Week 8: Skills and Making

This week, instantly two questions we're brought up..

• What would you like to be doing that you are not doing in your work?

• How important are side projects, and are you currently working on any?

To be frank, these questions we're fairly easy for me. I want to be using my hands more, with the use of a pen or drawing. Having using actual marker scribbles, pencil marks and or other tools is something I hadn't yet introduced to my arsenal. My sister actually is an animator; I'm putting that family bloodline to shame, some would say. Illustration is something that I heavily want to do more in my work going forward.

Doodles upon doodles

As for side projects, these are extremely important. Especially a field like design. They keep your skills sharp, ideas fresh and brain keen. I was having a conversation with a fellow colleague where we emphasized the necessity these side projects bring. They're a breath of fresh air in the production life of a graphic designer. Within sports it's no different. Tight deadlines, constant revisions, and little room and/or time for creative endeavors. I've learned that in my months contracting for Greenville Triumph, time is of the essence, but to reserve energy is another. Given that I've been bending over quite a lot for this club, even working weekends, it's been ruthless. As much as I want to, side projects sadly just aren't in my availability as of now.

If that changes during this course, this blog will be the first one to know, that's for sure.

Lecture

This week's lecture goes on to bring on those same questions, and it was interesting to hear other perspectives.

Simon goes on to say that he's working on so many different projects worldwide; he isn't sure that he wants to learn more things given that his agency is doing completely different things. He says that we change our mindset constantly, working on so many different projects; it keeps designers stimulated. I agree in that regard, although I've never worked for an agency, I'm sure this lifestyle would keep you on your toes.

Others go on to say that the nature of their work keeps them happy. There's a variety of projects and fulfillment.

I relate to Simon's statement the most about side projects, as he's so busy with the efforts that he has with his agency. Similar to what I'm going through. His witty humor is also something I'm a big fan of. The fact their agency is creating their own products is really unique.

As for now, it makes me feel content with not working on side projects, as I have my plate full working at Greenville and on this degree.

Research Task

This week's research task was:

Start detailing various fields of design that interest you and explore ways in which you might look to work in these areas in the future.

This question was a no-brainer. To answer this, it would surely be apparel design. I find myself constantly rummaging through E-Bay or Depop for vintage clothes, soccer jerseys, hats and more. To create my own is something I've briefly dabbled with somewhat recently. Designing a t-shirt for the Washington Spirit for their Hispanic Heritage month.

When it comes to who I would want to work for within that field, there really is only one answer..Art of Football.

I'm obsessed with this team, the brand, everything. So much so that I've supported their work since essentially their inception. They started off with simple brush-like strokes and stills of famous soccer goals; to see them grow into the force that they are today is something to behold.

With their site stating:

Using art to celebrate football, the home of some of the world’s greatest cultures and moments. There aren’t many things that mean so much to so many people. That’s why we’ve dedicated ourselves to creating a higher quality of merchandise than you can get from the big brands, merchandise we think fans deserve, that you can wear with pride as an expression of who you are.

That's the dream right there.

T-Shirt Design from AOF

References

50+ doodle illustrations for your designs (free and paid). (n.d.-a). https://graphicmama.com/blog/doodle-illustrations-free-and-paid/

Art of, a fan-led brand. ART OF. (n.d.-a). https://art-of.com/en-us