Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
It's not me, talk to the genius
The Next Chapter is book blogging 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women. What better time to come across this wonderful presentation by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love. She speaks of how creatives in ancient times believed that their creative brilliance was inspired by something else, a Damon or genius. She stops just short of saying our creative brilliance comes from God.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Fire-breathing Dragon: friend or foe?
While writing my post on first draft picks I tripped across this subject which I had to address:The Competition!
Let me begin with Rapaille. I came across Clotaire Rapaille in some recent research I was doing on consumer behaviour. His "technique for market research has grown out of his work in the areas of psychiatry, psychology, and cultural anthropology", says his website. He develops "The Code" for his clients - the code that must be honoured in order to realize the success they seek. In learning more about him and his work I came across this March 2007 article in the Toronto Star, here is an excerpt:
Canada's culture codes are deeply rooted in our experience with winter, says Rapaille. "Canadians learned from the beginning to use what they call `winter energy' to act so as to conserve as much energy as possible." Because of this, he says, "Canadians do not seek leaders with vision, capable of making major breakthroughs." Instead, they elect prime ministers who serve as guardians.
"If the culture code for the American presidency is the biblical figure Moses, a leader who could make his people believe they could do the impossible, Canadians seek leaders who are capable of maintaining the culture. The culture code for Canada is `To Keep.'
Now back to the subject of this post. My most intimate experiences with "the competition" are in business working in Canada and in America. What I found profoundly different was each country's perception of it.
An American, when meeting the competition, or when reconnecting with a former colleague who is now working with the competition, invites the other to sit and share. Not competitive secrets but overall industry knowledge, perspectives and common challenges they may be facing. Or, perhaps, it's an opportunity to "scope out the competition" - either way, it's communicative.
A Canadian, when meeting the competition, or when reconnecting with a former colleague who is now working with the competition, well, you would never meet or reconnect. It is OUT OF THE QUESTION. Stay AWAY. Don't look, don't turn, don't learn, don't communicate, and most of all, don't even admit you ever knew them.
Why? Maybe it has something to do with Canadian's "to keep" code and America's "can do the impossible" code.
So, where does that leave me? The American-born, Canadian-raised entrepreneur.
I'm left simply with this.
Competition, even the perception of it, to me, is counter-intuitive and counter-productive. Even in team sports I believe athletes see other teams not as competition but as challengers to their own skill and strength.
Competition is: something you fight. You want to get rid of it, not have it in your world. Like a fire-breathing dragon.
Challengers make you better at what you do because they push you to greater heights.
My competition are my challengers, I welcome them, embrace them and I want to be with them. In my world there are no fire-breathing dragons, only strong, astute, intelligent warriors who I want to fight with, not against.
What world do you conceive and perceive? A world of competitors or one of challengers?
Monday, December 22, 2008
Is rock bottom the way to the top?
On the radio, one day, a few months ago, I heard a portion of a show where the host said "...in hockey, the worst teams get first draft pick to keep the league competitive."The question that immediately popped to my mind was "Do you have to hit rock bottom to get to the top?"
As an overall life strategy, do you want to hit bottom so you can pick from the top? In life, is the cream of the crop ever available to you from the bottom?
It feels like in life it would not be, but don't be so quick to judge, sometimes we find things in places we never expected.
Research Notes:
I have no idea what I'm talking about when it comes to hockey and these three sites helped me gain a bit of an understanding of draft picks - if you're as naive as I am you may want to click through.
How it works
The worst picks of all time
A commentary
Monday, December 8, 2008
in the voices around you
Finding Creativity: Tanya Babcock
Finding Creativity is a guest posting series where I invite people to share with us how they find creativity in the world.
I am pleased to welcome Tanya Babcock to find creativity in the world. Tanya studied Creative Writing as an undergrad and technology in graduate school. She is a career marketing person with stints in manufacturing and now content management software solutions. In November 2008, she launched The Lakeview Review, an online and print literary journal, to feed her creative side. The first journal will be printed and distributed late January 2009.
When I write, I find my inspiration in the voices around me. They are usually strangers huddled in coffee shops, cafeterias, and banks. A hurried young mother complaining about her husband’s lack of understanding. An older man reminiscing about a family gathering over a piece of pie. I hear words floating in the air and whisk by grabbing a sentence like a pick pocketer and storing my bounty to survey later.
One such piece has haunted me for twelve years. It was a conversation I heard which titillated me with such delight I could not help but chuckle when I heard it. I was an undergrad studying creative writing at a liberal arts college when I happened upon an odd conversation. I had rushed in from another class with only two minutes to spare and sat down by two men looking fairly relaxed and indifferent to all the people around them. One leafed through a novel on his desk and said very coolly, “today, I spit on an Acura.” Immediately I thought, “What a wonderful and powerful first line for a story.” My reader would be drawn into such an opening line, “why, oh why do you wish to disparage this stranger’s car?” Is it a statement on impoverished youth angered by the privileged? Has the hero/heroine been wronged by someone who drove such a vehicle? Was it a game between two friends? What type of back story could I give this character? I didn’t listen to why this man in my class felt the need to spit on the car. I wanted the reason to be my own. Someday, I thought, I will invent the who, the why, and the how. I will breath into it one day all the words to give it depth, character, and meaning. And until then, I will walk along thinking: “Today, I spit on an Acura.”
I know there are many writers out there who have a nagging starting sentence, middle sentence, or character aching to be heard. I wanted to be able to give these writers another place to be able to work on their craft, collaborate with those in the field, and read works by many able to bring closure to that nagging sentence. I did this with The Lakeview Review. The Lakeview Review launched on November 3rd of this year and includes a collaborative blog, an online writing workshop, and a book club. At the end of January 2009, we will be publishing a journal (online and in print) with several first-time writers and the winners of our Winter 2009 Writing Competition. I’ve personally read some beautiful prose, and I predict choosing a winner on December, 31, 2008 will be a formidable task in deed.
It has been an ambitious endeavor (marketing nation-wide, scheduling a trade show in Chicago, advertising and introducing the journal to universities and writing associations across the country). I am elated by the response, and I hope this popularity will only increase as we continue to deliver quality writing, teaching and discussions.
Tanya, we wish you all the best in your creative and entrepreneurial endeavors and hope that we'll be able to feature your lucky winners at month's end!
Finding Creativity is a guest posting series where I invite people to share with us how they find creativity in the world.
I am pleased to welcome Tanya Babcock to find creativity in the world. Tanya studied Creative Writing as an undergrad and technology in graduate school. She is a career marketing person with stints in manufacturing and now content management software solutions. In November 2008, she launched The Lakeview Review, an online and print literary journal, to feed her creative side. The first journal will be printed and distributed late January 2009.
When I write, I find my inspiration in the voices around me. They are usually strangers huddled in coffee shops, cafeterias, and banks. A hurried young mother complaining about her husband’s lack of understanding. An older man reminiscing about a family gathering over a piece of pie. I hear words floating in the air and whisk by grabbing a sentence like a pick pocketer and storing my bounty to survey later.One such piece has haunted me for twelve years. It was a conversation I heard which titillated me with such delight I could not help but chuckle when I heard it. I was an undergrad studying creative writing at a liberal arts college when I happened upon an odd conversation. I had rushed in from another class with only two minutes to spare and sat down by two men looking fairly relaxed and indifferent to all the people around them. One leafed through a novel on his desk and said very coolly, “today, I spit on an Acura.” Immediately I thought, “What a wonderful and powerful first line for a story.” My reader would be drawn into such an opening line, “why, oh why do you wish to disparage this stranger’s car?” Is it a statement on impoverished youth angered by the privileged? Has the hero/heroine been wronged by someone who drove such a vehicle? Was it a game between two friends? What type of back story could I give this character? I didn’t listen to why this man in my class felt the need to spit on the car. I wanted the reason to be my own. Someday, I thought, I will invent the who, the why, and the how. I will breath into it one day all the words to give it depth, character, and meaning. And until then, I will walk along thinking: “Today, I spit on an Acura.”
I know there are many writers out there who have a nagging starting sentence, middle sentence, or character aching to be heard. I wanted to be able to give these writers another place to be able to work on their craft, collaborate with those in the field, and read works by many able to bring closure to that nagging sentence. I did this with The Lakeview Review. The Lakeview Review launched on November 3rd of this year and includes a collaborative blog, an online writing workshop, and a book club. At the end of January 2009, we will be publishing a journal (online and in print) with several first-time writers and the winners of our Winter 2009 Writing Competition. I’ve personally read some beautiful prose, and I predict choosing a winner on December, 31, 2008 will be a formidable task in deed.
It has been an ambitious endeavor (marketing nation-wide, scheduling a trade show in Chicago, advertising and introducing the journal to universities and writing associations across the country). I am elated by the response, and I hope this popularity will only increase as we continue to deliver quality writing, teaching and discussions.
Tanya, we wish you all the best in your creative and entrepreneurial endeavors and hope that we'll be able to feature your lucky winners at month's end!
Monday, December 1, 2008
White House Green Approach
Green in America: Q Collection
This guest posting series was inspired by Obama's campaign commitments to keeping jobs in America and finding alternate energy sources and focusing on sustainable living. In the coming weeks and months find creativity in the world will feature American designed, American built sustainable product.
We begin with New York-based Q Collection. A company that I met in 2007 that are doing incredible work. Here Jesse Johnson, co-founder, answers our question:
Thanks for inviting us to respond. Q Collection is a mission-based company focused on designing home furnishings that are just as safe and healthy as they are beautiful and well made. In other words, we design beautiful, top-quality furniture and textiles while eliminating materials that are of concern to human health and the environment. As we say, everything we design is PEOPLE SAFE. PLANET SAFE. Anthony and I co-founded Q Collection in 2003 and started with adult furniture and upholstery textiles. In 2007, we introduced Q Collection Junior – a collection of children’s furniture and organic cotton bedding. The line is now available in over 100 retail locations in the US and Canada.
We recommend two pieces from our collections. One for the Oval Office from Q Collection. The other for Sasha or Malia’s room from Q Collection Junior.
President-Elect Obama is coming to office as a strong advocate for ‘greening’ the American economy, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and creating skilled jobs domestically. The designs from Q Collection and Q Collection Junior uniquely address all three of these goals.
Oval Office:
The ideal piece from our collection would be our Abigail Settee.
The design is unique, bold and memorable – fitting for such a historic location. It is inspired by an 18th century / Georgian wing chair. What you can’t see, however, is even more important.
First, in terms of ‘greening’ our economy, we use only proven non toxic materials that don’t harm human health or the environment. For example, we have completely eliminated the use of formaldehyde (a typical component of wood glue and engineered wood known to cause cancer in humans). Instead we use water-based, non toxic substitutes.
Second, we rely on the use of natural materials and have completely eliminated the use of petroleum-based components. So, for example, unlike typical seat cushion foam made from polyurethane, ours is natural latex and contains so petroleum (or toxic materials).
Finally, the Abigail is hand-crafted in Obama’s home state. What better way to showcase how it is possible to keep skilled, ‘green’ jobs local than furnishing The White House with hand-crafted, USA-made furniture?
Children's Rooms:
For Sasha and Malia Obama, we recommend our Solare Dresser from Q Collection Junior. It is great looking, very functional with ample storage space and can evolve with their needs. Like the Abigail settee, it is an ideal showcase for ‘green’ design, including such unique features as the use of only water-based, non toxic materials and the complete elimination of formaldehyde. There is also no use of petroleum based materials. All materials have been reviewed for safety by a toxicologist. All wood is solid, locally-sourced and certified. This piece is hand-crafted in the USA.
Solare also supports sustainable jobs. The knob pulls are hand-carved Tagua nuts sourced from South America. The act of using these pulls, historically referred to as ‘poor man’s ivory’, instead of plastic or metal has the effect of promoting well-paying jobs in economically disadvantaged communities.
One last thing to note is all our packaging in 100% biodegradable.
Jesse Johnson, Co-founder & CEO
This guest posting series was inspired by Obama's campaign commitments to keeping jobs in America and finding alternate energy sources and focusing on sustainable living. In the coming weeks and months find creativity in the world will feature American designed, American built sustainable product.
We begin with New York-based Q Collection. A company that I met in 2007 that are doing incredible work. Here Jesse Johnson, co-founder, answers our question:
President-Elect Obama’s focus on sustainability and keeping jobs in America reflects the needs of all Americans. As an American-based manufacturer who is indeed keeping jobs in America, and as a company who is founded on the principles of sustainability and safe furniture, what would you recommend as ideal pieces from your collection for the White House – and why?
Thanks for inviting us to respond. Q Collection is a mission-based company focused on designing home furnishings that are just as safe and healthy as they are beautiful and well made. In other words, we design beautiful, top-quality furniture and textiles while eliminating materials that are of concern to human health and the environment. As we say, everything we design is PEOPLE SAFE. PLANET SAFE. Anthony and I co-founded Q Collection in 2003 and started with adult furniture and upholstery textiles. In 2007, we introduced Q Collection Junior – a collection of children’s furniture and organic cotton bedding. The line is now available in over 100 retail locations in the US and Canada.We recommend two pieces from our collections. One for the Oval Office from Q Collection. The other for Sasha or Malia’s room from Q Collection Junior.
President-Elect Obama is coming to office as a strong advocate for ‘greening’ the American economy, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and creating skilled jobs domestically. The designs from Q Collection and Q Collection Junior uniquely address all three of these goals.
Oval Office:The ideal piece from our collection would be our Abigail Settee.
The design is unique, bold and memorable – fitting for such a historic location. It is inspired by an 18th century / Georgian wing chair. What you can’t see, however, is even more important.
First, in terms of ‘greening’ our economy, we use only proven non toxic materials that don’t harm human health or the environment. For example, we have completely eliminated the use of formaldehyde (a typical component of wood glue and engineered wood known to cause cancer in humans). Instead we use water-based, non toxic substitutes.
Second, we rely on the use of natural materials and have completely eliminated the use of petroleum-based components. So, for example, unlike typical seat cushion foam made from polyurethane, ours is natural latex and contains so petroleum (or toxic materials).
Finally, the Abigail is hand-crafted in Obama’s home state. What better way to showcase how it is possible to keep skilled, ‘green’ jobs local than furnishing The White House with hand-crafted, USA-made furniture?
Children's Rooms:For Sasha and Malia Obama, we recommend our Solare Dresser from Q Collection Junior. It is great looking, very functional with ample storage space and can evolve with their needs. Like the Abigail settee, it is an ideal showcase for ‘green’ design, including such unique features as the use of only water-based, non toxic materials and the complete elimination of formaldehyde. There is also no use of petroleum based materials. All materials have been reviewed for safety by a toxicologist. All wood is solid, locally-sourced and certified. This piece is hand-crafted in the USA.
Solare also supports sustainable jobs. The knob pulls are hand-carved Tagua nuts sourced from South America. The act of using these pulls, historically referred to as ‘poor man’s ivory’, instead of plastic or metal has the effect of promoting well-paying jobs in economically disadvantaged communities.
One last thing to note is all our packaging in 100% biodegradable.
Jesse Johnson, Co-founder & CEO
Monday, November 24, 2008
engineering, surrounding, listening, eating
Finding Creativity: Clive Piercy
Finding Creativity is a guest posting series where I invite people to explore how they find creativity in the world. In November 2008 we hear from creative professionals: industrial design, fashion design, writing and graphic design.
I'm pleased to introduce Clive Piercy who is based in Santa Monica, California. Please tell us, what is your design profession and the major focus of your work?
I am primarily a graphic designer and creative director. After 20 years running a medium-sized design office, I came to the conclusion that small is good and opened Air Conditioned, with a view to working with the kind of clients that I feel best suited to: creative companies, on projects large and small, with people I get on well with and respect. That last point is very important to me.
When you look for inspiration where do you go to find it?
This is a bit like the question I get asked by students more than any other..."where do you get your ideas from...?" My life and work are inextricably linked, there is no distinction between the two, and I am interested in all of the pure and applied arts: architecture, film, fashion, painting, photography, writing and music. I say all, but to be honest I'm not big on poetry and I struggle with modern dance. I have difficulty taking it seriously. It's the tights! I think it important to give yourself the best chance to be creative or productive, by engineering the right kind of work environment, surrounding yourself with beautiful objects, listening to stimulating music, eating great food and generally not getting too uptight about things. After 30 years I'm beginning to believe that I can actually do this for a living. Funnily enough, I don't look at a lot of other graphic design, I prefer the influence to come from a more distanced perspective... that's why I read a lot. Words force you to make up your own pictures.
When you think of venturing out to find creativity in the world where do you think of going?
I love lateral thinking. Something that you are familiar with represented in a new way. I work unashamedly in the mainstream, but I try not resort to mainstream solutions. Wit and humor feed my soul, and I love things that look effortless. Of all the artists and designers that I look up to, Paul Smith, Tibor Kalman, Tim Hawkinson, Underworld, Philippe Starck, Bruce Weber for example, the vast majority of them can be characterized by the fact that even though they produce profound work, it is clear that the element of play is never forgotten, and is often close to the surface in their work. I try to do that too.
What have you always wanted to redesign or recreate, and why?
I love product design, but I don't have the patience for it. Making a change to a design and then having to wait for months to see the results drives me nuts, and I cannot do it. I also love football (soccer to you...) and I think I could make improvements in the team outfits that they wear, along with the graphics and insignia. My dream job would be to redesign the identity for a major cultural institution that I have a deep affection for... perhaps the BBC or the National Trust in England, and over here maybe the.... can't think of any over here in the U.S., maybe NPR... though they don't appear to have much regard for good design.
Name something we can do to expose ourselves to something outside of our worlds, outside of the bubbles and environments we inhabit?
Well, "exposing ourselves to.... " is easy. But I don't think that's the point at all. It's much more important to know the difference between looking and seeing. And to love what you do. To conduct a dialogue with yourself, and to indulge in the act of introspection. To act with grace and consideration, and try to look on the bright side. I always say that doing all that miserable-looking, angst-ridden work is easy... try doing work that brings joy to peoples' lives. That's MUCH harder. Laughing helps, too.
Finding Creativity is a guest posting series where I invite people to explore how they find creativity in the world. In November 2008 we hear from creative professionals: industrial design, fashion design, writing and graphic design.
I'm pleased to introduce Clive Piercy who is based in Santa Monica, California. Please tell us, what is your design profession and the major focus of your work?
I am primarily a graphic designer and creative director. After 20 years running a medium-sized design office, I came to the conclusion that small is good and opened Air Conditioned, with a view to working with the kind of clients that I feel best suited to: creative companies, on projects large and small, with people I get on well with and respect. That last point is very important to me.When you look for inspiration where do you go to find it?
This is a bit like the question I get asked by students more than any other..."where do you get your ideas from...?" My life and work are inextricably linked, there is no distinction between the two, and I am interested in all of the pure and applied arts: architecture, film, fashion, painting, photography, writing and music. I say all, but to be honest I'm not big on poetry and I struggle with modern dance. I have difficulty taking it seriously. It's the tights! I think it important to give yourself the best chance to be creative or productive, by engineering the right kind of work environment, surrounding yourself with beautiful objects, listening to stimulating music, eating great food and generally not getting too uptight about things. After 30 years I'm beginning to believe that I can actually do this for a living. Funnily enough, I don't look at a lot of other graphic design, I prefer the influence to come from a more distanced perspective... that's why I read a lot. Words force you to make up your own pictures.
When you think of venturing out to find creativity in the world where do you think of going?I love lateral thinking. Something that you are familiar with represented in a new way. I work unashamedly in the mainstream, but I try not resort to mainstream solutions. Wit and humor feed my soul, and I love things that look effortless. Of all the artists and designers that I look up to, Paul Smith, Tibor Kalman, Tim Hawkinson, Underworld, Philippe Starck, Bruce Weber for example, the vast majority of them can be characterized by the fact that even though they produce profound work, it is clear that the element of play is never forgotten, and is often close to the surface in their work. I try to do that too.
What have you always wanted to redesign or recreate, and why?I love product design, but I don't have the patience for it. Making a change to a design and then having to wait for months to see the results drives me nuts, and I cannot do it. I also love football (soccer to you...) and I think I could make improvements in the team outfits that they wear, along with the graphics and insignia. My dream job would be to redesign the identity for a major cultural institution that I have a deep affection for... perhaps the BBC or the National Trust in England, and over here maybe the.... can't think of any over here in the U.S., maybe NPR... though they don't appear to have much regard for good design.
Name something we can do to expose ourselves to something outside of our worlds, outside of the bubbles and environments we inhabit?
Well, "exposing ourselves to.... " is easy. But I don't think that's the point at all. It's much more important to know the difference between looking and seeing. And to love what you do. To conduct a dialogue with yourself, and to indulge in the act of introspection. To act with grace and consideration, and try to look on the bright side. I always say that doing all that miserable-looking, angst-ridden work is easy... try doing work that brings joy to peoples' lives. That's MUCH harder. Laughing helps, too.
Monday, November 17, 2008
read a lot, find some place to explore
Finding Creativity: Felicity Loughrey
Finding Creativity is a guest posting series where I invite people to explore how they find creativity in the world. In November 2008 we hear from creative professionals: industrial design, fashion design, writing and graphic design. Stay tuned.
I'm pleased to introduce Felicity Loughrey who is based in New York, New York. Please tell us, what is your design profession and the major focus of your work?
Thanks for this Romana. I write for magazines. Recent stories I have worked on include essays about mum blogs, women and the economy and children’s television. This is a recent story from Camouflage magazine, a publication devoted to shoes. I wrote a piece about my youth as a shop assistant in Canberra, Australia. And below is the Vogue Australia article that brought me together with you Romana.
Tell us when you look for inspiration and where do you go to find it?
Half of the work I do is from commissions – like an editor will have a topic they want me to write about and I’ll research it and write it. The other half of my work is from story ideas I generate myself and pitch to editors. So where do I find those story ideas? I read a lot. I feel like I read online all day – a favourite website is Arts and Letters Daily. This is a great leaping off point. There is just so much fabulous writing on the web – from newspapers, blogs and online magazines.
When you think of venturing out to find creativity in the world where do you think of going?
I get a lot of ideas from books. I source most of my paperbacks (and hardcovers too) from Paperback Swap.
I live in New York City so there’s always some place to explore – a museum, a gallery or a new boutique opening – and new ideas will come from stepping outside your front door. The Brooklyn Museum of Art, is a favourite.
I also think ideas, for the kind of work I do, will come from chatting with friends. You’ll find yourself just ranting about a topic and think, hang on, there’s an essay in this.
What have you always wanted to rethink, redesign or recreate, and why?
On the writing front I’ve always wanted to write a trashy, girly novel full of drunkenness and mediocre sex, set in Canberra. I don’t think it would win a Pulitzer.
Name something we can do to expose ourselves to something outside of our worlds, outside of the bubbles and environments we inhabit?
Read a magazine you’ve never read before. Here are three to get you out of a media rut: Monocle – like a really stylish version of The Economist; The Monthly – a literary Australian magazine with great writing; Bust – one of the smartest, sexiest, craftiest women’s magazines out there.
Finding Creativity is a guest posting series where I invite people to explore how they find creativity in the world. In November 2008 we hear from creative professionals: industrial design, fashion design, writing and graphic design. Stay tuned.
I'm pleased to introduce Felicity Loughrey who is based in New York, New York. Please tell us, what is your design profession and the major focus of your work?
Thanks for this Romana. I write for magazines. Recent stories I have worked on include essays about mum blogs, women and the economy and children’s television. This is a recent story from Camouflage magazine, a publication devoted to shoes. I wrote a piece about my youth as a shop assistant in Canberra, Australia. And below is the Vogue Australia article that brought me together with you Romana.Tell us when you look for inspiration and where do you go to find it?
Half of the work I do is from commissions – like an editor will have a topic they want me to write about and I’ll research it and write it. The other half of my work is from story ideas I generate myself and pitch to editors. So where do I find those story ideas? I read a lot. I feel like I read online all day – a favourite website is Arts and Letters Daily. This is a great leaping off point. There is just so much fabulous writing on the web – from newspapers, blogs and online magazines.
When you think of venturing out to find creativity in the world where do you think of going?
I get a lot of ideas from books. I source most of my paperbacks (and hardcovers too) from Paperback Swap.
I live in New York City so there’s always some place to explore – a museum, a gallery or a new boutique opening – and new ideas will come from stepping outside your front door. The Brooklyn Museum of Art, is a favourite.I also think ideas, for the kind of work I do, will come from chatting with friends. You’ll find yourself just ranting about a topic and think, hang on, there’s an essay in this.
What have you always wanted to rethink, redesign or recreate, and why?
On the writing front I’ve always wanted to write a trashy, girly novel full of drunkenness and mediocre sex, set in Canberra. I don’t think it would win a Pulitzer.
Name something we can do to expose ourselves to something outside of our worlds, outside of the bubbles and environments we inhabit?
Read a magazine you’ve never read before. Here are three to get you out of a media rut: Monocle – like a really stylish version of The Economist; The Monthly – a literary Australian magazine with great writing; Bust – one of the smartest, sexiest, craftiest women’s magazines out there.
Monday, November 10, 2008
open your eyes, travel
Finding Creativity: Iman Dadkhahi
Finding Creativity is a guest posting series where I invite people to explore how they find creativity in the world. In November 2008 we hear from creative professionals: industrial design, fashion design, writing and graphic design. Stay tuned.
I'm pleased to introduce Iman Dadkhahi who is based in Toronto, Canada. Thank you for joining us this week Iman. Please tell us, what is your design profession and the major focus of your work?
My focus is primarily in the textile and fashion industry. I design contemporary carpets, men’s and women’s wear. My educational background includes several degrees all related to fashion. I have a M.Sc. in fashion marketing from MMU (Manchester Metropolitan University), a fashion design diploma from IADT in Toronto and two business management degrees; one from George Brown College and the other from Strathclyde in Glasgow. After gaining work experience as a personal shopper, visual merchandiser, trend forecaster and textile designer, I realized my dream job would be to work as a fashion director, trend and color forecaster.
This is a recent carpet design that is in the W Studio showroom in Toronto, showing this Fall 2008. Below is an illustration of my recent men’s wear collection.
This women's wear piece is from my black and white Peace Collection. My inspiration for this collection were olive leaves.
When you look for inspiration where do you go to find it?
Life is full of beauty and inspiration, we just need to open our eyes and see it. We, as artists, need to be able to visualize the outcome of the inspiration in advance. I get my inspirations primarily from nature and architecture. For example, one day I was walking and I came across a field of dandelions. I immediately knew that I wanted to incorporate them into my designs. You can see the result below.
The carpet shown here will be in the W Studio showroom in Toronto in early 2009.
When you think of venturing out to find creativity in the world where do you think of going?
If I could go anywhere in the world for inspiration and creativity, I would go to the Middle East and to Europe. The Middle East is so rich in cultures and traditions, particularly in Iran and Egypt. Europe has amazing architecture and fashion which really inspires me and fills me with creativity (my favorite countries include France, Spain and England). The richness of the culture, history and arts in these countries, one can not help but feel influenced and be changed by these experiences.
What have you always wanted to redesign or recreate, and why?
I consider myself to be a “green person”. I care deeply about our mother planet and therefore I am a person who thinks, acts and lives green. If I had to recreate something in the textile and fashion industry, I would create more of a variety of green materials which are recyclable and friendly to our environment.
Name something we can do to expose ourselves to something outside of our worlds, outside of our bubbles and environment we inhabit?
I think travel is the best way to open our eyes and to expose ourselves to new experiences. Through traveling, we can socialize with people of other cultures. We are exposing ourselves to the traditions, cultures and arts of countries other than our own. Also, traveling allows us to see different aspects of politics which can be “inspiring” and “dirty” at the same time. Furthermore, through traveling you can see suffering and success. When you see suffering, it makes you immediately thankful of the blessings you have and when you see success, it elevates one’s standards and achievement goals.
Finding Creativity is a guest posting series where I invite people to explore how they find creativity in the world. In November 2008 we hear from creative professionals: industrial design, fashion design, writing and graphic design. Stay tuned.
I'm pleased to introduce Iman Dadkhahi who is based in Toronto, Canada. Thank you for joining us this week Iman. Please tell us, what is your design profession and the major focus of your work?
My focus is primarily in the textile and fashion industry. I design contemporary carpets, men’s and women’s wear. My educational background includes several degrees all related to fashion. I have a M.Sc. in fashion marketing from MMU (Manchester Metropolitan University), a fashion design diploma from IADT in Toronto and two business management degrees; one from George Brown College and the other from Strathclyde in Glasgow. After gaining work experience as a personal shopper, visual merchandiser, trend forecaster and textile designer, I realized my dream job would be to work as a fashion director, trend and color forecaster.
This is a recent carpet design that is in the W Studio showroom in Toronto, showing this Fall 2008. Below is an illustration of my recent men’s wear collection.
This women's wear piece is from my black and white Peace Collection. My inspiration for this collection were olive leaves.
When you look for inspiration where do you go to find it?
Life is full of beauty and inspiration, we just need to open our eyes and see it. We, as artists, need to be able to visualize the outcome of the inspiration in advance. I get my inspirations primarily from nature and architecture. For example, one day I was walking and I came across a field of dandelions. I immediately knew that I wanted to incorporate them into my designs. You can see the result below.
The carpet shown here will be in the W Studio showroom in Toronto in early 2009.
When you think of venturing out to find creativity in the world where do you think of going?
If I could go anywhere in the world for inspiration and creativity, I would go to the Middle East and to Europe. The Middle East is so rich in cultures and traditions, particularly in Iran and Egypt. Europe has amazing architecture and fashion which really inspires me and fills me with creativity (my favorite countries include France, Spain and England). The richness of the culture, history and arts in these countries, one can not help but feel influenced and be changed by these experiences.
What have you always wanted to redesign or recreate, and why?
I consider myself to be a “green person”. I care deeply about our mother planet and therefore I am a person who thinks, acts and lives green. If I had to recreate something in the textile and fashion industry, I would create more of a variety of green materials which are recyclable and friendly to our environment.
Name something we can do to expose ourselves to something outside of our worlds, outside of our bubbles and environment we inhabit?
I think travel is the best way to open our eyes and to expose ourselves to new experiences. Through traveling, we can socialize with people of other cultures. We are exposing ourselves to the traditions, cultures and arts of countries other than our own. Also, traveling allows us to see different aspects of politics which can be “inspiring” and “dirty” at the same time. Furthermore, through traveling you can see suffering and success. When you see suffering, it makes you immediately thankful of the blessings you have and when you see success, it elevates one’s standards and achievement goals.
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