The Architecture of Discovery: Marking the Canvas

I love the moment when a client sees a design, their eyes brighten, and they say, "I feel seen." I also love the moment when a client sees a design, their brow furrows, and they tilt their head. Discovery and feedback are the best way to move forward in design: bouncing off the surfaces of "I like this" and "I don't like that."

The Juxtaposition of Analytics and the Art of Discovery

There is a delightful juxtaposition between analytics and art that is the essence of graphic design and illustration. We need to understand our clients, their message, and their vision. We start every project with a discovery session. This is where we discover the client’s needs, their audience’s needs, what they like and don't like.

We dig into logical things like target markets and business goals. We play with feelings, and we brainstorm. We analyze what the client has sent for their three favourite things, exploring what draws them to the work and what it communicates to them. This provides a fertile ground from which to build their design or create their illustration.

We discover together.

The Power of the First Mark

Discover, explore, and play are the beginnings of design for me. Curiosity feeds the creative process, allowing experimentation to see what might be possible. It means allowing mess and ugliness, rather than striving for perfection.

Much like when I start a new painting, the blank canvas can be intimidating. It is a pristine surface: white, even, smooth. There is a sense that only excellent art can go on the canvas, and so the freedom stalls. I start every painting by simply marking the canvas with paint. A quick swipe and the surface is no longer perfect. Expectation is nullified, and the freedom to explore, play and discover is opened.

The Practice of Curiosity

At least a few times a week, I start my day by exploring creations made by others. This can be a magazine, Instagram, YouTube videos, or a book: there are so many sources of inspiration that open the senses to possibility.

I recently rediscovered the work of Shepard Fairey, also known as Obey Giant. I find the layering of colour, texture, depth, text, symbols, graphics, imagery and depth of meaning endlessly fascinating. He has an instantly recognizable style that appeals to me in so many ways. "Spring Forth," a work of Shepard’s, spoke to me in its beauty, simple yet complex. With spring upon us, cherry blossoms and budding leaves, it spoke to beginnings and cultivation. Inspiring.

This morning I watched something on the history of graphic design, going from the earliest visual expressions found in ancient caves to today’s fast-paced consumption of visual material. It brought to mind a trip to Ireland, where we visited many old, broken-down castles. I found it fascinating to see the progression of graffiti. The earliest forms were etched into the stone in a blocky slab serif that was done by a pair of lovers. My eyes feasted on the letter forms and I pondered the amount of time it must have taken to etch their love in a way that would last forever.

Tactile Beginnings and the Spirit of Spring

Creativity and expression are available to all. They are consumed, sometimes enjoyed, sometimes despised. The scrawling of graffiti across a train car vs a graffiti mural that took many hours, if not days. I find it all equally inspiring. A colourful rock on a path and a marble sculpture: both will stop me in my tracks and make me want to touch them. The lacy pattern of light coming through a branch of cedar and an intricately woven tapestry.

As with all springs, this is a new beginning. The birth of a business that requires elbow grease, grit, patience and tenacity. Opening up to making those first phone calls, reminding myself that connections are magic and one never knows where they might lead.

The delight of working on a carving on my sofa, allowing wood chips to infuse my home with little curls appearing in corners where I didn’t think they would be. The tactile nature of working with wood and simple tools to see what might be hiding in there.

What is your spring? Your new beginning? Your fresh idea?

What do you find inspiring? What stops you in your tracks?