{"id":2915,"date":"2015-04-28T19:27:48","date_gmt":"2015-04-28T19:27:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theswitch.us\/blog\/?p=2915"},"modified":"2015-04-29T21:37:26","modified_gmt":"2015-04-29T21:37:26","slug":"the-art-of-slowing-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/the-art-of-slowing-down\/","title":{"rendered":"The Art of S-l-o-w-i-n-g Down"},"content":{"rendered":"
Even with a career in graphic design, it can be challenging to find new ways to stretch your creativity and skills beyond the tools and processes used on a daily basis. In this post, one of our art directors explains how she is (literally) carving out new avenues of creative application in her free time.<\/address>\n

 
\nAs an art director in the advertising world, I rely almost entirely on computer programs to execute ideas and tasks for clients. And this is a great thing! Capitalizing on this technology allows for efficiency, control, and the ability to refine and revise quickly \u2013 which we all know is important in a client-based business.<\/p>\n

However, at the core of it, I don\u2019t believe designing on a computer makes me a better creator. It\u2019s the tool I use to execute my skills, but maybe not always the best one to drive my creativity. Instead, I believe that things like knowing about music and wine and riding my bike can make me a better designer. That the creativity behind my ability is more about experiences and storytelling and creating with my hands than it is execution. And that forcing myself to slow down outside of work will actually improve my design skills.<\/p>\n

One of my favorite ways to slow myself down is by getting my hands dirty. Smudged in ink. Covered in paint. Cut by the slip of a carving knife (okay, so I don\u2019t actually love that but its the risk I\u2019ll take). Working with my hands forces me to slow down because almost anything handcrafted takes time. So. Much. Time. And that can be frustrating for me, but it\u2019s also a really beautiful thing to learn to be patient in the process.<\/p>\n

\"shelby-succulents\"<\/p>\n

Most recently, I\u2019ve taken up letterpress. That\u2019s right, I\u2019m woodblock cutting and setting type. I\u2019m using centuries-old technology and equally as old equipment (as well as some vector based art \u2013 I can\u2019t help myself!) to create broadsides and greeting cards and messes. I select images and letters from type cabinets, pull inked proofs of them by hand, assemble full type forms, and print editions using ink colors I\u2019ve mixed myself.<\/p>\n

\"st-louis-letterpress\"<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time consuming and challenging at times, but I\u2019m taking great delight in the art of printmaking. And it\u2019s teaching me some things that I never expected it to \u2013 most notably how to think through making.<\/p>\n

\"Shelby-letterpress\"<\/p>\n

Any time I make something by hand, I find that it forces me to think more strategically. From the beginning of a project, my thinking about what it will become is no longer just informed by other work I\u2019ve viewed or even what I can imagine, but rather benefits enormously from the hands-on experience of physically creating something. I can\u2019t think of a process in which this has been truer for me than letterpress. And the results are really unique and fun pieces of art. Besides having these tangible end results to give away as gifts, sell, or keep \u2013 I have a totally new appreciation for the artists who keep letterpress alive and well.<\/p>\n

To connect with Shelby, send a note to\u00a0ShelbyW@TheSwitch.us<\/a>.<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Even with a career in graphic design, it can be challenging to find new ways to stretch your creativity and skills beyond the tools and processes used on a daily basis. 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