Creating 5ive-Alarm Concepts

"Creating 5ive-Alarm Concepts" Presentation.

Over the last three years I've had the privilege of speaking at the HOW Design Conference.

My two previous presentations were:
- HOW 2008, Boston: "Illustrative Design"
- HOW 2009, Austin: "Living a Creatively Curious Life"

And this year I'll be doing a presentation called "Creating 5ive-Alarm Concepts" which goes into how designers should think and always be expanding their knowledge base in order to facilitate original ideas.


Lots of notes, writing, and re-writing to refine the message.

Because of my trip to Africa I started my presentation production about a month late. I've been cramming non-stop for the last three weeks straight pulling all the information and research together I've collected into a coherent narrative. (At least I think I have?)

I take a lot of notes and over the last ten months or so I've been jotting down my thoughts and interviewing others about the whole realm of idea generation. How one goes about conceptualizing an effective design solution.

The end result is a folder jam packed full of chicken scratch notes and marked up print outs.


Frazzled.

I'm not sure why, but my mind as I work on a project like this often fluxuates between thoughts of "I think this is coming out pretty good." and "You're going to clear the room, or put everyone to sleep." In other words a lot of doubt pops up. These self-inflicted head games make the whole process harder. I suppose it's fear of failure?

A long time ago someone gave me some very wise advice when it comes to relaying information to others. They said:

"If it doesn't challenge and compel yourself, don't expect it to resonate with or compel others."

That has proven to be very true in many areas of my life.

In previous years I've had the audio supplied to me after the fact. The first time it worked out OK, the second time it was hostage quality and I just couldn't use it. I'm done relying on others for my content.

Whether you were able to make it to the HOW Conference or not, you can experience the presentation now. Download everything listed below, go through it at your own pace and hopefully glean something you can integrate into your own creative pursuits. (If I manage to get an audio recording I'll update the download but at this point no audio exists)

Files included in download:
- "Creating 5ive-Alarm Concepts" Presentation (PDF Format)
- Conceptual Method Diagrams (PDF Format)
- Complete outline notes of presentation (PDF Format)

Download "Creating 5ive-Alarm Concepts" Package (76 MB)

If you'd like me to speak at your local AIGA group, AdFed group, design event, school, in house art department, or side show circus just shoot me an email and lets talk.

To Live and Let Dieagram

Every which way but approved concept.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again, "Agency work is fickle."

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it. It may be fickle, but it's always fun!


Circling the conceptional wagons.

A lot of agency work is exploritory. The project may never see the light of day in a real world use, but the agency in charge is exploring all graphic possibilities of what could be done.

I was hired to explore different ways a diagram graphic (think pie chart etc.) could be carried out to make it more interesting, be flexible enough so it had animation attributes, and reflect a more feminine target audience.

This post contains some of the ideas I created for this project.


Steps to no where concept.

I was provided with some very rough general directions and also asked to go beyond them as well and share what I think could work as well. Many of the ideas in this post I see animated in my mind. I was only providing static images but I think it was important to think through how they'd build out in motion as I created them as well.


This idea blossom was sprayed with creative Roundup.

Some of the ideas were pretty straight forward and probably not too practical. It's a balance of trying to be unique, but still retaining an element of graphic pragmatism. After all, there is a reason why the pie chart is used so much, it works well for it's purpose.


My personal favorite: Globulous Nodes.

How can you not like this when it's named "Globulous Nodes?" I'd animate this so when you moused over the fat ends of the nodes they would increase in size and everything else would scale back as the information populated the node end.

I've already recycled this motif into a new pattern for a bonus edition pattern set I'm creating.


A concept inspired by game show graphics.

Just search Google images for "The Dating Game" and you'll get an idea of my source of inspiration for this design.


Technicolor Rams horn concept.

The term "Technicolor" is one of those words that take a reality of life "Color" and turn it into a brand name. As far as I know reality has always been in color.


Rams horn extruded.

Follow the multi-colored brick road but watch your step, you may fall off into the alpha channel netherworld.


Animation centric concept.

Slowly spinning, transparent, pulsing, and when moused over scales up and text slides in.


Revised direction "Flat."

After taking in all my ideas the agency requests another specific direction playing off several of my ideas. Kind of like if Pantone created mag wheels I guess.


Revised direction "3D."

With the help of Google SketchUp I created this 3D version.


New Revised direction "Flat Perspective."

The agency asked me to work some of the other colors back into this new version and I also played with the perspective so it wasn't so flat as well. They also requested a version that took this same motif and extruded it into 3D. Oh yeah, they asked that I include a heart in the diagram too. (No I didn't ask why)


New Revised direction "3D" with spacing.

With all the colors and 3D applied I felt it was getting too busy. The more I looked at it the more it felt like a Fisher-Price™ version of Stonehenge.


New Revised direction "3D" without spacing.

I rendered out the detail a little more and removed the spacing which I felt added too much visual tension.

When it was all said and done the project was killed leaving me with a stink load of "Dieagrams."

Living a Creatively Curious Life

Presentation Splash Screen Graphic

I just got back from the HOW Design Conference in Austin where I did a session called "Living a Creatively Curious Life." Normally I get really nervous before I speak but this year I was far more relaxed. Mainly because I had been preparing and researching for this session since last summer.


Speaking to designers. (Photo by Ivan Boden)

The best advice I have ever been given about speaking came from my oldest daughter who told me several years ago "Dad, just don't be boring." Her advice has proven to be very true. Information is great, but if it's not wrapped in a compelling visual package it just won't resonate very well with designers who are visually oriented.


Outline, notes, reference, and more notes.

I can't say I have a set process for producing my sessions but I guess one could find a method in my madness if they looked hard enough. It is like producing a movie of sorts, I find myself editing out content because it's too long or just doesn't add anything to the overall message.

I got a lot of great feedback from hundreds of designers who attended the session and approached me afterwards, but the one comment I appreciated the most is a designer who told me I should have left one part out of my session and I agreed with her. I had considered cutting it but second guessed myself the night before and left it in. So that in and of itself showed me I need to improve my editing skills.


Standing room only cutting a rug.

Here is an audience captured video of the same thing.

The most important element for me personally when speaking is to make it fun, let the audience laugh either at me or with me in regards to a point I'm trying to make, or a project or process I'm sharing.

I turned the tables on my audience at the end of the session and pulled out my video camera and challenged them to act on a moment of creative curiosity. I turned up the music and informed them it was time to dance and the above is the end result of how my presentation ended.

Creativity Pack includes:
- Full outline (best I can do sans audio or visual)
- Outline includes links to related content
- Creativity Exercises
- Resource Downloads
- Helpful Links
- Inspiring Links

Download Creativity Pack
PDF Creativity Pack

FYI: My original intention was to take the audio recording HOW made and create an online version. Well the recording was at best hostage quality and dropped out in far too many places so for now this is all I can offer. If your AIGA, AdFed, or other creative or marketing group would like to hear this presentation just contact me directly and lets arrange a date where I can do it for you in person. This session is not only good for designers, it's an excellent presentation for marketing and creative managers as well. Aren't you a little bit creatively curious now?

The 4th Not So Wiseman

"The 4th Not So Wiseman" paper sculpture.

In celebration of the holiday I have designed a paper sculpture called "The 4th Not So Wiseman." I've put together an easy to follow PDF template so you can create one yourself. Download the PDF template here.


You can construct him out of regular bond paper.

I asked my friend and writer Kristen Fischer to write a story about "The 4th Not So Wiseman" and she did a great job. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did creating it.


I managed to use one of my patterns in the design too.

The 4th Not So Wiseman
By Kristen Fischer

You've heard of the three wisemen, but never the fourth. See, he didn't do so well as far as a gift-giving went. Instead of gold, frankincense or myrrh, he stopped at the dollar store for coal. Let's just say that a very special baby in a manger was not so impressed.

And as the years went on, no one talked about the Fourth Not So Wiseman's laughable gift. When that baby grew up, he didn't want the world to know coal existed. When burned, coal releases two harmful greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide and methane. Jesus just wasn't down with that.

Now the Fourth Not So Wiseman is making a comeback bigger than Britney Spears. He's a reminder to be kind to the earth, live a green lifestyle...remember that you, too, deserve nothing more than a lump of coal if you don't!

PDF Template Download


A fun do-it-yourself creative exercise.

The sculpture is easy to construct, just follow the simple directions on the PDF template to create your own character. If you'd like to share this PDF with your friends and family feel free to pass along the link or post the link on your own blog.

You can also find a post about the Fourth Not So Wiseman at Ecopreneurist.com which is very cool!

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!

Von

Talkin' Heads - Sneak Peek!

Talkin' Heads Bonus Set.

I've always thought the absolute best job would be to get paid to doodle. You know, draw what ever you want and have someone think enough of it to then pay you for it. Well, this project is about as close to that as I'll probably ever get.

Veer approached me about creating a custom stock art set for them. They had seen some game avatar icons I created and wanted me to create a set utilizing the same style. The only limitation they gave me was they wanted all the artwork to be simple black and white and they approved my concept for a set very quickly.

My immediate reaction after such situations is a moment of dread however. Self doubt starts to leak into my conscience and I have thoughts like "If this sucks everyone will see your lousy art." or "What if they end up hating the art and pull the plug?" It didn't last long though. Because honestly I thought this was stuff I'd draw anyway just to entertain myself and now I have a major company willing to pay me to do it. It's a no-brainer!

The bonus set shown above is just a freebie set I'll be giving away to anyone who orders the original Veer set once it's released. None of the images shown in this post are part of the Veer set. This is just to wet your creative appetite.

If you'd like to be notified when Talkin' Heads is available through Veer you can email me to be added to my "Talkin' Heads" list and I'll notify you when it's released. Send your request to: info@glitschka.com


Sample Talkin' Head "Jester."

I spent hundreds of hours fine tuning over 50 heads in all. (Not including speaking bubbles etc.) They work big or small and the eyes on each head can be moved to make them look where ever is needed.

Talkin' Head File Specifications.
- Adobe CS2 & CS3 Ai Vector File.

FREE Sample File.
Download a sample Talkin' Head file and take it for a test drive here.

Let There Be Light.

Mother Jones Icons.

I illustrate icons all the time. I work in a variety of styles and the most recent request came from "Mother Jones Magazine." The article was all about the environment and making green choices.

Apparently "350" is a good carbon footprint number? They wanted a speedometer for this concept. Sometimes clients give me the raw information and want me to come up with the visual and other times, like this project I just draw upon their request.

The scale was to represent weighing options and the original light bulb was for smart ideas. When they asked me to draw a regular light bulb I immediately thought "That is kind of ironic since this is suppose to be a green article?" But I figured they must have a reason so I didn't bring it up with them.

I delivered the final art and a few days later the client requested a compact fluorescent bulb to replace the original one I had done. Icons are suppose to be simple and many icons still use symbolic images that technically are no longer visually accurate to current technology. For example the "Phone" icon on an iPhone, it's a classic dial up variety.

The original light bulb is one of the true classics in the world of icons, but in this context it became problematic due to the theme of the article. I've always wondered how long it'll take before old technology symbols no longer resonate with the public at large. Maybe never?

The incandescent light bulb may not be politically correct to use anymore but it'll always trump the compact fluorescent bulb when it comes to clearly communicating an idea in an iconic form.

The FBI Needs You!

The FBI is here to investigate and solve illustrative crime.

I've seen a lot of case study sites. Most are kind of boring and far too serious so I wanted to avoid that. I am happy to announce the launch of a new micro-site for my own case studies called "Federal Bureau of Illustration."

The site is done tongue-in-cheek playing off the metaphor of the FBI. There are a total of seven case files in the archive right now and I'll add more as time goes on so subscribe to the sites RSS feed to be notified of new case files being posted.

The site is also geared to allow anyone to become a field agent and earn a cut of every lead they submit that turns into an actual case being opened. For all the specifics about becoming a field agent just visit the site.


FBI Headquarters, Pacific Northwest.

Back in September of 2007 I replaced my studio door with one shown above. This was the spark of inspiration that led to the "Federal Bureau of Illustration" and serves as the headquarters and Oregon field office.

I hope you enjoy the new site and consider becoming a field agent in your territory. The FBI needs you!

Pistons and Pinups.

Pistons and Pinups logo mark.

My good friend and fellow artist Rob Schwager creates incredible artwork! He enjoys illustrating pinups and drawing cars and has decided to combine the two passions into one new web presence he is calling "PistonsAndPinups.com." (Site is in development.)

I was honored when he asked me to create a logo for his new venture. After all "Women" and "Flames" are part of the "Top Ten Themes" artists adore illustrating so it was a no-brainer.


Promotional t-shirt design.

Adorn your chassis with some high-octane inspiration!

Freedrawing!

"Black & White Freedrawing" book by Zeptonn

I love participating in artistic collaboration. This being the internet age I am no longer limited by geographical location so when Zeptonn invited me to take part in a new book venture he was heading up called "Black & White Freedrawing" I eagerly jumped on it.

I won't bother trying to explain the concept behind the book in detail I'll let you source out that information yourself at the books official web site.


Simple tools, simple method.

How it's done: Zeptonn starts off by drawing a little bit than gives it to me. I draw on to it more than hand it back to Zeptonn etc. This goes on until we have a full page filled. There is no underline concept, not theme, no purpose were just free drawing what ever comes to mind or tickles our fancy at the given moment. Hence the name "Freedrawing."

Sure it's a somewhat twisted, weird and risque but fun none the less. I think it would be interesting to have a psychologist look at this art and comment on it's possible meaning. ;-P


All six stages as the "Freedrawing" progressed.

How long did it take: We did a total of six rounds. But there are no set rules to how long or short it can go. You're just trying to fill the page. All though I'd say you want to do at least four rounds. The fun part is playing off what the other had drawn. You can see a larger version of the final art here.


Another interior page of mine in the book.

I have to admit I somewhat cheated on this one. Meaning I took an old doodle and just drew more onto it and called it good. So it's half freedrawing and half recycled freedrawing. Why did I do this? Because I was buried in work at the time and because I get lazy like anyone else. So deal with it.

If you'd like to see other contributors to the book you can view sample spreads at the books official web site it's sure to draw your attention! What? That was punny!

Thanks Zeptonn for the opportunity!

Fickle But Fun!

The Fanta Fantam.

Agency work is so fickle. Sure it pays the bills and for that I am thankful, but agency work often falls under the category of "Creative Exploration" and that is at best an artistic gamble. Even when you do a good job someone down the line decides they'd rather go in another direction so what you've done is no longer needed. Because of that you miss out on designing or illustrating the end product and miss out on the satisfaction of seeing your art in a campaign.

The agency for Fanta pop (Yes, I call it pop not soda.) hired me to develop a character for an idea they had pitched called the "Fanta Fantam." Fanta asked that the character be more in tune with Halloween so they left the specifics up to me.


My daughters idea.

As I worked on this my 10 yrs old daughter came into my studio and asked what I was doing, I told her about it and she asked if she could draw something for me. I said sure and when she showed me her pencil sketch later that night I was really surprised at how well she had done so much so I played off her sketch and told her if they went for it I'd give her a cut of what they paid me.

So I sent the agency a couple options. One of them playing off my daughters idea shown above. The final art as shown above uses the same head as the one I drew from my daughters sketch.

Over the next few days my daughter would ask me if they had made up their mind yet and unfortunately today I had to tell her they decided to go in another direction with the campaign, so they no longer needed our Fantam character. I could tell she was a little bummed out after I told her the news and I couldn't blame her because I was as well.

Instead of letting the character sketch be filed away in my project folder and forgotten, I decided to go ahead and finalize the art so I could show my daughter what it could have been. The above character is the end result.

Relax it's only work!

AP Assignment Illustration.

The thing I enjoy the most about illustrating for the Associated Press is the challenging timelines I am faced with. I get a story a day or so before the art is due and have to come up with a clever and fun visual that will capture the tone of the article and work well with it when distributed across their network to newspapers nationwide.

This specific illustration was for a small article about yoga-like stress reducing tips for the work environment.

Loyal Order of Thug Bunny

'Thug Bunny - Click to see larger version of art.'

A few years back me and another designer almost started a new design firm together. One of the names we had kicked around at that time was "Thug Bunny." I liked the name so much I secured the domain and lately I've been thinking about that name and decided I needed to illustrate it.

The above art is the result of this inspiration. Over Christmas I was at my parents and was working on the drawing. None of my family members could comprehend why I am illustrating a cigar smoking rabbit wearing a picklehauber and sporting an ear ring.

My older sister looked at it and said "Smoking is terrible why did you draw that?" I said "Hello! It's a cartoon rabbit. It's not real and besides it looks cool."


'Loyal Order of Thug Bunny Logo.'

I felt the "Loyal Order of Thug Bunny" needed a cool logo too so I created this mark to use on his pickelhaube.

If you'd like to get an official "Loyal Order of Thug Bunny" t-shirt click here.

Doodle Art

'Wall Art Installation.'

Sometimes I get inspired on the spur of the moment. When this happens I tend to put aside what ever I am working on and just pursue the creative rabbit trail to see where it leads.

Such was the case here. I had a tight project deadline and I was cleaning off my desk when I picked up a pad of paper that was almost empty. I took off the two remaining sheets and was going to toss the cardboard backing away when I had an idea.

I grabbed a pair of scissors and cut out a rough shape then proceeded to doodle on top of it until I had "Doodle Dog." It was so much fun I did a few more. All of them are shown on my studio wall above. They are attached to thumb tacks so they pop out from the wall a little and I plan on doing more and creating a whole scene.


'Doodle Dog.'

I even took one of the pictures into Photoshop and applied some color. It was a fun creative exercise and this type of creative interlude truly lives up to the name of this site.


'Doodle Fish.'

Man alive these little things are addictive. I couldn't help myself and created the above fish last night. They are spawning faster than Tribbles on crack.

If you want to see and read more about this then visit my other web site www.illustrationclass.com and download my complete creative exercise.

Doodle Novel - Vol. 1

'Art for Doodle Novel Vol. 1 - You write the story for this art.'

The fun thing about most doodles, are they allow the one viewing them the opportunity to read into it their own meaning. Most of the doodles I draw have no premeditated idea, they just kind of pour out of my subconscious onto the page and I try not to get in the way. I then take it into Photoshop and continue the artistic experimentation. That is how the above art was created.

Usually that is how the content for a post will begin and end. But I wanted to try something new and that is where you the reader of this blog can play a part. I want to turn these meaningless doodles into what I call a "Doodle Novel".

How it works
- Using "Comments" write a story for the doodle. Anything goes, have fun.
- Weave your yarn as long or as short as you like.
- Include your name

So release your inner scribe and let others enjoy your fictional prose as you author a "Doodle Novel" for my artwork.

I look forward to reading your ideas.

Bad Design Kills

'The original BDK tee. Inset image: Back chop print.'

A little over three years ago my friends and I launched a little web site called "Bad Design Kills". We had a lot of fun with it but none of us had the time to keep it up to date so it no longer exists.

I had sold the above design on the site and ever since I took the site down I've been asked how someone could get one of the original shirts. Well, now you can and unlike before you can pick what ever size and color shirt you'd like.

"View and Order Shirt Here"

What will design be like in 2025?

'Beware of the "Monkey Do" Virus!'

That was the question posed by HOW Design Magazine. I gave it some thought and came up with the following prediction. HOW Design Magazine published my opinion regarding the future of design in their August edition.

"Apple will release its first neural implant for controlling GUI content on the MAC platform. Branded "iThink", it will make the keyboard, mouse and tablet/pen obsolete over night.

Microsoft will follow suit about a year later with it's own neural implant for controlling GUI content on Windows Universe Pro Edition. It'll look just like Apple's and be branded "iDea." Three days after it's release to the public, however, a temporal worm virus called "Monkey Do" will infect users' brains so they start acting like chimps, throwing poo on anyone that comes near."

That's right, I got "Chimps throwing poo!" published in a national magazine. How cool is that. LOL

Spruce up your creativity!

'Art for a Concept Card'

The majority of times my ideas drive my art but at other times my art drives my ideas. Such is the case with this piece of art. I had doodled this character on a notepad next to my work station over the course of a few days. I liked the character and wondered if there was a way I could use it for something? Just to entertain myself I started writing down puns related to the art and then the idea hit me. Instead of a mere business card that had my name and contact information I'd create what I call a 'Concept Card'. It would be art driven but also have clever copywriting. So I started weaving the puns together and after a little refinement and help from a copywriter friend this was the result.

"Are you stumped? Is your project giving you a splitting headache? Neck on the chopping block? Woodn’t it be great if you had an artistic lumberjack to harvest a forest of ideas and create design that leafs the competition behind? You know, someone sharp to cut through the dull so your audience isn’t board? Try Vonster. Okay, so maybe you’ve got no axe to grind, but you should quit barking up the wrong tree. And how do I know the answers? Easy…a little birdie told me."


'Inside of Concept Card'

The 'Concept Card' will be the same size as a business card but fold out to be twice as tall. The bottom half will showcase the art and the top half is a speaking bubble with the above text in it. The back of the card will have my logo, contact information and a slogan that says "Spruce Up Your Creativity!"


'Outside Front and Back of Concept Card'

I have a couple other ideas for future 'Concept Cards' already sketched out and like this one the art is inspiring the idea. I gave the drawings to a copywriter and told him to go nuts and write it as if the character is speaking to my target audience, the results are pretty funny.