For this assignment, I introduced three artists and their works that give me inspiration for innovative ideas based on their original and unique usage of design elements in their artworks and projects.
Gelcomn
• Images
• Citation
• What do they make or do?
Gelcomm is a creative agency specializing in consumer-first branding, based in Los Angeles. For over 20 years, Gelcomm developed innovative designs and active communication strategies for their partners ranging from start-ups to big companies who need a skillful branding partner. Their works include developing “consumer package goods, entertainment branding, licensing, or consumer research.” Their process consists of four steps called “CLER,” which is an abbreviation for clarify, learn, envision, and realize. Using CLER, Gelcomm listens closely to their clients’ consumers so that the consumers can continue to listen to their clients for a long time through their design. Their members are simultaneously designers and illustrators as well as musicians, mathematicians, parents, and salsa dancers. Gelcomm claims that their diverse background and experience fuels high-quality work. Their goal seems to be dedicating their work and time into “communicating ideas that matter.”
• Why does it inspire me?
Gelcomm inspires emotionally. They teach me to not only pursue my goals as a designer, but also gain a lot of experiences in different areas because ultimately, those experiences will help me draw creative ideas for future projects. It is interesting to notice that they claim themselves as identities other than designers and illustrators on their “Our Team” page. For example, along with the title of “Owner & CEO,” Patricio Fuentes also describes himself to be someone who “eats hotdogs for breakfast” and “collects dixie cups.” Their ability to balance consumer-oriented mindsets and their own style of design pushes me to work to achieve a similar goal of communicating ideas that matter. Gelcomm inspires me to feel confident in my practices and designs.
Motto
• Images
• Citation
• What do they make or do?
Motto is a branding and packaging company that “thinks and designs for brands with purpose to create ideas worth rallying around,” based in New York. Motto’s strategies include positioning, purpose, big idea, message, and story. Their identities consist of look and feel, logo and ID, color/type, style guide, and illustration. They convey their experience through packaging, digital media, content, social work, and spaces.
• Why does it inspire me?
Motto inspires me psychologically. Their strategies, identities, and experiences allows me to think beyond the normal criteria of design. They forces me to convey a message and a story through the look and feel of my projects. Their idea that not only the outward design, but also the inward content matters teaches me to build my own character as a designer. They also motivate me to put in my best abilities into my works because it is one of the companies that I want to work at in the future since they are a prominent branding company based in New York.
Sulki & Min
• Choi Sulki and Choi Sung Min are graphic designers working around Seoul, South Korea.
• Images
• Citation
• What do they make or do?
Sulki Choi and Sung Min Choi are graphic designers based in Seoul, South Korea. They both earned their MFA degrees at Yale University. After working as researchers at the Jan van Eyck Academie in Maastricht, they returned to Korea in 2005 to start their own practice. Since then, they have created graphic identities, promotional materials, publications and websites for many cultural institutions and individuals. They hold varies exhibitions all over the world and also deliver lectures and workshops internationally.
• Why does it inspire me?
Sulki & Min inspires me visually. Their active usage of color and the combination of innovative color scheme pushes me to explore with color. They tend to use vibrant color scheme with black and white colors, which allows their works to be very eye-catching even in the busy streets of Seoul. Although their play with colors may seem very crazy and loud, the organization and composition of the contents give an organized feel, also. They seem to have a design style that is very unique, yet their works are widely accepted in public.
Through this exercise, I was able to gain a solid outlook on how I should produce my future designs including the final project. I learned that I should not only focus on the visual aspect, but also the stories and emotions that are attached to my works. I think this exercise helped me in building my own character as a designer and someone who aspires to become like the designers and create innovative works like them.
