Wasting Time

I have not been able to stop watching this, and neither will you if you have a heart.
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Sorry, My Posts Were Getting Wordy

My posts have been getting extremely wordy. I do not feel like most people, especially designers, would read them. Designers tend to be visual people and would probably not read a post unless and image first got their attention.

So a blog can be a great tool for communicating design and who you are. It could almost act as a pre-interview. People can see your portfolio to see your skills and then they can see your blog to find out a little more about you and if they would want to work with you. So at the same time, if it is not done correctly, people will not read it and not know what you are interested in. This is not at all about Obama, I just figured it would get people to read through the post to see what I had to say about him.

Picture from The Big Picture, has some amazing and large news photographs.

Reviewing Goals

In my first post I mentioned a few goals I had for myself this quarter. I did not exactly get to them as I had planned. One of the goals I did not do so well on (exploring Cincinnati), and the other (honing my skills as a designer) I did but not as I had expected.

I am always working on all of my skills, but a little ways in to this quarter I decided to use my Design Communications class to experiment. I have mentioned it before; t is hard to experiment in your actual studio where not having a good project means an entire quarter of work with no portfolio piece and a bad grade. In Des Comm, however, a bad concept will not necessarily result in a bad grade, and 2 weeks of work with no portfolio piece in the end is much easier for me to justify. This quarter I went ahead with a project and concept that I typically would not have gone forward with because I would have considered it too risky. And I also tried to change it up graphically. Normally I stick to blue, white, and gray in presentations; this time I even used pink in a presentation, I never do that. I feel that I slightly but successfully broke out of my own mold in a few areas this quarter. I definitely consider that a success. for this quarter.

In my goal of exploring more of Cincinnati, I was relatively unsuccessful (the little getting around that I did, however, was great). When I had free time I just wanted to relax alone or chill with friends. There was an unexpected event for next quarter; I got a job at Priority Designs, which I am really excited about, in Columbus, my home town. This is great for a few different reasons. I will not feel any need to get around and see the sights of Columbus, I did that for 18 years when I grew up there. My plan is to focus on things that I tend to not have time for when I am away on internships or at school. (personal design projects, art, playing guitar, reading, biking, skiing, exercise, its a really big list in my head)

Overall, even though it is not done, I consider this a successful and enjoyable quarter, and hopefully my internship will be as successful and enjoyable as my last.

Strengths and Weaknesses

My strengths as a designer, I have spent plenty of pre-interview time thinking about answers to this and other such questions, but so far these standard interview questions have not come about. Even though they have not come up, it is important to be aware of your abilities, the strengths and the weaknesses. The strengths are important because you need to know what to focus on; the weaknesses are probably more important because obviously they are going to offer more room for improvement. Unless you are the type of designer that falls into the overly pretentious category, there is always room for improvement. Improvement, while obviously being important professionally, can also be personally satisfying. Everyone loves the feeling when you realize one day that you are definitely better than you previously had been, you have hopped up from that old plateau and are now starting on a new one.

It did not take me too long to come up with my own strengths and weaknesses. Being a student, our work is constantly being judged by teachers, our peers, and ourselves; I have already spent plenty of time thinking about these things.

My Strengths

1. Keeping the User In Mind

I feel that I am good at keeping the users needs at the forefront of my design and decision making processes. I always try to keep in mind who I am designing for, with everything from usability to emotional connection.

2. Not Being Stubborn

It is easy to get caught up in an initial idea or concept and to just go with it. This is fine as long as other options do not get blocked of; they still need to be left open. It is important to be open to new ideas throughout the entire design process. I try to do this by being open to suggestions from teachers and peers (ID as well as in other majors). I will occasionally step back from what I am doing and explore a different route. I will treat it as an exercise and not be upset when nothing new comes from it. Even if nothing comes from it, stepping back works as a good exercise and an enjoyable mental break.

3. I Have Fun

This is really important. I cannot afford to and do not want to get burnt out. Projects need to be fun. I do this by trying new things, enjoying the new learning experiences and everything else that comes with the projects. I love what I am doing in my life now and have a great passion for design. That being said, it is not the only thing in my life. I think it is important to experience many things and keep many different activities and hobbies going.

My Weaknesses

1. Sketching Ability

I have recently made some big improvements here but there is still quite a ways to go

2. Risk Taking

It can be hard to take a big risk on a project. The risk of failure is high, which would mean no portfolio piece and a bad grade, hard to convince myself that is is worth it. The result, however, could really be something great.

3. Keeping Contact

I have not done the best job in keeping contact with people I have met and worked with on my previous internships. It is not only good for networking purposes but socially I met some great people I want to stay in touch with.

Useful Boundaries

Dieter Rams' 10 Principles for good design
Good design is innovative.
Good design makes a product useful.
Good design is aesthetic.
Good design helps us to understand a product.
Good design is unobtrusive.
Good design is honest.
Good design is durable.
Good design is consequent to the last detail.
Good design is concerned with the environment.
Good design is as little design as possible.

Dieter Rams was a product designer for Braun in the 50s and 60s. Plenty of Apple designs and forms have been directly influenced by Braun products designed by Rams. (Interesting comparison here) This is not so much about a design process but about guidelines. Typically a design brief or problem statement is used as the basic groundwork of restrictions for coming up with a design. Restrictions may sound like a bad thing, but in the context of problem solving and creativity, they provide the framework that concentrates, focuses, and allows the creativity to flourish into a well refined solution.

A basic set of principles that are always in the back of the mind can be a valuable tool when designing. Having this list of principles or personal guidelines that apply to all your work can not only be helpful, but can act as your own quality control. These restrictions keep the thought process focused so the creativity can also stay focused on what is important, the problem and the solution.

As someone matures as a designer, they will probably have their own list, either written or just in their mind. It will probably be evolved from a mix from others and things that have come from experiences. Either way, having a "list" in addition to the problem or brief will only benefit in the process and consequently in the end result.

Nike Football

I have watched this so many times. It's the new Nike Football commercial, "Fate" by David Fincher. It chronicles the lives of LaDainian Tomlinson and Troy Polamalu. Great music and amazing vizuals. I just wish I had time to exercise.