One of the most amazing designers, painters, and typographers ever. A.M. Cassandre for your viewing pleasure.
A.M. Cassandre by Roland Mouron, the estate of A.M. Cassandre, official website
Get Cassandre posters at Art.com
Debbie Millman Rocks! I admit... I'm a fan. Because she is the busy Partner and President of the design division of Sterling Brands in NYC, with a host of projects and probably an inbox filled to capacity, I never expected to actually receive a reply to the email I sent to her. But I did receive a reply (several in fact) and am also proud as can be that ArtLOOK resides on her blogroll.
For those of you who don't know, Debbie is also a board member of the National AIGA, and teaches at the School of Visual Arts and Fashion Institute of Technology. She is an author on the design blog Speak Up, a regular contributor to Print Magazine and she hosts a weekly Internet talk show on the Voice America Business network titled Design Matters. Debbie maintains a blog AND has written a terrific book, "How to Think Like a Graphic Designer" which I just received Thursday of last week. Honestly... talk about an overachiever!
I'm not the only fan. Eric over at ideasonideas has just posted an interview with Debbie where he Turns the Table on Debbie and interviews the interviewer. Be sure to tune into Debbie's Design Matters where she interviews the great names in design and pick up her new book "How to Think Like a Graphic Designer."
Wow... there are so many websites and blogs I could/should link to here. Well I'll just do my best and hit the top 4 or 5 or 6....
I recently received an email from my cousin Ted Mikulski. I didn't even know I had a cousin named Ted Mikulski, let alone the fact that I had a cousin named Ted Mikulski who paints! It was pretty darn cool to hear from him. Having corresponded with the up and coming artist, he now has a brand new website online to present his work, and a blog for marketing. Please visit Ted's website and say hello at the blog.
As a follow up to my post entitled The Value of New Media in the Art Industry, I'd like to direct your attention to an article written by Paola Antonelli about the revitalization of graphic design objectives at MOMA. While the article was written in 2004, it is still relevant today and offers a specific viewpoint from MOMA's Department of Architecture and Design. Very nicely written and found via AIGA.
Last month I interviewed Sculptor Gilbert Boro for a feature article in INK magazine. Interviews are often very enjoyable for me and every time I conduct an interview I learn something surprising. I've worked closely with Gil Boro for about 3 years, but it wasn't until we sat down to discuss his work for INK that I realized how much Boro really truly embraces, not necessarily the end product of his work, but the process.
Boro spoke to me about the challenges and the fun he has with the stages and series of his work. He spoke about the way these large scale sculptures of his are put together...the way end pieces meet and how the sculpture hits the ground. He talked about how when working in a series he is able to revisit a problem or address an issue not fully resolved in the last artistic attempt. For Gilbert Boro, it's all about the journey.
For the last month or so, I've been thinking a lot about process. While, of course, I know that a certain conceptual process goes on in creating something; personally I've never really been able to "embrace it." Process was a means to the end. I knew it was there lurking behind the scenes, but turning out product for clients and meeting constant deadlines afforded me little time for the luxury of in-depth consideration. Often I just felt like the machine working for the deadline and the end product. This was a major mistake on my part.
I believe creativity is intricately bound to process.
Looking back on past work, I noticed that those projects which allowed me time for consideration and to fully develop concepts were superior to those projects which were turned out at Mach speed - duh! Some projects which were turned around quickly were also quite good, but I attribute that to the mysterious thing that happens when you sometimes throw analysis aside and work from sheer inspiration. Nevertheless, the projects in which I was able to embrace the process were not only superior but I remember they were a lot of fun as well.
The opening paragraph of Boro's article poses the question, What is it that compels the artist or designer to create? Is it that first spark of an idea that sends them into the studio? Or perhaps it is the visualization of the end product that drives the artist to work through the night. In my case, I think it was often reaching for the end result that drove me to work late into the night. This, I feel, is mainly due to meeting the deadline or satisfying the client's time line. Deadlines and time lines are a very real part of the design industry.
One activity where I am hyper focused on process is writing. Every
word is chosen for a reason. I strive to get the punctuation and
grammar as proper as possible although I'd be the first to say I require a
good editor. Not only is the content of the written piece important
but also the way the words work together. I endeavor to be a word weaver. So, how
come the difference between the design and writing process? Well...for one thing, I think it's because writing is just so unbelievably
difficult!! It requires my complete attention. When I'm in the
process of writing don't expect an immediate reply to your email
because I'm not checking email at that time. Don't call me because I
will not answer the phone and in fact, the ringer has been turned off.
Don't knock at my door or call my name, because I don't hear you until
after the article is completed. When I write it's for fun (in a painful
sort of way) but when I design... I'm at work. Work includes answering
phones, responding to email, having to stop what I'm doing to attend a
meeting. I love design more than anything, and I was becoming increasingly attracted to exploring process, so something had to
change...
I am now embracing the process and all it's beauty. I'm making a concentrated effort to be conscious of its presence and what it means. I have to say...it makes me really happy to do this. There are a lot of questions involved and a multitude of ways to do things, but it's the challenge of finding a REALLY GREAT solution that holds the nicotine fix of process. It's having the time to experiment and play and work toward something truly unique and fresh that defines creativity. I travel around now with a Moleskin in my bag and a stash of pencils for sketching out ideas. Process is time intensive but I have found that the client receives a better design, better problem solving analysis, and I feel heaps better about the creation and the development of the design. I believe this is why people hire designers. And I think its important that designers and artists feel good about what they have created.
I'm often most creative at night. So I've been doing a lot of the conceptual work during the evenings and into the early morning. This allows me a good span of time after hours to complete a thought and to work on consolidating ideas. It's a nice quiet time. Instead of problem solving while I drive or while I'm in the shower, I now actually take the time to sit in my office, pencil in hand and dedicate time to pondering a solution.
I'm making a concentrated effort to be conscious of its presence and what it means.
Just like when I write, I've discovered that when I'm designing I don't have to respond to email immediately. I need the time and space to see an idea through (or mostly through) to some conclusion. I've started to check email only two or three times a day. It's true what everyone says... this allows for a more productive day free from distraction. Emails don't all need an immediate response. Responding to all at the end of the day, is OK. Don't tell anyone, but I've also started to turn the ringer off on that Blackberry when I'm focusing on a job... that works really well.
Knowledge provides contentment for me and adding to my skill set is exciting. I'm tired of doing the same old stuff the same old way. The time has come to expand and grow. I believe creativity is intricately bound to process. I've updated my hardware and software. I'm taking tutorials and having a blast.
I'm interested to know what you as designers, artists and writers think. Do you embrace the process or is it a means to the end? What is it that compels you to create? And how do you consider process?
A fun quote:
"Money frees you from doing things you dislike. Since I dislike doing nearly everything, money is handy." Groucho Marx
27 April, Icograda's anniversary, was designated World Graphics Day in 1995. It is an opportunity to recognise communication design and its role in the world.
On this occasion, designers reflect and hope that our international network can contribute to a greater understanding between people and can help to build bridges where divides and inequities exist.
Join Icograda this year in promoting what it means to 'lead creatively' in our global community.
Art and Progaganda by Milton Glaser. There is nothing else for me to say except read it for yourself. Found via icograda.
