With the enormous amount of free content and tutorial driven websites sometimes it’s easier to find inspiration and solutions. I’m not innocent when it comes to taking ideas from these outlets. I know for me the best way (at times) to start a project is to look through bookmarks at inspirational sites. But should a designer devour this kind of resource? Should ever project begin this way? Where is the line drawn between your own talent and the talent of someone else?

I’ve always believed that great design is the product of intelligence and creativity. Researching a client before starting a project is something I consider key. Taking the time to choose the right photography or color scheme is also crucial.

Using cheap/free graphic resources always produces the same results in my opinion: generic. Now, granted, the budget does not always allow for wiggle room. I understand that. But if designers (and at this point I’m using the word loosely) go straight for the generic instead of going back to their roots and creating original pieces of work, what kind of standards are we setting for ourselves and the people we are working for?

So, I’ve demanded of myself (and would demand of any fellow designer) a regress. I want to go back to creating real art. I want to use my own art work instead of someone else’s. I shall keep my mind sharp. I’m already armed with the fundamentals. I just need to make the effort to be true to my craft.

1. Grab a drink with caffeine – though not soda. I dislike soda in most forms.
2. Have a sketch pad handy.
3. I always make sure my dog, Lucy, has something to play with. I can’t have her getting bored while I play.

And finally, though not at all the least important:

4. Music! I have a multitude of play lists on my iTunes that I have for different moods or times of the day.

It’s funny, but I’ve noticed that the music I’m listening to has a direct affect to the style of the design I’m working on. It’s all about mind set. So, I’m going to share with the populous some play lists that I often listen to.

This list is one of my favorites! I tend to play this one when I want to create something fun and indie. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) – Arcade Fire
Slow Hands – Interpol
Y Control – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Banquet – Bloc Party
Portions For Foxes – Rilo Kiley
Phantom Limb – The Shins
Lisztomania – Phoenix
Ocean Breathes Salty – Modest Mouse
12:51 – The Strokes
Spitting Games – Snow Patrol
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa – Vampire Weekend
Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles) – Arcade Fire
I Feel It All – Feist
Faust Arp – Radiohead
Evil – Interpol
The Modern Love – Bloc Party
7/4 (Shoreline) – Broken Social Scene
Piazza, New York Catcher – Belle & Sebastian
Bixby Canyon Bridge – Death Cab For Cutie
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi – Radiohead
My Moon My Man – Feist
Sea of Love – Cat Power
Cath… – Death Cab For Cutie
For Reasons Unknown – The Killers
The World At Large – Modest Mouse
Turn on Me – The Shins
Cheated Hearts – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

If I was willing to accept another in-house, uncreative, design job then I wouldn’t be trying to get into one of the best art schools in America. Instead I would get a BA from some cheap place just to be able to say on my resume that I went to school for four years and know how to run graphic programs.

I always thought in art type fields that experience and artistic style were more important. But in these dire times, companies seeking employees can be much more picky that previously. In their hands they hold thousands of resumes. Why not push for the gal with a BA?

But I have to wonder why anyone with a BA would take an in-house design job doing nothing more than editing existing documents, putting company logos on coffee mugs and making extremely conservative brochures.

You would think that someone who hasn’t had a job in over a year would be a little less judgmental about the design industry. But I don’t want to take any old design job! In the future I want to work for an exciting design firm that challenges me creatively.  These desires are what led me to work towards getting my BA from SCAD.

I have big dreams for myself. My Korean sister used to always tell me, “reach for the moon, because even if you fail you’ll be among the stars”. I believe this aptly describes my hope for myself.