I can’t really recall what I knew how to do first. Design or snowboard. I got on my first snowboard when I was probably 11 years old, but I had my first set of crayons around the age of 3 or 4. Both of these components have played key roles in my life, and have helped me become who I am today. From climbing my first hill to learn to carve, to my first actual design class where I learned about texture, value, and color.
Learning can be painful
I remember my first snowboard scorpion like I remember my first design. Downright painful. For those who don’t know a snowboard scorpion is where you tumble forward face first, your feet go up over your back and the momentum either ragdolls you forward if your lucky or the snowboard slaps you in the back of the head, OUCH! My first design was an eye soar that could have made a baby cry.
In both cases I lacked the foundation I needed in order to achieve what I wanted. I needed to study some of the basic principles that could help me grasp the larger picture. In snowboarding I needed to learn the idea of balance with motion, edge control, and the ability to stop. With design I needed to study principles of depth, line, color, texture, value. In both cases when you grasp the smaller ideas you can put them together and form a masterpiece.
Finding Your Unique Style
After spending a few(12) years of putting that rusty peice of metal to my feet I found I was capable of getting around the mountain at will, but after time I had defined my own unique style of snowboarding. I would be charging down the lifts under the chair in my incognito black gear and people would shout at me because they could tell who I was from the way I charged the powder and sent rooster tails shooting up behind me. I was almost branding myself just for being me, and that is exactly what to do with your designs.
If you look at all the big names in art and design, most have formed a unique style that let them stand out of the crowd. I believe that everyone has their own style and it comes out naturally as long as you let it. Both snowboarding and design have a flow involved, this flow may be your process of design but it will help define your own unique style. When your style is recognized you can use it to your advantage by setting yourself out from the crowd.
Don’t Hate, Be Inspired
One problem I see in both design and snowboarding is a small jealousy built towards others when they experience success or get acknowledged for doing something great. We all work hard (at least most of us) to try and be successful and when you see others succeeding where you are trying so hard it is easy to feel resentment towards their triumph. You have to take this negative and turn it to a positive. Look at how that person was successful and maybe ask them what steps they took to achieve that success. Try to determine why their unique style was successful and how you could incorporate that yourself.
With so many styles around you there should never be a lack of inspiration. In snowboarding watching others do something impressive encourages me to get out of the norm and think out of the box, do the same with design. Look at others design with hopes of learning something you can use in your own design, not with an eye of jealousy.
Progression Never Ends
The beauty of both snowboarding and design is that progression never ends. You can continue to push the envelop. The only person that is going to stop you from learning new things, tackling new challenges and expanding your ability is yourself. Good for self-motivators, bad for lazy bung-holes.
The hard part is staying focused and maintaining your skills. I noticed when I was out shredding everyday it was easy to learn more, but after the extended break between winters it would take me a little time to get back to where I left off. I see the same for design, if you don’t keep your skills sharp you may waste time relearning ability.
What I Have Learned:
So the years of both snowboarding and design have taught me a handful of valuable lessons. Here is a quick rundown:
- No pain, no gain: Learn the basics to build a foundation of skills to create a masterpiece.
- Be Unique: Everyone has a style, find yours and use it to stand out.
- Inspire and be Inspired: Look for inspiration wherver it may be hiding, and don’t be jealous of others success, learn from it.
- Stay Sharp: Don’t let your progression decay, keep your skills sharp even between projects.
What in your life has taught you about design? Where do you find inspiration? Share your thoughts below in the comments.
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The 4 points you mentioned are crucial to reach success in any field in life, can be business, relationship, education, etc. It’s interesting that you learned them from snowboarding
Isaac, thanks for stopping by. You are very correct that the 4 points I made could be used in many aspects of life. You have a sweet blog going, and I have subscribed. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers!