Think. It’s something I do often. To sit for hours and contemplate things has been big for me. I was always the type to ask many questions. Every time I came across something new it set off a chain reaction that resulted in a constant pursuit of knowledge. Over the years it’s gotten me in a lot of trouble. Despite this I’ve never stopped. I feel that thinking outside the box is important even if it puts you in difficult situations. I guess what I’m trying to say is all that effort you put into gaining knowledge matters. You’ve been blessed with a certain amount of intelligence and it’s up to you to make the most of it. In my pursuit I’ve found some things that I try to ingrain into my work. Without these I feel whatever I’m creating is meaningless.
Send a Message. I’ve always found great solace in books. They have an uncanny ability to send a message. They’re also and incredible tool for the attainment of knowledge. When people ask me how they can improve their craft I often tell them to pick up a good book. I do not believe books make you more intelligent but more so allow you to maximize the potential of the intelligence you have been given. I often find myself trying to mimic books when creating images. What I mean is trying to tell a story and pass along and underlying message. In fact the image of this post tries to do just that. Every little detail means something and together it creates a message. It’s important that your work sends a message. This gives it purpose and that message is a powerful thing.
Design Beautifully. Anyone who knows me can see that I’m a huge fan of great design, more specifically minimalist design. I’ve always felt that companies like Apple set the bar when it comes to this. Not only are their creations very good at what they do but they’re beautiful as well. Often when you design for aesthetics you lose a lot of functionality but Apple tends to do the opposite of this. Not only are their products more beautiful but more functional, reliable, and sturdier than the majority out there. The amount of detail and effort you put into your work reflects tremendously on you as an individual. Why make it good when it can be great? That can be the difference between whether someone scans your work or takes the time to try and understand it. People remember beautiful things. You do want to be remembered right?
Touch People. One of the most powerful things you can do is touch someone in a way that elicits sympathy and tenderness. Music has always been the sweet spot for me. Close your eyes, slap on some over-ear headphones, and listen to M-Seven’s “Oneness“. The experience can be felt throughout the body. No matter what it is there’s a sound that flows with it. Every time you go to the cinema you see the power of sound in action. Without it present to set the mood everything would be bland. If there’s one thing that has helped me get through tough times it’s a damn good song. It’s important to touch people. By doing so you go beyond the base level of influence and bring them one step closer to understanding your work at the fundamental level.
Experience. It is an area often overlooked and demonized. What’s the point to life if you have no experiences? We pull heavily from our experiences when we set out to do something. One should not be afraid of new ones. They can take you to a new level of consciousness, realization, and understanding. There is a huge difference between knowing something and “knowing” something. This is kin to knowing it would hurt to lose a friend and watching your best friend die. The downside is that you can never go back to the dull reality you existed in prior but why would you want to? The only advice I can give you is that it does indeed open your mind to the universe. Strive to send a message, design beautifully, and most importantly, touch people.
The Message.
