My Manifesto.

Learn from mistakes.
Mistakes are accidents, accidents that can cost a lot sometimes but what counts is the learning experience. So whenever you make a mistake don’t be disappointed.

Try new things.
It will bring good experiences and new ways of thinking

Research x3.
Research is key and its never enough. The more you research the more you learn. Research is part of the engine for your inspiration.

Open your eyes.
As a designer inspiration is everywhere.

Record everything.
No idea is useless. When something come to your head don’t forget about it and tossed it out. Instead, write it or draw it in your sketch book. Think for the future.

Attention to details.
Don’t be afraid of becoming a perfectionist. Paying attention to what you do is what can separate your work from being mediocre.

Go for a walk.
When you are stressed it is easy to hit a road block. Take some time and clear your head, let your ideas flow.

Believe.
It is important that you believe in your work and in yourself

Have fun.
Enjoy everything you do. From the process to the final touches. If you don’t enjoy what you do, stop doing it.

Be organized.
Organization leads to productivity.

contemporary designers

So far Marion Bantjes, Bruce Mau, Stefan Bucher, Stefan Sagmeister have shared their ideas with us of what design is. One common thing i find these designers have is the intentions they have to move forward, they all want to come up with new ideas and formats to communicate and get people's attention. in addition, all of them enjoy what they do and reflect that in their work, most of them have developed a style that make their work easily recognizable. These designers share similar philosophies and work habits that work as inspiration for future designers. They all like to have total control of what they do, since they have small design studios rather than large offices with hundreds of employes.
As a graphic designer I'm glad that these designers share similar point with my vision of design. I believe that design is always in an evolution period that never stops. design must relate to humanity to be able to have an impact. in addition, it is important that designers enjoy the process of design.

Stefan G. Bucher

Dear Stefan G. Bucher,

My name is Jose Betancur, I’m currently a graphic design student at Humber College, Toronto. In one of my courses I was shown one of your talks back in 2009 for the AIGA make l think conference and I wanted to thank you for sharing what you do with us. I think the process for your monsters creations is great. I really enjoyed your introduction since it was different from others that I seen I think it is a great way to start and communicate what kind of person you are. I liked the fact that everything you do reflects your personality. In addition, I enjoy the fact that you have your own style since I’m still looking for a style of my own, but after watching your talk I realized a style comes from personality, so I want to thank you for making that point clear.
As a graphic designer I also want to thank you for showing me how each project can be enjoyable rather than lets say...dreadful. As a graphic designer I assume you have come across difficult clients and boundaries but from what I saw in your talk, it gives me some relief that designers can still enjoy what they do rather than doing things only for money even though I know the money is important. So I just want to thank you for inspiring me and sharing your creativity and thoughts.
I look forward to seeing more of your designs and more of your talks.

Sincerely,
Jose Betancur

Volkswagen: think blue

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/tv/volkswagen_think_blue

This ad starts by showing how an average human being starts its day and how a city looks like in the morning when everybody heads out to work. The ad shows what people are doing, thinking and how they affect the environment by displaying pictograms above their heads. some of the thoughts are work, time, bad mood, traffic and pollution. One by one the people start realizing that there are simple ways of solving all this problems. The ad portray solutions like driving hybrids, car pooling, recycling water, turning off the power of electronic devices when not in use and using natural resources such as the wind and sunlight. With this ad Volkswagen reminds everybody about its bluemotion brand and portrays the message that Volkswagen is an environmentally friendly company with a priority to be eco friendly.
This ad targets mostly anybody that cares for the environment and those who don't care too. From single business men and women to families because the ad bounces from a corporate environments with offices and employees to group of friends and families performing outdoor activities.
The ad shows how people are realizing that humans are the cause of the pollution and global warming that todays world is experiencing. Moreover the ad also shows how people have shifted to a more eco friendly life style.
It is interesting to see how the colour blue has taken a lot of power when referring to eco friendly products. In addition, most eco friendly products have shifted to a more minimalist approach when designing the graphics and the art of an ad.
blue+Simplicity = eco friendly.

design definition

Design is a creative way of thinking that allows designers to communicate concepts and information in an organized and interesting format.

My creative process

Creative process:

-Take notes of project objectives and specifications
-write or draw any thoughts on paper
-search the internet for some inspiration
-do research and make a mood board
-develop my idea in the computer

Roadblock:

-go back to paper and sketch
-go for a walk