“Most Americans best know the Bill Of Rights by their shorthand, like Freedom of Speech or The Right to Bear Arms. But most of us haven't read them in their entirety and the shorthand can gloss over some key details,” reads his Kickstarter page. “I wanted to create a series of typographic images that call out this discrepancy.”
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These New Glasses Block Out the Life-Sucking Rays Coming From Your Screens
This Board Game Pits You Against the Ad Industry's Wrath
Adam Samara and Michael Camarra have bottled the highs and lows that come with being a creative and created "AdQuest", a board game that zeroes in on the arduous, frustrating, and occasionally rewarding journey that goes into making an ad. Here, they share the inspiration behind the game, how it works, and what advice they have for fellow creatives.
Read MoreOvershare Podcast: Yancey Strickler on Life After Kickstarter
Yancey Strickler, co-founder and former CEO of Kickstarter, joins Justin Gignac for a candid conversation about life after Kickstarter. He reveals his rule of believing in everything, the ego benefits of seeing an astrologist, the importance of putting more love into the world, and why he grew a Beatles-inspired mustache to help in writing an ambitious book.
Read MoreDESIGNER GRACE DUONG HELPS YOU CONNECT WITH YOUR INNER MYSTIC
DESIGNER GRACE DUONG HELPS YOU CONNECT WITH YOUR INNER MYSTIC
WNW Member Grace Duong has designed her latest project using both her extensive design background and a heavy dose of positive vibes. It's called Mystic Mondays. The project offers an array of colorful tarot cards for the modern age. Below, we talk to Grace about her own spirituality and how it fueled the project, whose Kickstarter campaign launches today. Grace also discusses the hard work that goes into a Kickstarter campaign, as well as the importance of the right kind of collaborative spirit. "Finding the right people to be involved in this creative baby of mine was important, as the Mystic Mondays tarot is all about positive energy. Surrounding yourself with people that believe in your vision helps keep you motivated, supported, and on track."
Tell us a little bit about your creative background. Who is Grace Duong and how did she get here?
I’m a multidisciplinary designer who’s worked mainly in advertising & startups. I’ve always been creative and it started off with fine art. Since my middle / high school was primarily focused on math & science, the arts program was limited so I had to look for it in other ways. In high school, I ended up working for a mural artist, joined stage crew so that I could paint sets, and various figure drawing, ceramics, and other art related classes on Saturdays that was offered by the Philadelphia public school system. Philadelphia is an amazing city for the arts since you’re surrounded by a ton of art museums and resources. When I went to college, I was introduced to graphic design and also fell in love with the design thinking and practical applications of art that went behind each project. I loved the power of visual communication that when done well has the capacity to impact people on a larger scale and in a (hopefully) beneficial way.
How would you describe your creative style? Do you recognize a signature style that links all of your projects, or do you try to excuse yourself and approach each project as its own entity?
I believe in creating with purpose and as multidimensional human beings, we’re capable of so much more than just being the “one thing”. All of my projects reflect my personality - a playful & bright aesthetic, a love of color, and a punch of positivity. However, it does depend on the project and the message it carries, to determine how the completed project will turn out.
Approaching each project as its own entity allows me to try new things, to explore different facets, which in turn allows me to decide which medium connects best for the project. In a culture of more more more and “pixel pushing” fast paced work, I think we eliminate the discovery process which is so important when you want to create something meaningful.
I definitely have a ton of different ideas all the time, all seemingly unrelated to each other, but what binds them all together is my pursuit of projects that contain a dash of altruism. I would really like my creative projects to help other people in various ways by combining art and functionality.
Your latest project is called Mystic Mondays. What’s it all about?
Mystic Mondays is your tarot for the modern age. It is an intuition tool for spiritual guidance, designed with intentional good vibes and a love of color! Energy is made of vibrations and each color vibrates at its own frequency. This colorful deck is full of positive vibes that allow you to access answers for your highest good.
Mystic Mondays is about starting your week off fresh with intentions, empowering yourself by listening to your own inner voice, and having fun in the process. It’s a modern take on tarot where I designed it to invite people to connect with themselves in ways where they might not ordinarily do so.
Right now the 22 Major Arcana cards are finished and I’m launching a Kickstarter on Monday, May 15 to help fund the creation and production of the rest of the 56 Minor Arcana cards!
There is also an app, so you can take the Mystic Mondays tarot with you wherever you go!
When did you first become interested in tarot?
I was gifted a tarot deck by my cousin Sylvie about 8 years ago and have been playing with them on and off since then. Ever since I moved to LA, for the past 5 years, I developed an interest in spirituality and dabbled with energy healing, astrology, and most pertaining to this project - psychic readings. It’s super interesting to me because there is so much mystery around all of these topics mostly because they’re intangible - but feelings are feelings, and if let loose, they can run over all aspects of your life, so it’s really important for taking the time out for self-care.
Tarot is awesome because there is so much symbolism held within each card. Each card holds a different meaning that pertains to the different life passages that you may go through. Tarot is not “scary” and will most likely not predict your death or impending doom. It’s more about using the cards to connect the dots so that you can gain clarity about whatever is on your mind. You can even use them as daily guidance, by pulling out a card. Whatever the message is, you can apply it to your life to help you throughout your day.
Why was it important to you that the traditional tarot gets an upgrade? Did you feel certain pressures to balance your own creative voice and the time-tested traditions of tarot?
I would walk into different spiritual stores that carried tarot decks and was never drawn towards a specific one where I “had to have it”. That sparked the idea of wanting to create my own. I actually remember telling a psychic reader that I was going to create my own deck, and he proceeded to go into the symbolism of the Temperance card and the importance of the little Hebrew symbol on the figure’s chest. He made it clear to me that there is a myriad amount of symbolism in the traditional tarot. I respected that and stayed true to the meanings of the card while putting my own spin on what they meant to me. So the meanings of the cards remain essentially the same and true to the traditional tarot. However, the illustrations in Mystic Mondays simplify them and get to the heart of the matter.
Can you share some of the creative challenges and breakthroughs that came with this undertaking?
I actually struggled with how to approach this project in the beginning, and it wasn’t until after a trip to London where everything seemed to click. So in December of last year, I took the entire month to illustrate the cards and it poured right out of me. It’s important to take time for yourself because it refreshes & nourishes you so that you have creative juices to flow.
The other aspect of it was putting together a Kickstarter campaign, and that actually requires a lot of research and preparation. It felt challenging because this was something new that I haven’t done before, but I’m always down to try something new and equally up for the challenge. Also, you’d be surprised how willing people are to help out once you ask!
Finding the right people to be involved in this creative baby of mine was important also, as the Mystic Mondays tarot is all about positive energy. Surrounding yourself with people that believe in your vision helps keep you motivated, supported, and on track.
What would you say to tarot skeptics that may help them see the benefits of giving it a try?
What I love about tarot is that everybody has their own individual experience with it. It’s like having a relationship with your cards and connecting with it in your own way, and by doing so, allows you to tune into your inner voice. We are all so busy in our lives, and part of the practice of tarot is slowing down, taking the time to reflect on your situation, and connecting the dots on your own. External circumstances easily influence us, but once you take the time to ask yourself those hard questions, you already know the answer.
The stigma behind tarot is that it’s scary, but it’s really a tool you can use to access your own intuition. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to use the tarot and you don’t need to be an expert to use them. It’s an experience, and you can have fun with it!
Who and what are your biggest creative influences?
I take inspiration from things that I read, people I come across, and my surroundings. That little piece of information that you pick up somewhere might not be relevant to you now, but it could prove to be useful later.
In terms of design & art direction, I’m a big fan of Sagmeister & Walsh and their individual side projects that speak to humanity, Refinery29’s fun & feminine media presence, and Leta Sobierajski & Wade Jefree’s quirky art direction. There’s so many more amazing studios & designers, I can hardly name them all!
I’m also a big fan of Salvador Dali and his abstract art beyond his time, James Turrell with his use of light, color, & space, and Ai WeiWei for using his art to have a voice in activism.
I’m pretty active on Instagram and Pinterest and find a ton of visual inspiration through those platforms also. The internet is an amazing place.
What do you do when Not Working?
As of late, I’ve gotten much more into writing and how to express myself creatively through words, whether it’s freeform writing or more structured ways of telling a story.
I’m also always looking to try new things (like a Kickstarter), so am always looking for a new coffee place to hang out at, an intriguing event happening in the area, or place to travel to. Switching up my routine keeps things interesting as I tend to get bored fairly easily.
AND I’m always down for a good hip hop dance party!
Who are some WNW Members whose work you admire and why?
I think that everyone in the WNW community brings a valuable and unique standpoint with their work. Everyone’s so talented, it’s hard to select a few. Keep on doing you, boo!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Please support the Mystic Mondays Kickstarter!
You would make all my rainbow dreams come true <3
Are you a WNW Member with new work, exhibits, products, or news to share? Email us!
LAMPO: The Modern Lamp that Comes in a Tube
LAMPO: THE MODERN LAMP THAT COMES IN A TUBE
You no longer have to suffer under that fluorescent overhead lighting in your studio. Or keep answering "Ikea" when guiding a guest on a tour of your home; help is here. Combining a modern aesthetic with an elegant and functional design, LAMPO is the newest project by WNW Member #4013 Kasia Ozmin and frequent collaborator Lindsay Richardson, who are currently raising funds on Kickstarter.
What is LAMPO? "Inspired by the mechanics of threaded wooden toys and the infinite possibilities of origami," LAMPO is a modern lamp that comes in a tube. It's easily shipped and assembled, and beautifully rendered with threaded maple legs and a geometric origami shade. LAMPO's warm and tactile qualities are a welcome contrast to our abundance of screens and appliances. With only 9 days to go, head over to Kickstarter to back LAMPO and help Kasia and Lindsay reach their goal.
Are you a WNW Member with new work, exhibits, products, or news to share? Email us!
I LAUNCHED MY CAREER THROUGH A PRIZE ON KICKSTARTER
I LAUNCHED MY CAREER THROUGH A PRIZE ON KICKSTARTER
By WNW Member #3180 Philip Johnson
I grew up in Indiana with dreams of being an animator—the next Disney, specifically. My brother and I had drawn floorpans for the animation and architecture company we would start. It wasn’t until I was looking at universities that I was told 2D animation was no longer a viable career (so they said.) When someone then mentioned “graphic design” to me, I was a little revolted, thinking it meant designing billboards for a living. Once I actually learned it was essentially what I had been already doing for years- designing gig posters, hacking bands’ MySpace pages and making logos for relatives’ businesses- it was pretty clear that’s what I would do. Meanwhile, I was in a band (together, in some form, for about 9 years). The plan became to support myself with design but give the band the old college try once we graduated. In school however, I was introduced to Sagmeister Inc and it quickly became the one place that really excited me: the only place I wanted to work. Still, to me it was the moon, unattainable. Which usually just means I want to find a more creative way to go after it (while not holding my breath.)
My school held its annual talent show. I played the catchiest of the band’s songs and won the category I was in, along with some prize money. Almost immediately after, someone directed my to Stefan Sagmeister's Kickstarter for The Happy Film. For the exact amount I had won, I could donate to the campaign and fly to New York to have dinner with him in his 14th St penthouse. I did. I told him I wanted an internship. I emailed Jessica Walsh, his designer, an updated portfolio when I got home. A few quiet months passed. The Thursday of my senior year Spring Break, I am headed to lunch with my dad and peek at my email. There’s one new message from Jessica Walsh. I lose my mind for a moment and my poor father doesn’t know if I’ve found Wonka’s Golden Ticket or sat on a tack. The email read that a position had opened up and asked if I can be there the following Monday to start. I said “Maybe not Monday but I’m packing my bags.” Monday, I told my professors I was leaving and I was out in New York, working in the studio that next Wednesday.
So, you could say, I Kickstarted my career. (That’s honestly the first time I’ve said that. Marketing people: Get at me. Sorry Not Sorry.)
9 things I've learned in my career (so far):
I’ve found that much of design is about understanding relationships. That in mind, I thought it would be a fun gimmick to try and present some of my newly minted values in simile form. You guys are my guinea pigs so enjoy.
1. Social Media is like my old messenger bag
Constant use results in hard to perceive consequences. I used to wear a messenger bag and run cross country. (Not simultaneously.) I developed a pain in my knee that was obviously from running. Nothing helped. At the end of a seven day trip to London, I was having trouble walking. My messenger bag was on it’s last leg as well. I came home, discarded the bag and found that within a few short days my knee had completely returned to normal. The bag had put me slightly off kilter. It was almost imperceivable day to day but, over time, had created a fairly perplexing problem. The quick and little escapes of social media feel beneficial in the short run but lower my quality of life over time. I wear a backpack, now.
2. A decision is like a cookie jar
The jar, by itself, is not that valuable. You choose the jar. You fill said jar with cookies. That is when the beauty of the cookie jar is truly realized. The cookies, in this scenario, are your actions. I can fret all I want about choosing between full time employment and freelance but, at the end of the day, I’m selecting a vessel. One might be easier to open, more manageable, but I know if I feel strongly enough about one I'm going to do whatever it takes to fill that sucker up. (It also helps that I only have one mouth to feed.)
3. Talking to new people is like a Chinese finger trap
It’s so much easier if you just relax. I’m now discovering this is true of so many things. Meeting new people, presenting work, solving some design problem—it’s all so much easier when I simply get myself to chill. My hyper-analytical mind makes it difficult most of the time, but the benefits are pretty astounding when I'm able to.
4. Passivity is like a band-aid on a splinter
Yes, pulling the thing off might be slightly uncomfortable but 20 bucks says if you cover it up and hope it heals you’ll have yourself a nice little infection. Direct, objective discussion of anything problematic has continually proven beneficial in my relationships (of all kinds).
5. A pursuit is like a quality rollercoaster
If it doesn’t scare the crap out of me, at least a little bit, it’s probably crap. All of the work I’m proudest of, the best life choices I’ve made, have scared the crap out of me—at least a little. Let’s say this is a fear of the unknown (not knowing if I’ll be able to support myself as a freelancer, not knowing exactly how this project will come together with x budget and x timeline, etc.) The unknown leaves the most room for surprise and discovery. It’s the trial by fire projects that leave me the most fulfilled, having acquired some new understanding or skill set. Being comfortable, in this regard, gets me nowhere.
6. Life is like a box of chocolates
(Though sometimes there are little pictures of what chocolates are where on the underside of the lid.) Food for thought.
7. Happiness in work is like that thing where you relax your body as much as possible and are like “Am I that tense all the time? Like, even my eyebrows were tense. Why don’t I do that all the time?"
Even though I love what I do, I still have to remind myself that I have the capacity to love it from time to time. An exciting project inevitably turns into a list of tasks. Like all great things, they can cease to feel great once I become accustomed to them. I’ve been training myself to recognize these moments, responding and thus thinking “Why don’t I do that all the time?"
8. School is like a buffet
Many people (myself included) go to school expecting a sit-down restaurant where everything is neatly presented to you. In reality, it’s more of a buffet. Everything is there—probably more than you can imagine—but it’s up to you to get up and serve yourself. If you expect to be spoon-fed, you’ll starve.
9. Like what you like
I can’t tell you how much energy I’ve wasted in my life questioning my tastes or wanting to tailor them to fit what seemed cool or respectable. It’s not an overt thing—it’s usually at a gallery with some brilliant friends. I find myself the only one unmoved by a certain piece. My gut reaction is that I am somehow at fault. I’m not cultured or intelligent enough to see what they see. This is an incredible waste of energy. It’s so liberating to be able to say “This is BAD!”—to understand that your liking or disliking something does not need validation (though understanding why is often useful). That painting does nothing for me—I’m still a decently educated person! I got a rolling tear going at the part of that young adult movie where they’re obviously trying to make you cry—I take full ownership of that and know that I still have some discerning taste! I love me some jazz but there’s a notable amount that goes clear over my head—it’s completely unrealistic and unnecessary that I grasp enough music theory to fully appreciate most experimental jazz! Adore or despise that artwork, unfettered. Openly cry at that movie, unashamed. Love that song simply because THAT. GROOVE. IS. SICK.
Phil's work:
Are you a WNW Member who wants to share your career story and lessons? Email us!
NOT WORKING: LIVE FAST, DRAW YUNG
NOT WORKING:
LIVE FAST, DRAW YUNG
WNW Member #3500 Stacey Lee is close to finishing her documentary about our favorite 7-year-old hip hop portraitist, Yung Lenox, and has turned to Kickstarter for help getting it done. Check out the trailer above and head over to the Kickstarter page for "Live Fast, Draw Yung" to show them some love. A little more about the project from Stacey and her co-director Anthony Mathile below:
Described by the LA Weekly as the “foremost doodler of rap”, Yung Lenox is a hip hop portraitist specializing in marker drawings of iconic rap albums, from 2 Live Crew's Nasty As They Wanna Be, to ODB's Return to the 36 Chambers. He’s sold hundreds of prints, been commissioned for record sleeves, custom apparel and had his artistic debut at the Frieze Art Fair in New York. Unfortunately, Lenox did not attend that show. It was past his bedtime. He was six.
“Even though I do famous artwork, only the kids in my math group know.” - Lenox
“Live Fast, Draw Yung" is an intimate and entertaining tale about Lenox and his Dad, Skip, a graffiti artist, copywriter and silent collaborator behind the Yung Lenox brand. As we bear witness to their unconventional after-school hobby, we discover an endearing friendship forged through creativity; a Dad teaching his son about coloring, shading, and the heroes of his youth. Through Instagram and press attention, what starts as a hobby turns into a lifestyle and a business. Soon, the two are hanging with Cam’ron backstage with Action Bronson, in the studio with Kool Keith, chilling with "Uncle Raekwon", and on a plane to LA for Lenox’s first solo exhibition.
Through Lenox’s eyes and ears, the film offers an innocent and hilariously honest entry point into the often explicit and idolized culture of hip hop. It reconsiders the age old parental advisory debate and the realities of a kid growing up in an adult world. As Skip is forced to confront his intentions and parenting skills, Lenox remains unfazed. He isn’t listening to any of it. In his world, art is “medium important” as opposed to school, legos and Minecraft. And that’s what makes the kid everyone’s favorite artist.
Are you a WNW member with new work to share? Email us.
NOT WORKING: PIZZA BED
NOT WORKING: PIZZA BED
WNW Member #3705 Claire Manganiello has a new project on Kickstarter. It's the Pizza Bed, and it makes waterbeds look as boring as water tastes. As Claire puts it most eloquently, "I'm here because I love pizza and I want to sleep inside it. If you feel as strongly as I do about the most perfect food in the universe, then the Pizza Bed is the bed for you." Back this project on Kickstarter here and make the ultimate dream of Claire & millions around the world a cheesy reality. Check out some of the additional savory incentives below.