The Illustrative Designer Podcast

'Our iTunes Badge.'

The Illustrative Designer Podcast is now live. Our first episode is on iTunes and we have '3' more scheduled to hit ever couple of weeks. You can subscribe in iTunes by clicking here.

To support this new podcast I have developed a site so if for some reason you do not use iTunes or don't have access to that app all the time you can simply visit the site and listen to the podcast online. Visit the web site at: www.TheIlustrativeDesigner.com

It's taken me a while to work out all the technical bugs and I am still working on improving the optimization of the interviews since I record them over a phone line but if you listen to this with head phones it should be fine.

The first podcast features an interview with Bill Gardner the creator and founder of Logo Lounge. The end of each podcast will feature cool music sourced out by my friend and fellow designer John Nissen.

I hope you all enjoy and please leave some positive feedback at iTunes and be sure to visit the web site.

Von

Living a Creatively Curious Life

Presentation Splash Screen Graphic

I just got back from the HOW Design Conference in Austin where I did a session called "Living a Creatively Curious Life." Normally I get really nervous before I speak but this year I was far more relaxed. Mainly because I had been preparing and researching for this session since last summer.


Speaking to designers. (Photo by Ivan Boden)

The best advice I have ever been given about speaking came from my oldest daughter who told me several years ago "Dad, just don't be boring." Her advice has proven to be very true. Information is great, but if it's not wrapped in a compelling visual package it just won't resonate very well with designers who are visually oriented.


Outline, notes, reference, and more notes.

I can't say I have a set process for producing my sessions but I guess one could find a method in my madness if they looked hard enough. It is like producing a movie of sorts, I find myself editing out content because it's too long or just doesn't add anything to the overall message.

I got a lot of great feedback from hundreds of designers who attended the session and approached me afterwards, but the one comment I appreciated the most is a designer who told me I should have left one part out of my session and I agreed with her. I had considered cutting it but second guessed myself the night before and left it in. So that in and of itself showed me I need to improve my editing skills.


Standing room only cutting a rug.

Here is an audience captured video of the same thing.

The most important element for me personally when speaking is to make it fun, let the audience laugh either at me or with me in regards to a point I'm trying to make, or a project or process I'm sharing.

I turned the tables on my audience at the end of the session and pulled out my video camera and challenged them to act on a moment of creative curiosity. I turned up the music and informed them it was time to dance and the above is the end result of how my presentation ended.

Creativity Pack includes:
- Full outline (best I can do sans audio or visual)
- Outline includes links to related content
- Creativity Exercises
- Resource Downloads
- Helpful Links
- Inspiring Links

Download Creativity Pack
PDF Creativity Pack

FYI: My original intention was to take the audio recording HOW made and create an online version. Well the recording was at best hostage quality and dropped out in far too many places so for now this is all I can offer. If your AIGA, AdFed, or other creative or marketing group would like to hear this presentation just contact me directly and lets arrange a date where I can do it for you in person. This session is not only good for designers, it's an excellent presentation for marketing and creative managers as well. Aren't you a little bit creatively curious now?

Adobe Poster Signing

"Loyal Order of Wormwood" poster.

Adobe will be giving out FREE posters of my "Loyal Order of Wormwood" illustration (24x37 inches) at the HOW Design Conference.


"Loyal Order of Wormwood" gallery framed print.

Be sure to hit the Adobe booth on Wednesday night when they will be drawing a name and the winner will receive a one of a kind gallery framed print of "Loyal Order of Wormwood."


FREE John Handcocks.

I'll be autographing posters at the Adobe booth on:

- Thursday, June 25th from 8-9 am
- Friday, June 26th from 8-9 am

So stop by and say hi and get a FREE poster from Adobe.

Creating 5ive-Alarm Concepts

"Creating 5ive-Alarm Concepts" Presentation.

Over the last three years I've had the privilege of speaking at the HOW Design Conference.

My two previous presentations were:
- HOW 2008, Boston: "Illustrative Design"
- HOW 2009, Austin: "Living a Creatively Curious Life"

And this year I'll be doing a presentation called "Creating 5ive-Alarm Concepts" which goes into how designers should think and always be expanding their knowledge base in order to facilitate original ideas.


Lots of notes, writing, and re-writing to refine the message.

Because of my trip to Africa I started my presentation production about a month late. I've been cramming non-stop for the last three weeks straight pulling all the information and research together I've collected into a coherent narrative. (At least I think I have?)

I take a lot of notes and over the last ten months or so I've been jotting down my thoughts and interviewing others about the whole realm of idea generation. How one goes about conceptualizing an effective design solution.

The end result is a folder jam packed full of chicken scratch notes and marked up print outs.


Frazzled.

I'm not sure why, but my mind as I work on a project like this often fluxuates between thoughts of "I think this is coming out pretty good." and "You're going to clear the room, or put everyone to sleep." In other words a lot of doubt pops up. These self-inflicted head games make the whole process harder. I suppose it's fear of failure?

A long time ago someone gave me some very wise advice when it comes to relaying information to others. They said:

"If it doesn't challenge and compel yourself, don't expect it to resonate with or compel others."

That has proven to be very true in many areas of my life.

In previous years I've had the audio supplied to me after the fact. The first time it worked out OK, the second time it was hostage quality and I just couldn't use it. I'm done relying on others for my content.

Whether you were able to make it to the HOW Conference or not, you can experience the presentation now. Download everything listed below, go through it at your own pace and hopefully glean something you can integrate into your own creative pursuits. (If I manage to get an audio recording I'll update the download but at this point no audio exists)

Files included in download:
- "Creating 5ive-Alarm Concepts" Presentation (PDF Format)
- Conceptual Method Diagrams (PDF Format)
- Complete outline notes of presentation (PDF Format)

Download "Creating 5ive-Alarm Concepts" Package (76 MB)

If you'd like me to speak at your local AIGA group, AdFed group, design event, school, in house art department, or side show circus just shoot me an email and lets talk.

Evil Clown

Evil Clown Illustration. "Tickles The Clown" (Click image to view larger)

I've been invited to speak in Ohio. Never have been to Ohio, but I am looking forward to it. I get to hang out with my art rep Scott Hull and hook up with my books publisher too.

To help promote the event they asked me to design a poster. They left the content up to me so of course I gravitated towards something practical, an "Evil Clown."

I'd been wanting to illustrate a doodle I had done of this back in February but just now got around to it. I've decided to name this character "Tickles The Clown." You know, you'll laugh so hard you'll cry, which is "Tickles" real motive after all since he is an evil clown.


Event promotional poster.

The one and only clown I ever enjoyed was "J.P. Patches" he did a local TV show out of Seattle when I was a kid and along with "Captain Kangaroo" he entertained me with all matter of witty banter.

As I got older however I ran into other clowns who I didn't find fun at all. Frankly speaking they more or less creeped me out or just flat out scared the crap out of me. I've always wondered who was the first person to dress up like a clown and whether or not he/she got beat up? LOL


"Tickles The Clown" iPhone Wall Paper.

Just in time for Halloween I have an iPhone Wallpaper version. Just nab the image above and drag it to your desktop and it's ready to load on to your iPhone. For other iPhone wallpaper check out my links in the right hand side of this site or visit my good friend Paul Howalt site www.ipodpaper.com where you can download a ton of cool iPhone wallpaper as well.

Think Tank 2007

'Mini Me.'

The Nashville AIGA Chapter is putting on a cool design gig this coming weekend called "Think Tank".

Should be a fun weekend and I've been asked to speak about what a "Graphic Designer" is and if that term is accurate in today's ever changing market. I am pretty nervous but looking forward to it. If you can make it then make sure to say hi I'd like to meet you.

Lots of great speakers lined up:
- Debbie Millman
- Shaun Inman
- Marian Bantjes
- Von Glitschka
- Nate Voss
- Bennett Holzworth
- Donovan Beery


'For me the term "Graphic Designer" comes with a huge asterisk.'

I'll be bringing some fun give away items like stickers, a copy of my book, sets of Keyboard Characters and a handful of "Vonster Brand" t-shirts.

So head on over to the official "Think Tank" web site and get the full scoop.

Illustrative Design Session.

Nervous in front of 900+ people.

My extensive one hour session from the HOW Design Conference is now online. It will walk you through the entire creative process for creating inspiring and effective "Illustrative Design" solutions.


A screen grab from my session presentation.

Have you ever thought of a unique concept, but then wasn’t sure you could pull it off because it required a good amount of illustrative work and frankly speaking that intimidated you? Or your budget was such that you couldn’t hire it out either? So, instead you just pursued another design direction?


Quick reference sheet included in download.

Well, fear no more my fellow creatives! This session will walk you through systematic illustrative design methods you’ll be able to integrate into your own creative process. In the end you’ll be better equipped to pursue those design ideas that require an illustrative touch far more effectively, thus expanding your overall creative potential and skill set as a graphic designer.

For more information and to download the "Illustrative Design Session" or other helpful step by step tutorials click here.

Included in this download: The entire “Illustrative Design” session from the HOW Design Conference, Exhaustive notes regarding each step of the process, Quick reference sheet to help you remember each step, MP3 audio file of entire session so you can listen while you go through it yourself and Instructions on how to use everything on a MAC or PC.

Talking v.1.0

No cable, no presentation, just talking.

Last week I flew out to speak at a local design group. I had put together an extensive presentation, fine tuned my images, practiced running through it multiple times to get my timing down and polished several lame jokes. In other words I was loaded for bear.

Problem is I forgot to bring my mini-dv cable and the AV specialists were all PC acolytes so nothing they had would allow me to hook up my laptop to the video projector. I was dead in the water. No images, no clever dissolves or visual cues to captivate the audience while I droned on.

Panic slowly started to sink in as I thought to myself

"I am an artist with out art to show."

I decided to wing it. Slowly leaning forward towards the podiums mic I said

"Well I unfortunately don't have any visuals to show you, but if you'd like I'd be happy to do a Q&A with you."

Thankfully I had brought several freebies to give away and holding them up I continued.

"The best questions get prizes."

The facade of confidence was intact, but inside my stomach churned as I waited for the inevitable train wreck to occur.

Someone raised their hand and before I knew it the next thirty minutes flew by and it was done. Technology took a back seat and mere talking carried the day and to my surprise people actually enjoyed it.

I am a huge geek and love technology, but this situation reminded me once again that person to person conversation will always trump it. Being able to talk to another person and share stories, share struggles, share success, share failures together is what life is all about.

And the best thing about talking is you'll never have to upgrade your mouth. Something software companies could learn from.

Podcast Interview

'My Ugly Mug'

As most of you know I produce my own podcast called 'The Illustrative Designer'. Well I've been so busy recently that I haven't had a chance to edit the interviews I've done with 'Bob Staake', 'Jeff Pollard' and a few others. So instead of letting more time go by with out releasing another podcast Erik Olson who runs the 'Iconic' podcast has allowed me to air an interview I did with him this past month.

I think you'll enjoy the information within the podcast and at the end is a little surprise for the listeners.

If you haven't had a chance to listen to my podcast be sure to subscribe to it via iTunes. If you don't have iTunes or don't use iTunes you can listen to it from the web site directly.