5 Positive Things I Bring To A Group
1. Hard work
2. Reliable
3. An open mind
4. Adaptability
5. Cooperation
5 Negative Things I Bring To A Group
1. Passive
2. Push Over
3. Indecisive
4. Over Critical
5. Competitive
I think people overall consider me a good teammate. I always work hard in a group. I bring forth a greater effort in a group then I do individually because I never want to let people down. I make sure I’m on time and ready to work for meetings and make myself available and flexible to get together. I have a very open mind about ideas. I really try to encourage people’s ideas and like to make everyone feel comfortable sharing ideas. I’m very adaptable to situations and working with different people. I get along relatively well with every one. I get disappointed in team members if they don’t pull their own weight because it’s unfair. We all have a lot of work. If I have to sacrifice time for another project to cover work someone else should be doing I get upset. However, for the sake of the group I rarely say anything unless it’s an ongoing problem. I suppose this is both a positive and a negative. On one hand I keep the peace however on the other hand I’m actually not helping the group. I want to be more outspoken in general to tell people to give an equal effort if necessary. I am a very shy person. I contribute to group conversations however in a new group I need a few minutes to feel comfortable. I can hold back ideas and thoughts out of fear of rejection. Sometimes I can be very indecisive because I see the benefits to so many options. I am always too critical of my own work. In a group I lighten up a bit. However, going into a project I have expectations and standards and I work and push to reach for. I can be competitive which can fuel my criticism and needs to be kept in check. I think I am a balanced team member. I love working with people.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Old Influence
The people that influence are lives the most are often the people we care about the most. The person who has inspired me most to do my best in design is not a designer. In fact, she may not even fully understand what graphic design is. None the less she has encouraged me to succeed my entire life with deep wisdom. She shares her 82 years of knowledge through stories both tragic and inspirational and listens without judgement. I have a peaceful life, free to pursue my dreams, never starving or at war. She makes me grateful for my life. I am fortunate enough to not have to worry about or live through many of the situations she has. Yet with all that her life has brought to her she is not bitter and rarely complains. She wishes the best for everyone. She makes me want to be the best person I can. Morally I hope to be just like her and I will succeed to make her proud.
The people that influence are lives the most are often the people we care about the most. The person who has inspired me most to do my best in design is not a designer. In fact, she may not even fully understand what graphic design is. None the less she has encouraged me to succeed my entire life with deep wisdom. She shares her 82 years of knowledge through stories both tragic and inspirational and listens without judgement. I have a peaceful life, free to pursue my dreams, never starving or at war. She makes me grateful for my life. I am fortunate enough to not have to worry about or live through many of the situations she has. Yet with all that her life has brought to her she is not bitter and rarely complains. She wishes the best for everyone. She makes me want to be the best person I can. Morally I hope to be just like her and I will succeed to make her proud.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Ten Words Relating to Design
1. Method
2. Process
3. Thinking
4. Intuition
5. Inspiration
6. Creativity
7. Expression
8. Influence
9. Solution
10. Information
11. Ideas
12. Decisions
13. Purpose
14. Function
15. Logic
16. Problem Solving
17. Communication
18. Aesthetics
19. Reaction
20. Feeling
A Rough Draft of My Design Manifesto
The Journey of Design
What is the code? Jay Walker talks about a strain of DNA being a design, a code for life in one of his TED talks. But how can we define a code for design. How does one begin to define something as debateable as design in its broadest form? Even greater of a task is to truly understand what design is. My challenge was to sum up design's meaning in but a short definition: A definition that could be applied to all walks of design. It needed to be based on the underlying parallels of most existing design definitions yet be interpretive enough to please most people. Both broad and specific design definitions exist but most are either too general or do not apply to all disciplines, (http://www.hku.hk/bse/interdisciplinary/what_is_design.pdf). In my research I discovered three main points that most people agree on. Design is a process. Design involves thinking. Design has a purpose. Logically, Design is the process of thinking for purpose. However, this definition leaves little room for interpretation. People could argue that it involves intuition and creativity not just thinking. The problem is so many aspects are crucial to design and worse each discipline uses different aspects. "Different designers use different methods", (http://www.hku.hk/bse/interdisciplinary/what_is_design.pdf). This creates conflicting definitions. I've heard design is art, creation, logic, function, expression etc. I needed to develop a definition that was structured enough to define design yet allow the reader space to use their imagination and experiences to interpret the definition to their satisfaction. So what is design? Design is the journey through the mind to the solution. Let’s break down that journey.
According to David Carson, “Great design is a never ending journey of discovery". So, if great design is a never ending journey then design in general is a journey of some sort. Design is about development. It is a plan: A method towards a desired end. The process can be overlooked in some definitions and only the final product is seen as the design. However, it is the process of creating that makes it design. As founder of IDEO, Bill Moggrigdde says, "A lot of trial and error goes into making things look effortless".
Design is about thinking. The mind is a much broader term then thinking. Thinking can come from the right side of the brain and/or left side. Charles Burnette calls design, “…a process of creative and critical thinking that allows information and ideas to be organized, decisions to be made, situations to be improved, and knowledge to be gained.”
On one side of the brain design involves conceptualizing and visualizing. It can involve intuition. After all, "gut instinct is part of the designer's arsenal, (http://www.hku.hk/bse/interdisciplinary/what_is_design.pdf). David Carson believes that intuition is something everyone has and he quotes Einstein's beliefs on intuition. Einstein said, "The intellect has little to do on the road to discovery there comes a leap in consciousness call it intuition or what you will and a solution just comes to you and you don’t know from where or why". Inspiration is another part of thinking to add to the mix. David Carson advises to "Pull from your upbringing" in order to be truly original. Our unique experiences and influences inspire our designs. "We create by surrounding ourselves with stimuli, with human achievement, with history, with the things that drive us and make us human, with passionate discoveries of the bones of dinosaurs long gone, the maps of space and ultimately the hallways that stimulate our minds and imaginations." (Jay Walker). Design can be "seeing things everyone has seen before but thinking about them in ways no one has thought about before". (Jay Walker) All of our inspirations experiences and influences spark creativity and self expression. You can use the things you see as an opportunity to create something or reframe the ordinary says Paul Bennett. Some design may be experimental, personal or interpretive to a certain degree, (http://noisebetweenstations.com/personal/weblogs/?page_id=1688).
On the other side design needs to be functional and based on purpose. It is done for a client and needs to consider the wants and needs of the audience it created for. "Finding out what the customer wants is the first stage of what designers do", (http://www.hku.hk/bse/interdisciplinary/what_is_design.pdf0). Paul Bennett says you must, "Put yourself in other people's shoes." This is true for all design disciplines. Whether it is a chair, a car, a computer, an outfit or a poster the target needs to be considered in the design process. “When you're designing something, you often have a lot of conflicting constraints", (http://www.joelonsoftware.com/design/1stDraft/01.html). Designers have a huge number of decisions to consider throughout the design process, (http://www.hku.hk/bse/interdisciplinary/what_is_design.pdf). In order for all of the required elements to be met logical and critical thinking is essential to the process. A designer must use strong reasoning for each decision they make.
Problem solving is a key part of the purpose behind design. It might be how do we make a more comfortable chair or how do we design an ad to sell more tooth brushes. Paul Bennett believes that design is based around human nature and that designers create "empathetic solutions" for people. Regardless of what the design is for the design itself is a solution. Designs are created as solutions. Herbert Simon wrote that design is simply "improving situations”. Design can serve a function, inform, communicate or cause an effect. The solution fills a purpose and should have resolved all of the conflicting goals of the project, (http://www.joelonsoftware.com/design/1stDraft/01.html). Designer Richard Seymour stated at the 02 Design in Business Week that design is "making things better for people". Design is not worthless if it doesn't fulfill a need. If it doesn’t fulfil a need it simply isn't design.
When we trace back to what design is defined as in The Concise Oxford Dictionary we'll find it is "a mental plan, a scheme of attack, an end in view, adaptation of means to ends..." The definition I present does suggest that design is the process of coming to a desired end. It also simply indicates the mind is the central control for this process and that the desired end is a solution. The definition of design is similar to a strand of DNA. Each person has a slightly different code for design. Since design is so driven by the mind and each of our minds are different the idea of what design is will always vary to a degree from person to person. Design is complex. Can one sentence truly capture the full meaning of design or must the journey through the mind to the solution still continue? We may not have a definition of design that pleases everyone. But what we all can agree on is that design is certainly apart of life. Design is the journey through the mind to the solution.
Manifesto References
http://www.hku.hk/bse/interdisciplinary/what_is_design.pdf design council
http://noisebetweenstations.com/personal/weblogs/?page_id=1688
http://www.joelonsoftware.com/design/1stDraft/01.html
http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/DANotes/design/what/what.html
Picture References
www.ronnmotors.com
http://fidm.edu/resources/museum+galleries/exhibits/motion-picture-costume-design/2006/costumes/pride-prejudice.html
http://www.archi-ninja.com/20-bizarre-buildings-from-around-the-world/
http://www.ca.kohler.com/index-ca.jsp
http://www.apple.com
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-art/649476/111004/Fallingwater-designed-by-Frank-Lloyd-Wright-in-Mill-Run-Pa
http://www.shinystyle.tv/new_fashions/
1. Method
2. Process
3. Thinking
4. Intuition
5. Inspiration
6. Creativity
7. Expression
8. Influence
9. Solution
10. Information
11. Ideas
12. Decisions
13. Purpose
14. Function
15. Logic
16. Problem Solving
17. Communication
18. Aesthetics
19. Reaction
20. Feeling
A Rough Draft of My Design Manifesto
The Journey of Design
What is the code? Jay Walker talks about a strain of DNA being a design, a code for life in one of his TED talks. But how can we define a code for design. How does one begin to define something as debateable as design in its broadest form? Even greater of a task is to truly understand what design is. My challenge was to sum up design's meaning in but a short definition: A definition that could be applied to all walks of design. It needed to be based on the underlying parallels of most existing design definitions yet be interpretive enough to please most people. Both broad and specific design definitions exist but most are either too general or do not apply to all disciplines, (http://www.hku.hk/bse/interdisciplinary/what_is_design.pdf). In my research I discovered three main points that most people agree on. Design is a process. Design involves thinking. Design has a purpose. Logically, Design is the process of thinking for purpose. However, this definition leaves little room for interpretation. People could argue that it involves intuition and creativity not just thinking. The problem is so many aspects are crucial to design and worse each discipline uses different aspects. "Different designers use different methods", (http://www.hku.hk/bse/interdisciplinary/what_is_design.pdf). This creates conflicting definitions. I've heard design is art, creation, logic, function, expression etc. I needed to develop a definition that was structured enough to define design yet allow the reader space to use their imagination and experiences to interpret the definition to their satisfaction. So what is design? Design is the journey through the mind to the solution. Let’s break down that journey.
According to David Carson, “Great design is a never ending journey of discovery". So, if great design is a never ending journey then design in general is a journey of some sort. Design is about development. It is a plan: A method towards a desired end. The process can be overlooked in some definitions and only the final product is seen as the design. However, it is the process of creating that makes it design. As founder of IDEO, Bill Moggrigdde says, "A lot of trial and error goes into making things look effortless".
Design is about thinking. The mind is a much broader term then thinking. Thinking can come from the right side of the brain and/or left side. Charles Burnette calls design, “…a process of creative and critical thinking that allows information and ideas to be organized, decisions to be made, situations to be improved, and knowledge to be gained.”
On one side of the brain design involves conceptualizing and visualizing. It can involve intuition. After all, "gut instinct is part of the designer's arsenal, (http://www.hku.hk/bse/interdisciplinary/what_is_design.pdf). David Carson believes that intuition is something everyone has and he quotes Einstein's beliefs on intuition. Einstein said, "The intellect has little to do on the road to discovery there comes a leap in consciousness call it intuition or what you will and a solution just comes to you and you don’t know from where or why". Inspiration is another part of thinking to add to the mix. David Carson advises to "Pull from your upbringing" in order to be truly original. Our unique experiences and influences inspire our designs. "We create by surrounding ourselves with stimuli, with human achievement, with history, with the things that drive us and make us human, with passionate discoveries of the bones of dinosaurs long gone, the maps of space and ultimately the hallways that stimulate our minds and imaginations." (Jay Walker). Design can be "seeing things everyone has seen before but thinking about them in ways no one has thought about before". (Jay Walker) All of our inspirations experiences and influences spark creativity and self expression. You can use the things you see as an opportunity to create something or reframe the ordinary says Paul Bennett. Some design may be experimental, personal or interpretive to a certain degree, (http://noisebetweenstations.com/personal/weblogs/?page_id=1688).
On the other side design needs to be functional and based on purpose. It is done for a client and needs to consider the wants and needs of the audience it created for. "Finding out what the customer wants is the first stage of what designers do", (http://www.hku.hk/bse/interdisciplinary/what_is_design.pdf0). Paul Bennett says you must, "Put yourself in other people's shoes." This is true for all design disciplines. Whether it is a chair, a car, a computer, an outfit or a poster the target needs to be considered in the design process. “When you're designing something, you often have a lot of conflicting constraints", (http://www.joelonsoftware.com/design/1stDraft/01.html). Designers have a huge number of decisions to consider throughout the design process, (http://www.hku.hk/bse/interdisciplinary/what_is_design.pdf). In order for all of the required elements to be met logical and critical thinking is essential to the process. A designer must use strong reasoning for each decision they make.
Problem solving is a key part of the purpose behind design. It might be how do we make a more comfortable chair or how do we design an ad to sell more tooth brushes. Paul Bennett believes that design is based around human nature and that designers create "empathetic solutions" for people. Regardless of what the design is for the design itself is a solution. Designs are created as solutions. Herbert Simon wrote that design is simply "improving situations”. Design can serve a function, inform, communicate or cause an effect. The solution fills a purpose and should have resolved all of the conflicting goals of the project, (http://www.joelonsoftware.com/design/1stDraft/01.html). Designer Richard Seymour stated at the 02 Design in Business Week that design is "making things better for people". Design is not worthless if it doesn't fulfill a need. If it doesn’t fulfil a need it simply isn't design.
When we trace back to what design is defined as in The Concise Oxford Dictionary we'll find it is "a mental plan, a scheme of attack, an end in view, adaptation of means to ends..." The definition I present does suggest that design is the process of coming to a desired end. It also simply indicates the mind is the central control for this process and that the desired end is a solution. The definition of design is similar to a strand of DNA. Each person has a slightly different code for design. Since design is so driven by the mind and each of our minds are different the idea of what design is will always vary to a degree from person to person. Design is complex. Can one sentence truly capture the full meaning of design or must the journey through the mind to the solution still continue? We may not have a definition of design that pleases everyone. But what we all can agree on is that design is certainly apart of life. Design is the journey through the mind to the solution.
Manifesto References
http://www.hku.hk/bse/interdisciplinary/what_is_design.pdf design council
http://noisebetweenstations.com/personal/weblogs/?page_id=1688
http://www.joelonsoftware.com/design/1stDraft/01.html
http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/DANotes/design/what/what.html
Picture References
www.ronnmotors.com
http://fidm.edu/resources/museum+galleries/exhibits/motion-picture-costume-design/2006/costumes/pride-prejudice.html
http://www.archi-ninja.com/20-bizarre-buildings-from-around-the-world/
http://www.ca.kohler.com/index-ca.jsp
http://www.apple.com
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-art/649476/111004/Fallingwater-designed-by-Frank-Lloyd-Wright-in-Mill-Run-Pa
http://www.shinystyle.tv/new_fashions/
Sunday, March 1, 2009
This week I pondered over many statements for a t-shirt design. They include:
IDEA ONE
Design is the path to discovery.
Design is the path to solution.
Design is the path to creation.
Design is my path.
IDEA TWO
Design is the result of our souls' desires to create.
IDEA THREE
Design is the method to our mad concepts.
IDEA FOUR
Design is the journey towards our destination.
IDEA FIVE
Design is thought travelling from A to B.
IDEA SIX
Design is the journey through the mind to the solution.
IDEA ONE
Design is the path to discovery.
Design is the path to solution.
Design is the path to creation.
Design is my path.
IDEA TWO
Design is the result of our souls' desires to create.
IDEA THREE
Design is the method to our mad concepts.
IDEA FOUR
Design is the journey towards our destination.
IDEA FIVE
Design is thought travelling from A to B.
IDEA SIX
Design is the journey through the mind to the solution.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
DESIGN PROCESS
How I Spent Some Free Time Last Week
How I Spent Some Free Time Last Week
Reading: 9 hours
Listening to radio: 0 hours
Listening to music: 20 hours
Watching TV and movies: 8 hours
Email: 1.5 hours and 32 messages
On the web: 13 hours
Video games: 3 hours
Cell phone: 0 hours (I'm one of the few without a cell phone).
Regular Phone: 8 hours
Walking my dog: 4 hours
I'm a very rounded person. So, activities like reading, listening to music, watching TV and movies, playing games, talking on the phone and surfing the web are all important to me. Each activity can be an inspiration to or an escape from the design process.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
A Self Reflection On
How I Approach A New Project
How I Approach A New Project
I try to approach new projects with an open mind. For the most recently assigned project for Contemporary Theory Class the first thing I did was set up a folder for the project with the pictures and documents available on the server. I read over all of the information then I begin to collect background knowledge on the topic. For this project I researed jazz. I listened to some jazz music to get a feel for the mood of the cd since I don't normally listen to that type of music. I looked at different album covers for other jazz bands and collected photos, pictures and notes of various kinds to inspire me. I then researched the meaning and history of the word prologue, the title of the album. Once my research was complete I began to brainstorm various ideas and draw out some rough sketches to refine my thoughts and to round down my decision. I considered the look of each of the previous album designs and the points that were discussed in class.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
How do I create?
Growing uncreative?
Ken Robinson said in his T.E.D. speech: education conditions students to grow out of rather then into their creativity.
This statement screamed so true to me. I agree completely that many creative people don’t believe that they are creative because their imagination was not valued when growing up through the school system. Emphasis is always on literacy and math. Although these core subjects are important all areas of thinking should be encouraged and embraced within schools. Judgement and grading conventions discourage a lot of people. Placing certain subjects as more important than others causes a hierarchy of worth. Sally is good at math and becomes better then John who is a creative thinker. This system can be damaging and counter productive. The story about the dancer was captivating. I really enjoyed it. I strongly believe every person has something they are really good at. Imagine if everyone was encouraged to pursue the things in life that they naturally excelled in regardless of the subject. Think about it.
Be wrong!
Another aspect of Robinson’s discussion I found thought provoking was his belief that if you’re not prepared to be wrong you will never create anything original. This is great to hear. From as early on in life as possible we are told yes or no and taught right from wrong. A lot is set as either black or white in our society. This is how people think, look, behave, live etc. We are raised to fear failure. We set impossible expectations from the very beginning which we grow into believing our entire lives. Never make a mistake. When hearing the story of the eight year old soccer players all pledging in sync that none of them would make a slip-up I was surprised. Although I know the pressures society has placed on people in general it is somewhat scary to think how early these burdens are falling on children. I would hope that children are still enjoying their childhoods by freely playing sports without focus on perfection or fear of failing. Childhood is a great time to learn. The best way to learn is to make mistakes. I feel sad to think that some children are now growing up with the expectation to never disappoint.
Eventually everyone makes mistakes.
Eventually everyone makes mistakes.
100 Habits
Listening to the 100 habits list made me think that I’m doing something right. I already follow each of the steps on the list naturally. Hurray! Then I thought wow, my creative process must not be that original if it is already outlined in a book somewhere. My favourites are travelling, observing the world around me, and taking in the design and life around me to come up with who I am as a person and as a designer.
Who am I?
In the context of creativity and design I am a collection of ideas, images, culture, media, personality and style. I am a little bit of everything that I see and everything that I experience. I take with me pieces of the people I meet, the lessons I learn, the knowledge I collect, the movies I watch, the books I read and the art I admire. Who we are as designers is built from birth. Our past, our present and our future will shape our minds, our motivations and our inspirations. It will form how we communicate visually and verbally. It will come out in our conceptual process and stay with us till the end of our execution of every graphic piece we will go on to create. I am me.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Design is...
WELCOME to my blog on DESIGN.
The little fish in my brain are hard at work.
Why Did I Choose Design?
When I thought about what I wanted to do the rest of my life I decided I wanted to be different. I wanted self-determination and choice. I felt the need to release my ideas and to do something creative with my time. I didn’t want to get up everyday and be on an assembly line whether literally or metaphorically. I didn’t want to be doing the exact same thing as the person beside me. So many careers in the world today intimidate me because they seem programmed. I want to be able to think, to problem solve and to create different projects in distinct ways. I want to continuously keep growing and learning as a person and in my profession. Choosing a career is daunting. It feels so permanent. If you make the wrong decision you fear you will ruin your life. So to decide I looked at my passions. I thought about what I liked to do. I figured if I enjoy what I do, I can’t go wrong. I’ve always loved visuals (art, illustrations, cartoons, CG, photographs, film, magazines, books and more). I adore the visual world. Type, textures, colors, lighting and composition have always intrigued me regardless of the industry or medium they appear in. I chose to become a designer because it appeared to encompass my main priorities for a career and would compliment my infatuation with computer animation. Designers have freedom. They can work for many different types of companies or agencies in any metropolitan area or even make their own work by freelancing. They can do packaging, advertising, corporate design, editorial design and so on. One day they might be working on an edgier piece while another day it could have a more contemporary feel. It all depends on the client. I thrive for that versatility and unpredictability. Designing is creative, challenging, hands on and requires thinking. The best part is it is a visual business.
What Is Design About?
Design is about purpose. Design can serve a function, inform, communicate or cause an effect. Design is about development. It takes into consideration the needs and wants of an audience and creates a solution or message. Design is about thinking, conceptualizing, visualizing and then executing. The best design is logical because everything is based on purpose and reasoning. My favourite design balances functionality and defiant aesthetics.
Why Is Design Important?
Design is important because it causes an effect on the globe and it causes reactions within individuals. Everything within our manmade world is designed. Design has had a huge impact in forming societies across the world. Design can make our lives easier, more comfortable, and full of greater style. It sets a society’s standard of living. It can encourage our minds to want things or manipulate our minds to think we need things we don’t. It can deliver any message from world thoughtfulness to selfish materialism. Design keeps economies going. Messages make sure people continuously want more. People then design more things to fill the needs of the public. Other people produce more new things and ultimately people purchase more. Whether people buy homes, cars, cloths, music, magazines or so on the cycle continues.
Who Creates Design?
Design is created by people. People who create are designers. Designers are presented with a mission to create for a client or an audience. They develop a design to fulfill a purpose. It either serves a function and/or creates an effect. The effect could be an evoked feeling from aesthetic appearance or a communication of a message or a call to action.
What Do I Feel When I Design?
When I design I feel a compilation of emotions. Usually I feel a rise in adrenaline from either excitement or anxiety. The anxiety can come from my fear of failing, my high expectations, the intimidating where do I start syndrome or pressure. The excitement comes from my ideas pouring in every direction, my anticipation to do a great job and pressure. Regardless of which end of the spectrum I may be on when I design I always feel the pressure. The most interesting and best designs come when I am between the two extremes because then I have both excitement and anxiety driving me towards my deadline. When I finish a design if I feel it is effective I feel accomplished and proud. When I wrap up a design that is not very good I am very disappointed, regretful and critical. However, these are usually the most useful because you learn the most when you are upset with yourself. When I am happy with a design I’ve finished and others don’t understand it or appreciate it in the same way I do I feel frustrated, confused and misinterpreted. This usually feels worse then failure and is my least favourite feeling when designing. I try to determine why the other person may not feel the same way I do. Sometimes when I design I may intentionally or subconsciously feel the mood I am trying to reflect in the piece of work. For example I may feel focused and serious when designing a corporate logo and happy and relaxed when designing a humorous ad.
How Good Design Makes Me Feel
When I experience good design from other people I feel impressed and inspired. It drives my motivation to be in design and to improve. Good design expands my outlook and my mind. It makes me feel passionate and hopeful. When I see design I feel is bad design from others I feel curious. I wonder if I am missing something. I try to have an open mind. I question what their thought process was like and think what might work better. Sometimes I find ineffective design annoying especially poor info design.
Design is…?
Design is a process of development based on fulfilling a purpose. The purpose can be to serve a function and/or produce a desired consequence such as send a message, influence an action or evoke a feeling from aesthetic appeal.
Design is influential. With that influence we as designers
have great power.
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