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Heroes/Work: Kyoorius Designyatra 2009

I remember rushing through a whole lot of things for Designyatra this year during end of August. Now, its all over for almost two weeks plus and suddenly life moves on at its usual phase.

Was quite an experience really to be there this time around. Simply because I needed to be on duty to make sure certain things go as according to plan. Compared to past year where I was just a delegate. Starting off with me finding out my flight was only 4 hours away. In the midst of packing and rushing through to make sure I brought the correct pair of socks to keep me comfy, I realized that this is not going to be an easy trip.

I spend the last three days prior to Designyatra working on event graphics and other related matters to the event. Yes, it was pretty chaotic as there were a lot of things to pay attention to. From working with the visual and audio guys, to the guys producing the event graphics, and to the guy who approves them all, and oh, the guy producing the event too.

Besides occasionally standing at the AV area, worrying about which speakers laptop works and which doesn’t, trying to ensure speakers credits appear accordingly and also videos and presentations go on well, getting a feel of being out of the comfort of working without colleagues is a scary thing really. No doubt the availability of the internet saved my life a few times, working under the thrill of making rushed last minute decisions remains haunting.

Of course its stressful to battle against time and at the same time, trying to ‘conceptualize’ Erik Spiekermann looking at it and what if he says ‘boooo’. I really think it will be a career breakdown really. Its confirmed in my experience, that designing for the creative people can be a tough thing at times because of the levels of extremes that exist in our taste for design. Letting the work you do being exposed to the whole creative industry, where almost 1,200 pair of trained eyes looking at your little booklet, its scary.

Let me side-track a little bit: Was with a very famous designer sometime ago and he told me that designing for the creative community is actually an easier thing compared to designing for corporate clients and those from other industries. I asked him why. He told me that chances of them liking it because you like it is higher. To a degree, ironically, I do believe its true regardless of my fear of being in this position.

Back to the conference; on a lighter note, I did enjoyed the conference a lot. No doubt I felt uncomfortable traveling through the streets of Mumbai to the venue due to the heavy rain and uncertainty whether I will get caught in a flood or not, it thought me of how life is on the other side of the world.

Listening to the Dutch designers going through their pile of work and the ADDIKT guys was a good break indeed. I felt day 1, where the focus was on architecture and interior design a little bit solemn. Serious. Probably extracting them out entirely as an independent event might be of consideration for next year. Ben Terret’s talk about his ever changing perspectives as a designer was highly entertaining but very real. It reminds me of how much I dislike certain things which I use to think was fascinating. I was in 100% attentive mode while  listening to Wally Olins and Michael Wolff walking down memory lane. And it opened up my eyes to see the importance of finding the right people to liaise with at work.

Another one of the awe moments of the conference was when Erik, the last speaker asked the audience to point out the name of the typeface used on the stage backdrop (or as the primary typeface for this years Designyatra identity). ‘Akkurat’ he prompted. Followed by a good piece of advice ‘Never read anything without knowing what typeface is used.’

All that been spoken, I was at a very peaceful state of mind sitting around the pre-function area observing the event crew setting up the graphics before day 1. It was satisfying.

Random posts about Designyatra 2009:
_http://www.afaqs.com
_http://noisydecentgraphics.typepad.com
_http://www.creativereview.co.uk

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Thought: Does it matter to be an original designer, for now?

It’s all a matter of perception maybe. Would you consider an original brand to be as good as a counterfeit? Or maybe worth buying? Probably, BATA stores brought in NIKE & ADIDAS to increase what people in the marketing industry call “Image” or “Perception” to it’s omni-present shops? Or perhaps simple a revenue to generate more cash-flow and volume?

Is original design good design?

Are imitated works useful or helpful? Do counterfeits sell?

In a country like ours, DVD’s are some living proof that counterfeits are in fact in existance. We have DVD-9, Dual layer, High Density DVD’s & whatever technology that we can find in Low Yat. Matter the quality. Seems that movies that are of a few months old are of almost excellent in quality & in fact, contain bonus features in it! Not to mention stills. I bet DVD sellers earn more that what I can possibly earn in a day. Sales flow of pirated DVD’s, according to sources, can easily overflow what Speedy videos are trying so hard to aim at.

Back to design, spawning the whole college that both you and I (if you’re a designer) came from is the very-often-copied vector graphic styles that once so often hurts visually when flipping any design reference book. Everybody wants to be a little of what Non-Format is nowadays. Everybody is into handwritten lettering on graphic design; be it to show personality, give it a more human touch, or whatever.

Later on, we realized that there were too many devoted followers and then, we came with the word, improvise. Mix match a little bit of handwriting with maybe a Grotesk touch to it. Or perhaps a Humanist writing with Bauhaus sensabilities? Coated with minimalist grey colors and Trade Gothic (yawn).

Look at the amount of “Best of….” books sold. Bet that a 250 page book with the title “The Best of Annual Reports” sold much more that Bill Cahan’s I am almost always hungry. Or perhaps, “The best of logo design” oversold Bob Gill & Paul Rands sacred archieves. Secrets of Graphic Design. Inside Paul Rands Brain. Untold stories of Alan Fletcher. On the desk of Erik Spiekermann. The unseen and unrealeased typefaces of Jean François Porchez(!)

Fusion, another way to scream about. Hotel buffets nowadays offer what they call that. Oriental Chinese cruisine with mayonise and french fries? Authentic Nasi Lemak served with Lamb Chop. Even Nasi Lemak comes with tomato soup nowadays (These dishes came about when I wrote this because I was hungry). Consider the fact that mamaks sell “Roti John” & even Chicken Chop Curry”.

Okay, musically, we can see hundreds of Alexi Laiho’s and Greg Howe wannabe walking in the streets. Hundreds! Millions maybe. Intermediate musicians seem to be proud when I question them that they play instrumental rock, simply associating with Mr.JEM and MR.Space Age guitar hero. It’s an ear-ache to hear somebody playing “For the Love of God” cover to cover. It is hard work but what about originality to question this?

What has improvisation has to do with creativity? Probably taking what’s present to another phase never before. Bob Dylan admitted in his Coes book, Jimmy Read did a superb version of his song ” Highway 24″ and that he would listen to it over and over again.

Being a fan of Why Not Associates, I often always try to come to a little border line of trying to have fun like them but then maintain a certain dicpline when doing certain work. Ah, till today, I haven’t officially produce an “inspired by Why Not?” peice of work at work(except for my college years junkie days). Always its a bitter struggle of being original and true to my work and my pratices versus trying to impress and making a design shout loud. Thats just one of many issues to deal with when working.

I realize, through this short course that I had in the design world, observing counterfeits busting big time on original work that are trying so hard to beg a place in society, or perhaps, visual utopia. I can testify that some people do in fact try really hard to be as original as possible visually but don’t seem to sustain through the whole design process. Problem is also the fact that people don’t seem to be generous when it comes to finished graphics. Opportunities for a certain design to give its rightful time to grow and blossom naturally has always been a long narrow winding road.

But there are trendsetters who shape our thinking, working and community. The Iphone, the invention of the Nintendo Wii. Wallpaper* magazine. Neville Brody. Wally Olins. Les Paul and Jimi Hendrix.

I hope I get the inspiration and motivation I need in due time to produce something of value instead of being driven by originality all the time. An original designer, in terms of progress & process, regardless of quality & output are rare I agree. But probably in my working community, unnecessary for now. I find myself better at getting the work done and be happy about it. After all, it’s about problem solving isn’t it? Or is not nowadays?

Whatever your design beliefs are, do give me your comments.

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Seen: A few things to experience for July.

First of all, it would be Underware’s new Liza. Its awesome.

Just have a look at the awesome alternate figures below.

PDF downloads, tryouts available here.

Frankly, if I get it, I’m not sure what I will use if for but I’ve always look forward to a quirky typeface build with serious sensibilities and expansions. No doubt the Underware type-treatment is pretty obvious though.  But yes, I love the typefaces Underware create. They rock.

Secondly, I want to watch this movie:
Milton Glaser: To Inform & Delights

I found an interesting post-screening Q&A session on youtube.

Thirdly, Seymour Chwast’s new book. Like most designers who read Design Observer, I was delighted by the comments made on this post on Seymour. Notice Paula Scher’s comments insisting that the book is a good read. Well, I would believe so because he has been working non-stop since the 50’s I believe. Now, that’s really something to be attentive to really. First few pages of the book can be seen on Amazon.

Yes, Milton and Seymour may be old school but the likes of them keeps me wonder and prepared to embrace the future. Like I always say, I do not plan to be a graphic designer forever, I do not plan to retire as well. And I certainly always find these folks refreshingly dedicated to their work regardless of time and changes.

I guess that’s all for now. Am busy working with Kyoorius Designyatra stuff starting today.

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Work: Attempts on the wall

It’s really hard to get this up. This is attempt number two. I will attempt a new version every single month.

Posted in Tabloids | Comments

Tabloids: Showmanship

The thing I hate most when working on guitar playing is showmanship. I absolutely hate working on it. However I have to.

Comments from my last gig with my band is that I was pretty still like a rock. So, upon pulling votes, finally, we all needed to work on our showmanship.

I can’t be like Pete Townshend really.

Or do Slash’s ultimate body-bend.

I think I’m the John Mayer showmanship kind…

Obviously, I can’t do Jimi Hendrix kind.

I wish I could do Steve Vai type. He’s the coolest.

Derek Trucks kind is my kind too.

So, what to do now?

Find out tomorrow night @ Capsquare KL, my band’s set is 11pm.

Hope I don’t screw up.

*Pictures are taken off the net and used for illustrative purposes.

Posted in Life, Music, Musicians, People | Comments

Work: AFAA website

Have been procrastinating to put this up for a long time:

I never wanted to work with websites when I graduated. I thought that they were pretty troublesome as I don‘t really understand the art of programming. Javascript, Php and CSS codings—I always believed should be left in the hands of Web Programmers working closely with graphic designers, who eventually should be the stylist. Thing is, I never had the chance to design whatever I want on a page and let a web programmer execute it for me.

So for the past few years, I have learned a little bit about the tools used to get a long the way. How to find them and manipulate them. Up to today, I still find programming and designing websites tough. Most of the codes I use on websites are either downloaded and taken from pro-programmers from other plugins. And Google happens to be my best companion and teacher.

Anyways, here’s some snapshots from the Afaa website:

Read the rest of this entry »

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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.

Posted in Life, Tabloids | Comments