Influences and Inspirations

While studying the book "Steal Like an Artist - 10 things nobody told you about being creative" by Austin Kleon, this quote was pointed out to me. "You are, in fact, a mash up of what you choose to let in your life. You are the sum of your influences." This quote got me thinking about the things and people that have influenced my life over the years. 

The first major influences on my life would have been my grandparents. They were wonderful people and taught me to work hard, be respectful, do your best, and to trust in the Lord. I could always depend on them to be there and to help me in whatever way they could. I couldn't have asked for better role models. 

Grandpa was a very hard worker and had a workshop in the basement where he tinkered around on whatever project he could find (that was his hobby). So, I tinkered with him and came to love all things old and all things mechanical.

This helped me to realize that I love old houses, and the more decorative, the better. Be it the old Victorians with their "gingerbread" trim, or the stately brick homes with their large double columns out front, to the extremely ornate Art Nouveau style of Tassel House by Victor Horta. I love drawing floor plans, and even coming up with some furniture ideas. Although I was interested greatly in architecture, I had family members that were engineers and went that route the first time I went to college.

While working in the engineering field, I didn't feel all that fulfilled in what I was doing. I did get to work outside, but, I always felt that I could do something more creative than roads, bridges, water ways and sewers. I know, yuck!

I think that when I was basically forced to change my career many years ago (1993), it was a good thing. I have become much more creative and I really enjoy what I do. I am always gathering ideas and strength from those people and things around me, and hope to be doing so for many years to come. I don't know that I will ever be able to say that I'm satisfied with "the sum of my influences", simply because I hope to continue having things influence me for the rest of my life.

I find a great deal of inspiration in two different individuals from the Art Nouveau period. These people are Victor Horta and Alphonse Mucha. Their work just leaves me in awe! Art Nouveau is so organic and it just flows. It is very provocative and romantic looking without being tacky or crude. I would love to be able to do something in a similar style as theirs. 

These are pictures of Tassel House. Horta not only designed the building, but he also did the murals the flooring the stairs, furniture, doors, latches, etc. He practically designed everything that was inside it. It would be a dream come true if I could ever go and see it in person.
 

I love the stained glass mural that he designed here. Look at the the flowing lines in it and then look at the lines of the railings, lights, sculpture, etc. 

This is one of the balconies - again, the curves and designs are just gorgeous!

I love it!

 
The set of images at right are called "The Seasons" (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter), and it is by Alphonse Mucha. Just look at the details and all of the flowing lines. Very provocative and feminine, but definitely not crude or offensive.

The next set of images are called "The Precious Stones" (Ruby, Emerald, Amethyst, Topaz)(1900). Then, the set after is called "The Moon & Stars" (1902). I'm showing it larger than the others so that you can see the details. Note the ornate "framing" designs he gave these. He did most of his works with and without the ornate edges.

The last images are of some of his poster designs. Look closely at what product the one is advertising - it might surprise you.

I'm researching who these two men looked to for inspiration and hope to find more people to add to my list of people who inspire me. I'll continue to dig deeper into their styles and will ad more information as I find it. 

 

"Steal Like An Artist..." by Austin Kleon

I really like our book, Steal Like An Artist - 10 things nobody told you about being creative, for Graphic Design III. The size, layout, and even the way it is written appeals to me. I especially like the way that it has quotes from such a variety of people that are in so many diverse careers. Plus, I LOVE the stock used for the cover - it's sweet!

When asked "How do you feel about stealing other people's ideas?" I believe that the way they mean to steal in this instance, isn't the literal sense of stealing. Because, if you give 10 people the same idea and tell them to come up with a design for it, no 2 designs will be the same. So, as long as you aren't copying somebody's design exactly, without permission, it's perfectly legal. Therefore, I don't feel that there's anything immoral about it at all.

Originality is valued in art, but, it comes in many different forms. You can be original in the way you convey your ideas and designs. For example, our Typography posters, some people did the same font as previous years, but the design was completely different.

To be a better collector you need to keep your eyes open and always a pencil and paper handy to jot notes or ideas down. Don't be afraid to tear things out of magazines (hopefully your own magazines) or to take pictures of things you see. I have a home office where I keep most of my reference material. I'm also an avid reader and have a huge number of books, in bookcases and closets throughout my house. I have also added to my art/design type of books by going to garage sales and even getting from friends that are moving or downsizing. You never know where you might find something useful.

I keep folders, in my bookmark menu, for different things like fonts, web design, clip-art, etc. I am also a big Pinterest user - Check out my boards.

Before I can pick someone to use as a mentor I'm going to have to do some more research. Once I've decided on someone, I'll come back here and add their name and a sample of their work.

There were a couple of quotes that really stood out for me in the first chapter.

"The only art I'll ever study is stuff I can steal from."

 ~ David Bowie 

"It is better to take what does not belong to

you than to let it lie around neglected."

 ~ Mark Twain

Introducing - Lisa Williamson

Hi one and all! My name is Lisa Kalani Williamson. I'm in my 4th, and final, semester at Parkland College and will be graduating in the spring. I decided to go back to school, after being a graphic designer for 19+ years, because the company I worked for "downsized". It was a blessing in disguise! I love school and learning new things, and know that a degree does make a difference when it comes to pay in the design industry.

My creative process might be different than others my age, but, it seems to work for me. My creativity does vary depending on what kind of project I'm working on. If the project is text intensive, then I go to my huge collection of books (I'm an avid reader & have a very large collection of hard back books) and magazines (I subscribe to multiple design magazines & others). But, if the project is illustration heavy I reference anything from video games (yes, I'm a gamer & proud of it!) to children's books, and online, too! I'm finally using my sketch books more. I had gotten out of the habit of using them when I worked because I simply didn't have the time to sketch anything (it was all about producing, not sketching). I also try to pull some inspiration from my experiences. Being older can have a few advantages in that respect. Ha ha! I have the most difficult time being creative if it is something that I really know absolutely nothing about, or aren't really a fan of.

I think that it is very important to have creative people out there in the world. Think of how boring it would be if everyone used the same layout for an advertisement and only changed the name of the company or the item being advertised. Imagine everyone using the same logo and only changing out the initials in the logo and the name.  It would be a very bland and overbearing place to live in. Creativity adds "life" to things. It gives things personality and can be fun and uplifting. I don't know a lot of "big named" people out there in the world, but, I have worked some individuals before that I really admire their work and am a bit envious of their talents. However, everyone has their own strengths, and if I'm not as good as someone else at one particular thing, I'm sure there's something I can do that they aren't quite as good at, too. It all works out in the end. 

I'm including a packaging design, that I did here at Parkland for one of my classes, for Carrington Farms Organic Flax Paks.

Here is a design I did for a double sided postcard. This is for a Dentist's office that was now offering customized tooth guards for athletes. I was given the brand of tooth guards and a his print information and was told to come up with a few design. The pictures are stock clip-art, but they were used in a non-standard way & the client loved it.

 

This blog was previously for Graphic Design II and will now be for Graphic Design III

This blog was for GDS 122 (Graphic Design II) and will now be for GDS 222 (Graphic Design III). Thank you for taking the time to check it out.