But that doesn't determine success.
I guess it comes down to your gut. Your heart actually. That's most likely where you'll find your focus. So what is it that drives your focus in design? For some, it may be the amount of money they gain through their career. For another, it may be the job position they hold. Yet for others, and I hope most, it is about their work and the level they achieve. Though she seems to cover many ideas in this article, Lupton seemed to briefly describe what I would define as successful.
That is, the impact design has on the world.
After all...we are engaging the world visually. Through graphic design, there is an opportunity to tap into a person's mind. To influence what clothes they buy, where they'll eat dinner on Friday, and even what bank to join.
But is that success? To influence 2,000 people to buy an ipod? or a new ceiling fan? or 2 packs of Pepsi for the cost of one? Does that sort of an impact determine the success of a graphic designer or the success of their boss' pocket?
If you read the article, Lupton isn't talking about that kind of success. We all desire for our work to be seen and even to witness the influence it has on consumers, but of course that's only part of it. She makes a good statement when she says:
"One way to think about success is asking whether your work gets seen or used, and if so, whether using it enhances people’s lives."
Ahhh....enhancing lives. That's better than just impacting. It's a positive influence. Wow. Can you imagine if you could influence those 2,000 people to drive hybrid cars? or to invest in a cool, modern office chair that helps back pain? or just to make smarter choices when it comes to eating...just by one ad. I say that would enhance a lot. It might even enhance your own life.
But of course, that's not everyone's version of success. I will end this entry with the same closing thought Lupton ends her article with. One that might spin off into another blog for me.
"Success is more than going to work every day and getting paid. Success means finding personal satisfaction in your work and loving what you do. And it means engaging with a social world: a world of clients and employers, but also of readers, users and other designers. It is those things that make us rich."
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
needing one more outlet
Just what I need...another blog. Sure it's one more thing to update and keep track of, but this one is different than the others. See, I've decided to categorize my blogs by topics. I have one for staying connected to a variety of friends. I have another to share my personal beliefs and opinions. Yet I couldn't help but feel I needed another blog to express a part of my life that is a passion (and my career).
Graphic Design.
So, this blog isn't an update of my daily life, but a combination of inspiration, ideas, aspirations and even frustrations associated with design.
Although, this will be an outlet for me, I hope it would also be a place to dialogue with other like-minded designers...
and hopefully, spur inspiration (for both me and you).
Graphic Design.
So, this blog isn't an update of my daily life, but a combination of inspiration, ideas, aspirations and even frustrations associated with design.
Although, this will be an outlet for me, I hope it would also be a place to dialogue with other like-minded designers...
and hopefully, spur inspiration (for both me and you).
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