Like a lot of designers and illustrators, I peruse the current mags and web sites to see what’s what. What’s trendy this afternoon? Are we rehashing the 80s this year or is it the 90s yet?
If you want to give clients their awesome, you have to at least know what’s trendy – even if you intend to go the other direction.
However, I also like taking little media vacations.
I breeze by the magazine rack at Powell’s, try to avoid lingering over the mail (latest issue of Zoetrope), wash my eyes in bleach after doing a Google search… whatever I can to avoid the current media.
It’s really hard. In a media-driven world the trendiness and latest design sensibilities just seep through the cracks.
Impossible to be a teetotaler when you live in a winery.
Anyway. I try.
Just a short vacation so I can center myself. I try to create something that’s as close to originally “me” as I can get.
As I say, I try.
But it’s all there, deep inside. Every cultural influence since birth still finds it’s way onto the page somehow.
Ed Sullivan. Roald Dahl. Rubber Soul. Soul Train. Rick Dees. The Muppets. Super Grover. Hamburger Helper. The Chevy Vega. Tights with miniskirts. Skinny ties. Beetlejuice. Richard Simmons. Ancient Mayans. The Rhein River. Madonna. The Chicago Bears.
Even when I try and shut out the media stream, it’s all there.
Hi Bert. Ernie. Hi Green Giant peas. Hi 30-year old dude on the Jan Brady bike with the banana seat.
Hi.
Come on out. Get on my paper. You’re going to be there sooner or later.
I’m still not going to open up that copy of Rolling Stone, though.
Not… yet.