Recently we have had the honor to listen to Sam Winston’s talk at CSM.
We unanimously agreed that it was one of the most inspiring lectures we have had since the beginning of the year.
To me, it was particular relevant as Sam Winston’s practice is exclusively crafts drawing and poetry.
He is totally passion driven, and, in a way, one of the last idealists in the design world.
To me, it was particular relevant as Sam Winston’s practice is exclusively crafts drawing and poetry.
He is totally passion driven, and, in a way, one of the last idealists in the design world.
I needed to talk to someone who shared my views about design, who was ready to defend books and drawing in the digital age, and he did vigorously demonstrate that drawing is still one powerful sensitive way of communicating ideas.
In the end of the presentation I asked him what is the difference between being a student on an MA at CSM and a freelancer?
Instead of answering directly he asked the others in the assistance to find the pros and cons of freelancing and studying. And one of the things that came up of that exchange was: in both cases Future is uncertain.
I was expecting that answer and wanted him to help me understand how to cope with this uncertainty as it is my essential weakness, and the major obstacle stopping me from being wildly creative.
He asked the audience again to help him answer my inquiry.
In the end he said that the solution is: confidence in what you do, and obsession for planning and organization. Although the outcome is never certain you need to feel what you have to do step by step to get to it. He also said to be hard on ourselves while we are in the production phase, but be gentle and proud once the work is done.
I was expecting that answer and wanted him to help me understand how to cope with this uncertainty as it is my essential weakness, and the major obstacle stopping me from being wildly creative.
He asked the audience again to help him answer my inquiry.
In the end he said that the solution is: confidence in what you do, and obsession for planning and organization. Although the outcome is never certain you need to feel what you have to do step by step to get to it. He also said to be hard on ourselves while we are in the production phase, but be gentle and proud once the work is done.
In a nutshell, his work in essence was a reference as it is close to my area of practice and interests, his argumentation is a reference pedagogically speaking, and his ability to create interaction between us was also a reference as it allowed us to give general critical feedback to ourselves in a moment where everybody needs it .
Chloé
I copied Sam´s comments
ReplyDeleteit´s truly inspiring
One thing that follows your discourse and that caught my attention in Sam Winston’s work is that he really makes books and handcraft work worthy and valuable. I mean there is no digital based way of substituting it. As you believe in the same principles, how can you achieve it? What can you do in your work that can’t be done digitally? In which way uncertainty prevent you from being more creative? Did Sam Winston’s answer help you?
ReplyDeleteIs uncertainty related with insecurity? "The thing with insecurity, is that if you are too insecure, then you don't grow - because you're paralized by the fear of failure (...) On the other hand, if you have no insecurity, then you don't grow either - because your head is so big that you can't recognize failures." John Maeda, The Laws of Simplicity.
Anna said
ReplyDeleteThe uncertainties of the future it’s frightening. But do you think that you will live better if you find a certain work or if you do what you really like? Don’t you think that during the MA we have to try to do, as much as we can, what we like? Don’t you think that at the end you will be much more successful if you work in the field that you really love? I know that at the beginning it will be very difficult and it’s a bit utopian… boh… I’m not sure…
thanks for your comments
ReplyDeleteutopia I think this word summarizes my state of mind right now.
I do have a love of craft and collage, but you're right Anna, I can find other ways to do what I like and I've been experimenting other techniques I wasn't familiar with. It's sometimes frustrating, but it can also be exciting! I think the key structure to my thoughts and practise lies in my drive to associate things that shouldn't go together to create other languages and multilayered interpretations. The only thing I need is an impulse...
I think you should explore something of your interest that in some way you are trying to advocate, instead of being stuck in what you think you are expected or directed to do. Maybe in your professional near future you will have less opportunity to work in crafts or in in something you really feel passionate about (you can always do it in parallel though), so try to take the chance of being in the master to pursue something you believe and feel relevant for you.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you could draw so many relations to your project and Sam Winstons work, as I think when you are inspired by something you can connect it to almost anything.
ReplyDeleteDo you think there is the possibility of seeing digitalism/technology as something useful in your project?