brainstorm, bounce, refine...repeat.

Recognizing my design process has been a bit of a challenge. I don't know if I follow the same steps for each project...but it does seem that almost every project turns out completely different than my first draft of ideas. Thinking about it, I can break it down to three words: brainstorm, bounce, refine.

My initial brainstorming sessions usually involve breaking down the parameters of the project and researching the needed materials. I'll come up with a broad idea of what I want to do, create some sketches, then bounce my ideas off other people.

Lately I've been relying on my peers for advice on my designs, much more than I used to. Maybe it's because I'm surrounded by designers now and wasn't before? I don't know.

I take the suggestions I've received and refine my ideas and designs. And that brings me back to brainstorming. I repeat the process a number of times–lately, it's been like a broken record. This usually repeats itself over and over, until the deadline is upon me, lord knows I won't finish early.

Brainstorm, bounce, refine.

And repeat.

chaos vs. serenity

(excerpt from journal entry, written Sat., Oct. 25, 2pm, Jay Cooke State Park)

What is it that draws me to places like this? Maybe it's the overwhelming feeling of inner peace. Sitting in the sun on what could be our last warm day of 2008 (it's supposed to snow tomorrow) I feel such a wonderful freedom. When I do things like this I feel incredibly fortunate.

I find that I am drawn to peaceful places in search of a balance between my chaotic routine and the serene natural world. I am able to recenter myself here. I recognize what's important and everything comes into focus.

What is graphic design?

It is the process of making information more interesting and understandable, regardless of the initial stimulant.

It can be for a client, or for yourself. It can be for money, or for free.

A graphic designer reformats information to reach a specific audience. That audience can be anyone, even the designer themselves.

These days it is produced using a digital format. Yet it is still art.

A graphic designer is a messenger.

Tastes like chicken.

Prior to May 2008, I hardly ever ate fish. But, since I was spending a summer in the land of fresh salmon, I figured I could change my habits. I've discovered that I'm a big fan, of halibut especially. So, when looking for something new to try, I went for swordfish. I was in Chicago at the time, at a really nice Greek restaurant. Swordfish skewers sounded excellent...and excellent they were.

'Tastes like chicken' is a phrase that really doesn't make sense to me, but that's kinda how I felt. There were pieces that tasted fishier than others, but most of it tasted more like chicken than fish. If I can find swordfish somewhere less expensive, I'll definitely order it again.

Adding to my long list of appreciated, Alaskan summer events and activities, is my new appreciation for fish. I'm thrilled to say it's one of the more (or most?) healthy things on the list. For me that's great...I tend to struggle finding healthy items that I love.

Now, if only I could afford it.

Brad Pitt's in it, so it's gotta be good.

Recently I've been challenged to do something I've never done before. I came up with two options: 1. bake something from scratch, and 2. go to a movie alone. So, for the sake of my wallet and workload, I decided to go to Burn After Reading on my own.

I felt awkward from beginning to end, except maybe during the middle of the movie, when I was completely engrossed in it. From the moment I got in line, I had my eyes to the floor, avoiding eye contact, just in case I knew someone. If approached, I could say I was meeting someone, but luckily I recognized no one. I even did the lame 'check my cellphone' move about a million times.

Adding to the strangeness, I sat in a row completely unoccupied...and no one proceeded to sit there. It made it so obvious that I was alone. But, the couple behind me kept me entertained before the movie started...my favorite conversation went like this:

old dude: "So what's this movie about anyway?"
old chick: "Ya know, I don't know. But it's got Brad Pitt in it, so it's gotta be good."

After the film, I heard:

old chick: "That was really weird."
old dude: "Yah, no kidding."

Did they not realize who the producers were? You can't expect a Coen Brothers movie to not be weird -- they're great movies. As in most of their films, there were great shock moments. And the actors had such strange roles, kudos to them. I can't wait to see the next Coen Bro film (yay Ryan!).

So, what did I learn from this experience? That it's friggin' depressing to go somewhere as stereotypically 'datelike' as a movie theater, alone. We can ask ourselves if this is a societal problem, but do we care? Try it for yourself, see how it feels.

A date with an artist?

Kind of. A date with myself.

I encourage everyone to take themselves somewhere. Recently I've been taking day hikes alone. I've realized that I'm a pretty darn good companion for myself. Since nature is such an important part of my life, I find that I can connect with it more when I'm not distracted. This doesn't mean I don't like hiking with others, it just means I enjoy connecting with nature on my own. I can move at my own pace -- I can even sit and stare at a waterfall for an hour if I want. I feel more free.

Next up? An overnight along the Superior Hiking Trail...maybe.

Where DO ideas come from?

Do we, as creatives, desire the change we bring to the world? or does it come from everyday people getting bored with the current day-to-day shizz? Do these everyday people want to see new visual stimuli constantly? or have they just gotten so used to seeing new things everyday that they've come to expect it? If everything is exactly the same tomorrow as it was today, who would notice? Bill Murray, maybe?

I think we've brought it upon ourselves. One word (or name, actually): Ishmael. Read the book, written by Daniel Quinn. This story opened my eyes to so many things I can't explain it. In general, Quinn explains how the world has become the way it is; how we've evolved from hunter-gatherers to the crazy, greedy, obsessive humans we are. What was the turning point? Agriculture.

Read the book. It's narrated by a mind-reading ape. That should be reason enough.