Design Direction is ‘hands-on design’

I work with talent from different verticals. Design Directing allows me to pick from a pool of unbundled talent, be it animation artists, illustration guys, visualizers, photographers, writers or others.

The Big Idea is yours. The others help you put together what you visualized. The web allows for various ideas to be integrated on one platform. It’s amazing to see how each of us as creative artists look at a subject. There are various viewpoints, thoughts and more ideas.

Design is a hands-on process. I cannot explain what I need created or even direct before I got it right. It’s important to give the creative person enough room for including their ideas or even listening to them. The brief must allow creative freedom and let the inner-self express.

I remember a beautiful Zen story - A Cup of Tea

Nan-in, a Japanese master, received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.

Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring.

The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!"

"Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"

Twice, while interviewing candidates for design positions I observed one of them was open to learn what we were doing and listen to everything that I had to explain. The other made sure ‘I listened’! Maybe its important for one to prove a point.

Sure, some are fortunate to have met the right opportunities and some continue trying. But the ones that continue trying are more open to what there is in store. Design can never be passed on. Design can never be better! Design can never be directed.

Some of the designs created with my introduction to this new animal ‘NEW MEDIA’

Manipulative thoughts

I couldn’t resist putting up these beautiful pictures. Im still trying to figure out how much of post work goes into creating these visuals!

*Photo credit - Dmitriy Stanyakin, Paris

*Photo credit - Oleg Bazhenov, Nepal

Enjoy!

Drink, anyone?

Stepping out with my red sunny’s. Its lunch hr and I got a friend picking me up. Have I started to meet people with an open mind?

Hold on. Don’t jump to conclusions. I only meant that earlier it took a weeks planning, and then last minute confirmation and maybe a phone call before an hr to say ‘hey can we catch up another time’! Bah!

Its all good! Catching up with friends, old and new! But my schedules are usually whooped. Not that they are better now but I have a long list of people I’m yet to catch up with.

Thinking, when Guide was around I managed to be with him for long in spite of extended hours, busy days and yea early mornings! I guess it’s a choice I made!

I happen to be at a Swiss design talk last weekend. I entered when the lecture was on. My eyes were moving all around looking for my design school friends. I was there briefly and on my way out, ‘bump’ I met two friends! One of whom I’m trying to catch up for long now!

Siva reminded me its gonna be 10 years since we finish school next yr!
But I only remember catching up with everyone from school a couple of years ago. Thanks to social networks!

There are plans and then there are plans. Some social events, some with lotta glitterati, some quite dinners, some gaming sessions, some beer guzzling contests and some pyjama parties! And most times I end up feeling if I didn’t do any of these I might turn into a recluse!

I neva was a ‘junkie’. I liked sitting at home, as time spent with Ma was always something I chose over others.

Somewhere within, after having worked and met people, I understand the need to network but I still prefer time to myself. I can’t do rounds of coffee and chatting away if there wasn’t a reason. I would quietly sneak home!

black crow - cross mark

Though common in our cities crows rarely cast even a stray glance in the direction of human beings. Their calls are not for us, only for other crows.
Birds in general are associated with divination, beauty, and freedom, except a crow!

And what is a crow? No image of an animal is simpler, more iconic, and more unmistakable. I think of a silhouette of out stretched wings, a slouched head and an extended tail!
These ‘song birds’ have always captivated my attention. I always saw design and picture capability.

I remember as a kid my mom stuffing food into my mouth by showing me a sight of a crow and who hasn’t heard to the ‘Thirsty Crow’ story!

Grew up counting crows

one for sorrow
two for mirth
three for a wedding
four for a birth
five for silver
six for gold
seven for a secret, not to be told,
eight for heaven
nine for hell
and ten for the devils own self!


*pictures shot at Galle Fort, Sril Lanka

Later, I was told the crow is Lord Shani’s vehicle, when I questioned why he has sitting on a huge crow!

The crow has lived many avatars and I think it is a remarkably graceful bird. Simplistic and beautiful.

mini and flake

Wiki says, widget is a portable chunk of code!! I say they are super fun.
Apple has an endless list of downloads. Finally the developers have created applications that can be integrated on third party sites. Freebies!!

Neha, was telling me how widgets are being used as advertising tools! And Google has already set out to create a platform where people can upload their widgets!

Designing widgets should be the next lesson.

Was I hoping il find a fairytale in your ‘story’?

Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl " Will you marry me? "

Why did someone find Cinderella’s magic shoe? Did the princess know the frog is going to turn into a handsome prince? How did the young mermaid fall in love with a prince from above the waves?

All along, if she knew that the 10786 stories weren’t going to be true, would she still try? I was told ‘ Forgive and FORGET’. Was that easy?

Yea, when you know, u’ve grown, and you need to move on, and the only way you could do it is follow those wise words. I felt happier. Till when?

Flashes of memory, strong words, a feeling that ‘you gave yourself completely’ would only make ur self-confidence dip! That’s the last id let happen. What next?

Still worried if he crossed the road safe? Silly. There isn’t a thought that crossed his mind! Am I anticipating ‘moves’?

Well off course, that isn’t too much. Gees, I forgot, I was the one still sailing. It’s too shallow to even worry about. Why?

Because all along there was no sight of him and nothing else mattered.


The girl said: " NO! "

And the girl lived happily ever-after and went shopping, dancing, camping, drank martinis, always had a clean house, never had to cook, did whatever the hell she wanted, never argued, didn't get fat, traveled more, had many lovers, didn't save money, and she went to the theatre, never watched sports, had high self esteem, never cried or yelled, felt and looked fabulous in sweat pants and was pleasant all the time.


THE END