I came across this website called Typedia which is a community website that classifies typefaces and educates people about them. The people at Typedia describe it as a mix between IMDb and Wikipedia, but just for type. Anyone can join, add, and edit pages for typefaces or for the people behind the type. It’s a great resource for everyone who love type. Head over there and check it out.
October 13th, 2009
Resource: Typedia
by schmance | Posted in Typography | No Comments » |
October 10th, 2009
Overcoming Creative Block
For the past week or so, I’ve had trouble creating anything with much substance. I spent a lot of time staring at my computer screen and not being happy with anything I designed. I was miserable. I kept second-guessing myself. It was affecting everything in my life, and I’m sure I wasn’t pleasant to be around. I was stressed out because this was not the time for this creative block to happen, especially with my Thesis Show right around the corner. I eventually worked my way through, but it took a lot of patience and a few experiences that proved beneficial.
First, I realized that I was spending way too much time sitting in front of the computer, in the same room, ten to twelve hours a day, for the past two years. I became jaded when it came to my own work. I was finishing my work, but the days were becoming monotonous. Then, the creative block hit. At the end of that week, I decided to step away for a bit and clear my head. I guess I didn’t have time to get sick either, because I immediately got sick, and spent that week recovering. But it was a good week. I read some books, spoke to some friends and family that I haven’t spoken to in awhile, listened to some music, watched movies, and slept. Besides the fact that I’m still a little sick, I felt energized and motivated again.
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by schmance | Posted in Inspiration | No Comments » |
October 6th, 2009
Milton Glaser: 10 Things I Have Learned
Milton Glaser has become and remains an American icon when it comes to graphic design. His work has influenced tons of graphic design for the latter half of this century. I’ve attached part of his AIGA talk in which he spoke about ten things He has learned. I’ve also attached a short film from Hillman Curtis about Glaser titled Art is Work.
1
YOU CAN ONLY WORK FOR PEOPLE THAT YOU LIKE.
This is a curious rule and it took me a long time to learn because in fact at the beginning of my practice I felt the opposite. Professionalism required that you didn’t particularly like the people that you worked for or at least maintained an arms length relationship to them, which meant that I never had lunch with a client or saw them socially. Then some years ago I realised that the opposite was true. I discovered that all the work I had done that was meaningful and significant came out of an affectionate relationship with a client. And I am not talking about professionalism; I am talking about affection. I am talking about a client and you sharing some common ground. That in fact your view of life is someway congruent with the client, otherwise it is a bitter and hopeless struggle.
2
IF YOU HAVE A CHOICE NEVER HAVE A JOB.
One night I was sitting in my car outside Columbia University where my wife Shirley was studying Anthropology. While I was waiting I was listening to the radio and heard an interviewer ask ‘Now that you have reached 75 have you any advice for our audience about how to prepare for your old age?’ An irritated voice said ‘Why is everyone asking me about old age these days?’ I recognised the voice as John Cage. I am sure that many of you know who he was – the composer and philosopher who influenced people like Jasper Johns and Merce Cunningham as well as the music world in general. I knew him slightly and admired his contribution to our times. ‘You know, I do know how to prepare for old age’ he said. ‘Never have a job, because if you have a job someday someone will take it away from you and then you will be unprepared for your old age. For me, it has always been the same every since the age of 12. I wake up in the morning and I try to figure out how am I going to put bread on the table today? It is the same at 75, I wake up every morning and I think how am I going to put bread on the table today? I am exceedingly well prepared for my old age’ he said.
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