Archive for the ‘Kesterize’ Category

Re-Creativity

I’ve been in a pretty pensive state lately about creativity and its applications, namely in the realm of communicating abstracts, like faith. Without tactile sensations, nor proof of existence – the creative outlet is underrated and under-understood, especially when called upon to bridge that gap. Here’s a compilation of thoughts that resonates with me. I think I’ve found a natural frequency to my raison d’etre… Enough to know how to propel. Enough to doubt (maybe even despise?) convention. Enough to hope.

When it comes to creating things (and things of art). It’s usually manageable when it’s purely a functional object. We cannot not care about being eco-friendly. We need pieces of innovation to represent the character and creeds of its creator. When that happens, one has to stop and rethink ye old method of production. Economics is secondary. Risk follows change. Yet, it is needed. For “when you see an object, you make so many assumptions about that object in seconds.” If perception is intrinsic, then explanations become plan B. The creative work itself, needs to be persuasive. We need to meta-design. Watch this.

I’ve stumbled upon a film about the change in production, distribution and consumption of creative works. “A new generation of global creators and artists is emerging, equipped with other points of reference and other tools. The teachers arenʼt certified schools anymore – itʼs web sites, discussion forums and a “learn by doing”-mentality. We see the children of a digital age, unspoiled or uneducated depending on who you ask. Collaboration over hierarchy, digital over analog – a change in the way we produce, distribute and consume creative works.” More about the film here Press Pause Play. Meanwhile, here’s the teaser…

(Appended on 8 July)
And then, here’s proof… Natalie of Community Channel speaking at Ideacity…

And some time ago, I found Elizabeth Gilbert on TED. She “muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses – and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person ‘being’ a genius, all of us ‘have’ a genius.”

Sometimes, we need to defy physics. Don’t we? Some time ago, ‘fact’ was that the earth was flat. Till they discovered otherwise. Curiosity. Doubt, a precursor of faith. I think we need to be child-like (as opposed to being childish). We could all use some Peter Pan moments, flying into the open sky. (Where’s Tinkerbell?) Away we go into Never-Never-Land. Here… watch Sigur Rós’ depiction of the said concept:

Creativity could also take strides in making a difference in society. And this, we need more and more and more…

Check out Favela Paintings…

We could all use some peace don’t we. I’m so gonna make some Peace-In-a-Boxes too. The idea is to give it away.

And there are times when creation meets creator, in perfect creativity… it’s like, “my hands they float up above me, and you whisper you love me. And I begin to fade into our secret place. The music makes me sway. The angels singing say we are alone with you. I am alone and they are too with you. I’m still alive…”

Do you not see the beauty that is? It’s everywhere. May we not be stuck in yesterday’s Flatland. Transcend. Avant. Like, “when we’re still holding on to how things were, our arms aren’t free to embrace today,” -Rob Bell.

“Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.” -Albert Einstein.

I suppose I’m just recording fleeting moments of creative. Creativity, like faith, is intangible, but attainable. I experience, I art, I believe, I live – in no specific order.

Masel tov.

Idealists… Freedom Beckons

I just read something I typed on November 18, 2008 – but never published. Wow. It goes like this…

Today I deliberate on the meaning of freedom. Human rights. Basic needs. And the cost of freedom.

I quote from Micheal Moore’s 5 Nov Letter on President-Elect Obama’s win:

“We may, just possibly, also see a time of refreshing openness, enlightenment and creativity. The arts and the artists will not be seen as the enemy. Perhaps art will be explored in order to discover the greater truths. When FDR was ushered in with his landslide in 1932, what followed was Frank Capra and Preston Sturgis, Woody Guthrie and John Steinbeck, Dorothea Lange and Orson Welles. All week long I have been inundated with media asking me, “gee, Mike, what will you do now that Bush is gone?” Are they kidding? What will it be like to work and create in an environment that nurtures and supports film and the arts, science and invention, and the freedom to be whatever you want to be? Watch a thousand flowers bloom! We’ve entered a new era, and if I could sum up our collective first thought of this new era, it is this: Anything Is Possible.”

Cool Ideas

Creativity is the verve of the universe. It is divine, thriving, undying.

The account of Genesis 1:16-18 records, “And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good…”

May I seek Thee. Fix my gaze, lest I fall prey to mundanity. Inspire me, revoke me, muse me, lead me. In my designs, may I draw closely to You who IS creativity, my ethereality.

(Post writing… I sound so evanescence now. Hmm.)

Thank You

…for my notebook and its survival all throughout its 2 years of life. I hope it stays alive and well for a while more.

…for my car and its survival all throughout its 2 years of life. I hope it stays alive and well for a while more.

…for my phone and its survival for the last 2 months. And I hope it stays alive and well for a long while more!

Lest I forget of the grace that is bestowed on me: I record today how I treasure each passing day knowing that these things are still working so fine.

Emmanuel is Here

Today marks the culmination of many days and nights and mornings and more, of preparation, prayer and hope. Come down to Putra Stadium to watch this…

Go to www.easter.org.my for more info.

Laborem Exercens

It means, the value of human labour. I found and read this today, well, only the first paragraph (as of now). But the prologue, is enough to define and properly encapsulate the ideal, original intent of creation and such things that I have come to categorize as an ‘oh-well’ kinda-thing we do in life; work.

I continue reading Socrates in Love; it speaks of a concept called Ubuntu. It’s the communal Storge concept, “…They believed it was each person’s moral duty always to take into consideration the interests and welfare of everyone else with whom you interact – not just your tribe, but everyone. By showing compassion and hospitality, you widen the circle of your tribe by bringing all of humanity into your fold.” (Pg. 112)

There’s also a current artiste I can’t get enough of lately. She simply-explicitly sings my heart-song, especially in this song, Extravagant Worship. Here’s how it sounds…

Listen.

Kes, the epiphany of the matter is; to heed vocare, and immerse in vocation – the kind that you-cannot-not-do, with no remorse over self sacrifice and to be in passionate-reckless-abandon is to have an ethereal encounter… on earth.

It’s going to take a while to worry less about death and taxes,
but the privilege to serve and know that He feeds the crows
is grace enough to draw and seek all that is of my soul’s recesses
- to move forth and definitely go.

Re-Nourish (Greener Designs)

I borrow this paragraph from Re-nourish…

Graphic designers have made some fairly amazing and powerful work since the inception of the profession with the early Art Nouveau movement in 1890. We have changed public opinion on wars, politics, as well as influenced new consumer behaviors that dramatically increased the world’s economic output. We’ve made life simpler (at times), faster and easier to navigate. However, as much progress as the design profession has made for society at large, we’ve also been responsible for helping to create an over-consumptive population and an ecosystem teetering on disaster. With every new print piece we produce we make or brand we promote, we also impact the general health of our planet through the vehicle and materials we choose to use.

I believe it is necessary for designers to be planet-conscious about their work. However, the success of greener designs hinges upon the outcome of the collaborative suggestions-decisions process between the designer and the client about the greener-good. One must do ones part for the earth eh.

Here’s a must read… the Re-Nourish Sustainable Design Checklist (PDF)

And if you’re a organization thinking bout a greener printing environment in the office… looky here

And if you’re me and need pint size steps you can take today – try these things that I do: I would, try to design faster, so I use less electricity. Using the wacom for marquees (selections) coz it’s faster and more accurate than a mouse’ selection. Don’t print drafts (coz I lack a printer haha – I suppose you can select economical prints on recycled paper). Use energy saving bulbs on your mood lights/table lights and spot lights. Keep and re-use post-its if it’s used for just ‘one’ word. And… turn off ur speaker, monitor and notebook cooler when it’s not in use… besides, the blue and green LEDs are quite distracting at night.

And, use a Starbucks tumbler for ur lattes (you get an RM1 discount)!

Meanwhile, I’ll mourn the lack of green printers in Malaysia.

The Kesterize Ideal

Today I found this quote…

“The difference between a great design and a lousy one is in the meshing of the thousand details that either fit or don’t, and the spirit of the passionate intellect that has tied them together,” wrote the American sociologist Ted Nelson.

Existentialism

I now realize I see life and the importance of contemplating about life and it’s correlation with God because I’m in constant pursuit of ‘happiness’ to say the least. The Greeks had the arete to pursue – the quest to be a better person; in all aspects. And I subscribe to that ideal. It reminds me of humanity’s sentience.

Sure, we do not fully mimic Plato’s cave of ideals, but hey – we NEED to try. Maybe not exactly, Plato’s version of ideals, but it’s a start. Eventually there are universal traits of love, faith & hope. I also realize it’s the same way I look at what I do – my work. If there is no meaning in the work I do, then it’s quite futile. If the work is not God send – then why waste time. Jesus never knew a distinction between ‘the world’ vs the ’spiritual’. Life was recognized as spiritual. We are in constant debate with outselves and with the world around us. We need to find identity and recognize our essence.

Branding takes on a whole new meaning when you realize the need to spend enough time, and more, when it comes to nurturing your ‘brand’s’ essence. It may seem frugal to dismiss this at first, and go about the life cycle with a generic statement of fact, but one will surely miss out on the potential of a fulfilled meaningful, purposeful existence without first scrutinizing and immersing one’s total proposition in line with your brand’s essence.

Life is like that. Without knowing who you are, you are less. Know thyself. It may take another to realize that, but be active about it. Pray. Listen. Wonder. Rebrand. Revolt. Rebirth.

If you’re like me, and you have thousands of things running around in your head pleading to be heard, start with being kind – start by loving. Realize eros, storge, xenia, philia, agape: in all it’s splendor, moderation, sacrifice, balance, ideals, practicality, honour, trust, faith, and hope. I say this with all the love in the world – to which I vouch for both brand (product/service) and master (human) – both capable of rebranding.

Be saved.

Today, to love is to exist – more.

Read “Socrates in Love, by Christopher Phillips”