Yesterday I went to the House Industries LETTERS & LIGATURES opening night reception at the 222 Gallery in Philly (a couple blocks from the crib). It was a great show and I ended purchasing a case study book and got really inspired to create.

So I made a promise to myself that After spending 10 buck on a freaking portfolio book, I have to really become dedicated to completing all my side project like my Elo typeface and my iphone theme. This is my first time theming for the iPhone, and it’s already starting out on a high note! Look at this snippet from the COMPLETE Stock iPhone Theme by Leram84 over at modmyi.com -

“Brief Intro for those that don’t like to read:
This is a complete theme of stock images and sounds. It consists of every .png and .caf file that can be themed through WB. The only .png’s that can still be added to this theme are those of specific apps. There are no modded images in this theme. Now ur probably thinking right now “but wait Leram84… why would I want to use a theme that makes the iphone look like a stock iphone?? Ur stupid!” Well, slightly rude, imaginary person… ur right. I wouldn’t want to use that theme at all. The purpose of this is to provide a template for all themers to use. Now all u have to do is swap out the original files in this theme with ur modded files, and delete everything else, and voila… a clean uniform theme that everyone can enjoy. ”

Leram84 is hilarious. This just may turn out to be more fun than I thought!

*Image from House Industries blog

Anyway, the main thing I came away from the lecture with is actually something that has taken me a long time to really understand; constraints provide the frameworks for creative solutions (and the funny is;  I think more people have a problem with this than they care to admit - trying to marry the needs of the client, the project constraints, and your personality into the work you create).

Throughout the entire lecture Si basically went through his portfolio in chronological order and talked about the creative brief, the constraints and how he was able to inject himself (personally, creatively, emotionally) into something that has a unique personal link to himself, the client, and the audience. I mean the thought and time that went into some of these pieces is pretty mind blowing, and the things he was able to get away with…it was really great to see. It’s refreshing to know that it there are people out there that are unflinching in their desire to solve problems while remaining true to themselves. That’s the kind of designer I was to be.

*image by Si Scott
~Namaste

Finals are coming up fast…too fast if you ask me. And even though I’m only feeling good about one of my classes, the fact that i’m feeling good at all is a plus. I got a hella good critique from my digital design professor on my Sydney Music Fest Ad this week (the assignment was to create an print advert for an annual cultural festival). Believe it or not, I only came up with one idea for this ad, and it just so happened to work really well, which is always what one hopes for;  minimal effort = maximum awesomeness.

~Namaste

who knew learning to draw circles and crap would require more than a 90 second attention span?

*Image drawn in marker/india ink for a story board assignment