Getting through a demanding stretch of projects can come with quite the sense of accomplishment. When things end, it can really feel awesome. But rather than jump into the next project, it’s helpful, in the long run, to take an honest assessment of the demanding stretch and what course corrections may need to be taken. Maybe future projects need a better brief. Perhaps the process needs to be reviewed more in advance. The rationale could be explained better. The presentation could be more compelling. Or the work needs to be better, more refined, or not settled on. And it probably wouldn’t hurt to be extra clear about what it is you do, why you do it, how you go about it, and what the outcome looks like. Make a habit of correcting when needed and you will continue to get better at what you do.
Stop Thinking When You Should Be Making
There’s a time to plan and to think. To strategize and to get into some discovery and visioning stages. But there always comes the point when you just gotta get into it. Hopefully your initial thinking has set you up well, but to get the work done, you must simply do the work. When it’s time to make, then make. Let the act of making not be disrupted by overthinking. Instead, let the act of making sort out the remaining questions you have and get you to the place you need to be. And sometimes, this isn’t the same place you initially thought it would be in your thinking phase, and that’s okay.
Midspace?
When Round and Round was formed, its mission existed in three statements. They are as follows:
- A midspace where independent creatives come together to work, learn, and enjoy their careers.
- Fellow makers in the middle of a city, thinking and making, sharing and collaborating.
- An environment meant to be iterative and efficient, with everything on wheels.
And just what exactly is a midspace? For us, it’s the in-between. The middle between start and end. Not about a destination, more the journey. The in-progress, the still thinking, the back and forth, and the round and round. An apt metaphor for the creative process and how we think the most appropriate, most inspiring ideas are able to be fully realized.
The Appleseed Poster Show: A Recap
The posters themselves are powerful tools for advocating for equal justice and opportunity for all. Some designs are very broad and inspirational. Others focus on one important issue and shed new light on it. As a collection, the posters represent a hopeful view of what we can all do when we work together. The designers who have participated lend their time and talent to the cause and show just how much great design lives out here on the Great Plains.
The Most Annoying Thing Designers Do
Taking a step back to look at all the annoying things designers do, there is one that drives me the most crazy. Even more so than discussing kerning in public places. Not only is this thing annoying, it strikes me as terribly insulting. Here it is: redesigning someone else’s logo right after the original gets released. To channel Last Week Tonight, how has this become a thing? There was the Safari icon, the Windows logo, and now the Hillary H/arrow. Designers who haven’t been hired to design take it upon themselves to fully assert their superiority and do something so amazing in hopes to, well I’m not even sure. To insult the client? To show up the designer who was actually hired to do the job? Designers, why?
If it’s a question of what to do with the free time you may have lying around, why not instead, approach a non-profit you’ve always admired. One that probably doesn’t have the funds to hire a designer to do important design or communication work they probably really, really need. Why not approach them and offer up your services in support of the cause. That, to me, is time better spent. The designer gets to design by putting their services to good use without needlessly duplicating efforts on top of something that’s already been done. And the non-profit can then present themselves in a professional light. One that truly represents the important work they do. That I could get behind.
44 Posters
Brought to you by AIGA Nebraska with all proceeds to benefit Nebraska Appleseed. For one night only, 44 posters will be on display to remind us that it just takes one person to say no to discrimination, oppression, and indifference. A huge thanks to the participating designers: Rachel Boshart, Adam Casey, Liz White, Donovan Beery, Katie Condon, Aaron Stubbe, Anthony Banks, Cate White, Jesse Harding, Ellen Wilde, Matt Carlson, Miranda Bouck, Nicholas Peterson, Josh Schwieger, Ben Lueders, Carrie Ratcliff, Dave Markes, Jeremie Memming, Liz Hunt, Craig Hughes, Steve Gordan, Eric Nyffeler, J. Curtis Rawlings, Nicholas Burroughs, Tyson Reeder, Megan Merry, Drew Davies, Adam Torpin, Joe Sparano, Kelsey Janda, Cathy Solarana, Paul Berkbigler, Peter Morris, Jake Welchert, Ella Durham, and Sam Rapien.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at 7:00pm
Bancroft Street Market in South Omaha
Introducing Round and Round
I’m really excited to announce a new side project that’s been in the works for the last couple months. The coworking space I share with Jake Welchert now has a new brand. We’re calling it Round and Round. For us, when we look at what this space can be, everything is on wheels at an intersection of old and new, thinking and making, independence and collaboration, start and end. It’s a midspace of makers working hard to make shit happen. Now formally launched, we’ll continue to put our time toward making this something that’s inspiring and unique. A home for the well-designed, the fun, and the weird. We’re already working on what’s next, so keep an eye out. You can follow us on Tumblr. And if you’re in the neighborhood, pop-ins are welcome.
