Trent Bosh
10 Ideas to Make Your Work 'Your Work'
10 Ideas to Help Troubleshoot Your Designs.

Make Your Work 'Your Work'

1.    Gather ideas from life experiences. (Ex. Careers, interests, past bodies of work, environment, culture, friends, hobbies, politics, religion, family or nature) Each of us have very different experiences. It is hard to translate such things into three dimensions, but try. 

2.    Keep a sketchbook or scrapbook of your ideas and things that interest you.

3.    Always think about how objects are created or designed. This is a fun exercise that can give you great ideas.

4.    Look at other mediums and art forms. This can be a great place to find inspiration.

5.    Try everything. Ideas that you think can't work may actually work great with some refining.

6.    Gather knowledge about your medium. The more technically proficient you a re the easier it is to express your self.

7.    Start a design group. Get together with some friends and share your new work and ideas. Constructive input from peers is very helpful.

8.    View as much art and craft as possible. This helps you in developing your personal aesthetic

9.    Expose yourself to new experiences; the more you have, the greater your creative library grows. You can draw from this to create new ideas.

10.    Most importantly have fun and enjoy your creative energy.

Troubleshoot Your Designs

1.    Avoid straight hash lines; a curve is much more pleasing to the eye.

2.    Paint a few pieces flat black to help you look at just the form. This allows you to critique the form without being influenced by the grain.

3.    When the form is viewed with the grain does it help the form or not? The grain should compliment the overall form when possible.

4.    Think about the base. What is its function? Does it distract or add to the overall form? It is common for us to turn a nice form and muck it up with a poor base.

5.    Does the piece reward the viewer with additional detail the closer they are to the piece? This helps keep the viewer involved.  

6.    Where does the  form lead your eye? Around the piece or off the piece? Interesting design will keep your eye focused on the piece and not lead your eye away.

7.    Start a design group. Get together with some friends and share your new work and ideas, constructive input from peers is very helpful.

8.    Feel your work. This is another idea to help with good form. Is it inviting to touch? Does it feel like you expected it to? Heavy or light? Is that good or bad?

9.    What is the focus of the piece? Does this help or distract the eye?

10.    Look at your pieces on different axis's, on its side, upside down, etc...Evaluate the form again.