Inspiration, again.

One of the best books I’ve read this year was The Myths of Innovation, by Scott Berkun (for more on that book, read here). The Guardian had an interesting article on how to write a movie, and the following excerpt reminded me of a lot of what Berkun talks about:

“I think people see inspiration as the ignition that starts the process. In fact, real moments of inspiration often come at the last minute, when you’ve sweated and fretted your way through a couple of drafts. Suddenly, you start to see fresh connections, new ways of doing things. That’s when you feel like you’re flying. The real pleasure of any script is the detail. And a lot gets lost in the process. Put it back in at the last minute.”

Replace all the talk of screenwriting with any other sort of creative output, and you will still have great advice.

[via Kottke]

The Plenitude

During the last year of his life, Rich Gold wrote the text for what would become his book The Plenitude: Creativity, Innovation, and Making Stuff. Part of John Maeda’s Simplicity: Design, Technology, Business, Life series (MIT Press), the book is a convergence of the mind of a artist/scientist/designer/engineer – and his thoughts on the ecology of created stuff (The Plenitude).

It’s a quick and enjoyable read (only 110 pages). A sort of hodge-podge of information from an innovative and brilliant thinker – the book serves as a sort of essay on what it’s like to be a creator of stuff – and how a creator should respond to the ever-growing pile of that stuff.

Gold begins by examining the four creative hats he has worn (artist/scientist/designer/engineer) – looking at their interrelationships (both their love for and hate of each other). For “creative types” it is a nice treatise on the creative mind – and how we exist within the four boxes, and both the contradictory and complimentary nature of the four types.

Gold continues by laying out seven patterns of innovation – valuable pieces of knowledge. But, it is the the Plenitude that consumes most of this book. Gold commits half of the book to a discussion on the “stuff.” To write a very coherent examination of this discussion would be futile. However, Gold’s thesis on the Plenitude is worth the reading.

More than an examination of the wealth of stuff, The Plenitude serves as lessons from the creative professions. It is equal parts memoir, exposition, and essay on moral philosophy – a must for any creator.

SFO International Terminal

On a recent trip to San Francisco, we flew on the new Virgin America (which was great, by the way) and in to San Francisco International Airport. With it’s sweeping roof top and walls of glass, SFO’s International Terminal is truly a stunning piece of architecture.

Designed by Craig W. Hartman, of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the project was completed in December 2000 and is the largest international terminal in North America. It is also the largest building in the world built on base isolators, to protect it from earthquakes. The wing-like forms of the roof not only mimic the idea of aviation, but also the bending forces of the entire building.

The terminal is an outstanding piece of modernist architecture and is truly a sight that must be seen. We flew in around 8:30 AM, so it was quiet as we walked toward the BART station. It was strange that a place that can, at times, be so chaotic, could also be incredibly serene. Flooded with natural light, the vast space almost felt like a gigantic cathedral (strange enough, Mr. Hartman’s most recent design is the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland). It was a particularly wonderful moment.

More photos of SFO International Terminal here.

The Life of a Designer

A coworker and I were emailing back and forth about Gary Hustwit’s documentary Helvetica. She commented that her favorite quote from the film was by the great Massimo Vignelli:

“The life of a designer is a life of fight – a fight against the ugliness.”

Fight the ugly!

The Creative Process Loop

There is an interesting essay in the current issue of Communication Arts. In her column, Wendy Richmond discusses the Creative Process Loop and how it can help any artist or creative type over come the proverbial “block” (writer’s block, artist’s block, director’s block…think 8 1/2). Ms. Richmond makes a good point about overcoming the drought of inspiration. So, often we believe that inspiration just isn’t coming. However, Ms. Richmond asserts that:

“…the problem is not a lack of inspiration. Instead, it is that the initial spark of an idea is so delicate that it is often prematurely stifled. It is subject to the terrible forces of nature: doubt, distractions, fear of the work being derivative, overwhelming technical complexity, lack of time, lack of discipline, lack of money…There is the desperate need to have the ‘answer’ before one allows a simple germ of an idea to grow and morph, and to finally achieve its fullest realization.”

Quite regularly, I experience this problem. I kill the spark of an idea before it ever begins to turn in to a flame. Ms. Richmond goes on to talk through the three stages of the Creative Process Loop. (1) OBSERVE – “Anything can spark a nascent creative idea, from a stray hair on a sleeve to two people engaged in an explosive argument.” (2) REFLECT – What are the “unformed nuggets” hidden within your notes, observations and sketches? (3) ARTICULATE – Now comes the hard work of creating tangible ideas from the previous two stages. While it is the hardest stage, it is also the most rewarding.

Robert Irwin: Primaries and Secondaries

It’s hard to argue that Robert Irwin’s work is anything other than prolific. The contemporary artist’s career has been described as epic – one critic commented that “odyssey would probably be a better word than career.”

Last week, my girlfriend and I revisited his Primaries and Secondaries exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. A vast survey of Irwin’s art, the exhibition is an enthralling experience. Irwin began as a painter and eventually moved to installation pieces, serving as a pioneer of the light and space school – one of the most important movements the West Coast has produced.

A few years back, he designed “1°, 2°, 3°, 4°” (below, left), at the La Jolla wing of MCASD. An enveloping piece – Irwin created three apertures in the large glass-paned windows overlooking La Jolla Cove. The result was an experience that transformed the space from gallery to a quietly transcendental environment.

About half of the Primaries Secondaries exhibition closed at the end of February, and I knew I had to see the piece “Who’s Afraid of Red, Yellow & Blue³” (above) one more time. The pièce de résistance of the exhibition, it consists of six polished aluminum panels in primary colors. In groupings of two, one on the floor and one suspended above (blue above blue, et al) the MCASD’s Jacobs Building is transformed into a utterly captivating space. The piece vacillates between kitsch and divine – sweeping the viewer up in to itself.

If you have a chance, go see this fantastic exhibit. Unfortunately, “Who’s Afraid of Red, Yellow & Blue³” is gone, but other pieces will remain on exhibit until mid-April. (The museum is free for those 25 and under).

There Is No Box

Have you seen FX Networks’ new branding efforts?

They ditched the klieg lights from the logo and have adopted the slogan: “There is No Box.” The TV spots are so innovative – I love them. It might be the best network branding since NBC first used the Peacock in 1956. Brilliant.

Eureka in the NYT

Interesting article in the Sunday NY Times. The author quotes Berkun several times. Again, we continuing to understand that solutions don’t just fall out of the sky – epiphany is just a myth.

I like what Jim Marggraff, creator of LeapPad, LeapFrog’s Fly pen and the Odyssey Altasphere, says about problem solving:

“The aha moments grow out of hours of thought and study…If you look at my innovations, there’s a common theme. I take something familiar, intuitive and ubiquitous and recast it in a manner that will redefine its use to drive profound change…Typically, I’ll fall asleep chewing on it and then I’ll wake up at 4 in the morning with some sort of solution.”

Meada at RISD

Just before the holidays last year, John Maeda (Associate Director of Research at the MIT Media Lab, author of The Laws of Simplicity) was named as the new president of RISD. I came across this interview on AIGA’s website.

I just love what Maeda says when asked about how he, an artist, will fit in to the “administration” role of a president at such a prestigious institution. Meada responds:

“I think my MO has always been to find design and art even in the most inane tasks. If “administration design” was a field to invent, or even ‘administration art,’ then I am up for the challenge. The number one request I heard from RISD students was, ‘If I am at the most creative school in the world, then I should see that reflected in the administration—no, demand it.’ Innovation can play a role in any situation, I believe.”

What a smart guy. Watch his RISD video here, it’s equally as intriguing as the interview.

Atonement

This past weekend, I saw Atonement, the 2008 Golden Globe winner for best picture. It was such an incredible film – deeply woven and wonderfully shot, it is obvious why it won the Golden Globe. The beautiful and tragic story of Robbie (James McAvoy) and Cecilia (Keira Knightley) is deftly told by director Joe Wright. It is a film that must be experienced, so I don’t intend to go into a description of the plot.

The complex and intriguing story, deftly crafted by director Joe Wright is quite spectacular. However, one cannot look at the film without acknowledging the innovative and great cinematography of Seamus McGarvey. McGarvey’s fluid camera shots are beautiful and deserve the Academy Award.

Also of note, is Dario Marianelli’s theme. Marianelli integrates a typewriter (a key element in the film) in such a creative way. It is really quite astounding.

Overall, a great film that explores love, betrayal and penance of sin.