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Taglist for "Creativity"

The Death of Originality in Design- Coming to Terms
Jan 12, 2010

Originality in the creative world is dead. If originality were a person, its obituary would have been extensively written and re-written several decades ago together with a whole series of memoirs, well before the advent of the Internet. Its demise however has not been readily acknowledged by the design community and till date, several designers are still claiming to have found “originality” in their creative endeavours. Truth be told, I am often left quietly bemused when I chance upon design portfolios emblazoned with opportunistic slogans such as these: “We make wholly original and creative websites”. Are they staging a dramatic (and historic) resurrection of an age-old concept? I think not.

 

 

What is Design? A Thorough Analysis of Definitions
Dec 18, 2009

“Design” and “Designer” – are words that are often used rather liberally to refer to the profession or craft of “making functional and perceivably attractive things”. Design in its contemporary linguistic usage bears an almost absolute resonance with “beautiful aesthetics”; a connection, which is understandable but inherently myopic. Design is creativity and beauty but also much more.

Transform Creative Ideas into Stunning Designs
Dec 10, 2009

There are at present a multitude of websites showcasing a delectable array of inspirational material, (more aptly termed as ‘showcases’ or ‘lists’) within the realms of the design fraternity. While these trusted repositories of wonderful resources are an indispensible part of the creative process (one would be “inspirationally naked” without them!), designers need to understand how to translate “clipboard” ideas into compelling visual masterpieces. Turning great ideas into an even greater design requires an understanding of creative ideas and how to harness them effectively. In this article I develop a guideline on transforming design-related conceptual ideas into a well furnished design product. 

 

 

 

Branding On the Web: The Identity Dilemma
Dec 8, 2009

In recent times, the term ‘branding’ has achieved a certain synonymy with the humdrum of corporate commercialization. The construction of an effective brand identity is now a prerequisite for firms aiming to establish a well-grounded presence in an economically competitive industry. Traditionally, branding refers to the conceptualization of a unique (often aesthetic) identity that is capable of capturing an organization’s broad objectives and aspirations, whilst retaining that sense of glossy and sophisticated professionalism. While such an explanation is fairly accurate in an industrial context, it fails to account for the social dimension of brand identity- the idea that all brands are indeed, carefully tailored user-experiences.

A Primer on Keeping the Creative Flame Alive
Dec 6, 2009

Ever felt trapped in an insipid rut devoid of creative inspiration? Every designer has faced his/her fair share of barren spates – phases which remain unproductive, lacklustre and rather stagnant. Creativity remains a valuable commodity in the design industry, a prized asset that, if used carefully, can reap substantial professional gains. This article aims to unravel the ways in which to preserve and nurture creativity amongst design practitioners. How can the all-discerning designer keep that creative flame alive even during periods of perceived dormancy? Read on to find out.

 

 

 

Designers & Vampires – The Creative Mind
Dec 2, 2009

Designers (including members of the creative industry in general) are a supernatural breed. Their craft involves the production of mind-bogglingly creative elements that outlive the test of time (as the overused aphorism goes, “great designs are timeless”), outmanoeuvre the rigidity of mass standardization (designers have a ‘knack’ for evolving certain aesthetic conventions) and outperform industry competition.

 

The Alchemy of Music – Music and Creativity
Nov 17, 2009

Over the course of the past month, we’ve thoroughly explored the more traditional elements of design, pertaining to topics such as web usability and web design layouts. Today, as I was foraging through the music playlist on my iPod (a ritualistic process I go through before starting a new design project), I had an epiphany, well sort of. Music has always been, for me, an integral source of creative inspiration; a guiding stream of consciousness that has triggered some of my most compelling creative pieces. From the mellifluous vocals of The Fray to the more hard-hitting punk rock tunes of Green Day, I am colossally indebted to the miraculous and whimsical world of music

What Emotional Vibe Does Your Website Exude?
Nov 9, 2009

Today’s subject matter takes us in the direction of the emotional complexities behind visual design, a topic that remains surprisingly under-analyzed in the field of web design. A year ago, I had the privilege of participating in an academic research movement on youth emotional attitudes towards specific websites on the internet. A select group of youth were nominated randomly for the study and asked to account for their sense of emotional engagement (or disengagement) with certain elements of visual design/culture. They were tasked to keep personal journals detailing their emotional experiences online (a profoundly abstract assignment indeed!). The results were quite astounding.