Still Here…

admin September 28, 2016

I recently had the opportunity to go to Nashville for a conference. It was a great experience where I met a few people and felt inspired by the things I saw. I might share a bit more about it, another time.

One of the added bonuses included taking a break from the everyday. I tend to let other things take control of my life and so it was great to spend a few days surrounded by things that I love…and, of course, a camera in hand. Vancouver is beautiful but has become a little cliché. Because I don’t take pictures of people, Vancouver is too perfectly beautiful. Being in a new city is great to find inspiration.

I didn’t take a lot of pictures. Nashville, while it’s an older city, has been re-developed a lot. After a rainy Saturday, I was walking behind Capitol Hill. I took the normal shots but then noticed the reflections in the ground.

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In my photography, there are certain themes that will come out. One of those themes is reflections. Maybe it’s the idea of the imperfect view that I like.

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Ghost signs are another theme. Nashville had a lot of old faded signs on buildings. I think that’s mainly because they had a lot of brick buildings, without windows, next to parking lots. It’s as though before the parking lot there was once a building, long forgotten.

The Beauty of Album Artwork

admin June 10, 2016
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I remember when this album came out, I posted something about it on one of my blogs (I’ve had many). The album artwork was beautifully done and was a great fit with the music and John Mayer.

I enjoy buying cd’s but now it has to be a really good album, before I’ll buy it. One of the things I’ve appreciated about John Mayer, is that he rewards that decision with giving you something worth keeping. I remember the disappointment of getting cds where the insert was just one piece of paper with the song list. Incredibly anti-climactic.

Watching this video gives me an even greater respect for the artwork, to see all the layers that went into it, as well as, David Smith’s skilled craftsmanship to create the glass and mirrored signs.

I could picture, in my head, John Mayer losing his mind when he received the shipment from David Smith.

Oftentimes, I’m asked if I think print is dying. My answer is always ‘no’. It’s becoming more crafted. Everyone is moving towards digital to the point that it has become ubiquitous. When agencies call themselves a digital agency, it feels unnecessary. Think about how many sites or articles you bookmark on Medium, Feedly, or more generally, in your browser. Then think about how many times you go back to read those things. It’s probably not often. Out of sight, out of mind. Physical things have the advantage of ‘reappearing’, reminding you of their existence. However, if we are to hold onto something (and not throw it out), it must be something really meaningful and relevant.

Being Social at Social Events

admin May 18, 2016

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I am terrible with ‘networking’ events. The word “networking” makes my skin crawl, as it is, but I’m also not good at striking a conversation with random strangers. On the other hand, I’ve met a lot of random people at events only because they took the first step.

In Stockholm, I went to a Creative Mornings. I didn’t really want to go, as it became apparent that I was returning home before I had planned, and wasn’t in the mood to be social. At this particular CM event, one of the agencies that peaked my interest, announced they were putting on a creative festival. They announced Aaron Draplin and Jessica Hische would be there. To be honest, I didn’t know who Aaron Draplin was (and I call myself a designer) but I had certainly known of Jessica Hische and thought, maybe it would be interesting.

Turned out, Jessica was sick and couldn’t make it but it was interesting nonetheless. At the event, I met another girl who also came alone. We chatted and got on well. I hadn’t planned to go to the afterparty but she seemed nice and at least I would have someone to chat with…maybe for a couple of drinks.

While we were sitting, a small group of guys come up and surely were using a line, “Don’t I know you from somewhere?” they asked the other girl. Whether a line or not, she didn’t know them but they seemed nice enough. If I was alone, I would have brushed them off. We all started chatting and two or three were formed an animation agency. The other was also a graphic designer who recently went through the grind of looking for an agency to join.

A few days later, I met up with one of them to talk about agencies, work, and the wonders of glögg. It was a great conversation and nice to meet someone that I could truly relate to and could provide me with insights on approaching agencies. Although I still have a long way to go, I do carry with me, some of the things he said. Tools that will come in handy, soon.

Years later and I’m still crap at these things. In Berlin, I made myself go to events nearly one a day, if not two. It was exhausting. I had a rule that the more I didn’t want to do something, the more I needed to do it. I still stand around and wait for someone to come to me. Usually, with a drink in hand…which I learned in Berlin, seems to say I’m approachable. It’s bad I know but a bad habit that has been reinforced by positive results. If you met me at an event and we had a conversation, that’s probably because you came up to me or I was already talking to someone who came up to me. I have met quite a few people this way…in Berlin that is. Even some that I touch base with, now and again…and hope to reconnect with, soon.

In Vancouver, it’s a less effective strategy, especially with some compounding issues (such as the reason I took everything off this site). A work in progress, but it feels good to be back around creative individuals.

The article that triggered this post, was from InVision’s Blog “The Introvert’s Guid to Surviving Design Industry Events”.

Meeting likeminded people.

admin May 12, 2016

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Likeminded has become a trendy word these days but there is something to it. Likeminded doesn’t necessarily mean having the same political views or other opinions on controversial subjects. It is more about having a similar outlook or approach to life.

A couple of times, I left Vancouver and settled in a new city. One of the challenges of that experience is it can get lonely at times. Not in the sense of dating but rather in having meaningful conversation with others, that extend beyond, where you’re from, what you do, and why you’re here. For example, one person, within hours of our second encounter, was excitedly showing me a technique he figured out in Illustrator and explained his process to solve his problem. Another told me of how he travelled through Asia for a year, spending time with local people, relying on the kindness of others.

Passion, curiosity, and kindness.

Went to Harvard

admin May 6, 2016

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I’m one of those people that always takes a picture from the plane, of a (typically) unidentifiable piece of land. It has always surprised me that aerial views really look like that!

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I’ll admit, I had a very different expectation of Boston. I thought it was an unsafe, rough and tough place. It isn’t that at all or maybe I was in the wrong areas. It was cold…I was right about that. After having one of the warmest April on record, in Vancouver, it was an adjustment to be in 3-15 degree Boston. Luckily, I packed smart and was dressed for the weather!

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While in my last relationship, I truly began to realize that I regularly needed to have alone time which was the time I took for creativity. Usually it involved either taking photographs or cooking. In June of last year, I was worried about getting enough hours in two part-time jobs to help finance a budding freelance career. Instead, I found myself with a full-time job and a part-time job where, for the first few months, I didn’t have a day off. There were some days I worked both jobs in one day.

 

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I let a couple opportunities slip because of this. By February, I stopped working two jobs in one day but then picked up a project, which I just finished. Working on this project made me realize that I can’t work a full-time job, a part-time job, and freelance…giving my clients the time and attention they deserve. So now it’s design full-time, part-time job, and side projects. It’s going to be a struggle but it has to be done.

Getting back to the things I love. One of those things, photography. My heart skipped a few beats while scrolling through my old photos. I knew it was time to go at it again.

 

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Going back to my thoughts on Boston…physically Boston is old America. It’s a blend of European inspired architecture and the New World. A lot of brick and narrow roads. But the people of Boston are quite young and academic. With over 80 universities and colleges, it has a diverse population that is (I’m guessing) more upper middle class. You would have to be, to afford school, rent, and overall living costs.

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Someone asked if I could see myself living there. Probably not for a long length of time. Although there are some schools known for their design programs, I find it to be too academic and less artistic. I wouldn’t mind spending more time there. It’s an interesting window into American-ness.

 

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