Look What I Stumbled Upon: Paper Art!

I found a superb artist skilled in paper crafting.  Jeff Nishinaka. All his works are made of paper and it is amazing how he can manipulate the folds of paper to create stunning images.  I somehow stumbled upon one of his artwork and was so intrigue in it I just had to googled him.  I'm so glad I did because before all this, I didn't even know that Paper Sculptures exists!

You can check out his website at http://www.jeffnishinaka.com/


Meanwhile, here are some of his works:

Exquisite, right?  I encourage you guys to look at other paper artists/sculptures because they're beautiful too. 

Knowledge and Creativity, Which One Came First?

Knowledge Arouses an Artist’s Creativity

            Artists subconsciously use their general knowledge to generate a sense of creativity within their artworks.  So what then is knowledge?  What is creativity?  And how do these two components correlate?  Knowledge is the basic understanding of a particular subject, such as the knowledge of a flower—how it looks when it blooms, what type of environment it need to be in, and etc.  Creativity is the artist’s wild imagination.  It is the risk of doing outrageous things with a medium, challenging the audience with its visual impact.  The word creativity is so broad ranged that it is indescribable.  However, I will try to do just that (describing the meaning of creativity) to the best of my ability.  I, as an amateur artist, also use my knowledge of how shadows fall on a shape to create a piece of work with the correct values and lights. All artists, therefore, do not create products out of the bloom (and if there is such artists, there are only few), but also uses their knowledge of the world around them to creatively craft a piece. 

            According to my understanding, knowledge is to be familiar with facts, studies, or guideline of things.  Knowledge is important to every one in any professional.  When someone is knowledgeable in a particular subject he or she can use that knowledge to his or her advantage in their professional.  For example, a chef needs to know all the basic ingredients of a food: how it tastes and how to cook it in order to create a recipe that the public likes.  In general, knowledge is the basic erudition a person has of the world.  People need knowledge to function in the world. 

            Creativity is utilizing traditional and known information (knowledge) to form new innovated ideas that is meaningful and imaginative.  Solving a problem requires general knowledge.  Whether its finding a resolution of how to fix a person’s heart, an answer to a math problem, or building an art piece, everyone employ knowledge to do these things.  Once a person knows how something is work, or is, the individual will use that understanding to creatively solve a problem.  An example is Michelangelo.  He uses his own observation and investigation of the human form and applied it his large marble sculpture, David.  David illustrates the detailed studies Michelangelo since his human anatomy is like that of a real person. 

            In conclusion, knowledge and creativity go hand in hand.  Without Knowledge, creativity cannot be formed.  Once a person is acquaintance with a subject, he or she is able to use that understanding and creatively make something out of it.  Creativity cannot come out of itself without some basic understanding of the world.  Therefore, we go to school to learn and gain some knowledge of the world so we can thus, creatively innovate something new.   

An Interview With a Graphic Designer

For my Freshmen Seminar Art class assignment, I was to interview an artist.  I decided to interview my aunt's boyfriend, David Ho, whose a graphic designer, working at REPS (Real Estate Promotional Services).  His main job is to create design ads for real estate agents who want to sell houses for customers.  Here's the interview:

Hi Brenda,
I hope I answered all of them...It's getting late and I think I might not be thinking right.... so, look through it and let me know if you need me to re-answer or elaborate any of the answers. Thanks.

When did you become interested in the art field and why?
It started in high school, I didn’t really know what I want to be--All I know is that I wanted something creative. In my senior year, I enrolled in a graphics ROP class, also known as regional occupational program. This program allows students to earn school credits while learning trade skills in a real job environment (almost like, internship).

After taking that class, I knew I wanted to continue on that study. Especially, when I found out that you can make a living creating art using computers. During that time frame, most companies were making the switch from cut and paste method to computer based layout.

One the side note: My parents did not approve me in studying art, because they thought I would end up selling paintings on a street --- to prove them wrong I continued my study and applied for a job in the art field.

What challenges did you go through in college/school in order to get to where you are today?
In this field, you always need to update your software skill. Especially, when new software or updates are coming out every six months or so. I can’t really think of any challenges when I was going to school--except the challenge now is trying to keep up with all new software updates.

For a job interview, what did you have in your portfolio? Do you constantly change your portfolio to fit the job description, or did you show the employer all your past works?

For a job interview I would have actually completed projects I did including mistakes that I have done. So, I can explain to the employer why a particular piece is wrong. I also, will have an interactive CD with my art pieces that I would leave behind.
Yes, I typically do change my portfolio to fit the job description.

Do you enjoy what you do as a graphic designer? Why/why not?
I do enjoy being a graphic designer, however at times it can be very stressful. Especially, with the deadlines you need to meet. In this field, you don’t create artwork for yourself or set your own deadlines. The client is always right, especially when they are paying you.

Or if you could do it all again, would you switch your focus onto another major?
No, I wouldn’t change my major. But, I would add on to what I learned.

How do you deal with critiques?
In this business, you have to have a thick skin--being able to take critiques is very important. If you can’t take critiques, then this is not a field you should get into. I would say 99% percent of the time your design will change from what you started out at. The client will critique the design and change it to their concept.

What school did you go to and why?
I started at a JC, but after a year -- I went to a technical school (Silicon Valley College) to finish up my degree, because I wanted to get into the field sooner. However, years later I find myself going back to school to get a different degree. But this degree does balance out my graphics degree.

Because there are trends in the art field, do you keep up with them, or do your own thing?
Yes, I try to keep up with the trends, but at times it is a good idea to do your own thing--that is how a trend get started. Your idea, can be the next trend.

What advice would you give if I want to get into a graphic design/art field? Or, how should I prepare for a graphic design/art career?
To be honest, everyone is different. If you are really interested in this filed, I would try internship. Also, depending on what sector you are entering I would focus your attention to those type of design. For example, if you are interested in motion graphics--then I would study 3-D animation, rendering techniques, sound editing, etc.

What inspires you to become an artist/graphic designer before you came into the art field, when you were in the art field, and after landing a career in REPS? Meaning, do you have any muses that inspires your work?
Nature inspires me, at times, when I’m hiking or wondering outside I would see things that I would like to incorporate into my design. For example, if I see a telephone pole I would think its kind of unique. I would be thinking to myself, I can use the color/texture of the log as a background.

Are there any challenges you face in your job? Please explain.
There are many challenges that comes with this job from technical to non technical. For example, trying to color match offset print to fiery digital print.

As a graphic designer you deal with customers, do you suggest I also minor in business (if I were to major in the art field)?
I would highly recommend you minor or major in business or something that accompany your graphics degree. For example, I went back to school and got a BS in CIS (computer information system) --- with those degrees I can apply for UX/UI Designer position or Web Designer position.
Business major with graphics is a very good idea, especially if you plan to start your own business some day or even apply for management position, like Marketing Director.

Thank you, David for the awesome interview! :)

I'll be sure to note all these answers into mind before deciding on the major.  You can also check REPS's website and see David's design at: http://www.repsweb.com/

*Other than that, please comment on this blog on any thoughts, questions, concerns, art information, etc. you might have.  Comments are greatly appreciated!  
 

Purpose of Blog

Hi everyone! :)

Just a quick bio on me:

I am a student at Univ. of the Pacific.  This will be my first year attending Pacific, and I look forward to the coming days! ^^  As of now, I am a Visual Arts major (who still can't decide between graphic design or studio art).  Pacific requires all Visual Arts major students to take a Freshmen Seminar Art class with the art professor Brett DeBoer.  This class focuses on what students can do with an art career, and how they can pursue it.  It is design to help students with their major.  As part of this class's assignment, my classmates and I were to set up a blog online that talks about our feelings/thoughts/criticism/discovery of all types of artwork and make it an interactive blog between the readers (you) and us.

I hope that this will kind of  "push" you guys who are reading this to talk to me about art related subjects and interact with my postings.  I look forward to comments! :)