As a Buddhist, I have really stopped thinking about the future (too much). Like the many big plans I’ve had in the past: something happens, I get upset and then there’s a total change of course for the good or the bad. Personally to think about the future is to have my own set of expectations, and when I have that perfect image of how that’s going to be, I don’t think I have ever met face to face with my exact expectations. (or am I not appreciative enough?lol)
From my general observation though, I think the world’s creative and innovation has been pushed to a bottle-neck position. Is it me having grown up? There HAS TO BE a huge part due to the smartphone that nothing excites me no more. Oh violence? Seen that. Oh rape? Murder? It happens everyday. Oh new tech.? Amazing, the iPhone is adding their 5th camera lens…I’m sorry maybe I should feel a bit more impulsive when you know…things happen? But honestly I don’t.
It’s not that I don’t think about the lives being claimed, our earth getting polluted and climate change, the amazing work and science that goes behind the Beyond Burger…maybe once in a while I’ll go: “I wish I’d thought of that!”, but as a designer, I’m just really dull towards the general happenings and news.
There was a time when I thought it was a problem. So I tried finding my muse and realise that I love my family and my friends, I love my city and I WANT A DOG DANGIT! Slowly, I realise my feelings towards these things being reflected in my personal work; the collection of jokes with my friends are now made into a t-shirt project andddddddd….I STILL WANT A DOG! A PUPPY!
So for my sake, I think I’m kind of detached in a good way. I still pay attention to what’s happening around the industry, buy sneakers and being the fan boy I am with no persuasion needed, aside from that once in a while there’s something interesting, like: Joe’s re-tracing of his grandpa’s story, Breaking News 2.0 by Patrick Thomas. Yet again, to be honest, these are not things that make me squeal…but the point is, I think the most interesting things that could happen in coming times are: life stories, nature and how people or designers are applying the bottle-neck tech. in one’s own context.
For Tinker Hatfield to revisit the Back to the Future II Nike Air Mag’s is nothing 2030, all sorts of devices are getting the nano treatment and we are on the course of getting micro-chips planted in to our brains. But the impact, the back story behind today’s EARL (Electronical Adaptive Reaction Lacing) have sure came a long way, and people are buying in to the nostalgia as Nike has planned to do so.
So in my book,
1: Since “Graphic Design” has long parted ways with the impression of staying on printed 2D plains, I stopped thinking about this subject or my occupation as “graphics”, but would much rather take on the title of “designer”. The reaches of paper and pencil is still limitless and I cannot deny the fact the I might be writing a novel when I eventually might grow bored of doodling. So that’s one of the fun things I have learnt to adapt in the pass couple years, and developed an apetite towards a wider variety of things just make life that much more fun.
2: When the playing fields are all levelled up by the smartphone, I think the uniqueness of one’s experiences or feelings are most vital in future practice. It is made easier for one discipline to work with another in creating something new. That easily said is something relatively hard to do here in Hong Kong for the temper of the folk living and working here; but being sparked by this course, I am starting to get more active in helping here and there, and interesting things are starting to happen.
I wish I could squeal again, but I guess as a designer at this age that rush can no longer be expected to be coming from others; but I think I’m at the age and the capability of putting something out, seeing the physical object come in the mail and make me squeal like the excited kid over a Christmas present I once did.
ANDY was here
ANDY was here 🤓 