A lively conversation with John Waricker.
Chris Butcher | 24.06.2010
‘So any questions,’ were the words John opened AGDA’s ‘A lively conversation with John Waricker’ with last Thursday night.
And lively it was.
John shared his stories, insights and opinions to a back drop of imagery from the recently published ‘The Floating World’ and the Tomato portfolio captivating the small audience for well over 2 hours.
Tomato like Barnbrook (see my post from his talk here) inspired me to question the role of a graphic designer within culture throughout my uni degree. Their work inspired me and challenged me to engage with it. It beckoned me to scratch beneath its surface and draw me into its message. Most importantly it lead me to see the opportunity and importance of storytelling in design. This shaped my design career immensly.
It is difficult to capture the energy of the discussion, but I have put together a list of random points that resonated with me on the night and one question I also continually ask myself as a designer.
Enjoy.
On The Floating World
– White cliffs of Dover. The edge of the land and the sea. Life cycle.
– It began to develop whilst writing code for basic interactive programs during his Masters Degree in Interactivity in the late 70’s. They were waiting for something like an Apple.
– It is a compendium of John. It continues the conversation. It was done for himself, his children and friends.
On Tomato
– They enjoy it, everyone is generous with their own ideas, and they all need their own space to do their own things.
– Their personal work pushes their commercial work in very unexpected directions.
– It comes down to Trainspotting. 15 minutes playing with a photocopier.
– Their work is a conversation with their client.
On being a designer
– Its all about what questions you ask. Ask the RIGHT question, define your point of view and look through that lens to create your work.
– Its about storytelling.
– He does not think about the audience when designing. Instead he trusts his intuitive process. Focusing on the work.
– Market research is an assumption. It assumes you know me.
– He is likes work that is romantic not mechanical. Work that has an ebb and flow.
– Good work sings.
– Its not a job, its a way of life.
On life
– Most people are dull.
– We should aim to make our lives interesting. The human project. If you sit back expecting life to give things to you. You are dull. You have to make it for yourself.
A question that was raised through the conversation
– What is Graphic Design?
AGDA Victoria just posted a short video of ‘highlights’ from the night you can check it out here.
Many thanks to John and all at AGDA for putting on another inspiring and insightful event.
If you have any thoughts on ‘What Graphic Design is to you’ please comment below.
CB
Tags | advice, agda, book, graphicdesign, inspiration, Inspirational, tomato
Categories | Graphic design, Inspirational
Salvos appeal
Richard Foster | 17.06.2010
It’s not often that I’m stopped in my tracks by direct mail.
Flicking through the usual clutter the other day, I came across what appeared to be a handwritten note on a plain envelope signed by Christopher. It made me look twice because it looked so real, not just the writing itself but how it was written. There was no stamp, no branding, just the handwriting. It forced me to open the envelope.
On opening the envelope you discover that the handwriting is a copy of an actual letter sent by 7 year old Christopher to a Salvation Army Crisis Centre – part of their 2010 Red Shield Appeal campaign. At
a time when charities are fighting more than ever to be heard, and looking at new ways to stand out, this piece certainly made an impression on me. Why?
It was honest. It was powerful. It was original. And it was controversial. It made me feel slightly uncomfortable, and going by what I’ve read on the Salvos website, it’s clear other people had a similar response. But I don’t think in this case that’s a bad thing. It made me think, and made the issues facing the Salvos real. Isn’t this what every charity is trying to achieve? To elicit a response.
For some, the fact that they used the hook of Christopher’s letter could detract from the power of the communication – it didn’t for me. It compelled me to read about Christopher and understand his story behind the letter. How he was in fact given a job by the crisis centre to provide some pocket money and respect. How the issue of domestic violence can effect a family.
Most importantly, it compelled me to donate to the appeal. When many charity requests go into the bin, this one didn’t.
Tags | Branding, direct mail, Graphic design, salvation army
Categories | Advertising, Graphic design, Inspirational, Tank
How did I get to be here today? (Part 1 of 3)
Chris Butcher | 1.06.2010
A few weeks ago I had the privilege of taking part in the Beacon Foundations Student Ambassodar Conference. Over one hour we were given the floor to talk to six groups of 25 students for eight minutes. Kinda like speed dating for career information. The goal; share with them a story of how you came to be here today.
This is a great question to ask when you meet a designer (as well as any person) as it will open you to how varied all our journeys are. A simple question, a challenging one to answer in the time given and one I am asked often by students.
I thought I’d capture some of those insights over a couple of posts, not because I think I’m particularly special, but to show how the path to becoming a graphic designer can take you in many different directions.
So how did I get here?
My road here started drawing trucks and dinosaurs in preschool. Long trucks that ran across sheets and sheets of the old perforated computer paper my mum brought home from work. In high school inspired by television shows like The X Files, I dreamt one day I would become the astrologist that first discovered life from another world. Or perhaps I could have become a cricketeer, and played for England against the Aussies at Lords. Or a pilot, a rockstar, the list went on…
All this time, however, I drew. I loved drawing and those trucks had now become landscapes of tall pine forests, shattered by a beam of light emerging from a night sky to abduct a fearful silhouette and take them away to another world. These biro sketches progressed into portraits of guitar legends like Mark Knopfler and images from movies and comics like The Crow or Wolverine. I loved comics. I loved the energy captured in the pages, and I loved the story telling that created an entire universe.
Then came the time to select subjects for my final two years. A daunting task, as it seemed that what I chose at that point would determine my future. This was a lot of responsibility to place on a 16 year old. And after putting all my preferences down towards the sciences, it was suggested to me that perhaps I should take out art subjects as well. My art teacher at the time made a point of saying, “Chris, you could have a great career in the arts.” I remember I found this perplexing (thinking artists only make money when they were dead), but she had a very valid point to add, “You are a talented artist and passionate about what you create. You can use your love of drawing, to create amazing imagery for others.” The term Graphic Designer was introduced to me and it suddenly dawned upon me, I could get a job doing the work I really loved…
And that is how I came to be here, writing this blog post today, and not off searching the skies for alien life. Stay tuned for Part 2 which looks at the uni experience.
Categories | Graphic design, Inspirational, Tank
Some of the books, mags and websites that keep us inspired
chrisevans | 20.05.2010
BOOKS:
How To Be a Graphic Designer, Without Losing Your Soul Adrian Shaughnessy
No Logo Naomi Klein
It’s not how good you are, it’s how good you want to be Paul Arden
On Brand Wally Olins
Profile Pentagram
Life Style Bruce Mau
Soak, Wash, Rinse, Spin Tolesson Design
Ogilvy on Advertising David Ogilvy
MAGS:
IdN International designers’ Network
Australian Creative
Creative Review
Desktop
Grafik The Magazine for Graphic Design
Eye The International Review of Graphic Design
Monocle
Inside
SITES:
Tags | Advertising, blog, Branding, creative, design, Graphic design, graphicdesign, inspiration, Inspirational, reading, website
Categories | Advertising, Branding, Digital, Found, Graphic design, Illustration, Inspirational, Video
Jonathan Barnbrook Talk
Chris Butcher | 6.05.2010
On his way to take part in the upcoming Sydney Biennale British typographer Jonathan Barnbrook graciously stopped by to share a few candid stories and pieces of advice with Melbourne designers young and not so young.
I was first introduced to Jonathan’s work during University, where his typefaces like Manson and Exocet were used by many students in a ‘devilish’ manner*. His video work for Radio Scotland lead me to appreciate the value of storytelling in graphic design. Its hard to capture the passion, eloquence and humble nature in which he spoke about topics from typedesign, to Starbucks, Adbusters to Japanese Funeral Directors in a few words. But I have endeavoured to do so by gathering a few points that resonated with me on the night. I hope they inspire you.
Ten points of wisdom and quirky facts:
1. Typedesign is the poetry of language.
2. Virus (Jonathan’s typefoundry) was named after a William Burroughs quote… “language is a virus from outer space”.
3. Typefaces speak in the spirit of the age.
4. Have bravery in your work, have passion in your folio.
5. Only when technology is invisible is it of any use.
6. Exocet, has become shorthand for Gothic, this was not his intention.
7. Designers don’t talk enough about how to make the world a more beautiful place.
8. Language is the ammunition we use to change society. Typography is the weapon.
9. David Bowie is a good guy.
10. I put my whole world into my typefaces.
Inspirational stuff to reflect upon. Many thanks to Jonathan for sharing his experiences with us.
*I indeed am also guilty of using Exocet and Mason to support a homage to Buffy the Vampire Slayer on a friends 21st birthday card.
Tags | agda, barnbrook, inspiration, Typography
Categories | Advertising, Graphic design, Inspirational, Video