October 30th, 2011
Why not? There’s comfort food. Who doesn’t like to feel good by indulging in those tried-and-true, nostalgic foods like mac-n-cheese. I figure some design calls for comfort, too. Easily recognized. Predictable. Simple color breaks and shapes. Introducing the Jack O’ Lantern. The carved out pumpkin appearing at front doors in October as Halloween nears. The name comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack; Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America. I gotta say I’m a softy on comfy tradition; every October I start my pumpkin search and anticipate bringing life to this gourd by carving out shapes, throwing in a lit candle and admiring its ghoulish face. Sometimes pushing the envelope means knowing the same old envelope is just fine. Simple design and recognizable shape is memorable. And, comforting.
Tags: Halloween, pumpkins, shape
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October 17th, 2011
It’s hard to believe that “negative space” is favorable, given the term. But it is. In drawing classes, we drew the space around the object — the negative space. Sometimes that space around a subject forms an interesting shape. Sometimes it’s a much-needed visual relief. A pause for the eye. In drawing classes, the professor had us draw the space, rather than the object, hoping to unlock our minds and create a more accurate drawing. In the attached sketch, I drew the objects while walking through a gallery in Italy. Three rooms of Giorgio Morandi’s works — a still life of 5 objects – a vase, bottles, bowls, etc. I guess most people would be bored, but I was seduced by the monochromatic palette and beautifully painted objects. His study of light and tone and compositional balance. It was soothing. I think that’s the beauty of negative space, in its absence there is something quietly formed. It’s in contrast to the positive – the object we do see. My suggestion as a visual artist — look beyond the object.
Tags: drawing, Morandi, negative space
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September 26th, 2011
While designing an ad today for Artisans’ World Marketplace my brain got cross wired. The visual solution of integrating three separate images into one united image was easier than actually reading the body copy to the client. I attempted to read the two sentences four times until I broke out laughing at my inability to even get five words right — I felt like an actor unable to recite her lines. “What is going on?” I asked my client? To which she replied…
getting tongue tied
Of course it made perfect sense. Being ridiculous is underrated.
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