TED Talk- Typefaces
In my spare time, I enjoy researching my interests by watching TED talks. Most times I search for talks with prior intentions but end up watching videos that are slightly unrelated to my original search.
This happened last night. I was relaxing with a glass of wine ready to enjoy sessions on technology and education when Matthew Carter's talk "My life in typeface" popped up. As I thought to myself...hmm, fonts and how they're created, that seems interesting...I like to use different fonts based on my clients and products.
So I watched it, but gained a new perspective when I listened to his story. At the 3:05 mark it gets interesting.
He begins by admitting that "I as a designer I did feel the influence of technology...it kind of determined the proportions of the design." This struck a cord with me because as a designer we are only limited to the technology we have to design with or more importantly how our customer will view the course or modules. Let's continue.
At 4:59 is when a bomb is dropped: "The question is, does a constraint force a compromise? By accepting a constraint, are you working to a lower standard? I don't believe so, and I've always been encouraged by something that Charles Eames said. He said he was conscious of working within constraints, but not of making compromises. The distinction between a constraint and a compromise is obviously very subtle, but it's very central to my attitude to work."
I knew there was a difference between the two words, but never associated the difference with an attitude.. Would I be compromising my style or creativity because of a constraint?
Prior to this talk I would probably say yes, now I'd say no way. In fact, I'd tell you that creativity grows when constraints exist. Think about it, you're constrained to a grocery budget so you have to get creative with your cooking. You're constrained to a particular family member's house during the holidays so you get creative in how to enjoy yourself.
Constraints yield creativity to some extent. I work with constraints everyday, more so than the private sector, but I take it as a challenge to create something that still lives up to my standards and gives the customer what they want.
Carter goes on the say "there is a certain kind of satisfaction in doing something that cannot be perfect but can still be done to the best of your ability."
This holds true in my line of work. I ask myself could I have made it more interactive, had better color choices, enhanced transitions, or even a better font choice... well of course I could but the constraints wouldn't allow it.
Whenever I complete a project, I reflect on what can be done better next time or what new resources I should use.
And I think that's the point... to always give your best when you can, and then reflect on how to make yourself and the product better.
This happened last night. I was relaxing with a glass of wine ready to enjoy sessions on technology and education when Matthew Carter's talk "My life in typeface" popped up. As I thought to myself...hmm, fonts and how they're created, that seems interesting...I like to use different fonts based on my clients and products.
So I watched it, but gained a new perspective when I listened to his story. At the 3:05 mark it gets interesting.
He begins by admitting that "I as a designer I did feel the influence of technology...it kind of determined the proportions of the design." This struck a cord with me because as a designer we are only limited to the technology we have to design with or more importantly how our customer will view the course or modules. Let's continue.
At 4:59 is when a bomb is dropped: "The question is, does a constraint force a compromise? By accepting a constraint, are you working to a lower standard? I don't believe so, and I've always been encouraged by something that Charles Eames said. He said he was conscious of working within constraints, but not of making compromises. The distinction between a constraint and a compromise is obviously very subtle, but it's very central to my attitude to work."
I knew there was a difference between the two words, but never associated the difference with an attitude.. Would I be compromising my style or creativity because of a constraint?
Prior to this talk I would probably say yes, now I'd say no way. In fact, I'd tell you that creativity grows when constraints exist. Think about it, you're constrained to a grocery budget so you have to get creative with your cooking. You're constrained to a particular family member's house during the holidays so you get creative in how to enjoy yourself.
Constraints yield creativity to some extent. I work with constraints everyday, more so than the private sector, but I take it as a challenge to create something that still lives up to my standards and gives the customer what they want.
Carter goes on the say "there is a certain kind of satisfaction in doing something that cannot be perfect but can still be done to the best of your ability."
This holds true in my line of work. I ask myself could I have made it more interactive, had better color choices, enhanced transitions, or even a better font choice... well of course I could but the constraints wouldn't allow it.
Whenever I complete a project, I reflect on what can be done better next time or what new resources I should use.
And I think that's the point... to always give your best when you can, and then reflect on how to make yourself and the product better.
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