Welcome curious reader
As my art teacher looked over my shoulder onto the easel where a life drawing stood awaiting my pen.
She said ” Take a step back from your work and have a look… what do you see?”.
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‘Zooming out’ I could see my proportions and shading were off slightly, I had been zoomed in too much.
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That lesson from 2016 has stayed with me throughout the years, helping shape my purposeful approach to creativity, design and even business.
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With the semester long Curious Journal assignment’s in first year of Product Design @UL, I came to realize the importance of stepping back in the form of allowing myself to be curious and find inspiration beyond the walls of the Design Studio.
Fast forward to this week, and I was reminded once again of its importance. We became microscopes. As designers we have to zoom in often to improve our designs but this was a whole new level of perspective taking to me.
As seen above, we had fun, we began taking a step back to look, through limiting our vision to a square hole in pieces of paper. This encouraged us to take time and look closer at what’s around us, viewing the world through a micro lens.
Continuing, I’d like to delve into other topics from this week’s class that deeply resonated with me. The notion of “exploring new places and meeting new people, having out-of-the-box findings, or else you are just in a vacuum” sparked contemplation about how I could enrich my weekends and upcoming summer.
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“Daring to be creative” prompted a lively discussion on whether creativity thrives within routine or through spontaneity. My perspective aligns with striking a balance: weekdays structured for focused creation, while weekends offer liberation from routine to embrace spontaneity. Spontaneity, to me, spans from overlooked moments to awe-inspiring adventures. It entails embracing new experiences, exposing oneself to diverse perspectives, and venturing beyond comfort zones. Whether traveling to uncharted territories, forging new connections, or simply wandering the familiar streets of my city, each encounter nurtures creativity and broadens horizons.
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As a designer, I firmly believe in the significance of exposing ourselves to novel experiences and viewpoints. This ethos drives my aspiration to attend Parsons｜The New School in New York for a Study Abroad program in January 2025. Yet, it’s not solely about seeking novelty; it’s also about forging meaningful connections. The creative journey can feel solitary without purpose and community. Thus, I emphasize balance: studio time complemented by exploration. Balancing the known with the unknown fosters growth and innovation.
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Albert Einstein’s quote, “If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original,” strikes a chord, confronting my perfectionist tendencies. While perfectionism propels my designs, it can stifle creativity. Hence, I’ve embraced discomfort, daring to explore new interests, diverse literature, uncharted locales, and varied encounters. Incorporating spontaneity into my routine is pivotal for fostering creativity without sacrificing productivity.
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I also reflect on creative thinking exercises such as Chindogu, which prioritize problem-finding over solutions, and Edward De Bono’s “Six Thinking Hats,” a valuable strategy for diverse perspectives. These exercises not only challenge conventional thinking but also foster teamwork.
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Imagine zooming out from your current vantage point to the farthest reaches of the universe, then zooming in to the atomic level. The concept echoes The Power of Ten video by IBM that we watched in the lecture this week yet the visualization predates exposure to such media. It’s a testament to the power of imagination and introspection.
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It’s intriguing how inspiration varies among individuals. Philippe Starck can effortlessly find ideas, even in bed, while others must exert more effort. Some experience a blend of both. Keeping an open, passionate, intrigued/curious mind allows for unexpected discoveries, often during introspective moments. I think loving what you do is half the battle here.
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I’m particularly enthralled by the fusion of design and entrepreneurship, evident in resources like Fast Company articles. An article on Bang & Olufsen was one of my favourites so far, I added the discussed designed product to my curious journal, one reminiscent of Dieter Rams’ design ethos.
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Until next time,