Outcome & Ambition
CREATIVE PRACTITIONERS
This week our creative practitioners were asked:
How have self-initiated projects helped shape your studio identity?
What are the main differences between self-initiated work and collaborative client-led projects?
Kosmopolis is a five day literature festival that takes place in Barcelona every two years, but also has a program of ongoing events in between. The centre recently worked with Spanish design studio Hey to create a visual identity for its 2017 event. Hey use color to establish a continuity with previous events, but introduces a custom typeface that features characters informed by the digital, handwritten and painted word. This is complimented by a set of icons, and used to link program guide, banners, signage and merchandise.
OFFSHORE
Self-initiated projects are very important to the folks at Offshore. They act as a filter — that they work on and how they are examined. It helps to refine and redefine their vision. Their interests (social causes) intersect with their outlets (photography, illustration, design). And, for Offshore, their creative side projects act as a business card that expresses their vision and skills.
For Offshore: self-initated projects don’t produce the income that client-based work affords. While self-initiated projects come with greater risks, can take longer, and offer no guaranteed outcomes, they also provide Offshore with freedoms and opportunities to explore personal interests and passions.
HEY
Vernonica Fuerte finds that side projects are very important in garnering new clients. They also push them creatively with their ideas, boundaries, and exploratory freedoms. Veronica explains, “It’s your essence, your views — it’s you.”
With self-initiated projects, Hey is free to explore their creativity, there are no hard deadlines and there can provide a bigger return on investment, leading to joy and increased creativity.
FROST COLLECTION
Vince Frost believes that side projects serve as a great form of expression. He also expressed his challenges with self-initiated projects wherein his creator’s or “monkey” mind has the potential to get in the way or sabotage his projects. He prefers to collaborate with others on these projects to help keep him from welcoming in the self-sabotage.
BOMPAS & PARR
Side projects are crucial to the studio — their self-initiated projects put them on the map. They can be far more profitable. They feel that side projects give you more control and glory — and allows you unique ways to craft your brand.
With self-initiated projects, you have both total control and all of the risk. When it works out, you also can benefit from increased creativity, more money, and fame.
WERKFLOW
Werkflow’s self-initated projects helped to create their identity of the studio and through them, found opportunities to collaborate through these projects. The music industry was key entry point for them.
Self-initiated projects brings Werkflow new clients and work. They also tout increased creativity and greater freedoms.
REFERENCE
Falmouth University (2018). Outcome and Ambition | Podcast Videos. Application and Interactions GDE740 19/20 Part-Time Study Block S1 (Falmouth, UK: Falmouth University)