Homework 7

      Back away from the computer and create things with your hands. The computer is not some evil device, it's just limiting. As Kleon wrote, "Instead we're just typing keys and clicking mouse buttons," like we all are right now. I really enjoyed the quote form Edward Tufte, "I have stared long enough at the glowing flat rectangles of computer screens. Let us give more time for doing things in the real world... plant a plant, walk the dog, read a real book, go to the oprea." It kind of a smack in the face. You never really realize how much the computer and technology can take over your life.
     Engaging more of your senses gives your freedom. There is just that sense of freedom and relazation you get form physically letting your hands and mind create together. For me drawing is something that relaxes me. Ideas come much quicker to me with a pencil. For example, if I have essays I have to write, I like to actually write it down before I type it on the computer. It may take a little longer but I am able to think and write quicker than I would on a computer.
     A computer puts a barrier between you and your work. You cannot actually touch it. That barrier also causes you to pause and rethink about your ideas. Like Kleon wrote, "There are too many opportunities to hit the delete key,""we start editing things before we have them." Using a pencil and paper allows your ideas to flow with no pauses.

      Here is my analog space and the finished piece. The space got messier and crazier as I went along.

Homework 6

Create what you like, not what you know.  Kleon wrote a sequel for Jurassic Park based on what he liked and wanted to see. He didn't base it off of something he already knew. He began writing fan fiction. All fiction is fan fiction because you base it off of something you are a fan of, something that you like. I really like the questions Kleon asked at the end. "Think about your favorite work and your creative heroes. What did they miss? What didn't they make? What could've been made better? If they were still alive, what would they be making today? If all your favorite makers got together and collaborated, what would they make with you leading the crew?" You will pick your favorite thinkers because you like their work. All of these questions help guide your thoughts.

If I re-wrote my life, I would be working more with animals, possibly even be a vet. I would still have a love of art. In the next few years I would work in a shelter, rescue, or animal hospital and design things for them like their website, advertisements, posters, and flyers. I would be able to combine the two things I love. It would be a dream of mine to double major in Vet Tech and Graphic Design but they are both very demanding majors. I don't even know if anyone has ever tried to major in those two subjects before.

The two makers I would work with are Kyle Cooper and Walt Disney. Kyle Cooper has a grungy look to his work and he does not use many bright colors. He usually uses more muted colors. Walt Disney is known for creating Mickey Mouse. With the collaboration of Kyle Cooper, Walt Disney, and I leading the team, I present Grunge Mickey Mouse.

Inspiration

Walt Disney

 

Kyle Cooper    

Homework 5

All I kept thinking when I read this chapter is, "Be yourself. Never try to be somebody your not." Umm................... I guess that doesn't apply here. The title of the chapter really threw me off "Don't Wait Until You Know Who You Are To Get Started." I always thought developing you own style was good for an artist but this put it in a new perspective. Kleon is saying to look at your inspiration and run with it. Look at it, steal it, and adapt it. He is not saying to be a poser your whole career, he is saying you will find yourself but it is going to take some stealing and acting like a poser to get there. You might as well have fun while your waiting. The quotes are what really stood out to me and helped me understand this chapter. The two that really stood out were, "We want you to take from us. We want you, at first, to steal from us, because you can't steal. You will take what we give you and you will put it in your own voice and that's how you will find you voice. And that's how you begin. And then one day someone will steal form you." – Francis Ford Coppola and "I have stolen all of these moves from all these great players. I just try to do them proud, the guys who came before, because I learned so much form them. It's all in the name of the game. It's a lot bigger than me." – Kobe Bryant.

You do not just want to steal from you inspiration, you want to see like them. Don't just look at their work, do some research. See what the piece is about. See who/what inspired it. See where your inspiration gets their inspiration.

When you imitate someone or something, you are simply copying them. You are trying to do exactly what they are doing. You make no adjustments whatsoever. Emulation is taking something but adjusting it to fit what you want and who you are. You are trying to make something better.

Okay so my mentor is Walt Disney he is famous for Mickey Mouse. I am not just going to take Mickey Mouse a draw him. Everyone knows what he looks like. They will know it's not "original." I should look at the different types of Mickey Mouse that have been drawn throughout the years. I should look at his friends and his environment. To truly emulate someone you have to do RESEARCH!!!!!!! Without that you will never be more than and imitator.

Another mentor of mine is Kyle Cooper. He is an amazing movie title sequence designer. We had to make a t-shirt for AIGA and the inspiration had to be form a certain designer. I was lucky enough to pick Kyle Cooper. He is best known for his title sequence for the movie Se7en. I did not want to design something after the first thing I saw on google. I RESEARCHED and found one of his less known title sequences for the movie The Island of Dr Moreau.

Kyle Cooper

Mine

Homework 4

Here are 10 books that I want to read. Some I want to re-read and some are brand new to me.

These are ten books that I really want to read. I am a big fan of fairy tales, sci-fi, and mysteries. It's a little bit of a weird mix.

I want to read Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud. I have always really enjoyed comics, and I would love to learn about the process of designing them,