Rip off or creative inspiration- Derek

Christina the good thing about design is everything is influenced from something else. There is nothing that doesn't take influence or elements from something you've already seen. For me, I always treat my designs as an equation. Ex. concept + theme(idea) = my design. When I start an art project I try to measure out the things I can do, with the time I have available. After that I begin to brainstorm for a while until I come up with a concrete idea and I can make concept statement from it. Recently I've gotten back to making mood boards so I can visually see the direction I want to go.

As far as crossing the line of design I say as long as you don't copy the same thing and turn it in as your own that counts as creativity and inspiration, because the goal of design is to improve or expand an idea or concept that somebody has left before you. Me personally I'm inspired by alot of music. When I start designing I take music that displays the emotion or feeling I'm going for. Also reading or design blogs give me inspiration as well.

Breaking Convention -Jessica

Tonight's class discussion on visual rhythm got me thinking of a novel I brought up-- House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski-- and the lack of rhythm it follows. If not lack, it certainly defies the norm of what we as readers would expect from a novel-- both visually and content wise. There are pages (upon pages) of the narrative in footnotes-- and some footnotes have footnotes. It hops from using Courier New to Times New Roman, text is read horizontally, upside down or at an angle, many pages have only a phrase or a few words, some content is edited out-- though still legible-- and the use of white space is inconsistent, but oh so ambitious. Even the size of the book itself resembles more of a textbook rather than a novel. It totally gives new meaning to the art of the narrative.

When I read this book for a multimedia writing & literature class in undergrad, it baffled me. I don't think I quite got a grasp on it (I need to give it another go!). But it probably was one of the first examples I was exposed to of how concept can bleed into both form and content. And it absolutely redefined (and continues to do so) the art of the narrative.

What are some examples of unconventional reads-- design or content wise, digital or print-- that you know of? What do you find most compelling about them? Maybe this can help us all think outside of the box for our third and final projects! :)

Re: Rip off or Creative Inspiration? -Jessica

I never thought of creativity, as design, was unoriginal until recently when I was told that it's all been done before in some capacity. Which I suppose is true! We do continually take inspiration from what we see, read, and hear. At least I do. I feel as if I'm constantly influenced by what I surround myself by. Which, as Amy has pointed out in class previously, is so important to maintain that creative influence whether it's from what we find on the bookshelves, in fashion, in art, music or elsewhere. I think the line between ripping off a design and using something for inspiration is pretty clear.

Similar to Nicole, I have developed a process that helps me organize and funnel my thoughts and ideas when working on a particular project. An instructor from last semester's class taught us how and why it was so important to use mood boards for our projects. It was a new idea to me (and admittedly, not my favorite at the time!) but I have been unable to begin a creative process without it! From creating a color palette to collecting imagery, textures and type studies, it really lays a solid foundation for my process to develop.

Just something fun!

I got to be director of photography for a dance video that my friend Lily Kind choreographed for her company The Effervescent Collective. You guys should watch. I think it's pretty cool.  (I didn't film this version, we had a pro on hand but I did film the whole thing on Super 8. That version coming soon!)

http://vimeo.com/100054884

Re: Rip off or creative inspiration- Nicole

Ah... the age old question of rip off or creative inspiration! I will agree with Kate and Derrick on this topic as well. It is quite hard to come up with something totally new. Many things have been done before, sometimes numerous times. I think when I start a new project I try not to look at the exact thing I am designing, for example- The cover of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, because I knew that had been done a thousand times and for me to come up with a completely new idea was unlikely. I made notes about what things in the book were iconic or important to me and then googled those words to find images that inspired me.

I think its nice sometimes to practice different styles that you find interesting. If this is just for yourself I think copying a work is fine because you are learning some techniques along the way. I wouldn't copy that design and pass it off as your own but its good practice if you want to learn a style. You might be able to take a little something and make it your own for the future.

I, like Kate, like to collect pieces of design that I find interesting. I have a book that I can tape these into and look through later. Sometimes its just a postcard, sometimes I rip things our of magazines and sometimes I just take pictures on my phone and print them out later.

Re: Rip off or creative inspiration - Kate

This IS an interesting discussion. I tend to agree with Derrick at this point that there is nothing new under the sun. By that, I don't mean that we can't be inspired to create something exciting, vibrant and alive. And it certainly doesn't mean that we should be copying other people's work or ideas verbatim and passing them off as our own. But, to me, there is definitely a difference between being ripping something off and being inspired by it. I think research is key to executing a book idea or concept! I look at other designs/products/colors etc before and after I am working on a project. I've found that both ways are helpful to my process. As designers, we see and then we create. You can't help but look all around you and soak up whatever might inspire you and whatever might help you, especially when generating good ideas and concepts!

As far as my inspiration, I love to browse through Anthropologie. It is my favorite place to just stroll through. I always feel happier the minute I walk through the doors. When I see designs, ads, books, really any piece that I like, I pull it out or put it aside so I can place it in my little box in which I put things that inspire me. Then I go back and make books of those things so that I can look through at any point for inspiration. Sadly, I have not had occasion to keep up with this lately, but it is something I love to do and it helps me stay inspired.

RE: Rip Off or Creative Inspiration: Derrick

This is a topic that frequently come up among designers. There's always a fine line between ripping off someone and creating something new. My theory is that, it's not much that hasn't already been done. More than likely, at this level, we won't be creating anything new. I always look at other designer's work for technique and inspiration. I think it's out right wrong to just copy someone's work as if you created it.

My source of inspiration depends on what I'm trying to create. For this class, I've been looking at lot's of different kind of books to make sure that I'm using the standard techniques and formalities. Usually, I use whatever that's around me, whether it's the people that I pass on the streets, the cars, books, magazines or other works of art. Depending on the basis of the project will determine my next move. Usually, after the brainstorming ideas, I'll sketch out something then trying to execute my ideas. Typically, I'd use youtube if I can't figure out how to do something. I'd rather watch the video and follow as they are doing it.