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Thought/Things: Getting away with it; notebooks

The truth is, I think many designers don’t get away well enough by being designers. If anyone who wants to be a designer, either fake it well or make sure you have sufficient skills/brains/eye for detail/interest/indulgance/ into the world of graphic design. Part of your personality as a graphic designer will show in the things you carry and wear, even drive. Some things don’t come cheap unfortunately, but it might just help sell your services a little bit better…

One way to get away with it is to have cool notebook covers:

The book on the right is where I use the very traditional way of writing down quotations given by suppliers/printers:

A classic Charles Mossant advertising poster on the cover of a notebook will surely add some level of sophistication…

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Thought: Read the comics which no one reads.

Recently, I had an interesting conversation with a comic book shop owner (forgot the name of the shop but it’s located at Atria Shopping Centre, Damansara Jaya). We started off talking about about whats currently interesting in the world of comics; The Avengers, Captain America, Kick Ass, etc. Also spoke on Mark Miller, Alan Moore, Neil Gaimen, etc.

In the midst of our conversation, he introduced to me, Miracleman (which I’m currently reading). He too told me of the awesomeness of Kick Ass and also Wanted in comic book form. But he told me something which caught my attention. ‘Read the comics which no one reads. Sometimes, they are the best around.’

Which means, no Spiderman to start with. And all that mainstream madness which Wolverine Origins, X-men, all that DC Batman, Superman stuff. But why?

Probably they are less bound by commercial success?
Perhaps the ideas are fresher?
Maybe the public just can’t accept it?
It’s always cooler to be associated with something of the cult culture anyways.

Whatever it is, I do appreciate and enjoy the drama and complications which a good comic book can deliver. The CMYK inked, simplified cartoon drawings, saddle stitched, cartoon-like pictures in thin-issued-slightly-smaller-than-A4-size paper feels good in my hands. Furthermore brought to life by complicated and sometimes broken characters, unjustified storyline and oh, the value of a first edition of collectors items. Not to forget the corny part where the girlfriends of our beloved heroes are always caught in between the final battle scene. Funtastic.

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Thought: My dog can design better than you.

Before I start preaching about animals who can design, I just want to share my honest opinion that I’m running low on time to blog at the mean time. Besides that, the blogging era is probably a little outdated already. Twitter & Tumblr are probably the thing now for me (until the next thing replaces what we now call Social Media Networking whatever). Besides that, going to the backend of the blog makes me feel like I’m working on a job. So I have decided to keep my post short, simple and blunt. That applies for the future too. Besides that, I believe that critical design thinking stuff should be left in the good hands of those who can really preach about it and are qualified to do so. But if you still read this blog, I must say I’m really flattered that you do so!

Firstly, my point on animals, especially dogs who can design: Is that graphic designers themselves are sometimes not the best persons to do the job. What I’m trying to say is that clients should definitely not employ design services to settle a performance issue. Or perhaps a graphic designer’s aesthetic sensibilities to judge if whether a product is sellable or not. And definately not ask a graphic designer to write a company profile.

To compliment the issue, it also boils down choosing the right individuals for the job. My experience tells me that I’m not a designer who will stay loyal to my ideas. Last minute inspiration probably helped me form my greatest hits… So probably, if you enjoy the unexpected thrill of growing/throwing ideas, probably I’m the right man for the job.

Secondly, clients are getting smarter and better. Sometimes way beyond what we designers think they are. Clients are fully aware of the platforms we use, its limitations and its capabilities. In no time, some part of our work will be unnecessary as clients will also have the resources (including cash) to do so. Probably, in a few years time, production can be managed over the internet? or the iPhone monitors the design process? I’m not sure.

My last point, if a dog can inspire me to design in new ways, I will humbly acknowledge its assistance and enlightenment. Because if the idea of aerodynamics came from birds, then all vehicles working with the idea of aerodynamic systems to help boast performance must have been of its origin right?

On the last note, I sincerely do not mean to insult or make you feel uncomfortable via this post. But, lets say if you know a dog who can do graphic design, I’m most interested in its imaginative ideas.

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Heroes: Meeting Neville & Erik

Before I start, just want to say that I do sincerely want to share with you the unforgettable experiences I had.

I think I am considerately lucky. I meet a lot of my design heroes in my first four years working professionally as a graphic designer. It was a thrill to meet and hear these heroes speak and observing them live in person. I do believe that what we hear and read from blogs and other media might not reflect the personality or energy these individuals carry. Even by observing their works closely, its still hard to accurately identify with the characteristics the person has as an individual to the people he/she is around.

My first encounter of an absolutely famous designer would be Neville Brody of Research Studios. It was back in 2006 when Mr. Brody first visited India to speak in a design conference. He seemed really happy and excited to be there. All I could do to get an excuse to start a conversation is to ask for his autograph. Upon approaching him, he declined and mentioned that he needed to rush off to get something from his room. Probably his computer for his presentation which was coming up pretty soon.

It won’t be until the conference was over, and while I was having lunch with a colleague when he approached us and I asked for his autograph again. He gave me this:

Well, I must say I was happy to even get this from him. He looked pretty bored while signing it; probably because he had signed a thousand autographs before that.

Yearly, we would be in the same design conference but well, he being speaker and me delegate, I never could find a good reason to go approach him for a talk. Until last year when I had to pick him up from the airport for him to speak in a design conference the company was organizing. I was late. He was waiting. I had one of his framed up posters as a hoarding for him to know who to follow to bring him to the designated hotel. We got a cab, hopped in. In not more than 5 mins in the cab, he pointed out to me a Maggi Noodles Truck, with FF Blur on it. It was indeed ironic to be greeted in such a way. ‘Hey, that looks like one of my typeface…’.

We talked about the long stretch of empty apartments and houses we spotted along the way to the hotel; why were they empty and non-vacant. Conversation then moved on to him asking whether there was a sort of ancient writing for the Malaysian language and also I gave him a brief history of Malaysia. He seems to be interested in that point: On how the Indians from India immigrated over, the Chinese from China, Malays for Indonesia, etc. And of course, we talked a little about what his studio does and what Figtree does.

Few days later we would go watch football, thanks to Andy Altmann of Why Not Associates love for Manchester United (dragged along the guys from DixonBaxi as well). But before that, we had some Penang food, of which he taught the jelly in the Ais Kacang tasted medical. It was here that we had our goodbyes. I thought he would be around of this years Designyatra conference in India but was not present.

I only had 5 golden minutes with Erik Spiekermann. I brought along with me to India this time, a fontshop tribute issue to him containing wishes from various designers and students to him. It would be ashame not to enhance the booklet with his signature on it of course! He seemed suprised to see that book and asked how did I get it; it was a very personal thing to him he mentioned. He also seemed suprised when I mentioned to him that I do have some other fontshop publications and the really old druk publications, maked even more suprised. He was the one who told me that that particular issue was designed by some of his students for him and printed at the Hague in a very limited run. He was really chatty, took him quite a lot of words with me to get the date and location correct on this one:

—–
Both Neville Brody and Erik Spiekermann are design legends and very influential typographers.

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Tabloids: On random buying habits on badly desired items

I was just looking at my Washburn Idol W166V the other day. The best guitar I’ve bought in my 12 years of playing guitar. Previous owner owned it for 6 months, abandoned it for a Gibson Les Paul Standard. Pimped it with Seymour Duncan Alnico Pro II pickups and with a tone controller instead of the flimsy VCC controls. Today, the owner is in touch with me, in case I decide to sell the guitar back to him.

It feels really good to know that the guitar I have carries so much value in it. Washburn Idols have been long favourites for the good folks at Guitarist magazine and have been getting good reviews across guitar discussion boards worldwide. That purchase changed my buying habits on things I would really like to own as I have been always a mainstream buyer; things I buy must be from a commercially known supplier, and brand-spanking-new.

Firstly, most of the time I consume products from a designers point of view. Which can be a disease at times. It makes you spend on things you think are worth your taste and not your real requirements or needs. Causing probably a sense of regret rather than fulfilled desire. Oh yes, the logos. The beautiful logos and the nice typography has almost 75% effect on my buying behavior.

I also demand good service. But sometimes, I compromise if I want the item badly.

Yes, I have some achievements. But, I have even more disappointments.

However over the years, I learned that with proper attention and watchfulness, you might be able to get somethings that are worth your money and effort. That’s if you look hard enough.

Believe me, sometimes, more value can be found in second hand items that newer ones. I’ve learned that sourcing these items can be a really fun thing. Be it on E-bay or even local forums. Not every brand new guitar will sound good.

After all these years of buying vintage books at a junkyard sales to driving 30 kilometers to do a C.O.D for an VOX V810 Valve-Tone, I still find it hard to stop eying and buying these items which I like.

And my final point is, if you really want it badly, the condition of the material usually doesn’t really matter as much as the value of thing. And, mainstream markets are boring.

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About a Player

I heard of a story from a friend of how the guitarist in his band went crazy;

Mr. R (assumed name), is a man whose income depends on how regular his bands can get a spot in a local nightclub. Probably playing no more that 10 gigs a month, his income probably hits a low of less than RM400.00 monthly.

Few years ago, R got involved in with a foreign women who dumped him for unknown reasons. R went mad. Visited the mental institution regularly. Was reported mad by some close friends.

During practice sessions, his mum would call him to ask him what time he will be back home for supper. Although at a matured age of mid-50’s, he would answer politely that he will be back soon without showing any signs of irritation or disturbance (usually happens if you are in a jamming mode) with a childlike tone.

His brother was known as the ‘Jimi Hendrix’ of Malaysia. Died of drug abuse. I guess that is where he get his mentoring from. He could play nice songs; Sultan of Swings, Have You ever Seen the Rain and some golden oldies.

Recently, his involvement with another foreign women got him into even more trouble. Promising a monthly allowance of RM100.00 for his then girlfriend, R had no idea that he was being actually played by her. She then ran away and left him. That could probably the cause of why he went into serious depression recently.

A few days before Chinese New Year, the band was invited by an agent to play in a local club. Everything went well until suddenly when R accuses the drummer of the band for taking 70% of the income, leaving the remaining 30% for the rest of the band. He argued about it all night, causing tension among the bands members and the management.

A night later, he went alone into the same pub, plugged in his guitar and played. Customers left, the management called the band leader to call if off. “This is not the way to do business. You need your full band to be here to play”.

Disappointed, he went to anther pub, walked in, went onstage and plugged in his guitar to play. Afterwards, harassing customers to pay him cash for performing. He was then kicked out of the pub by some bouncers. A group of men who were furious because of his actions in harassing them beat R up.

Smashed his only guitar.

Today he remains monitored in a psychiatric ward.

Sad isn’t it?

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Intuitive

There’s a certain silence at the island during the holidays. It felt calm and really quite compared to the usual fireworks and happy family gatherings I usually have at home.

Somehow, it felt relaxing; something good to ease yourself. I guess it’s good to quite down at times.

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