AIGA Detour

I really enjoyed seeing the Saturday Manufacturing space at the AIGA Detour event yesterday. Everyone who worked there seemed very laid back and welcoming too all of us. The space was smaller than I was expecting, but it had a unique atmosphere since it was a garage previously. Even though there are only a few employees that work there, they certainly have enough business! I've seen commercials and advertisements for the Kum & Go "warm and fuzzy" campaign, but I didn't know it was them who developed the ads. I thought it was great that they aren't afraid to turn customers down either if they know their style won't match up with what the client wants.  Companies will usually just match a style to what the client expects or wants, so it is refreshing to hear about a company that stands by its design style. Overall, it was a great event, and I definitely plan on going to the next Detour event in March.

Laura and I next to some designs pinned up at Detour that Saturday Manufacturing created

Design Statement Draft

Everyone has something in their life they're passionate about. My passion is design. Nothing makes me feel better than I do when I finish a design project of which I am genuinely proud. I am a very driven person, so when I get a task, I make sure that I follow through with it. I know that designers often get the reputation that they are creatively unorganized, but I am the type of person that finds the benefits of order and organization. Being organized ultimately helps my design work because it allows me to keep focused on what I need to be working on and shows others I am trustworthy. It is also helpful when working with and for other people. I am a very good listener, so I make sure what I am designing fulfills the needs of the project exactly. I am not afraid to ask questions because I realize I might not know all about what I am working on. I find the benefits of working with other people because collaboration is a big part of design.

This is where my design process starts off. Communicating with others and asking questions is how I start on a design project. Once the project is understood, I set aside time to brainstorm and really think about the project. It is important to do some research on the subject the particular project is about. Sometimes an idea will spark just from learning a little more about the subject. Designing for something you know nothing about is like trying to find your way around an unfamiliar place in the dark.

All of the design choices I make when working on a project happen for a reason. There is an intentional purpose for each decision on color, typography, size, and placement, just to name a few. I like to have my designs relate back to the subject in many ways because I believe that makes for a better overall end product. I like to keep my designs fairly simple, because in the world of design, less is more. People are often distracted by the multiple capabilities of modern design and technology, but I realize the importance of the basics. I always make sure that the fundamentals of design (composition, color, size, placement, etc.) are satisfactory before adding anything extra. Simple, clean designs are also beneficial when working on a project for a large audience. The more complex a design is, the less likely the majority of the audience will understand it. It is also important that my design style shows through in all of my projects. Creating a design the client wants is important, but it still is my work, so my personality should show through as well. It is hard to create a good design if you are not enjoying what you are working on, so I make sure to keep my style when working on different projects.

One of my main objectives when designing is to make sure that the client is receiving exactly what they need. This is why I find feedback to be extremely important. Designers sometimes get too wrapped up in their work and forget to take a step back and look at it from another perspective. Having others critique my work helps me understand what needs improving, and it can also spark the idea for a different or better approach. I find that it is also helpful to work with a client who communicates well and is prompt at sending content and feedback. Working with people can sometimes be difficult, but through many work and life experiences, I feel comfortable working with all types of people.

Design is an important part of society, and I want to make sure what I do is important as well. Design is about everything and everyone, and creating a great design can influence and affect a multitude of people. Society is always changing, and design needs to change with it. New technology has made almost everything go digital, including design. I believe it is important to be flexible and change with society. With the new emphasis on mobile and smartphones, I have taken time to learn about them and find ways to design and accommodate for them. Although I am more comfortable working with programs I am familiar with, I am not afraid to try or learn new things. Design is my passion, so I will continue to work with it in any form.