unstrungstudio

Lately, when working, I have AMC on in the background. As a result, I have seen some classic movies (with the back of my head). Last night, as I finished a poster, I watched Pale Rider (with the back of my head), and yesterday, during the afternoon, I saw Empire of the Sun. I haven't seen Empire of the Sun for many, many years. It's a sweeping epic that was released during 1987, as well as an often overlooked masterpiece by Steven Spielberg. The main character is Jim Graham, a child who gets lost in a crowd and is forced to survive in a Japanese internment camp during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai and much of the Chinese countryside. (Jim is deftly played by a young Christian Bale.) The movie is remarkable for many reasons, but in reflecting on the movie, I have focused on a single idea. What is hardship, and how does it shape us?

Does hardship inspire us or break our spirit? Sure, we know that most art is derived from basic angst. Listen to the radio for an hour, and you'll see what I mean. (As an aside, in my opinion, The Beatles are primarily remarkable because so many of their songs are “happy”.) However, Empire of the Sun, which follows a child through extreme hardship, gives me pause. Cinematic grandeur aside, I have known limited hardship during my lifetime, primarily familial strife, poverty and the illness of others. These experiences, no doubt, have hardened me. They also inform my work, which is often too serious. However, through hardship, we also learn about those things that truly matter. They, in fact, become undeniable truths. Through hardship, I have learned that family, friends and life experience matter. Money is a means to an end. Possessions are exchangeable and temporal.

In short, I think that hardship does inform most of what we do in this lifetime. It is fodder for our art, and it is the grease between our gears. Sure, there are positive experiences that also shape us; I will not deny it.

If you haven't seen Empire of the Sun, I would recommend it. It is beautiful and sweeping. It is also affecting. I have been extremely lucky during this lifetime. It may not last, but I take comfort in knowing that many of us walk a hard road and survive.

posted by J.  # 9:38 AM 0 Comments

I hope that everyone had a nice holiday. Today, I completed my second bag for Design Aesthetics. A picture follows. I think that the concept is interesting, even if I am not completely happy with the execution. I like the front, which is supposed to look like the front of a skull. Next up, the creation of a product and its packaging. I need to buy some polymer clay and learn about candy making. Interested? I bet you are.

posted by J.  # 4:13 PM 3 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your family, spend time with friends and eat like you haven't had a meal in weeks. Before you know it, Christmas will be upon you, in all of its store-bought splendor.

posted by J.  # 9:24 PM 0 Comments

I am not an urban planner; I am a design student at the Portfolio Center. Last night, I worked on 24 thumbnails, which illustrate various title applications for a poster. Below, you will find my first thumbnail. Out of 24, it is clearly the best, i.e. it is the most reasonable application given the strict nature of the "exercise." Alas, it will not make it onto the poster. Here's why:

1. Prior to creating the thumbnails, although I tried, I was not able to get the title approved. The title is too literal. It should invent a new world for a 13-year old boy while reminding him of nothing, i.e. it should have the same social context for the boy as a conceptual term, like "infinity." He might know the meaning, or he might not; regardless, it should really confuse him.
2. It makes too much sense. It would be better if it was looking in from looking out. Alternately, it might look out from looking in, while being evenly spaced throughout four sections of the poster. It might also be unevenly spaced or architecturally spaced.
3. Although the AOF leads to the title, which leads to the second message, which leads to the subtitle, which leads to the third message, which points to the logo, it would be better if hung upside down in front of a circus mirror.
4. It's my first attempt, and honestly, who gets anything right on their first attempt.
5. I don't have enough point force to accent my centripetal force, further diminishing the impact of my swelling force. This is also a personal problem, which might require counseling.

posted by J.  # 2:25 PM 0 Comments

I am very tired. It's 1:15 AM on November 21, and I got up at 6:00 AM on November 20. Nevertheless, I am interested in a particular philosophical question at the moment.

How many people question their questions, and what is the relationship between a question and an answer? I just read a blog entry that focused on a common question, "What am I supposed to do with my life?" In other words, what pursuit will fulfill all of my dreams and desires? This, in my opinion, is an easy question, because there isn't an answer, which naturally calls the question into question. Perhaps, when pondered, the actual question deals with sustaining a sense of happiness for a long period of time. Our needs and desires evolve over time; hence, there is no single pursuit that will make us happy indefinitely. (The former response excludes people who are "easy to please." They never ask themselves the former question.) People who commit to a job or task over a long period of time have to reinvent that job or task repeatedly, and it is through that reinvention that they find happiness. Alternately, they are often miserable, an all too common scenario. If we are to ask ourselves a question about our pursuits, it might be something along the lines of, "What will make me happy into the foreseeable future?" However, that's not the source of my interest in this particular topic.

We ask ourselves questions frequently, and then, we struggle to answer them. However, we rarely reflect upon the validity of the questions. Indeed, if a question isn't valid, it doesn't warrant our time or creativity. Our second question should always be to question the value of of the first. If a question can't realistically be answered, is it valid? If a question's answer leads to another question, did we ask the correct question initially?

If we question our questions and are confident that they are valid, we must analyze the relationship between questions and their answers. My first inclination was to categorize questions and answers as causes and effects, but that might be too simple. In fact, the relationship between a question and an answer might be wholly unique. A question is an unknown, and an answer defines that unknown for us. This can be as simple as selecting a beer, and it can be as complicated as defining the next stage of our life. Additionally, questions are bound by all of the same rules that govern us, primarily time and space. Will x pursuit make me happy? It might make you happy today. In fact, it might make you happy for the next ten years; however, at some point, your returns might diminish.

I had a philosophy professor who plainly said, "There are dumb questions." This is true, even in a world where we sometimes support stupidity in the name of growth. Tangentially, we might also ask ourselves when valid questions might become invalid, because circumstances have changed. I don't have a good answer, but it is an important issue that we should all ponder, whether we are asking ourselves questions about our work or our life. In short, we might all benefit from questioning more of our questions and pondering only those questions that deserve our attention. Time is short, and large questions forever loom in our path. Laboring to answer the "right" questions might mean the difference between happiness and unhappiness.

posted by J.  # 1:21 AM 0 Comments

I heard Craig Frazier speak at the Portfolio Center this morning. Craig's work is amazing, and it is difficult to separate talent from message sometimes, i.e. sometimes the delivery is so good that you forget about the message. However, Craig is able to solve visual communication problems creatively while still retaining his intended message. Additionally, Craig rarely defaults to the obvious answer, which I find inspiring. It is also a valuable lesson for designers and illustrators. When doing an annual report, it's easy to default to dollar signs and handshakes, but that approach isn't new, fresh or, more importantly, effective. Similar to Chip Kidd, Craig finds a novel way to define the essence of a visual communication problem, and, he frames his message creatively. This is difficult, because we all default to simple associations. Money equals dollar signs. Work is associated with computers. Partnerships are defined by handshakes. However, as Craig illustrates with his animation for Adobe, defining a concept in a new and intriguing way can inspire, motivate and awe your audience.

posted by J.  # 3:18 PM 0 Comments

This is a new flashlight entry for Chip Kidd, who spoke at the Portfolio Center on November 9. Quantifying Chip's presentation in a single, notable sound bite has been difficult, but here it goes. In sum, I think that the most valuable piece of Chip's presentation dealt with his "awareness of the world around him." This point might have been largely unspoken. In other words, his attention to the world around him is a big part of his success, whether he is discovering a new artist, whose work he'll use in a design, or taking pictures of "The Big Nozzo." This approach is translated into his work, because he seems to constantly look for the root of a book's message, and then, he translates that message into his design for the jacket. Chip is an entertaining presenter, but his work is exceptionally thoughtful, which implies a greater understanding of his subject and the resulting concept. When thinking about this entry, I returned to his comments concerning the cover for Paul Simon's Surprise. While listening to the album, he noticed that all of songs included water in some shape or form. This realization informed his concept for the CD cover and booklet. In short, I think that designers have to be open and aware of their environment. You never know when you'll stumble across an incredible idea or a subtle theme that you can use.

posted by J.  # 11:03 AM 0 Comments

People love lists. Here's my list for this week

1. Using cut paper, design a bag that will never be used. This will take approximately 20 hours, once you have a finalized concept and all of your supplies. Mental note, beware of Sobo glue. It's evil and less than tasty.
2. Eat at least one meal per day, preferably in sandwich form. If you can't eat food in sandwich form, try bar or chip form. Cereal is also acceptable.
3. Find a way to live on $100 per week, while spending at least $20 per day on art supplies. This week, I'll try to sell some bag designs for $40, getting me back to ground zero. Mental note, Sobo glue is not a food item.
4. Learn about humility by drawing 5 portraits that capture the likeness of your subject. Mental note, set aside at least 20 hours for this ditty, or you will look (feel) like a fool during critique.
5. Imagine a relationship with a nice girl. This will be a science fiction story, since it is set two years in the future, when cars fly and Hillary Clinton is president of the Federation. Mental note, knock this out while cutting paper for the bag.
6. Recreate a bag template in Illustrator by meticulously measuring a print out of an existing bag template. Mental note, this is dumb.
7. Pray to Jebus that you stay healthy and don't get shot. Mental Reminder, you do not have medical insurance. Praying can occur while cutting paper.
8. Surprise, like all great things, bags come is twos. Get right on the creation of another bag design and make sure that it has a reuse. I am thinking a gum scraper, bottle cozy, mouse trap or smoke bomb.
9. Think of some products that will hold the media-soaked attention span of a 13 year old boy for more than five seconds. . . Gum scraper, bottle cozy, mouse trap and smoke bomb are out.
10. Finally, spend some time with your tiny dog, who looks longingly into your eyes, knowing that he will only get two short walks, two cups of food and 19 hours of sleep per day. 19 hours of sleep – he's living the good life.

posted by J.  # 5:56 PM 3 Comments

Last week, I heard Chip Kidd speak at the Portfolio Center, and when asked about the designers whom he reveres, Chip Kidd mentioned Peter Saville. (Chip also mentioned Alvin Lustig.) I was not aware of Peter Saville, but I have been doing some research. There is a nice article on the Design Museum web site, as well as a lengthy Wikipedia entry. Check it out.

posted by J.  # 7:33 PM 0 Comments

Take a look at PingMag if you have a free moment. They are currently featuring a "report" on Tokyo Design Week 2006.

posted by J.  # 6:13 PM 0 Comments

Today has been a difficult day. I am very tired, exhausted even, and I have a large amount of work that will simply not wait. Additionally, and perhaps more problematic, I am not being patient with myself or my work. I am beginning to realize the importance of patience in my work. It impacts both quality and sanity, two items of which I am in great need. To quote Auguste Rodin, "Patience is also a form of action." Quieting the mind, stepping back and waiting for time to pass is not a virtue, it is a skill. At the end of the day, it is easy to flail and rage, but patience is the true test of a person's character. Besides, when impatient, I anger easily and, as a result, miss important details and moments, which might improve my work. I need to give myself and others room to breath. Creativity does not occur in a vacuum, which is almost always the result of impatience. Creativity thrives on flexibility and and perseverance. I must dedicate myself to process and nurture the patience required to create. This will be an ongoing struggle; it is for everyone.

posted by J.  # 4:18 PM 0 Comments

I found an incredible treasure trove at Misprinted Type. Check out the fonts and Photoshop brushes in the goodies section.

posted by J.  # 1:34 PM 0 Comments

It's 10:24 PM on Monday, November 6, and I need to be working, not blogging. I finished 33 thumbnails of a bag, and tomorrow, I need to master color, in all of its various forms and harmonies. "It's sad that I do not know more about color." I also need to comp an envelope, finish an illustration, draw some landscapes in perspective and find time to live. I have no time for blogging, but alas, I am here and blogging. Live in the moment, because the moment is all that you have.

I'd like to make it through the next several days without spending 20 dollars on art supplies, but I do not think that will happen. Nevertheless, learning design at quantum speed is still fun and exciting. I got my first Communication Arts annual today, and someday, if I am lucky, I might be able to work on similar projects. I can see all of the pieces in front of me, developing the patience and intelligence necessary to arrange them is my goal.

Now, some notes on interesting things. Things of Random Coolness looks like a good place for a stop. Through the former web site, I found some nice illustration work on Style Reactor. You should also check out the work on Visual Gore. On a humanistic note, Dooce just posted another installment of her Leta newsletters. Finally, The Society of Typographic Arts presents the The Chicago Design Archive.

That's it. Have a good night.

posted by J.  # 10:32 PM 0 Comments

It's very early in the morning, and I am staring down the barrel of a very long day of drawing, packaging, typography, etc. However, I have a few thoughts that merit comment, even if they will never be commented upon.

Famous book designer, Chip Kidd is speaking at the Portfolio Center next Thursday.

The AIGA just launched the The Polling Place Photo Project. According to the web site, "The Polling Place Photo Project is a nationwide experiment in citizen journalism that seeks to empower citizens to capture, post and share photographs of democracy in action. By documenting their local voting experience on November 7, voters can contribute to an archive of photographs that captures the richness and complexity of voting in America."

posted by J.  # 7:32 AM 0 Comments

I have been doing a lot of work lately, and I get the feeling that some people might think that I am a bit of an "overachiever." First, I think that I should simply own up to the obvious; I am a bit of an overachiever. I like to be in control, and to be in control, you have to be on top of your projects, crossing i's and dotting t's.

However, there is another reason that I like to delve into projects. I am always interested in the root of things and also in the intuition that comes with knowing the root of an issue, thought or project.

I made a mistake in college. I was given an excellent project from a trusted advisor, and I only did half of the work. I did not learn everything about the subject, which was extremely interesting. I bumbled my way through it, thinking without knowing. It was disappointing for me and the professor who was mentoring me. I will not make that mistake again

Every project is an opportunity to turn the world on its head, but you can't turn anything on its head until you know it through-and-through. Joshua Davis turns Adobe's Flash into a spectacular tool everyday, because he knows every inch of it. Good designers research their subjects and audiences tirelessly, and then, they come up with ideas that no one has ever considered.

It's not just the information; it's the way you connect the information. That's the definition of intelligence. Get to the bottom of every project. Don't try to understand it; try to know it. Then, burn it to the ground and reinvent expectations, worlds and ideas. It just takes work.

Enough self-righteous babble for today . . . One last thought, pick up The Crane Wife if you have a chance. It's a great album.

posted by J.  # 1:21 PM 0 Comments