5to9: Things That Don't Have Anything to Do with Graphic Design

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Notes on the Talk

  • Such a great talk style:
  • Zoomed in images, tabbed through very quickly
  • ==Heartfelt, humorous, take no prisoners, all around incredible.==
  • Slide design was impeccable.
  • Revolutionary energy and talk approach. Never seen anything like it. A rambling talk rattling through projects but so engrossing. Personal, probing, sad, heartfelt, amazing.
  • Talk #452

Who is Aaron Draplin?

"I'm in the buttcrack of middle age"

  • ==Creator of field notes==
  • Blast through early years and how he got to here.

"One logo I got £25k, one a burrito"

  • Remind yourself to be open to these things
  • Keep your iterations. Be proud of them. Vectors are free (and infinite)

Find artefacts from forgotten items.

  • ==Design that works for regular people. Completely unpretentious.==
  • Look at old design: when they only had one typeface, when it had to work on a wooden box, etc.
  • DDC Hardware typeface --> based on old billboard he saw but couldn't track down typeface.
  • Keep your eyes open. Remind yourself to be open to everything.
  • When something that you saw becomes something new, that's fair game.

Use your skills to help others

"Remember decency? Remember that, you guys?!"

"I take care of a lot of people with this mouse finger."

  • Life of design can arm you with surprising things
  • It's okay to use our talents to help people. It's okay if people rip you off.
  • Viking funeral for a wiener dog
  • I used graphic design to have ownership over this project/life lesson (when dog died)
  • I used my skills to make my life better (designed own shelf for a 1/10 price of quote).
  • ==We feel bad about not knowing how to build/change a tire/etc. but we actually have skills, need to apply them.==
  • ==Create for things directly related to your life and solve your problems.==
  • I am my nephew's art director --> Does all the invites, cards, illustrates him, etc
  • Worked with kids to rebrand little league team. Sold the t-shirts to fund the group.
  • Designed own studio building in illustrator. Designed for efficiency and the 'user experience' of it all
  • ==Using design to change the tone.== Free posters for churches, political designs to change the tone.

"Look, no combover in sight. That's real life bald spot right there. I love it!"

Make design part of your life

  • Made project for website to leave comments when dad died. Made all the materials for the funeral. Made t-shirts and foam fingers afterwards to celebrate the life.
  • It's easy to shutdown. Design helped him step up and take it on as a project.
  • ==We aren't just graphic designers. Use this in every area of your life.==
  • These are friendships.
  • It all adds up to a life in design

Don't take it too seriously happen

  • Put the satellite backwards on NASA poster. "Eh, whatcha gonna do. There are going to be typos when you work on the biggest thing on Earth like NASA"
  • Got to make a stamp.
  • =="A Stamp is a pure democratisation of design. Everyone can afford a stamp. Too many times in design/ux/ui it is only for those who can afford it."==

Be a decent human (on screen and off)

=="We need to realise, our lives are off the screen too."==

  • ==Don't forget how to be human to people.== Say thank you. If someone falls, pick them up. Doesn't matter who or their political opinion.
  • When I'm on a job, I'm there to be a good worker. If they come to one of my shows, then I'm gonna say my piece but if I go to them, it's to do a good job and be a good worker.

=="Let what you do for a living into your lives."==

=="The creative process isn't just about your job. It can affect all of your life."==