I wanted to reiterate some things we discussed in class this past Wednesday as everyone was turning in work for the MODA project which each of you worked so beautifully on during the first 5 weeks of class. Its been thrilling for me to watch you work through the creative stages of this real project with a client. From your visits to the Museum in Alabama to storyboarding your concepts, to learning how to film and learn the software to edit and create the final output. More happened in these past 5 weeks than most that happens in a full semester of work. You were present and you were accounted for and it seemed that you were really excited throughout. What more could a professor wish for?
Your strength collectively as well as independently is that you are fearless and will jump into a project with enthusiasm and passion. The work demonstrates such and I'm proud to be a part of your creative journey. I know many of you wanted the process to be smoother and the directions more precise. It wasn't and you dealt with it and held your own. Take heart.
The reality of working on this project is exactly that-it's real and happening in real time. It was literally a project YOU were involved in from the ground up. You visited the museum during its construction and now through its completion when the doors open on their Inaugural Exhibition on Saturday March 19th. You were a part of its Inaugural exhibition and you got to see (the good and the bad) how a museum exhibition really comes to fruition regarding all the logistics, the organization, the details, the inconsistencies, and even the confusion of preparing for an exhibition. Plan as you go.
What's interesting about this project is that you have been working with a very well respected and celebrated non-profit organization that gets its funding from its contributors and benefactors and sponsors. All very important aspects of a non-profit organization such as MODA. "Looking professional" is key to getting future funding which is the lifeblood for a museum. Your participation in creating these videos are helping MODA have a future. You are a donor for this museum now because you donated work to their future success as an integral part of the Atlanta community. The art community is stronger because of you and your creativity.
You are now officially a design citizen and should be proud.
You make MODA look good because of the high caliber of work each of you created for this exhibition.
There is no guarantee that they will use your videos but you met the deadlines and did so with great flair and professionalism. You did what you set forth to do...plus you have some killer pieces for your own portofolios.
You had to serve two clients in many aspects of this project.
You were working for the curator of the exhibition "Passione Italian" Exhibition, Joe Remling; your work also needed to satisfy the Executive Director of MODA, Brenda Galina, who is responsible for keeping the level of professional work up to a certain standard that she is used to seeing in her museum. If she doesn't like the work, it will not be shown. As curator for MODA's inaugural exhibition I can only imagine the kind of stress Joe must be under to get his exhibition completed...under budget and in time for the opening...but Joe is a professional and has the talent to pull all those individuals together in helping him problem-solve what he needs to get it done. A great Art Director or Creative Director is sometimes an "air traffic controller" when it comes to directing those around him. It all comes down to building a relationship with others whom you can trust. Trust is key.
More importantly, we are doing the same thing in the classroom. Everyone is part of this effort in the creation of this Inaugural Exhibition. Phillip Webb has been gracious in assisting each of you throughout by scheduling additional lab time for you to work in the CMC over the break...along with the help of Saif and others. (Thanks Tiffany for your insight regarding how to output the final DVDs.
So much of what we do as creative individuals is improvise. That's just another word for problem-solving and thinking on your feet.
It means being gracious to a client when they tell you what they want and then change their minds.
It means rolling with the punches (instead of throwing a few punches) when the client moves the deadlines up or asks you to work during your weekend or asks you to stay late. BTW, each of you did all this without complaint.
It means being patient with the creative process and allowing it unfold while still being in control of it. Spontaneity is really a great gift when it's harnessed.
Although the end result of the project might be beautiful and win you awards or recognition, it is the creative process of learning more about ourselves as artist that is the greatest gift.
We all earn our "creative stripes" in projects with clients, good or bad.
Learn to really embrace the good projects that are without too many bumps because those are so rare. Trust me.
It means being versatile and staying focused on your vision no matter what. If you loose control of your vision or those who you are working with then it's difficult to regain the momentum and proceed successfully. Don't point fingers or blame others, instead step up and take the lead to finish the project. At the end of the day what matters most is getting the job done for the client. If the client sees that you are nervous, then they will get nervous. You don't want a nervous client hoovering around you questioning every decision. Always look like you're in control even though you might not be in control.
You leave a great impression on the client and others when you don't get rattled. When you stay on point. When you work through the process and get it done.
The client will remember you for another project in the days ahead. Others around you will remember that as well.
When each of you graduate and go out and become these phenomenal artisans and designers you might have the chance to hire some of your colleagues that are sitting right next to you right now. Who would you hire based on their work ethics and respect for their work and the discipline? Seriously, who would you choose to start a design company with from your group? Someone might be a great designer but has a terrible attitude or is consistently late. I would rather work with someone who is humble about their amazing talent than work alongside of someone who thinks they are a "diva." That status fades quickly and others just don't have the time to give them the praise they need. Usually a "Diva Status" simply means they are letting others do the heavy creative lifting and then hijacking all the praise. Trust me.
For each of you right now, you should be observing the others around you. Making note to who loves what they do and does it without calling attention on themselves. Credibility and Integrity in what you do is how we are judged as designers and artist.
I never wanted to work around anyone who was a "crazymaker" on the job. This is the person that "The Artist Way" defines as someone who is most happy when they are making everyone else around them "crazy." They bring up the level of stress, create dysfunction, try to instigate situations between other workers and lastly, they are usually the weakest link in the team. They are certainly the most insecure person on the team. Stay away from those individuals because they will suck the very soul out of your creativity. Simply excuse yourself from their presence and move on.
I enjoyed getting the opportunity to watch each of you work collectively and independently with the client. I feel like it is my role as an educator and designer to put your work in front of others for feedback and real life experience. The competition is really high now for those who graduate from the art schools.
If I can perhaps give you a unique opportunity to work with a client that another art student at another school didn't experience then I feel like I've raised the bar for not only you but for your work to be seen by professionals... and it will show when you seek employment in the future. Employers will say to you "Wow, you did this while you were in school? I never had that chance." I kid you not. It happens.
Also, you should know that these clients I go out and find for you don't come easy. I work very hard behind the scenes at not only trying to establish working relationships with new clients but maintaining relationships with some of the older clients I've had students work with over the years. I'm always on the look out for you in hopes it will inspire you to greatness. Of course, I can't do that alone. I depend on your creative spirit.
Each time I put a class of designers like yourself on the front line with a client I am also putting myself on the front line. My reputation and my entire history as an educator and designer is called into question should it not be successful. Luckily that has never happened because I wouldn't subject myself to that if I didn't have faith in my students. You.
Don't loose your passion or curiosity or energy or sense of humor about being creative. It needs to last you a lifetime.
It doesn't surprise me one bit that your work will be showing directly across the street from The High Museum of Art. It makes sense. Kudos on a project well done.
