Time Does Not Equal Effort

The only time of year when I actually don't wait until the last minute to do homework is the very beginning of the school year (or the semester, I guess) because I'm usually excited about the start of school. Then after a couple months, I procrastinate. However, I have to say: I never necessarily procrastinate, per se. As online-journalist, Robert Biswas-Diener, writes in an article for CNN "Are you a procrastinator or an incubator?" basically, a procrastinator is someone who waits until the last minute to do work and does a shitty job. An incubator, however, works best under the pressure that doing it last minute provides and does a "superior" job.

I am an incubator. Especially when it comes to art, I suppose.

Really. Just because I don't start on an art project a week in advance or immediately after it was assigned doesn't mean I don't put in just as much effort. I put in HELLA effort. Because in the time that I spend not doing the project prior to the deadline, I am thinking about what I want to do for the project. I'm constantly thinking about all these different things that I can do. A big reason why I wait until the last minute is because I am incredibly indecisive -- I never know exactly which path I want to take. Until only a few hours before class will I be forced to make a decision.

I work quickly and I work well under pressure. I am always putting in effort. I am always putting my heart into my work (well, most of the time. Sometimes when I absolutely cannot think of anything to do will I just do whatever and essentially BS it.)

Natural talent is also factor.

No, I'm not being arrogant or cocky. I'm merely stating a fact. I recognize that I have natural talent. I'm good with my hands. I X-ACTO knife things very well and I can draw fairly decently to sometimes very good.

So goddammit, stop hating already. I've had years of practice with using a blade that (I'm inferring here) has given me some ability to draw well. Years. I began when I was, like, ten years old.

My ideas are also quite excellent.

Just be happy for me.

Critique

Experiment of Typography

This piece of graphic design art, more specifically typographic art, is..to put it simply, very good. In the description of the this pieces, the designer stated that he was only allowed to use text in black and white. As the words “cyber” and “urbanization” are repeatedly used in the design, it is clear that the designer’s intent was to bestow upon the viewer a sense of cyber and urbanization. The designer achieved his goal in doing so as the design follows axis to create a very technological look and feel.

The designer used text in a very geometric way with text going in straight lines diagonally across the center of the page with slanted texted going vertically down the page. The slanted vertical text going down the page really adds to the overall effect of the piece as it adds a profound depth and impact to the words “cyber” and “urbanization.” The designer also used reversed text that gives the piece variety and gives the eye continual movement from one aspect to another.

My gut-level reaction to this piece..I just wanted to dive right into it. The gray, slanted, vertical text really makes the piece what it is as that is what draws me in. Even in the grey bar with the curved edge adds depth as it also softens the very technological feel of the piece. This typographic art makes me feel smart and happy. Smart because of the tech feel and happy because it’s very pleasing to my eyes.

The designer also uses a variety of sizing in text to create a hierarchy and visual rhythm throughout the piece. It guides the eye from the center of the piece to spiraling around it, eventually ending on the outskirts of the design. Given with the designer only had to work with, he did a very good job with this typographic piece.

Feelings of Inspiration

Often times I endure serious artist's block. Well, that and I'm just incredibly indecisive about what I want to do sometimes. This past semester, I've probably done every single art homework assignment last minute. Part of it is because of procrastination, but the larger part is lack of inspiration/motivation.

For example, just recently, for my 2d art and design class, we had a color schemes project; it involved doing something with analogous colors and then complementary colors. I couldn't decide what to do until the Sunday it was supposed to be due. But once I completed the first half of the project, I was suddenly inspired to do something for extra credit. Live. Laugh. Love. I did Live first, then Love was the extra credit. I was SO excited once I completed photoshopping Love. SO. EXCITED. Once I finished it, I was more happy with the result itself than proud of myself that I did it. I guess that's what being an artist is all about? And then I did Laugh and the project was whole. :) My professor said she loved it. I just got it back today. She said she didn't even want to return it back to me. Hehe.

I like showing people what I've done. But not because I'm arrogant? But because..it just looks so freaking COOL. Doing this kind of stuff reallyyyy makes me happy. I love it :)

More on feelings of inspiration though. For drawing class, our final assignment was to draw any three things but had to include 3 of the 6 ideas from Calvino: lightness, quickness, multiplicity, exactitude, something I forgot, and consistency/our own alternative. For two weeks, I had NO idea what to draw. I barely figured out what ideas I wanted to draw and how I wanted to draw it. But once I figured out, once I was inspired, I became excited and anxious to begin. Worked on them all night while I worked my graveyard shift at the library. I'm freaking tired and exhausted but it was worth it. Just talked to my professor about it. She gave me a 94 :))

I swear. The feeling of being inspired has to be the best. There is nothing like wanting to do something great, knowing how you're going to go about doing something great, actually doing it, and then..finishing. Best.

See, I may not put in as much time into my projects..but I put in "HELLA" effort! So, I'm not a procrastinator. I'm an incubator. If you're actually reading this and wondering what I am talking about, you should Google it :)

Oh, and I have an A in 2D, bee tee dub. :))

K, peace out.