When watching Marian Bantjes on ted she had many points that were very interesting and I found related to a lot of work I wan working on now. She started out as a graphic designer and solving visual solution was her way to communicate. She then decided that she wanted to to create a more personal approach to her work. She now works on projects that make her follow her heart and interests. I feel this is so important. No matter the project or work you have to have passion in what you are working on. When this is not the case I feel you and your audience can tell. When you work from your heart you are able to connect with others hearts and make those personal connections that you look for all of the time. What is worth while? Was another question Marian sakes herself when she is choosing a design project. I feel this question will become more apparent when I have worked in the design field for awhile. Because right now the only way I can choose this is by doing my own personal side projects. She also mentioned that the way you choose if it is something you want to work on is by looking at the conditions you work in and the audience you are working for. I feel the same way if you feel like when working on the project you will be able to connect with whom you are wanting the message to get to the project is worth while. Overall Merian had many great points that made me think about my project and really think about what I want them to say and to whom I want to connect with the most.
So since I’m still talking about Chicago almost everyday I feel as if I need to write more about the fabulous weekend I had! With the weekend full of so many events and speakers that were very inspiring.
The first thing we did when we got there was visit The Simple Truth design studio. They are design studio right downtown with about 25 people in total. Right when we walked in the atmosphere was very warm and welcoming. They had many walls that you could tell were they to help the creativity flow with brown paper and chalkboards. Then they gave us a tour of the whole studio with the office being sectioned off by there job titles. Then we went into a conference room to talk about the kind of work they do. They put up a slideshow of some of their work. All of it was very inspiring.
Then that same night we went and met up with five alumni that are currently working in the Chicago area. They were all very inspiring to hear their stories and where they got to where they are today. It was nice to hear a variety of stories. Knowing I have the option to do many things with my degree is very exciting.
This weekend was AMAZING there are so many words filling my head right now I don’t even know where to start. The amount of inspiration and thought provoking sparkers was crazy. Before this weekend I had always had Chicago in the back of my mind. It was somewhere I had been before and enjoyed although now that I have gone and seen the design side of this city my view has totally changed. If I can make it work I would love to be living there in about 7 months. With senior year flying by it is crazy to think I will be out in the real world within a matter of months. Although, it is not only the fabulous speakers I heard this weekend who are influencing this decision but the city itself just the pace and people that surround you create a place I would love to be. So what does this mean for me..I guess I need to start looking and making decisions about what kind of firm I would like to work at or where I would fit in the best. Although, after hearing many of the designers speak this weekend about how they just really had to try it out to see if they fit in. Some of them got it on the first try and they were are still there and enjoying it. Others moved around and got the most out of every job they took. So for me to be hearing this is perfect because I’m not exactly sure what I want to totally focus. I’m ready to explore.
This week I chose to listen to Paul Bennett speak about the ways he looks at design. In the beginning when was asked to do the research in what a hospital patients experience is he did not give them mind maps or graphs and charts but rather a video of the ceiling. Why because this was really what the experience was like for the patient. I found this interesting because you do not always have to use words to describe what you are thinking. The ability to show the “client” a moldboard full of inspiration and what you plan on making the experience is much more important then the ability to come up with charts and graphs.
Another point he touched on was to look on the outside edges of things you don’t always have to look right in the middle. For myself I believe there is a fine line between looking to far inside or outside of the box. When you are looking at the edges is when you are able to see beyond what an average person might think to so far out of the box not a single person gets it making them not be able to relate to what you are trying to convey.
Although, for both cases the importance of putting yourself in the users shoes makes for better design that you are able to connect and relate to.
This week Marc English was kind enough to Skype into our class and give an insightful discussion about design and becoming a designer.
During the conversation Marc talked about what he looks for in a portfolio when he is hiring. One of his main key points was your history. What makes you who you are and what are your experiences. When I heard this I could not help but think what do I want to put on my resume that will tell who I am but also give meaning and somewhat of a purpose. I think of these as things that you do not learn in school but maybe something that brought me to the school I am at? Marc mentioned a few like music, food, culture, sports, and religion. I am not currently sure exactly what I would list. Another, factor he mentioned as being important is the cleverness of your humor. Having it be so clever is is not something you laugh at just once but overtime you read it you can laugh. I believe this is a good point because it is a way to be remembered. When you can make a connection with your employer like that it will be much easier to be remembered. Also, the ability to be able to work with the people around you and have the same type of personality or be able to get along. One of the last points that Marc made that I think is something that I need to keep reminding myself is that you have to fail so many times to be able to create good work the first time. It is not just something that happens over night.
There are days when this thought is needed. If you just remember that pleasant things work better how or would it change you design? If not your design maybe the process. Although, I like to think of myself currently as a happy person most of the time I would find it interesting to see if I noticed any change in my design when I was aware of my current happy or sad state. With that being said Don explained many examples of design that was clever and the joy it brought to people when they were using it. So not only was the designer happy they were thinking about what would make the customer happy and create a better place.
He also mentioned that when you are happy you get new ideas. I believe this is something that is also beyond a designer. When someone is in a happy state of mind they are ready to get more work done and create pieces that are going to make someone around them smile.
I also think that this can come with the people you surround yourself with. If I am surrounded by people I like and make me happy I am happier myself and find my work to be better in the end. I am also the type of person who likes to be by people when I work to be able to talk. They can be people working on the same project or not. There are benefits of both when they are just there for support it is fun to see what they think and get a whole new perspective on it. Or to be able to talk about the same project with someone right next to you and bounce ideas off each other.
Living a life that is full of clever design is the best way to be happy!
This week I choose to listen to Karen Larsen and SJ Klein on Typeradio. They are both designers in Alaska. The both had very interesting points about how their location influenced their design. With Alaska having a total population of about 600,000 and a design population of about 150 this makes for a fairly close group of designers to work together. Although, they have to work to stay connected with there being no AIGA chapter in Alaska.
I have always wanted to travel to and live in a big city and experience all it has offer. Although, like Karen mentioned although there may be lots of art and design you may have to stick with more main stream design. With the pace being so fast getting noticed there is a whole different story. Also, the client base difference between a large and small population is an interesting concept. Although, I feel as if this is getting smaller and smaller with the growing technologies. Even though there is just somethings that can just not be replaces with getting everyone in one room and brainstorming or talking out problems.
Another point brought put was why would you live in AK if you did not want to speak and design for that language and type of personality. I believe this will come with time for myself being able to experience all that I can in different parts of the world and just finding where I feel I fit and connect with the community best.
Collaborative working is a key part of graphic design. Whether it’s the initial client meeting or the final print off the press.
Armand works with Linda Van Deursen in their own studio in Amsterdam. To him collaboration is key. He mentioned that working with someone is a way to feel as if everything does not falls on your shoulders.
When thinking about this I feel as if the way I have evolved as a designer has helped me learn this and made me the designer I am today.
With starting freshman year working on all of my own projects and having to come up with your own solutions, I believe was key in the beginning. It gives you a place to start and work from. I feel as if you were to start by working in groups you would not get the full sense of work ethic and coming up with your own ideas.
Then moving on the computer and creating digital solutions using the same problem solving process. Being able to go through the same steps and process although not all on paper makes you think it through and come up with a digital solution using the same principals and elements. Although, still not collaborating in group work and being able to go through the steps on the computer on your own the same as you would on paper.
Then moving on to a mix of individual work and group work but still using the same process to create work not just with incorporating more then one persons ideas and concepts.
Overall, I believe group work is a great way to collaborate and get a large amour of work done in an effective amount of time.
Of these rules by John Cage there were two that stuck out to me.
Rule 5
Be self disciplined.
This means finding someone smart or wise and choosing to follow them.
To be disciplined is to follow in a good way.
To be self-disciplined is to follow in a better way.
Self disciplined is something I find myself always trying to perfect. Although, the use of self-discipline is so important to me. When I am moor organized and create list and actually complete them it feels so much more rewarding. Also, to find someone who I feel does this in a way that is working and learn from them is also very important. I also have found that the more you work on something to fulfill your own goals the better you will feel about it.
Rule 9
Be happy whenever you can manage it. Enjoy yourself. It is lighter than you think.
When choosing graphic design as my major I knew I was on the right track to always being happy. This being said it does not mean I am happy one hundred percent of the time. To me what is the most important is when I look back and remember all of the times I have had and all of the great people I have met in the process. With that being said I love surrounding myself with people. I find myself working the best when I am in places with people surrounding me. They can be people I know or anyone. I like to have the noise and movement around me. There are many people who find this distracting making it hard to work although I find it to be just the opposite. Also, when I enjoy myself is when I am with my family and friends. They bring out the best in me and I am enjoying myself the most.
What a good week of inspiration. With Rob Carter and Sandy Wheeler in town they brought a lot of fun and creativity to Big Rapids.
There were many great points that they brought up but a few that stuck out to me were creating a visual voice, finding and creating your own style, and stepping away from design.
Having a visual voice was interesting to me because I thought it was a good way to sum up graphic design. The thought that that is actually what we are doing. As designers we can take what people here and create powerful imagery and type put them together and spread messages that will reach people everywhere, and now with technology they can be around the world in seconds.
Also creating a style to call your own was a topic discussed quite a bit. With the though of is something you should worry about. There are many different opinions about this and everyone has their own. It is not a yes or no question was the official answer, it depends on the person and the style they are going for. Although, they also mentioned you will find the more work you create the more you will see patterns arise. This is when you will know what your style is and then will be able to see it in your work. I have not had that feeling of all my work being the same or having the same feel. Although, just today I was looking at my mood boards for my non profit project and finding pieces and parts resemblance to my other projects and I am starting to find those patterns.
Stepping away from design. I would also say that I really don’t. I may not always be thinking about it on the top of my head but it is always there. Although, I do not rock climb like Rob and Sandy I do like to ski in the winter and I feel as if it is the same type of feeling. I do it to relax although I do find myself thinking about the way finding systems and how they have everything marked. I also love taking photos while skiing and noticing the nature around me. So while stepping away from design I am also always taking it in.
