One of the things I love about community, is the ability to promote and share the work of others. When there is a resource that I feel can really benefit you, I’ll spread the word. It’s a big world, and we have a lot to learn from everyone. The only way to grow a community is for all involved to thrive.
Here at The Woodworker’s Journey, design is emphasized as part of the foundation to a passionate and fulfilling experience in woodworking. Without good design, you don’t have much of a foundation to build from. I wanted to pass along two resources that will help you with your new designs for this new year.
Design Really Does Matter
The first is George Walker’s new blog, Design Matters. It’s a wonderful exploration of the principles that guide design and often pulls references from history. The blog is an extension of George’s forthcoming design column over at Popular Woodworking due out in February. He’s also working on a series of furniture design DVD’s. (The first two are out now through Lie-Nielsen.)
George, a veteran woodworker for over 25 years, conveys his experience and research through well-thought and expertly crafted posts. No matter your level of experience in furniture design, you will walk away with a new perspective on…well, perspective. Head over there and join the conversation. Tell him Adam sent you!
Every Day Design
The second resource is a new project from friend and fellow furniture maker, Jamon Schlimgen. He’s committed to drawing one piece of furniture everyday, for the entire year. Each day he posts his sketch for all to see at The Drawing Boards, where he includes his inspirations and observations concerning each design.
I want to bring Jamon’s project to your attention because he’s putting in to practice the one key to ultimate design success – action! It’s daily action, even. A lot of you have expressed confusion and fear about learning to draw and sketch your ideas on paper. Well, today is your day! What better way to really cut those new design teeth, than with a 365 project of your own. Seriously.
I challenge you to join Jamon in his daily designing. Spend some time each day simply drawing a quick sketch of a piece that’s been on your mind, or perhaps it’s something that just come to you in a flash of inspiration. The key is to do it. I can hear you now already complaining about the quality of your drawing. Stop it! That’s no excuse and it never will be. These aren’t supposed to be miniature works of art. They’re quick representations of your inspirations. Got it? Good.
Now, the second part. After you draw them, post them on the web. Put it on your blog, link to them in the comments on Jamon’s site, post them on Twitter, or if you don’t have access to any of those, let me know and I’ll see about putting them up here. The point is to make it public! “But, that might open me up to criticism!” Yes, but it also opens you up to valuable feedback and it gets you designing. A pretty fair tradeoff in my book. So, now that we have your excuses out of the way, it’s time to get started.
Step 1: Read these posts from The Woodworker’s Journey and subscribe if you haven’t yet.
Step 2: Go see George Walker to find out why Design Matters.
Step 3: Head over to Jamon’s 365 project to see how it looks, leave a comment, and let him know you’re doing it too.
Step 4: Start drawing and post them to the web.
Step 5: Reap the rewards of a fresh perspective and renewed design inspiration!
Let me know how it’s going, in the comments, will you?
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: Torch02
01/05/2010 at 1:45 pm
I’ve been giving some thought to a similar drawing/sketching “quest” over the past few days. I won’t be so bold as to set a daily expectation, but I think I can commit to one sketch a week for the year. I ought, considering the prodding I’ve given Jamon on Twitter and my comments on The Drawing Boards.
We’ve had plenty exhortation – your post here (http://www.woodworkersjourney.com/how-do-you-go-from-inspiration-to-sketchbook) and Larry’s argument of the notebook being an important hand tool (http://www.woodnbits.com/blog/2009/11/an-important-hand-tool-for-woodworkers/). I guess by biggest impediment, beyond inertia, was worrying about “stealing” Jamon’s schtick. If J is fine with it, then I’m in for a weekly design/drawing/post. I have a couple to get me started, so I should be able to get something for this week posted tonight.
[Reply]
Adam
Twitter: AdamKingStudio
Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I think Jamon will be just fine with you going ahead with it. Hey, weekly is great. The idea is to just keep at it. Glad to see you going at it, and I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
[Reply]
Thanks much for the pointer to Jamon’s blog. I’m now subscribed as I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from his design goals. While I don’t feel that woodworkers need design anything to be either passionate or successful at their craft, for those who do enjoy design work, your words ring true. Thanks again for your Johnny Appleseed approach to helping others on their woodworking journey.
Cheers — Larry
[Reply]
Adam
Twitter: AdamKingStudio
Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
That’s interesting about your thoughts on designing. At some point, makers come to a point that they have a creative desire to fulfill, and it stems from the need for self expression. This is where designing your own work comes in.
While you don’t need it to work passionately, I do believe that it is a necessary element to add if you as a woodworker want to continue in fulfillment.
[Reply]
Of course you think that, Adam. You said it in your post and say it all the time. And for some that may be true. Others find their ‘muse’ by investigating museums, challenged to replicate existing designs from their favorite periods. Others apply themselves to mastering techniques used by cabinetmakers in the 17th or 18th Centuries. Some believe that woodworking means cutting out pictures of Elvis. Part of the wonder of this world of woodworking is that there are so many ways to enjoy it. The notion that one must design modern furniture to ‘fulfill’ themselves as a woodworker is too restrictive.
Cheers — Larry
[Reply]
Adam
Twitter: AdamKingStudio
Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Ah…I see where we’re missing each other’s point, now.
You’re right. It is too restrictive. That’s why I’ve never said that. I never would advocate ‘modern’ furniture as a natural path for all to walk.
The beauty of this craft is the incredible room for self expression and fulfillment in different styles, niches, techniques, and methods.
All I am ever saying is that as one progresses in the craft the need for self expression in the work will come and designing one’s own work, whether furniture, carvings, sculptures, or widgets, is the next step in finding fulfillment and pursuing the craft passionately and with purpose. Even if you’re doing reproductions or your own interpretations of historical pieces, it comes down to self expression.
[Reply]
Adam,
Thanks for the inspiration and the link to Jamon’s blog. I think what he is doing is great!
I’m with Torch02 on this and I may begin posting sketches of designs on a periodic basis as a way to keep me going with the sketching of ideas. I definitely won’t make the daily quota but, weekly or something close may be doable.
Keep up the good work!
–Mark
The Craftsman’s Path
[Reply]
Adam
Twitter: AdamKingStudio
Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
And thank you for those kind words. I’m glad Jamon has inspired all of you to really focus on design this year. It’s a revolution!
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