Quote of the day…

This is actually up on the wall in the office:
It does not seem possible to be an artist and not to be sick. -Friedrich Nietzsche

Hey designers and artists - do you agree?

Educate your client…nicely.

While competing against some other designers, I ran across some feedback from the client on the public forum to discuss the progress of how are designs were fairing. The client offered some feedback to the happy little campers at divergreen (us), and to some other designers. We responded quickly, and in alignment with what the client desired. However, another designer decided to use the forum to educate the client on what was “an original font versus a commercially available font.” The tone was one of talking straight down their nose at the client. While the designer may have had a point, the diva-like attitude displayed will not win any clients over.

I may want to educate a client but I always remember the scene from the movie “Joe Dirt”, where the character Joe Dirt was asking the Indian fireworks salesman why he didn’t have any particular kind of fireworks. The salesman replied, “I don’t like those kind of fireworks.” To which Joe Dirt rightly responded, “Well maybe that’s your problem. It’s not what you want, it’s what the consumer wants.”

As designers we have an obligation to put forth our best effort for the client. If the client has chosen an “absolutely hideous” typestyle, it’s the designer’s job to explain to the client that there is a better option. At the same time, we must listen to the wants of the client, even if they don’t know an “original, handmade font that I created myself“, from one off the shelf.

An inspired thunderstorm

A thunderstorm that wakes you up in the middle of the night can inspire creativity. Below are some low resolution ideas for a logo concept that divergreen is pitching:

[Show as slideshow]

In the works…

Just finished helping out at Meridian Dairy Days - was fortunate to win 1st place for their placemat design competition this year. Next year it’s Julie’s turn!

Beginning the annual work on “See Spot Walk” for the Idaho Humane Society - registration form and t-shirt work. This is a pro bono project - that right, we have a big soft spot for the cute & fuzzy animals.

How does that mirror your life?

So I came across this interview with guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, who was asked about his “philosophy of life”. He said, “In my mid-thirties, I suddenly said one day - I don’t remember the moment, but it just seemed to happen, that I said; I’m very comfortable with who I am, and what I do and I believe this is what I’m meant to be doing. And I’m not going to worry about trying to be better than this guy or as good as that guy or blah, blah, blah…I’m just going to be me and just let it happen.”

Watch the attached video…do you think he has succeeded? I can tell you now that I’ve adopted the same philosophy regarding my art, design & music - “I’m just going to be me and just let it happen.”

Thanks Tommy.

Tommy Emmanuel on YouTube.

P.S. Tommy was voted the best acoustic guitarist in the 2008 Guitar Player Readers’ Choice Awards.

Graphic Design

…and it is chaotic….AND - out of chaos comes order, inspiration and creation.