Big Think Interview With Massimo Vignelli

Massimo’s work will always be an inspiration to me. But the interview ill say more then I ever could about Massimo.

Not Being Famous is a good thing

This is one thing that I did not really think about at first. Because we all strive to become well known in our field. Many people are so obsessed with being famous which is not a good thing.

Because whenever you become Famous you do not have chance to make mistakes. For example if I was a designer who had won Awards and Cannes, Made the cover of How and print magazine and etc you would expect a certain quality of work from me.

“Being a famous designer is like being a famous dentist.” – Noreen Morioka

Being Famous only represents one kind of success and that is publicity. If you are doing something to just be Famous it may be time for you to re-evaluate what your real reason for it is. Not saying that doing things just for the fame and money is bad just remember

Beware of what you become in pursuit of what you want. – Jim Rohn.

Be a student not a follower

Be a student not a follower is such a great quote that I remember hearing from Jim Rohn. When I first heard it I immediately changed my whole perspective on how to view people who are great then me. Because to me being a follower your really not learning anything from the person who you aspire to be like or admire.

Just think someone who is a student they learn as much as they can about whatever the subject may be. While a follower will only do one thing follow and copy. Which after while will start to limit your growth and perception.

So always remember there is only one of you and nobody else like you. Study and learn from the greats, and then apply what they did to your own life (well the things they did that you agree with and fit into your view of life).

Learning is in the Process

At first this was something I never quite understood involving design. When I watched the Eames documentary the architect and the painter I was exposed to it. Because sitting in class in art school you feel as if learning comes from a teacher and not the process.

This is also in relation to learning how to play sports. Not saying that you cannot learn from books but the real learning comes from doing. Nowadays there is unbelievable amounts of free information on whatever subject you want to learn. Because if you want to learn something you have to be willing to go through the process of failing until you become good at it.

In the process of designing you start sketching and then after your done sketching you move to the computer. While working on the computer you see what is working and what is not working. Those moments are where the real learning is taking place in being a designer.

Remember

Art resides in the quality of doing, process is not magic. – Charles Eames

Personal Branding: Four Principles of Career Distinction

This video will give you great insight on how to build your own personal brand. Since there are so many ways to build your personal brand there is no excuse. The four principles are located below

Stand out
Be Your Own Boss
Forget the Ladder
Build Your Brand

Pepsi – Obama Logo Controversey

I had no idea there was a debate about the obama logo looking similar to the pepsi logo. But overall I like the obama logo a lot better. The older pepsi logos are what I like more so then the current one.

Design Thinking Out Loud: Beyond Design

Your not gonna get really far if you are just a designer – Dana Arnett

A very interesting video on design and how brands have evolved to where now people pay more attention to what a company is doing for humanity.

Artist as defined by Charles Eames

Ever since I watched The architect and the painter I’ve always been fascinated what either Charles or Ray says. This video above I feel many people call themselves artists before other people will ever call them one. Its a very different perspective on how to look at being an artist, designer and etc.

Sensitive Designers

As a designer we can become so attached to a project that we are working we do not seek any criticism in fear of being hurt. While I will admit I’m guilty of doing. When we become attached to a project our vision becomes clouded. The project may be the funnest one you’ve ever done but don’t limit your creative ability to just one thing.

So back to dealing with sensitive designers If you’ve ever experienced one you’d know they have never been critiqued honestly before. During the Critique they’ll have many excuses for everything and answers about why they did such and such. ( I used to be one of these people).

I learned that you can explain your whole process about why you did this and that but people will only see it from their point of view and not yours.

Remember this

If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough. – Albert Einstein

Getting critiqued is the only way your work will get better if you want to become a better designer.

Image Rights belong to Boagworld

Dealing With Clients that have no Idea what they want

Ever since I’ve began my career in freelancing I’ve dealt with clients that have no idea what they want at all. They also will have no idea what their budget is.

So if your ever in a similar situation always remember to ask questions.

Step one

Ask your client about their business

Step two

Ask them why they are in business (besides to make money and be their own boss)Also ask what their budget is for the project. Do not feel afraid to tell them your real rates because selling yourself short will be a disaster.

Then after you’ve finished asking your questions move onto other things involving a design for them. I learned the hard way its easy to come to a meeting with a client and talk and talk and talk then you’ll never get anything accomplished from the meeting. You really want to focus on understanding the client, their business and the place where they work and the people who work there.

Understanding a client and their business is one major thing I feel is what will enable you to produce the best design possible.

Remember to listen then ask questions and then never forget to understand where they are coming from. Also remember what it was like before you became a designer and how you viewed the world around you. Don’t forget to do whatever you can to put together some sort of brief for you and the client.