MAKERS VS. THINKERS

Stefan G. Bucher,

I am writing this letter in response to your Makers vs. Thinkers Conference. I found you talk very humorous and engaging. The approach that you take to your work is very original and fascinating. As well, I was pleased to find myself being able to relate to some of your chosen subjects of discussion.

In some ways my creative process is similar to your own. I like the way you described the beginning of your ideas to "an alcoholic and a bottle of gin". It was a very humorous metaphor, and very true. Many of my ideas start out great, and nearing the end they have grown so much that I have nearly lost sight of where they began. As well, I enjoyed he analogy of taking your brain to the park. I find that as I am working I cannot focus unless my mind is completely focussed on the task at hand. If I have something else on my mind I will have to take some time away from my work and do something to clear my thoughts.

My favorite part of your lecture was the viewing of you Superbowl logo. I found that the "nerdy" approach that you took was very refreshing, and surprising. I think that many designers would focus their attention on providing for the number one target (football fans), and in doing the complete opposite your logo was very distinct. The logo was jam packed with many nerdy interests, but my favorite was showing the testosterone molecule. It took a main aspect of the game and showed it in the most unexpected way possible.

Finally, I loved your book of monsters. It is interesting how they started from blowing out a simple ink blob. This made sure that no two would ever look the same, which was very effective. Seeing the monsters close-up showed how much time you actually put into them when seeing the stippling and cross hatching. Each monster have a different personality and story making them relatable. I also loved the typographic monsters you made for TBS. They were very inventive and original.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching your presentation. It was very inspirational and interesting.

Emma Goddard

Tracking my Creative Process // current assignment

MY DRIVE TO WASAGA BEACH

wk 1

tuesday

- Assigned Experience Mapping Project - creatively execute a personal experience

- let the project sink in for a few days

friday

- Brainstormed ideas for project ( had trouble thinking of what experience to show)

- turned music on for some background noise

- looked on facebook for pictures of trips/experiences that I had recently had

- found pictures from a barn party I went to..lots going on at this event (dancing, fireworks, cook out, horse rides)

sunday

- talked to my room mate --> gave me the idea I am using for the project ( drive to Wasaga Beach --> my 1.5 hour drive unexpectedly turned into a 4.5 hour drive)

monday

- after class - napped --> woke up a decided three variables to map (showing time, gas consumed, stress level)

- watching TV - wrote out description of drive (specific times of when things happened/went wrong)

- sketched some possible solutions to show my experinces

wk 2

tuesday

- showed John Wasaga Idea (idea was approved)

- DIGITAL DUE NEXT TUESDAY

sunday

- made outline of digital version on computer

- took a break --> made lunch/watched TV

- added colour and details to digital version of map

My Creative Process...

When being asked to describe my personal design process, I had to take a few minutes to give it some thought. I felt as though the answer to this question should come to me easily, as it is something that has now become part of my everyday life. I feel that my design process is not a set routine that I preform or a checklist that I follow. I don't have to clear the clutter away from my desk, or make sure there is nothing around me that will distract me. Because let's face it...that's NEVER going to happen!

While designing I can't shut off the world around me. I need some sort of background noise to keep me focused. Whether it be tv, radio, music on my computer, of just having people around me. If I am sitting in silence I will most likely get bored and look for something else to do, instead of focusing on my work.

When thinking of ideas it is not an instantaneous thing that happens. I need to sit and think about the information that i have been given and decide where to begin. More often than not my ideas come at unexpected times. I may have walked away from a project hours ago without any ideas where to begin and all of a sudden I have a million ideas.

One thing that I do on a regular basis is take breaks between working on different projects. I find that if I finish work on one and then hop right into another my mind is still focused on the first project. Also, I find that it helps to talk to others. Even if it is not someone in your class or program, something that a stranger says could spark an amazing idea.

Overall my design process is quite simple. UNDERSTAND THE FACTS, ATTEMP SOME WORK, TAKE A BREAK, SPARK AN IDEA, MAKE IT HAPPEN!

my journey

My parents have always been very supportive of my goals. My dad has worked in the television industry his whole life and has always encouraged the creative side in my sister and I. From ayoung age I have been interested in art,

and that is the path I followed through most of high school. After toying with the idea of a career in a science

based field, I decided against it and focused most of my classes on art and communications.

During my grade 12 year my communications teacher mentioned this program of study and told me to check it out. I knew that design was the route that i wanted to take. Although I have always love working in paint, photography, and even sculpture, I knew that I did not want to pursue it forever.

Design is...

As discussed in class, design may not be everything, but it is everywhere. There is not a moment in your life where you are not surrounded by some type of design.

So, what is design?

Personally, I feel that design is anything that has been constructed for a purpose, or to solve a problem. It is meant to be seen by a large audience, and has been created to provoke a specific reaction. Nothing is ever designed without purpose. Design can be anything: posters, clothing, signs, buildings, furniture, movies, landscapes. No matter what is being designed, it was constructed that way for a reason. Even things designed by nature were made in a specific way to benefit or provide for its surroundings.

I do not believe that design is in no way a form of art. Though it was not created as a personal expression, it is still open to interpretation. Though a designer may be looking for a certain reaction from their audience, individuals are always going to understand things differently. Design, like art, is producing an emotion or feeling that will be interpreted by its viewer.

Design is part of a process. This process is determined by how the person thinks and works individually, and with others. I am positive that no two person's design processes are the same. We all think differently and need to follow different paths to create a unique design.

-- emma