Go Out, Explore

In chapter 7 of Steal Like An Artist I was reminded of the importance of being out and doing things. I was reminded that what we choose to do and where we choose to be at has a huge impact on the work we do. Traveling and keeping an open mind is something designers need. You need to revolve yourself around new things, new ideas, new people, and new surroundings in order to get inspired. If you are stuck in one place all day you will find it difficult to develop inspiration or motivation to even do something. Although sometimes you can help it due to weather and you must stay inside your home it is still important to be productive when staying home. One of the good things nowadays is that you can communicate with people without even having to leave your home. It is still though important to go out and explore. When the author says, "the brain gets too comfortable in your everyday surroundings", he means that the brain gets too used to what you do and see everyday that you find it difficult to find creativity sometimes. It is good to make your brain uncomfortable, surround it with new things, that is the best way to develop new ideas. Surround yourself with old things and you'll only get reminded of old things. However if you surround yourself with innovation then your creativity will expand. Another good thing to surround yourself around is interesting people. It helps to live around people that are motivated and drive to succeed. If you surround yourself with people who aren't very interesting most of the time you aren't going to have such an interesting life. 

Pricing Estimating & Budgeting - Theo Stephan Williams

This book has great tips about charging for your work correctly. It is important to know what to do once you created a design or when you are about to start a job so analyzing what others charge and the amount of time and work you are going to be doing is important. This book is a great way to learn about how to handle hourly pay. The book also gives good tips on talking to clients about budgets and giving them and estimate that wont scare them away to another designer. I think if you are going to be a freelancer this book would be a great read!

Research

Barcelona Festival

Fitness banner

Motion Theatre Ad

Kinetic Fashion Festival

Share Good Work

In Chapter 6 of Steal Like An Artist I gathered many important points that the author brought up that I can agree with. First things first I agree that college is a great way to have a captive audience. Soon after college and depending on the job you take, we will be learn that we don't always have so many opinions and people to rely on when editing work. School is a great way to gather ideas from others and learn other peoples processes. I agree that sometimes its beneficial not to have such an audience after school until you develop great work. You want people to see your work and pay attention to you when you're developing things people are jealous of. Once you start sharing those good works your network will grow much more. Another point that I can agree with is that sharing your stuff on the internet is beneficial. The more you share your passions the more people will feel closer to your work and your name will become memorable. 

I think that the internet is a great place for ideas. The author Austin Kleon writes that it can be an incubator for ideas. I think that what the author is trying to say is that its okay to copy other peoples ideas. That the internet is a great source for developing work inspired by things people have shared in the past. When the author says that having a public online presence can be a kick in the pants I think he means that it can be a way of knowing if your designs have evolved based on peoples comments. These comments can sometimes be nice and sometimes be bad. Many times though, they serve as a way of finding what people prefer and what you still need to work on.

BLOG: Homero Design 

Other Work is Important

In Chapter 5 of Steal Like an Artist, the author states many important tips that I agree with regarding procrastination. I think for a designer it is important to procrastinate in order to develop ideas. When one pushes something aside they give themselves time to think things through, that is where ideas can spark. When I find myself being bored doing nothing, such as when I'm about to go to bed and I struggle to fall asleep, I find myself generating ideas. In that moment I find myself thinking of ways I could improve, which is also a reason I think I find it hard to fall asleep so quick. I think finding a time to do nothing and be just bored gives you the time to just focus on one thing. In the chapter the author mentions practicing productive procrastination. I think that doing nothing but thinking falls into that category. Another point that I got out of the chapter is the importance of having multiple hobbies. Hobbies are things that make you feel happy, its something that gives and doesn't take. Some of my hobbies that make me happy include playing soccer and lifting weights. I think if I didn't have these things in my life it wouldn't be as fun and exciting.  Everyone should have a hobby whether thats playing an instrument, exercising, or drawing, to name a few.