The identity of a designer is not limited to pushing pixels any longer. Many of the articles that I am interested in now do not just include an interview with a designer but also a full set of behind scenes imagery that shows their process from start to finish, their goals, and how they achieved them, extremely hands on. There isn't anything new under the sun, we all know this, what is new is the way brands and people show their process of making and achieving. For some reason our generation values the handmade over the machine, even if the machine can be more precise. There is something to be said about working hard to achieve, whether you're having something manufactured or doing it with your hands, its impressive.
Immanuel Kant says that "the hand is the window to the mind". He is not against machines or more efficient processes, he is simply making a comment on man experiencing fulfillment. We are constantly striving to make a “dent” in the design world, but is that really what we should be pushing for? A name? A chance? The opportunity to show our work to our idols to prove to them that we are worthy of working for them? I think otherwise.
I am a true believer in the idea of self fulfilling prophecy, and setting goals and achieveing them. How do any of our idols become legendary? I think that the designers that we look up to set goals, and achieve, a simple concept that any of us can accomplish if we focus. If you have an idea that you think is worth a little bit of time to see out, explore it. I doesn’t hurt, every time I have an idea that I think is really good I log onto godaddy and buy a relevant domain name, simply to start my process. For me this makes a simple idea something that could potentially be real, or fit into the context of our web based world. I expand from there, asking my friends, peers, teachers, anyone that will listen what they think about my “sick” idea. If everyone says that its lame, and I don't feel like its worth pursuing I put it on the backburner and move on, but I never throw anything out, maybe someday it will be relevant and exciting.
This dude Matthew Hoffman is doing some really cool type installations right now, he’s a designer at heart but a lot of his work would be considered as fine art our sculpture. Really cool guy, and really interesting work, check him out, be inspired to push the envelope of what design really is.
http://www.heyitsmatthew.com/
PJ–
ReplyDeleteI enjoy how you delved into design and craft philosophy in your writing. It is relevant for you to write about your own philosophy of design and how you approach the process. Perhaps you can include some examples of how you employ your design philosophy in order to make it more tactile for your readers. Also, be sure to re-read your writing to catch issues such as the following:
- In the middle of paragraph one, phrase it “behind the scenes”.
- Separate this into two sentences: “There isn't anything new under the sun – we all know this. What is new is the way brands and people show their process of making and achieving.”
- Correct the spelling of “achieving” in paragraph 3.
- A couple sentences you write seem a bit run-on and can be made into shorter, more concise sentences. rephrase this section as such: “Every time I have an idea that I think is really good, I log onto GoDaddy (capitalized) and buy a relevant domain name, simply to start my process. This makes a simple idea something that could potentially be real, or fit into the context of our web-based world. I expand from there, asking my friends, peers, teachers, (or) anyone that will listen what they think about my “sick” idea. If everyone says that it’s(use a contraction when it’s= it is) lame, and I don't feel like its worth pursuing(,) I put it on the backburner and move on. (However), I never throw anything out – maybe someday (my idea) will be relevant and exciting.”
- In the last paragraph, add a comma after “designer at heart” and replace “our” with or”.
- The last sentence is a bit too conversational and should be constructed as a more concise sentence. For example, “He is a really cool guy who makes interesting work. Check him out, and be inspired.”