#25: Portfolio

Finished my portfolio! You can view it here. Read more...

#24: Bring you

Saw this at Found Magazine.

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#23: Art Every Day

"I just don't have the time."

I'm guilty of saying it. So are many of my busy classmates. But I suspect that if we looked deep into our schedules, we'd manage to scrounge up enough time to do that thing we said we didn't have time for. I used to love drawing, but the busier I've gotten with school and Flux, the more I've been putting off developing this skill. I've started classifying drawing, book-making, puppet-making, and creative writing as 'non-essential' activities - things I enjoy but unfortunately must come after homework and editing.

Lately I've realized that not only does this system make me absolutely miserable, but it's making me dumb.

That's why I'm participating in Good's Art Every Day 30 Day Challenge. Every day I will make time for art, because it is my art that makes me who I am, not my classes (or even Flux, much as I love it). I plan on documenting my progress via Twitter using the #30DaysofGOOD tag. Care to join me? Read more...

#22: Working in teams

Almost all professions involve some level of teamwork, but in the advertising industry understanding how to work in teams is an imperative. Fast Company has a thorough piece on what makes a great team, using letters from well-known business leaders.

I thought Martha Rogers of the Pepper and Rogers group has some good advice:

You can't say, "teams work because of this" or "teams don't work because of that" -- because it depends. But if you're looking for one quality that most good teams share, I'd have to say that it's the culture of the company in which the team exists. Is the culture one that rewards groups? Is it one that rewards individuals? Or is it a culture where no one gets rewarded? Look around. Watch how people act and interact, regardless of whether they're on a team. Do people do things for one another? Do they pick up coffee for others when they're going out? If the culture is full of give and take -- if it's supportive and trusting -- there's a good chance that you'll see successful teams at work.

It's interesting how this sentiment about company culture echoes throughout several of the other letters. For instance, Tony DiCicco, former head coach of the U.S. women's world cup champion soccer team, says, "To have a successful team, you must have a shared culture [emphasis mine]. My team's culture is largely built on fitness, intensity in training, individual respect, and respect for the group -- both on and off the field."

In advertising, teamwork is encouraged and rewarded. Creatives work in pairs for a reason. Everyone has a stake in final product, and everyone contributes ideas. In other professions, where individuals are favored, people are less willing to help one another and share ideas. Everyone is thinking about themselves, not about the work, which ultimately leads to crappy work. Although many people demonize advertising, I think the rest of the business world could take a couple of pointers from the industry about teamwork. Read more...

#21: Do what you want to do

After perusing Typography Served I found a great piece by Radio that combines both typography and artwork to create 'The Best Piece of Advice Ever'.

The text says: "Remember that you do what you want to do."

Solid advice. Read more...

#20: How to Be Creative

Loved loved loved this manifesto on creativity by Hugh McLeod at Change This.

My favorite takeaway from the manifesto was point #2.

The idea doesn't have to be big. It just has to change the world.

So powerful, and so true. The best ideas are simple in form and potent in meaning. Read more...

#19: What my online presence says about me

I just finished working on a page in my idea book about what my online presence says about me. After doing some investigative reporting about myself, I came to the following conclusions:

1. I love Jeff Goldblum.

2. I care about protecting the environment.

3. I am shy.

While I read a lot of blogs, I rarely if ever comment on posts. The lack of proof here demonstrates that. I guess I'm afraid that if I comment I'll get jumped on and attacked for my opinions, no matter how innocuous. That or I'll get eaten by trolls.

4. I don't take myself too seriously.

5. I play with my food.

Read more...