the beautiful blank

This beautiful blank space. That’s the moment of realisation when a brief is initiated. The immediate inner reaction of ‘what’ and ‘how’ always consumes me. I often wonder why I don’t get a flash of inspiration in the immediate aftermath, but conclude that’s just how my old grey matter chugs along.

The hours afterwards typically start to push ideas or inspiration to me – but it’s never a quick solution; it’s ideas that filter, bubble, tumble, slowly gurgle or go twelve rounds with my mind through some mad filters. It could happen eating noodles, in the shower, driving, doodling or daydreaming. But, they arrive. Like little people stepping off the ideas bus with a small tale to tell, they pitch their selling points to me and are duly selected on merit, told to simmer some more before coming back or sent to the abyss of bad ideas.

Scribbling also helps – words, shapes, doodles, images sucked from my brain – these all have a place in the count and discount on the journey to my perceived solution. Biro on lined notepad is one of my favourite idea-capturing mediums.

My creative brain is still untrained and reasonably malliable, although the latter sometimes needs nurturing. I’m no pioneer….yet. I’m currently in the process of trying to find my creative voice. From one who has been so resistent to trying – drawing, thinking, doing – for such a shamefully long time, I have an incredibly long way to go. Years of “do it”, “no, leave it”, “do it, you’re not getting any younger” and “either do it or forget it” brought me to embark on a course which will have to answer those inner voices.

I’m not from a design background. I am self taught in creative software packages. L’enfant dabbler. I’m in technical and creative rehab now, and am learning the finer points of said software under a watchful and knowledgeable eye these days.

I often get things wrong, but revel in constructive criticism about how to improve what I do from those in the know -so try and take this feedback and use this to improve, learn and strive to find the voice. Good way to go, but learning.

I love the idea of hand-rendered work, whether it be part of the initial development of an idea, incorporated into a digital process or more rawly handled in its flesh or embedded into a final piece in some way.

I study alongside a mix of talent. I find it challenging to work alongside people who work as graphic designers and who have qualifications and/ or experience which surpasses the level at which we study. Sometimes, it’s hard to keep up with them. So I try not to, and try to do my own thing.

Your constructive criticism, general banter and discussion is welcome – come and natter as you please.