Steve Jobs – "stay hungry, stay foolish"

Good reading

This is really, really good.
Ad-man Dave Trott waxes lyrical about all manner of topics.
Insightful, observational and engaging.
Worth a read.

(And written in a tight, concise manner befitting of the author's occupation - plenty of good stuff to muse over).

A year to remember

For me 2008 became the year of ‘just doing it’. The label came from my Dad who in answer to a query about a moral dilemma, he answered by saying ‘just do it’. His view being don’t worry about the future, worry about the present and stop faffing around. Mind you, this is my interpretation and therefore may not be what the wisdom my Dad intended to pass on.

But it worked. 2008 was a really good year, and among things of note:

• I met a fantastic women who at the present moment of writing seems happy to describe herself as my girlfriend (I know – I can’t believe it either!).
• A photo of mine was shortlisted by Tate modern for a companion exhibition to the street and studio photography show. This ended up in a lovely book produced by blurb.
• Work became more stable and I’ve enjoyed making a load of new friends and feeling part of an organisation that seems to be moving in the right direction. It hasn’t been a walk in the park but it has proved rewarding, and some of the work I've produced I'm pleased with.
  
• I visited Copenhagen for a long weekend, had a great time at Latitude festival and visited several countries in SE Asia over the Christmas period. I saw this last destination as a small victory as it required a degree of negotiation to get the time off. A case of ‘if you don’t ask, you won’t get’ or perhaps even ‘just do it..’
• My front room now has a fresh lick of paint, a new floor and a lovely sofa. And how much nicer an environment it is.

So what about this year - what will 2009 be the year of? I’ve been musing about this whilst slumming it around the cheap hotels of Vietnam and Cambodia and I think in line with the cheery outlook predicted by the media – ha ha ha – this year is going to be the year of ‘keeping it simple’.

But what does this mean? In short it’s about concentrating on the important things and cutting out the extraneous guff that gets in the way, costs too much, never gets used, complicates, clutters....you get the picture. I realised whilst living out of a bag for four weeks that we in the west live very complicated lives and often the a little bit of room to think and breathe can make a world of difference.

Practically I see 2009 as being a chance to exercise the following processes:

• Cycle to work four times a week (minimum)
• Eat smaller meals, waste less food, cook more from scratch, consume less chocolate.
• Spend quality time with those people who matter, cooking meals at home as opposed to patronising restaurants and pubs.
• Think a bit more about where my money is spent - £4 a pint? Get real, I’ll take my business elsewhere. Bye bye snappy snaps, I’m going to get my photos developed via post in Hampshire where for less money I get a CD of scans and a free film in addition to a quality set of developed and printed photos.
• Appreciate what I have in the immediacy – England has lots of great locations to visit and at long last this must be the year that the sun returns to our shores.
• Get more sleep and get to bed earlier. Last year I seemed to be rising late and therefore losing precious day time hours, this will change.
• Spring clean. Spring clean. Spring clean.
• Simple entertainment - read more books, watch less TV and stimulating conversation.
  

Positive thinking

Congratulations Barack Obama! Interesting to see how people are a lot more optimistic about the future. Great things to come one hopes, big respect to Mr. Rascal.



Further evidence here

Amazing news!

I really enjoyed visiting the latest Tate Modern photography exhibition Great photos and a really interesting theme, well organised and interestingly arranged. Street photography (of people) isn't something I'm particularly good at or explore so it was lovely to get some stimulation and inspiration.

When I got home I looked at the exhibition's microsite and noticed they were running a competition in conjunction with Flickr. I had a few photos that fitted the criteria so entered the best one.

Didn't think too much about it after that. Fast forward a month or so and I noticed my flickr site was getting a lot of hits. Odd, thought I. Why is this happening? Eventually the penny dropped and I had a look back at the Tate's site which is where the screen shot above was taken.

Wow! I'm very pleased and very, very flattered to be included in the 100 photos the judges selected. Apparently these are now going to be collated into a book and will be shown within the gallery as a slideshow. How cool is that!

Connected post here

How to live a better life

It's a bit of a grandiose title but in fairness it describes what i'm trying to encapsulate here.

Our journeys through life don't have a predetermined course and it's what we put in as much as what happens around us that dictates the quality of our time on Planet Earth. Life is very precious so before we all rapidly become food for worms I wanted to try and document a few ideas that I think make a positive difference.

1. Be interesting
Well researched, well read and no doubt often referenced piece by the articulate Mr Davies. A whole host of good practical approaches to being more interesting. As RD points out being creative is linked to how inquisitive one is, and this thirst for information might as a by-product add an 'interestingness' to one's personality.

So have I followed of RD's advice? Well, I've always kept a scrapbook in one form or another (although recently through convenience this scrapbook has become digital) and I try and write on my website regularly. I hate the word blog so deliberately haven't used it. I like to WRITE because i find WRITING interesting and inspiring and challenging. And I'm really, really trying to take a photo a day - my camera phone produces surprisingly good results. Note that by using the word 'trying' i'm actually failing this task. Must try harder.

But why is being interesting important? Because interesting people understand that giving/sharing is more rewarding than taking, that we aren't closed boxes in a warehouse but are free-spirited, complex, fascinating teachers. They understand that everyone has something to give and everyone in turn can have their lives enriched by a chance encounter. Which is why people need to smile more, talk to strangers and spend a little more time doing something different. And no one likes to be stuck in the corner of the kitchen with Mr Boring, whereas conversely great parties are defined by the fantastic conversation one had with the funny looking bloke from Sunderland. At moments like these I'm reminded of the lady in Bristol who kept me amused and fascinated all night long. She was very interesting.

2. Travel
This need for new experiences and chance encounters might result in a bit of wanderlust. This fellow has travelled well and here are his tips doing it the 'right' way. Maybe this approach is why his photos are so good?
travel tips from the road
how to travel well

I don't take an ipod away with me because I don't like shut myself from those around, no point traveling thousands of miles only to cocoon oneself in a musical bubble. Let serendipity happen. Just because the lonely planet place-X is a must-see location doesn't mean that you have to flock there like a flock of sheep. Take your time and see where you end up, avoid jumping from bus to bus in a rush to get to someone else's Nirvana. Stop and sit once in a while and watch the world go by and maybe you'll find your own little utopia.

3. Be inspired
People all around the world have done and are doing incredible things. This bloke swam the atlantic whilst Cookie and Paul are walking the length of the United States of America.

The key thing here is not about emulating these dedicted acts, seeking to compete with these ideas (which are very personal things in themselves) but to use them as a bit of motivation to do something for one's self, ie to be inspired to act. Little actions are just as important as big efforts, and therefore the important thing is that something is achieved. One step further down the road or one step higher up the mountain.

to be continued

Loving this song at the moment

Fake Empire by The National

Experimental jetset

Final D&AD lecture of the season centred upon Dutch designers Experimental Jetset. The trio gave an entertaining 'typically Dutch' presentation of their work. I liked how the structured events by picking a theme (french clients) and then talking through three in depth case studies. Whilst it was still a show-and-tell at least they stamped their own mark on the night.

What came through was how they operate under a strong sense of disciplined logical thinking, resulting in clear and appropriate solutions. i'd imagine they walk in to presentations with a limited number of routes and effectively say 'this idea is the solution to your problem'. Not in an arrogant fashion, more with an air of quiet, dignified confidence.

Somehow they've acquired a Helvetica-phile label but none of the work they showed
used this typeface, each project logically choosing it's own individual language. I'm a big believer in systems, ie create a strong idea at the start of a project that works in a structured fashion to homogenise a range of items/products. So very interesting to see how each piece of work they created had a core structure unifying the graphic work.

A very good evening - except for the journey home. My beloved steed of nine year was absent from the railings outside. No more riding through the moonlit streets with the wind in my hair. I hope he's gone to a good home, I certainly feel i got sterling service from my machine. But like so many things it was time for a new bicycle so in the spirit of good follows bad I'm consoling myself with the idea that the time was right to go our separate ways. Frustrating nevertheless, for if nothing else one would like to say when and how a farewell takes place, and not leave it to the thieving tendencies of some hoody-scally-chaaver.

Great idea, shame about the play

I sat on a balcony last night and looked through the evening gloom of Hammersmith into the windows of people's lives. Not my regular saturday night pastime nor one I would repeat for this occured at the Lyric Theatre during a performance of 'Contains Violence', a play that promised much but delivered not a great deal.

Armed with binoculars and headphones we sat outside and watched and listened to the actors performing in the building opposite. It was a good begining, all very intriguing. But it quickly became apparent that the story was so garbled and fragmented that it verged dangerously close to artistic indulgence and misadventure. The cause was not helped by the weather - it was a freezing night, and by the end of the show the audience were wishing it to end.

Not a wasted night because if nothing else it was something different but just a shame that such an innovative peice of theatre was let down by an impenetrable script.

Shanghai shots

Mega city five? no, Shanghai.
Epic photographs by Horst and Daniel Zielske

Small space living

Simple. Small. Dee Williams lives in a dream house tinier than a parking spot. "A simpler life, time, more money. I don't have a mortgage. I don't have a big utility bill,"

I really like the way of living she's adopted, and I know it's not practical for everybody and I suspect you've actually got to get to a privileged, well-off point before you can choose to give it all up but her attitude is perhaps something others could learn a little from. Notice she has an affiliation to Tumbleweed houses, more about her here on youtube.

Saw this article recently on the BBC and noted the similar themes, ie stuff doesn't make you happy.

20 X 20 = pecha kucha

Went to a sweet event at the Japanese Embassy last night. Sake, sushi and plenty of Asahi kept a large audience well lubricated whilst they were entertained by the latest Pecha Kucha evening, a quickfire series of presentations from Japanese influenced guest speakers – including typographer Jonathon Barnbrook, Archeologoist Simon Kaner and product designer Emiko Oki.

Each presenter was allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds each – giving 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. This kept presentations concise and the interest level up.

Refreshing to watch ten speakers with completely different backgrounds and interests speak about their work, influences and relationship with Japan, and surprisingly the disciplined structure of the night actually seemed to loosen things up and keep the pace ticking along.

Naturally some speakers were more assured in their delivery but even the less confident, less eloquent were able to deliver an informative snapshot of their thinking. Interestingly businesses have explored how this approach might keep meetings short and relevant.

Some more nights are planned for the summer, and D&AD are borrowing the format for one of their lectures. Well worth keeping an eye out for them.

Stefan Sagmeister's has realised the following:

1. Helping other people helps me.
2. Having guts always works out for me.
3. Thinking that life will be better in the future is stupid. I have to live now.
4. Organising a charity group is surprisingly easy.
5. Being not truthful always works against me.
6. Everything I do always comes back to me.
7. Assuming is stifling.
8. Drugs feel great in the beginning and become a drag later on.
9. Over time I get used to everything and start taking for granted.
10. Money does not make me happy.
11. My dreams have no meaning.
12. Keeping a diary supports personal development.
13. Trying to look good limits my life.
14. Material luxuries are best enjoyed in small doses.
15. Worrying solves nothing.
16. Complaining is silly. Either act or forget.
17. Everybody thinks they are right.
18. If I want to explore a new direction professionally, it is helpful to try it out for myself first.
19. Low expectations are a good strategy.
20. Everybody who is honest is interesting.

Stefan Sagmeister is a designer living and working New York. In 2000 he decided to abstain from commercial work for a year and concentrate on personal projects.

Where are you Miss Muse?

Found this on Ffffound.com

Probably part of a commercial exercise by I do like the heartfelt nature of the writing. Reminds me of this piece of street poetry in Glenelg, Adelaide.

Amazing movie

I was excited by this as soon as I saw the trailer. I was positively exploding when i started to read the synopsis and the reviews but when I went to the cinema and saw the movie itself I was completely blown away. Definetley lived up to my build up and was a full two and a bit hours of stunning immersion – and this was after knowing the ending prior to viewing.

Just a great, great movie. Well acted, beautifully shot and full of little brain darts that made me stop and think. And the soundtrack is Eddie Vedder's (of Pearl Jam fame) first foray into film scores. It is more than equal to the task.

One of the most resonant scenes for me was towards the end of the film when the main character has achieved his goal, reached the final destination on the journey he had been destined to make, and lay alone in the wilderness with a huge grin on his face and slowly wrote in his diary something along the lines of "we only know true happiness when it is shared". It made a lot of sense and having purposefully traveled alone for so long it really did make me pause to think.

I'm Impressed with this

Put things into perspective - try this out

Good things in little packages

Found this article about using 50mm lens.

Interesting for me because I've recently decided to go back to basics and get to grips with using a 50mm lens. Ever since i began to use SLRs i've only used standard 28-80mm zoom lens, so when I brought my Nikon FM2 from ebay I was intrigued with the additional lenses it came with.

The 50mm lens was, for me, at first an intimidating item. To frame the shot you have to physically move closer or away from the subject. Yet once this characteristic was understood I quickly grew to enjoy the benefits of using this lens.

Low light environments were captured with ease and the depth of field was dramatically different to a zoom lens. A distinctly different aesthetic.

Photographs of people have always been an area i've avoided but this type of lens is ideal for portraits, and as it makes the camera smaller and light it means i have been able to take it down the pub and out and about to capture people in action.

Some examples here. More will be added as shots are developed, nothing wonderful but good to be exploring a different direction.

It's all about the numbers

Stunning images by photographer Chris Jordan

In his own words: "As an American consumer myself, I am in no position to finger wag; but I do know that when we reflect on a difficult question in the absence of an answer, our attention can turn inward, and in that space may exist the possibility of some evolution of thought or action. So my hope is that these photographs can serve as portals to a kind of cultural self-inquiry. It may not be the most comfortable terrain, but I have heard it said that in risking self-awareness, at least we know that we are awake. "

I like not only the complex and thought provoking photographs but that last line in his statement also. Feeling something is better than feeling nothing,

Good quote

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams".
Eleanor Roosevelt

Greg Girard

Great photos of China here

Latest Acquistion

Brought this woodcut last month and have now hung it proudly on my bedroom wall. I love the sense of power and grandeur, just right for an icon like Battersea Power Station. It is by a printmaker called Paul Catherall who has done work like this and this.

Good article on how to (relatively) easily reclaim inflated bank charges.

Link to Guardian Money site

I like the underlying idea as well, ie here is something you perhaps were not aware of and here is a solution to a common problem. We are bombarded from all sides with information which can be overwhelming at best, alienating at worst. Anything that demystifies the unknown by sharing knowledge is a good thing.

Knowledge is power.
Power to the people.