Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Taking a break with a book...

This past weekend my brother came up to help me move my stuff into my new apartment. But, as it always happens in the moving process, we got tired so we took the Saturday off and explored Barnes & Noble.

I, myself, have a lot of reading to catch up with so I mostly flipped through potential books that I might want to read in the late, late future and admired some of the trendy cover art. And then I got a bright idea: Why not look for design books?

To say the least, I am disappointed at this particular Barnes and Nobles lack of anything related to graphic design and slightly upset at the misleading sign with the words 'Architecture & Design' which really meant 'Architecture & Interior Design.' I found a grand total of 4 books that were solely dedicated to graphic design, but fortunately, one was a must have: 'Design Basics Index (Index Series)' by Jim Krauss. The book is actually straight forward and simple about most design concepts. It's jampacked with so much and have exercises for all kinds of things that it's gotten me all kinds of excited. My apartment now includes a specific section in the living room dedicated to design and web design just because I'm all kinds of excited.

As I'm fixing my spiffy little section along with the rest of my living room, I heard myself asking yet other questions: Why buy design books when there's so much on the web about it? Why buy books when there's so much more out there?

Problem with searching the web for design as with anything else on the web is that one can easily lose themselves in a sea of information and it's quite easy to get sidetracked with yet another cool interesting article/blog/image/etc. that may or may not have anything to do with what you were learning. With books there's hardly any chance of something popping out at you or have highlighted words that are just itching to be clicked to take you away to something absolutely different. It's just you and that page. It's a beauty that most people do not seem to appreciate enough and an incredible feature when you want to focus your energy on learning a single aspect well.

However, I am not denying the fact that there is a beauty to the internet as well. Internet magazines for one; forums, social networking sites another. The internet has opened doors to meet others with similar minds and create communities that otherwise would be impossible. So in that, I cannot deny the power and potential that internet has to build yourself from. But sometimes, one needs that simplicity, that piece of paper and pen to start from, that book that you found tucked away in a library or discount stores. Starting out simple isn't always a weakness but can be a great strength and will leave you in a clearer state of mind when approaching design and learning from it. It doesn't hurt to keep your eyes open and take in the day, a notebook at hand or a camera close to heart. Most of the time, you'll never know what hit you.

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Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Midsummer Projects for the Aspiring Designer

As the summer is fast approaching its end, I'm found myself searching making a list for last minute projects/activities I'd like to do so I compiled a list. The following list is just a general list for those aspiring to be designers and improve on their skills, though I understand if each person has their own way of cultivating their design and don't necessarily agree with all elements on this list. This, however, has been working for me.

Fill up an entire sketchbook
Whether it's just with random doodles or anatomy (like me), it's important to carry one with you all the time. It gets tiring to hear people stressing this fact over and over but it's true; you never know what unexpected thing you're going to see, hear or feel and you might want to jot it down. Plus, it gives you something to do on your downtime.

Take a day trip...

... To the art museum or local gallery. Make sure to fill up a sketchbook with as much notes and inspiration bits as you can. Even if it involves writing notes and metaphors to the piece. Many designs can have certain metaphors in its creation and make it all the more meaningful at upon its completion. So don't always rule out writing.

Take an art class
Color theory and composition should be major ones on the list and can definitely help you in the long run. Two classes I have taken that both related to these concepts have definitely done wonders when it comes to assessing what's important in a piece. If you have already taken several or don't have the money for one, there's books and the internet to make up for it. Classic painters are wonderful to start.

Read a book or magazine
Preferably over design or art-related subject. Though not quite as active as the others projects, reading and actually taking in what you read can be a very active endeavor. Ways to be a more active reader is to whip out a notebook (or your sketchbook), and start taking notes. It's slower but you'll absorb a lot more in the long run Plus, you can always refer to those notes later.

Learn to take a break
Sit out in the patio and just relax. Meditate. Listen to music. Just learn to walk away from a project that is absolutely absorbing you and then go back and see the big picture. Picking out mistakes and appreciating the good decisions in a project will be taken into account more than if you didn't.

See the world in which you live in
Yes, this is an age-old saying but it's so true. We're all guilty of "zoning out" habit. But sometimes, letting down that habit can open your eyes to new things. And changing up your routine a little might help the "zoning out" habit; go adventure out into the city or drive a different way to work. Take walks in the evening and such.

Take what you learn and do it
Most people end up stuck in a cycle of learning and not actively practicing what they learn. In design, something has to come out of it: whether it be a redesigned bedroom, a flyer, a website, artwork -something. A designer could be anyone- graphic, web, interior, etc. but the message is the same: Take everyday as a learning experience and do it.

Right now I've been working on filling up my sketchbook before the summer is out and so far, I'm doing great. The biggest challenge is actually filling it up with useful content that I could possibly use later on in the future. As far as the other items on the list, it's always going to be a work in progress.

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Thursday, July 10, 2008

Creative Mess

Yesterday, I was confronted with pieces of myself stuffed in over-used cardboard boxes. My posters and artwork were still on the wall but most of my books, lotions, perfumes and jewelry were scattered in a painful representation of what my room had become. One large mess.

It's nothing to get upset about but when I come home from work and walk into my small room, a certain anxiety comes over me and I'm, almost instantly, overwhelmed. I love, crave the neatness of a room, kitchen, bathroom, etc., I like the look of clean, the artful portrayal of simplicity(at the same time trying not to look too bare and sterile) and the insinuation that life at home brings peace (which it does). It's a wonderful feeling to come home to clean.

However, a week ago, I came across an article from the New York Times dating back a couple of years. I don't know remember how I found it but it intrigued me because it was entitled "Saying Yes to Mess." I kept reading and found an even more interesting point: people who tend to be neat usually have empty minds.

excuse me?

there were other facts tied to that statement but that remark just kind of triggered something closely related to surprise or offense. Yes, I like neat, organized things but by no means does it signify emptiness of any kind.

I love the creative, I love exploring and my mind is always busy with unorganized thoughts, ideas and aspiring projects. A walk in my mind must be like walking into an endless closet so cluttered with miscellaneous items, papers and things, you wouldn't know where to start.. And everyday, that clutter rearranges itself so that you'll almost be guaranteed to get lost in it yet again.

So here's my extension to the head I call my own. To the mess, to the wondrous, to the discovery of amazing... this blog I dedicate to you.

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