Post Christmas Stretch...

Now that Christmas is two days past, we face the winter months like a long, barren stretch of highway laid out before us. The rain is falling outside my second floor window. It's terribly cold outside, but not enough to create snow.

It seems like it would be the perfect time to hole up and accomplish some creative work. Unfortunately it's never quite as easy as that. There are a dozen things that could be done, but it's tough to find the drive to get going when it's so damn grey outside. I'd love to go for a long hike in the woods, I suppose that'll have to wait.

Fortunately I have a Wii and a sketchbook, as well as this computer here in front of me. I need to utilize the time during winter break to get a good chunk of my thesis pre-production done. Besides that I have a couple client projects and my new design website. I'll keep plugging away and some good stuff should start appearing, that's how it usually works.

The Spirit Beetle

Although I've been using Photoshop regularly for over 3 years now, it feels like she's just starting to give up her secrets. The true power comes with the integration of both Illustrator and Photoshop together. Illustrator has much better typesetting and vector capabilities. Photoshop can take paths from illustrator and create amazing effects with them. It blows my mind what's possible with this stuff. I'm done with Fall term of my senior year, winter break is upon me. I really hope to get some good experimenting time in.

Embracing the grid...

Lately I've been attracted to cleaner, grid-based design. Above is my final project for my Contemporary Art Theory class, a tribute to the great Swiss Linguist Ferdinand De Saussure. I tried to embrace the grid in order to set up a format that could be multiplied across a series of posters showcasing notable theorists and philosophers that inspire my thought process. I want to explore a cleaner design style. Basically my New Years resolution is going to be "No flourishes in '08." I have the vision to push my design work in a new direction, and I intend to carry it out. Fresh is the word for the new year.

Heavens...I've done it again.

but I won't apologize. It's been a long and hectic week down at school. Focus week is over and now it's on to final projects. I presented my thesis proposal, in which I plan to create a motion graphics piece telling the story of the birth of the internet. I'm going to be making my own creation myth. More details to come.
What you see above is the result of a couple hours worth of sketching and collaging. Lately I've felt the need to grow my style. I've found myself slipping into habits and techniques that are tried and true, but getting old. I want to get messy with my work. Precision works but sometimes chaotic works better. Experimentation is crucial for anyone who wants to keep developing as an artist. Keep checking in here if you're interested in how this premise develops.