Permission To Suck

Did You Make Art Today? – The Swanko Solution

Monday, July 19, 2010

I have a friend who asks at the end of a shoot, “Did you make art today?” “I think so” was my typical response because I’m never sure what I did with my camera that day will be considered art. Thinking back, it’s probably because I’ve assessed too many contact sheets and digital proofs filled with prosaic visual records.

Looks Like We’re All Going to Return to Film Cameras

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

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I’m geeking out on this one. Since everyone is a photographer and nearly everything is a camera, it may do the imagination good to understand where technology is going.

How it works: Stargate Studios Virtual Backlot Reel

Thursday, February 18, 2010

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Stargate Studios in South Pasadena CA is one of the current day electronic scenic painting and model making studios [via Gizmoto.com]

Oxymoronic Creative Hodgepodge

Thursday, December 31, 2009

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Once hearing “creative process”, my thoughts adhere to all those linearly challenged creative geniuses who can barely stay on-task 30 minutes unless gripped by that enigmatic zone frequently termed flow. Followed by an internal chuckle, this thought streams with ease to my bullet-pointed corporate process experiences so often responsible for stifling originality. From there, I quickly drift to George Carlin’s famous oxymoron comedy bit, or Seinfeld’s original observation about the words “head” and “cheese”. Similarly, it’s not apparent that the words “creative” and “process” should ever be next to each other for any reason.

Vibrancy is in the Problem (not in a Solution)

Thursday, November 5, 2009

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Vibrancy resides in the problem not the solution. Solutions are commodities. As well, we can find solutions waiting for problems, but how do we find problems? The tough creative challenge is defining the problem – finding the insight – inspiring the pen. Fact is, the solution may actually be in the problem once we find the discipline to define it. In this video from the idea centric website The 99%, Michael Bierut offers a peek at his design philosophy and examples of treated ailments. Regardless of the opening disclaimer about his creative nature, Bierut is a first-class problem finder.

Ben Wiggins – Beyond the “Cool” of time compression

Thursday, October 1, 2009

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I’ve seen time lapse before, who hasn’t? Maybe it’s a shaky seedling sprouting from the ground or a street scene with jittery people. Yet, there’s an emotion to Ben’s short films that I find unexpected. Not only is the still frame that captures the motion well considered but the motion itself has a power beyond the usual “cool” of time compression.

“Do It Because You Like It” – Dan Pink

Monday, September 14, 2009

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Our default is to be risk reluctant and to think things through to a logical end with no deviation from task. We narrow our purpose and use our craftiness to get to the finish line as fast and as free from criticism as possible – we go with what we know when under pressure. Perform with all eyes on you and you’ll do what it takes not to fail, together with relying on a tested formula for success. ----> In his TED video presentation, Dan Pink gives an outstanding presentation – argument if you will – for what science asserts truly motivates us. Dan explains that there is a mismatch between what science shows and what business does. Business wants innovation, yet motivates us to be formulaic with a narrow view of problem solving.

The Creativity Cycle

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

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Originality > Innovation - a simple breakdown.

The Enemy of Good

Friday, June 19, 2009

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During my four long corporate years, the phrase, “perfection is the enemy of good” used to rub me the wrong way for no apparent reason. I grasp the theory: Keep striving for perfect and you will never deliver good; you’ll be waiting in purgatory for perfect to materialize. For me, this was never a very satisfying concept.

Creativity in a Box

Friday, June 12, 2009

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It's a strong concept to which I whole-heartedly endorse: The heights of your creative force can’t be fully realized until you get push back. In other words, “Think Inside the Box”.