This interesting article reports on overcoming the all-too-familiar creative block. Featuring an impressive line up of well known and prolific designers and artists, each individual sharing their most effective cures for the syndrome – some of these are pretty interesting. Try it. You might be what you’ve been looking for…
Computerlove transforms itself into an alternative network of 3 websites (Cpluv.org and Cpluv.me coming soon) dedicated to awarded artists, designers, and directors. Welcome to Ubiq, public beta. For what’s new or if you’re just plain lost, head over to the the FAQ’s for a quick lowdown. Fly in!
Interesting write up and video discussion with designer Jon Sueda. Brings up some interesting points. I’m wondering if everybody is lucky enough to avoid commercial clients? Have a look see when you can.
An old co-worker of mine once frequently used the term “Junkolio”. He would often say, in a voice not dissimilar to Jack Burton, from Big Trouble in Little China, “Yeeeeep. Well, just gonna finish this up real quick and file it in the íol Junkolio.”
I bring this up today as Junkolio has much been on my mind. In conversations with other designers and in conversations with myself. For Junkolio actually refers to all that work that never makes it into your portfolio. The work that never sees the light of the day. The work that pays for your ham and cheese sandwich and your ability to use running water and electricity. Yep. You guessed it. Itís the work that was largely unglamorous but did the job and allows you to practice in this special profession we know all to well called graphic design. However these days, Iíve noticed an alarming increase in the Junkolio. I am myself guilty of this. There are some things I look back after a few months/year and cringe/shudder and carefully slide back under the rug. But I have noticed a great many folks who I meet and chat with are in under the same quandary. What to show? Does one take heed in the age old saying of showing only the type of work one wants to work with? Can one survive following such a mantra? Physically? Financially?
Iím becoming increasingly interested these days in what makes it into the Junkolio? It’s funny. In a day when print is becoming increasingly more difficult to survive with, I’ve found that many a website, big or small, makes their way to the Junkolio. I’ve seen portfolios with a broad section of ‘work’ and then a whole other section simply labeled ‘web’. As if to say, yep, we sweep this under the carpet as well. Hopefully nobody notices. Iím not sure where I’m going with this other than to wonder, who is making use of the Junkolio these days and what goes in it? Is anybody Junkolio free? Is anybody showing everything in the entire year they worked on?
The other reason I bring up Junkolio, is what appears to be the ever maddening state of design. For I’ve noticed in numerous conversations, that everything that ever did make it into the ‘work’ section of a portfolio had practically zero budget. A ‘fun portfolio piece’ or a project for a buddy that was zero in funds but allowed for some creative freedom. The sad fact is, that it appears that designers can not live from what they show? It is the Junkolio that makes that peanut butter and jelly sandwich. But poor Junkolio never sees the sun. I guess I’m curious if anybody else is making use of the ’ol Junkolio? And if so, what ’cha got in there? Can I trade ya for my PB&J?
The always inquisitive punk rock stallion, Mr. Swinehart, has just released a pretty stunning research project. Perhaps not stunning in the typical sense of the word, but stunning in the meticulous and uncovering an area perhaps forgotten to a generation with more attention deficit disorder than the previous. Anyways, have a look see and a read. Itís a pretty interesting break down of the choose your own adventure book over the years. However, the A.D.D. idiot in me was intrigued equally more so by the lovely animations and the ability to even play them and receive some visual reinforcement as well. Have a look see when you get a moment. Nice work.
Randomly ran into this interview the other day and thought it was quite inspiring. It’s with Jim Coudal of Coudal.com. I think what is so inspiring here is that he has paved a path, without a clear goal in mind but by letting things fall into place and seizing the moment. Sorry if that sounds like B school jargon but I really enjoyed reading this interview. He has amazingly taken out the client in his take on the design profession and I am envious! Here’s the nice interview from Design Glut.
Really lovely post over at Design Observer by Jessica Helfand. I loved the sincerity of this post and more so, the feelings she is discussing here. I think much could be said for defying logic every now and then. And letting things happen or fall into place without any explanation. Have a read if you have some time this morning or this afternoon.
Interesting read on chance and creativity forwarded to me from my buddy DD. It’s a nice quick read detailing four different types of chance and how it seems to forever be around us if we perhaps open our eyes. Well, thatís one of them atleast. I’ve always been under the assumption that if I was lucky with one thing, it was that I had always seemed to meet good folks. But perhaps this is the idiot in me speaking as good folks probably just equates to friends and those you get along with. But nevertheless, I’ve always felt though that I did not have particularly good luck in other arenas. I’m wondering now if it is just because I did not have the soup properly stirred or if I just was wearing sunglasses that were a tad too dark. I think there are lots of implications here for designers/creative types as well. We as naturally curious folk could actually benefit by continuing to stir the pot. Here’s a quick summary of them quoted from the article quoted from originally another text:
“Chance I is completely impersonal; you canít influence it. Chance II favors those who have a persistent curiosity about many things coupled with an energetic willingness to experiment and explore. Chance III favors those who have a sufficient background of sound knowledge plus special abilities in observing, remembering, recalling, and quickly forming significant new associations. Chance IV favors those with distinctive, if not eccentric hobbies, personal lifestyles, and motor behaviors.”
My friday offerings are the superb drawings of Vic Reeves. He is primarily know as a comedian from the UK but has also recently launched his new book at Paul Smith’s Floral Street London. The world as Vic sees it! I enjoy.
