Category: Design

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

Sensitive Designers

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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

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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.

Aaron Draplins 50 ways to ruin your career

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These 50 ways to ruin your career will help you more then you can imagine. They are also great life skills that many never get taught until they find out through many different life situations.

1. Enjoy the goddamned moment
2. Love where you are from
3. Move somewhere wild
4. Frequent eateries that use decimal points in their menus
5. Know Your Fucking Condiments
6. Get out there and get dirty
7. And then, share what you find
8. Work with yer friends
9. Know yer tools and be thankful they exist
10. Go wherever they’ll send you
11. Shed any goddamned sense of entitlement
12. Provide proof of bonafide graphic art existence using multimedia
13. Fight for the long dogs
14. Lose the crutch
15. Exhibit a little humility
16. Quit spending yer money on bullshit
17. Be wary of certain business professionals
18. Pay of those fucking school loans already
19. Laugh at stuff
20. Turn yer back on organized sports
21. Dreamp up a plan
22. Get cosmic
23. Take color theory seriously
24. Make room for some magic
25. Say what you mean
26. Get it on vinyl
27. Be ready for when they call you up to the big leagues
28. Learn an instrument
29. Be the client
30. Go by car
31. Know what really matters in the end
32. Buy things made in America
33. Question stuff constantly
34. Know who’s got the power
35. Collect cool shit
36. Grab yer social media by the throat
37. Savor the little stuff
38. Support yer local rock bands
39. Know all the shades of being “professional”
40. Don’t worry about awards
41. Quit saying the word, “dude”
42. Make big ass posters
43. Go pantless
44. Get free
45. Treat the UPS guy, mail lady and printing pressman like they are gold
46. Know what you love
47. And don’t forget about the things you hate
48. Learn to roll with the good, bad and the ugly.
49. Work hard and love this shit
50. Be thankful for everything

Image rights belong to Garry Reiger

What I’ve been up to for the past week or so

Recently I decided that for 30 days I’m going to design a logo for a local business. The reason I’ve decided to do so was because I felt as if all of my logos were starting to look the same or in other words showing my style. Which would be a bad thing to me at least. So when I’m finished doing the logos after 30 days I will post them on my portfolio sites and here for you all to see.