What is creativity?
Although solving design problems is challenging, bringing the end solution to fruition is exhilarating. In an effort to demystify creativity
Be prepared
You receive an email from your client with images for their website. Download the images as soon as you can and make sure they have the right specifications (dimensions and dpi) and that the images will work within your design stylistically. Getting all ducks in a row will save pain and embarrassment. The following story still makes my nerves fray. Years ago, I designed an important
e-commerce site for a client who depended on the site being live. I sent the approved design
Vacation from design, an urban myth?
It's April and I'm planning a trip in Hawaii in September. Last time I went for a visit, I stayed in my cousin's hut on the Big Island, while designing an ad at 11pm my only night on that island. My accommodations were was open air, on stilts on top of an active volcano, so all in all...you know. I'm curious what projects I'll be working on this trip. One of my favorite designers, Margo Chase, was on her way to Paris when she received the call to design Madonna's logo for her
Design distillation process
Just pop a design pill and voila! The design process is that simple. Not. I'm still learning how complex the process is. I've been curious about it for years, and I started to write about it in 2015. The more I dove into it, the more I discovered and here we are, in the brinktank, which has an ever-flowing tap. This offshoot of Brink Creative delves deeper into The Brink Creative Design Distillation Process, a metaphor that clearly illustrates the design process. The parallel
Go ahead, get nakid
I ate the apple and my eyes were opened to the feeling of being exposed. The symbolic fruit often summons the insecurities that lies deep within. Then the "voices" are given license to sing their songs. What are people going to think of me when I launch this website? What if the client doesn't like any of my logo ideas? What if the creative team laughs at me and things I'm stupid? What will happen when they find out that I don't know what I'm doing? Vulnerability isn't comfor
How do you know it's right?
The je ne sais quoi of great design. Do you feel it? That surge of emotion coursing through every part of you when your design solution hits the mark. When I get that tingling feeling and the hair on my arms stands on end, I know I've found the right concept. One that's fitting for a client, is fresh and has legs to expand through various design applications. The feeling is comparable to love at first sight. Wendi Koletar, the owner and buyer for Kick Pleat, comments on the f
What shape is it?
A compelling way to examine the design process is through experts' perceptions of the shape of its course. Is it round? Or maybe linear? The answers are delightfully surprising, informative and shed light on how these artists and designers work. "Bird walking" is what Christine Reilly calls it, as she goes out on the metaphorical branches of a tree, exploring new ideas. Seeing her describe this with her statuesque physique adds to the effect of "going out on a limb." To Marc
Like a fine wine...
...good design takes time. There are efficient routes, but no short cuts. I do reinvent the wheel by creating custom solutions for specific problems. The only formula seems to be that the process is organic. By looking at the Design Distillation Process, one can see the steps and why the design process is not simple nor something to breeze through. Let's take a look designing a logo and the typical hours entailed to develop to completion. 1. Assess goals and requirements: 2 h
