O' What a Creative Blog!

If you’re an entrepreneur (or ever had daydreams during death-by-boredom conference meetings of becoming one) you’re familiar with the process of trying to come up with “the big idea.” It ain’t easy, to say the least: researching, brainstorming, sleepless nights, feeling like your banging your head against a brick wall, headaches (from actually banging your head against a brick wall), more sleepless nights (from uncomfortable bandages wrapped around now bruised head). Then, finally, at 4:23am as you lay in bed ready to strangle the 1,099th sheep you’ve counted – the idea finally comes!

Understanding this crazy, difficult process, I’m ever more appreciative of creative, original, inspired new business and product ideas. Thus, the moment I heard about ARTCRANK, the bike-themed poster art show (coming to San Francisco on October 24 at 580 4th Street), I had to know – who the heck thought of such a brilliantly simple concept of combining bikes and art??

Now before you go banging your head against a wall (again) in a “why didn’t I think of that” frenzy, check out this insightful interview with the clever brains behind ARTCRANK, Director/Curator Charles Youel. And then go check out an art show like you have never experienced before. READ FULL ARTICLE: SF EXAMINER

Growing-up, I had a friend whose Mom took her to the zoo quite often. But rather than looking at the actual animals, the Mom was way more into the people watching. Just picture it: the little girl pulling on Mommy’s sleeve begging to see the zebras while Mommy whispers, “I’ll show you stripes. Take a gander at the woman behind you in that god-awful, skunky-striped outfit! What was she thinking!”

People watching can be a great source of amusement, especially when observing those with bad taste. It can also be a well-spring of inspiration.

For example, I was recently stuck in the airport during an unusually long flight delay. Rather than getting my panties in a bunch (like most of my fellow passengers…), I became enthralled with the people watching. For the entire three hours my buttocks was planted on those uncomfortable, orange terminal chairs, I had a blast doodling airport folks, creating caricatures, and thinking about them in whacky “what if” scenarios. From the stressed out guy on his cell phone to the young Carly Simon look-alike to the funny-looking dude slumped in his own uncomfortable orange chair, I came up with nearly a dozen new concepts for my clever card line, She’s SO Creative. Now that’s time well-spent in my book!

But more than just for “artsy types” people watching can be just as valuable for entrepreneurs, marketers, and business people alike. Seeking the next great product idea in the gazillion dollar pet industry? Just observe pet owners in any situation – they’re a tad, well…weird. But weird is good! (Flattery helps their egos). For starters, when it rains watch how the funny human-types hover their umbrella over little Fido so he doesn’t get wet, while they themselves get drenched from head-to-toe in the process. Now there’s got to be a better way – and BAM! You’ve got yourself the first-ever “Dog-Gone Rainy Day Umbrella Kit”. Sure it’s a kooky idea, but that train of unconventional thinking will no doubt lead to innovative ideas.

Thus, there’s more to people watching than just “the watching.” The real “art” is in the observing andthe thinking, brainstorming, etc. In essence, creativity is about looking and thinking about things from a fresh, new perspective. And what better way to turn the ordinary on its head than by observing human beings from an objective distance rather than our conventional mode of interaction. And by “conventional” I mean “talking to one another in person” (for all you emailing, text-messaging, Twittering, FaceBooking and/or socially awkward types).

So the next time you’re seeking creative inspiration or on the hunt for the next big idea, pull-up a seat on an old park bench. But instead of watching the pigeons bobble their tiny feather-heads, focus on us silly, bobble-headed humans. And let your imagination fly!
(originally appeared in SF Examiner  8/26/09)

I once read that the average salary of a graphic designer is nearly equivalent to that of a doorman in New York City. Based on the hourly wage of many of my peers, frankly, that’s not too far off. Sure, there’s a small percentage that fair better…and an even smaller percentage that fair great, but the overall data is certainly indicative of the fact that most companies still do not understand, appreciate, or value graphic design’s role in business. Even Landor Associates, the global strategic brand and consulting firm, understands the need to inform their audience on design and branding issues – which is exactly why I was so intrigued by Britt Dionne, Senior Marketing Communications Manager at Landor’s world headquarters in San Francisco.

Call it raising “brand awareness” or what have you; in plain English, Britt’s job is to communicate about design and branding for a living. Through innovative initiatives, print collateral, and article writings, Britt more than just educates current and potential clients about the firm’s visual, verbal, digital, and strategic capabilities. She’s seriously getting folks excited about the industry-at-large by engaging them in relevant, thought-provoking discussions on the intersection of design, branding, business, and society.

READ FULL ARTICLE: SF EXAMINER

If your house were on fire and you could only save a few items, what would they be? For me (assuming my husband, cat, and laptop were out of harms way) it would have to be my favorite collection of graphic design books. And what if by chance, you happen to come into a whole bunch of money? How would you spend it? For me, (assuming my husband, cat, and laptop were all in good health) it would have to be – more graphic design books, please!

For the newbie designer and seasoned professional alike, graphic design books offer a wealth of knowledge, fantastic inspiration, and oodles of amazing eye candy (not to mention awesome PR for the designer whose work is featured). In fact, I don’t know a single graphic designer who hasn’t at one point in their career fantasized about having their ownwork reproduced in one of those publications.

So how exactly does one go about getting into some of the best darn graphic design books on the market today, like the wildly successful Big Book of Logos series or The American Corporate Identityannuals? Nancy Heinonen, Publications Director of Crescent Hill Books (and the team responsible for producing those aforementioned titles and a ton more goodies) helps shed some light on the subject, and even offers some juicy tips on how to bring your own design book ideas to fruition. Read on! READ FULL ARTICLE: SF EXAMINER

No one understands the statement, “design is everywhere” better than us designers. But comprehension and integration are two totally separate acts. From food packaging, to billboards, to book covers, catalogs, websites, and everything in between, we spend the majority of our waking hours on our computers designing and/or looking at these designs through the portals of our monitors.But when the computer is shut down, does your “design radar” go off-line, as well?

For instance, when it’s time to grocery shop, are you in the get-in/get-out as fast as possible mindset? Or do you treat the experience as a journey through Design Mecca – with sources of inspiration lining the shelves from wall to wall? When you’re waiting on the unbearably slow line at the post office do you temper your impatience by burying your nose in your iPhone? Or do you make note of the ugly signage covering the walls and kill the time by redesigning it better in your head? “Cranking up your design radar” is about never turning off the designer in ourselves. READ FULL ARTICLE: Smashing Magazine

I grew up in a room with pink painted walls and pink carpet. My dresser had pink flowery accents, my bedspread was splashed with a variety of pink tints, and even my desk blotter was….you guessed it – pink. And the worst part of all (yes, it gets worse) I insisted on all of it. Thus, at the ripe young age of eight, it was pretty darn clear (to all but me) I certainly was not destined for a career as an interior designer.

As an adult (and seasoned graphic designer with a now trained eye for nailing color palettes), I still marvel at those with talents for designing in the 3d space. I’m even further blown away by (albeit a tad irritated at) those who, without a stitch of training in the arts, have the ability to make random room textures and patterns work amazingly well together, if not better than the pros. My sister-in-law, an endocrinologist who has spent her entire life studying math and sciences, is among those naturally talented, untrained creative folks. But without a career change in sight, the Oohs and Ahhs over her decorating flair will forever remain hidden underneath her doctorly white lab coat…or will it?

HGTV is now casting for Armchair Designer, a new reality show in which amateur interior designers (with no training in arts or design), “will get a chance to work with one of their favorite HGTV design stars designing for a real client.” So if you’ve ever watched HGTV and thought, “I could do that,” here’s your chance! Thirteen lucky people will be selected and submission ends July 15 – so hurry-up and apply now: http://www.armchairdesignertv.com/

As for me, I’ll still stick with my successes as a graphic designer and root you on from a far…just don’t paint the walls pink or even I’ll be shouting at the TV, “What was she thinking!”

Next on the agenda: convincing HGTV to produce a reality show featuring graphic designers. With pixels of drama, “Nobody puts my logo in a corner” (Dirty Dancing) and “Go ahead, make my deadline” (Dirty Harry), the show is sure to draw in the big ratings
(originally appeared in SF Examiner  7/08/09)

Most folks are familiar with the old proverb, “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” Well, Leslie Becker (designer, writer, scholar, professor, and recipient of the AIGA SF 2009 Fellow Award) is one giant exception to that rule. This extraordinary California College of the Arts (CCA) design educator has accomplished more in her lifetime, than most people dream of achieving in their entire lives.

Her professional bio is available online.

But if you’re craving to go beyond just the surface, (as Leslie has throughout her remarkable career), then follow interviewer/designer Stephanie Orma as she digs deeper, goes beneath the surface and discovers what it takes to follow your dreams. With a career built on talent, determination, hard work, and driving curiosity, Leslie Becker shares her personal thoughts, experiences, and reflections on her life in design, thus far.

Orma: With such a successful career working on projects ranging from graphic design, interior design, custom furniture, writing and teaching to completing a second degree and a Ph.D., plus running a marathon (at the age of 50 to boot!) what achievement are you most proud of? And why?

Leslie: Although I needed to complete a marathon because “it was there,” I couldn’t imagine going to my grave without having done one. I know this makes no sense, but I come from a competitive family. I might say that having finished my Ph.D. is what I am most proud of, but this is probably because it is the most recent achievement and definitely was a kind of boot camp that lasted for 5.5 years! I am also delighted to receive communications from former students who thank me years after having been in my class for something I imparted to them. Personally, I am most proud of my two sons because I find them to be good people. They have been living their lives according to values that I respect. (I realize that this is immensely self-congratulatory.)

Orma: In terms of your career and all the eclectic projects you’ve worked on over the years, can you pinpoint one or two that really stand out as favorites?

Leslie: I really enjoyed a lighting project that I did many years ago. It was extremely experimental and, though I wasn’t conscious of it at the time, was actually based upon the form of a military parafoil kite. Years later, I realized that I had just finished a kite catalog when I began the lighting project. This particular client would look at a rough sketch and enthusiastically encourage me to have it made. I would then go back to the office and deal with the space between fantastical idea and fabrication.

Another significant project was the Wooden Synagogue project. It was a series of print pieces designed to raise funds to rebuild a replica in Berkeley of a wooden synagogue that had been destroyed by the Nazis. Even the discussions around my choice of Fraktur [typeface] were really emotional. To read the complete interview, as well as interviews with Doug Akagi and Michael Cronan (equally exceptional 2009 Fellow Award recipients) visit AIGA SF

I have a love/hate relationship with typography. Love in the sense that I am so passionate about the craft, I’ll stay up night upon night tweaking the type in a design so it’s just right. Hours will fly by, darkness will turn to dawn, but I won’t have cared or noticed because the type is all I see. Love in the sense that when I spot gorgeous typography, I simply cannot stop staring at the awe inspiring, drool-worthy brilliance. But typography is also my chief nemesis. It’s not a skill that comes naturally to me. And some days it feels like a constant uphill battle. It’s frustrating, it’s maddening, and probably even more so because of my fervent passion for the craft.

Typography is arguably the single most challenging element in graphic design to master, and likewise, the most crucial. The designers I have interviewed today are champions of typography and frankly, my personal design heroes. Their mastery of working with type is nothing short of downright enviable: Aya Akazawa, senior designer of Chronicle Books and sole designer of Souffle by Le Petit Graphiste; Todd Hedgpeth principal and creative director of Tawd Design and graphic design instructor at Academy of Art University; John Barretto art director and senior designer of Tolleson Design; Max Spector, art director and senior design of Chen Design; and Josh Chen, principal and creative director of Chen Design. Moderated by San Francisco graphic designer and copywriter Stephanie Orma of Orma Design and She’s SO Creative, the five acclaimed designers talk good type / bad type and share insightful tips for newbie designers to seasoned professional alike seeking to master the art of typography.

READ FULL ARTICLE: SF EXAMINER

For the creative industry, in which 99.9% of the time is spent interacting with a computer, it seems ironic that the success of the business itself is so vitally dependent upon the real and meaningful interactions with people and NOT computers. What does this mean exactly? It means we (graphic designers, copywriters, creatives, etc.) have to actually venture out beyond the glow of the computer monitor to obtain clients. But don’t take it from me.

I picked the brains of three stellar creative firms who know a thing or two about getting clients and building successful businesses: Jennifer Bostic, owner and creative director of Paper Plane Studio; Lanny Udell, owner and chief writer of Copywhiz; and Eric Heiman and Adam Brodsley partners and co-founders of Volume Inc. Moderated by San Francisco graphic designer and copywriter Stephanie Orma of Orma Design and She’s SO Creative, the three studios share their personal experiences, insights, and advice on the best means of landing graphic design and copywriting clients.

READ FULL ARTICLE: SF EXAMINER

The newbie designer trap goes something like this: You go to graphic design school. You study all the “famous” designers that your teachers tell you are great. Then you head straight into the workforce designing to please your boss and your clients. And through it all, you somehow forget yourself in the process. You forget to ask yourself, “What do I think? What kind of designs do I like? What kind of designer do I want to become?”

And that’s exactly what happened to me. By the time I left my first graphic design job, I had lost all sense of myself as a designer. I had been so completely in the mindset of working to please others that I had left myself entirely out of the equation. Unsure of my next steps or how to proceed with my future career, I decided to attend the AIGA SF Portfolio Day (a.k.a. one-on-one feedback with experienced, talented designers, creative directors and principles of some of the best design firms in the country) held at California College of the Arts (CCA) in San Francisco. I was hoping their feedback would help bring some clarity to my situation (I also secretly fantasized I would score interviews with my dream design agencies, they would love my work, and hire me right there and then).

READ FULL ARTICLE: at AIGA SF