The extra Nengajo that we were left with. Pretty happy with the way it came out in the end.
New Year, New Push - Creative Systems
I must admit that despite having set up this blog quite some time ago, I was filled with fresh impetus to produce pages and pages of text, imagery and whatever else I thought might be interesting, but as busy got busier I’ve ended up really avoiding the blog. Some people are really better at doing it than I am, but as a new year fast approaches its once again to look back over the year and consider how to make the next one better.
So starting with work issues I aim to push some new procedures and systems through as quick as I can in Wedovideo. A bit like the make over that I gave Nichiai when I worked there, but hopefully the economic downturn won’t stand in my way this time! Bankers eh?! I need only look at the state of Ireland to see the damage (again) of their reckless behaviour. Here’s a great piece of video footage that I saw a number of times over the last few months - brilliant!
I digress however. Having changed jobs twice and now just completed six months at Wedovideo - with all of the work that entailed - I now have the opportunity to role up the sleeves and get stuck into the problems as I see them now for the new year.
Over the last few days I’ve launched into my annual ritual of dealing with all the to-dos that I’ve accrued over the year. Some relating to Japanese, others to self-improvement, and perhaps most importantly, for this blog anyway, are the to-dos related to work.
I’m still building up strategies and methods to improve matters in general so until I come full circle I will reveal the resources that I’ve been skimming over and taking the best bits to use when January 2011 rolls around.
- The Accidental Creative is a site with podcasts devoted to creatives and creative leaders who need to pump out work everyday with new and every creative means of doing it. It focuses on the systems and procedures behind what we do and not on the software technical side. This was a recent discovery of mine but it has really proven to be quite the gem, often containing interviews with the likes of Simon Sinek, and Scott Belsky.
- Simon Sinek, whom I discovered maybe just over a year ago, has a been able to focus on the central issues to why organizations and individuals do what they do. By following his Twitter feed I’ve often found really empowering quotations and means to which I can better analyse problems and focus on the real issues, rather what I had presumed they were. His advise on sourcing the ‘why’ of where I work is really helping me get to the root of the brand, as I’m sure it will become, now that I have my eyes on the target. Of course this won’t come around very quickly but now it has started.
- Scott Belsky, the CEO of Behance, has created his own realm of pro-creative products and organisations. The Behance network at which you can see portfolios, his consultative company and various other off-shoots, supplies countless means to improve the way we creatives do what we do. As well as his online presence there is also his book which explains how to get work done, rather than how to generate ideas.
These three sources alone have provided a great background over this holiday period in producing a lot of ideas for new initiatives in the work place.
In hindsight however, as this is not the first time I’ve applied myself to making the system itself work in our favour, I already have some other resources I think are a must for people in the creative world, albeit focusing more on the graphic design side of things.
These are:
- “How to be a graphic designer, without losing your soul” by Adrian Shaughnessy, and
- “The Creative Business Guide to Running A Graphic Design Business” by Cameron S. Foote.
These two books allowed me to grasp what I had to do initially when trying to refocus the energy of the company and its people to its benefit. Great starters.
So I better get back to it now if I want to have some concrete thoughts in time for the day back to work.
Raymond
As I’m off on holiday to Ireland and Spain tomorrow morning for a couple of weeks I thought it darn right rude to not leave a parting message on the blog. Never mind its been ages since I wrote anything. If anything this shows that I’ve been up to my eyeballs recently getting things done. Needless to say all things are coming to a close in terms of to-dos and what not.
In the end the timing has been great. Last week I completed the design of the magazine I was working on as well as starting in Wedovideo, implementing staff reviews, project management systems and other long term initiatives. Once I get back from holiday I look forward to continuing on this thread, as well as getting knee-deep in motion graphics and video for real. Up to now its been mainly direction and storyboarding, which by themselves have been new and enjoyable experiences especially working with such experienced individuals.
Recently I have been wondering if its worthwhile for me to return to Temple University’s continuing education course, but after some debate and soul-searching last night I reconciled with my desires and simple time-frame that with all the extra work that I do as well as the language study that I eventually want to return to I decided against the enrolement. If anything I get to save a load of cash and time. But guess where that will be going into? Yup! Into work and Japanese. Time to sharpen up and get the system in check after a good summer recharge.
Anyway enough rambling from me on what I want to do etc. I’d love to hear from other people on their ideas of getting refreshed and what it is that they do to recharge after a prolonged period of exertion, physically or mentally.
So heres to the break and hopefully when I get back I’ll have some photos and what not from Ireland, Spain as well as updates on the magazine and other projects. Stay tuned for me in the very near future. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
