Building a culture
What are the benefits of a creative culture?
What does it mean to live, work, play and socialize in a creative atmosphere, town or region? In the past few weeks I’ve asked myself this question in regards to a couple different situations. And I feel at times, I’ve contributed to building a creative culture and have taken away from it. I can image a place like, Northwest Indiana, to be a place where creatives can meet, work and play together in complete harmony. This hippie like dream doesn’t have to live in the bottom of a bong; it can be a real – tangible thing if we as a community come together and make it the norm.
For example, what if we took the time to lift people up and praise them for things that they have done. I’ve done this from time to time and it has been done to me every now and then. But something as simple as a thank you note. I’ve sent words of visual delight to strangers and other designers in our area for no reason other than I came across their work and it was amazing. Atom Groom starts his day out by wishing everyone a good morning. Something so simple can be so powerful. I believe if we take his lead and start a movement of releasing positive energy it will open doors to a much more enjoyable community.
We shouldn’t feel threaten or put off by others in our community. I’ve opened up my bread and butter clients to a fellow designer when he needed some help. A designer that is ten times better than me, highly more creative than me, and just flat out fly. But when that person was in need, I didn’t turn my back to him and look the other way. I helped him out with the knowing fact that this person was extremely better than me and had the ability to walk away with my clients. But to me, helping another person is worth more than those clients would ever be. It’s acts like these that will bring our community together. I’m not saying, help every designer you know and give them all your clients, I’m simply stating that if can look past the competitive nature we have for the greater good; we will all eventually benefit.
Another example is letting people know who is in our community. When you hear the name Kevin Bruinsma, what do you think? “Uhhh, who the heck is that guy?” “Is that, the dude that works at that one church?” “I think he does something with tshirts?” When i hear the name Kevin Bruinsma, I say to myself, “He’s the man!” There are so many things that you may or may not know about Kevin. For one he is very passionate about helping other designers. Take INsight for example. Without Kevin, INsight would have never come to life. He was the one with the vision and foresight and agree to have INsight at Faith. He helped it flourish to what it is today. He is one of the driving forces that has helped to shape and mold the conference, a lot of that was missed in the press and I take responsibility for not including him as much as he should of been. Kevin is also an amazing designer. His website clearly shows his abilities and I’m glad that he has finally finished the site and its up and running. Kevin was also the motivating factor for me to pursue my 13lisa’s venture. His great work with developing drifter threads was an inspiration to me and something I’ve never thanked him for. Kevin is also an artist and photographer, a videographer, editor and set designer. All of which most of you didn’t even know. He is the lead man for the Community Arts Center and event organizer for that facility. Any creatives that want to have an event in that building just needs to give him a shout and he’s the one that can make it happen. So needless to say Kevin is a rock star among our community and I hope everyone will spread the word and know.
The funny thing is that there are many others out there just like Kevin and we don’t know who they are. It’s funny because Adam Groom and I will come across people every now and then and just be blown away that we have never heard of them and that they are out there. Its great to find talent and to welcome them into this community. There are many of you out there that I wish to know better. My door is always open and it’s sad to me that no one ever knocks on it. I feel like I have a somewhat visible presence with in our community and I still have yet to hear from a lot of you. I wish i could meet you all, my hopes are is that you all feel the same way.
Let’s take this as an open invitation to continue this conversation. We have this platform to communicate with each other and share are thoughts and perspectives but let’s take it to another level for the remainder of the year and really meet each other.
I know many of us feel safe in our little design circles and the cool kids hang out only at the round lunch tables but I think we’re are all cool kids – so let’s be cool together.
Author Info: Joseph Gonzalez
I'm also a full-time graphic & web designer for the Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana, Inc. A Freelance designer under the alias Miracletwentyone.org, An adjunct professor at Valparaiso University and founder of the INsight Design Conference.
I am passionate about our craft, industry and community. I enjoy the challenges of life and the process of design.
Great post Joe! I agree, ALL the cool kids should come out to play. I also agree that Kevin “Wizbang” Bruinsma is the man. I do not know of another Director of Awesome that lives up to his name. Art has many purposes, but the one I love the most is that it brings people together of all tribes and tongues and nations. Press on toward the goal.
Well done, Joe. Something great happens when people don’t just look out for their own interests, but also the interests of others. KB is the man for sure. Agreed. I appreciate his talents and perspective. Thank you for the post.
Great Post Joe and some really good point here, thanks for the article.
On another note, Kevin is a great guy! A truly talented artist, designer and overall creative and glad to have met him through the INsight conference. Since then, he’s become a really great friend and neighbor.
All good things to come!
AG
I really loved reading this article. It reminded me of when I graduated from The Illinois Institute of Art back in 2000 and shared with the career placement advisor that I would be willing to work in Minneapolis. She was surprised by this location and asked why. I was equally surprised by her response because I thought everyone knew that Charles S. Anderson was there along with Target and a budding art community.
The culture in Minneapolis was vibrant and fresh and the design community was and still is thriving there.
As I read on, I began thinking “Why can’t NWI be the next Minneapolis?”
Really it’s up to us. I love the idea of coming together and becoming a group of designers that all know each other and feed off of each other.
I’m excited by this post and look forward to meeting all of you guys and getting to know each of you better.
Cheers!
Anyone want to do lunch? Hit me and lets make it happen! Be nice if we could get a couple of us at the very least and talk shop and meet and greet. Very informal.
Most Definitely! Rahsaan has been putting together an event to unite us all locally at a lunch or dinner type event. I am sure he can chime in, let’s try to coordinate one event rather than multiple?
AG
Wow this article really spoke to me in a way I really understand where you’re coming from. I just graduated and I’m out here thinking to myself, “man, I need to get to know the other designers, see what they’re doing and see what this industry is demanding out of them.” Because even though I write my own artistic vibe and style, I still have to make my living as a career so no doubt I got to get with the real world flow. I may be student, but don’t let that fool you. That don’t mean I don’t collaborate with others who are fresh breed and brought into the same career as me. And that’s why I’m here at your site; Joe, you’re looking for the same thing I’m looking for and I am interested in meeting with you along with everybody else… and I love the idea of INsight so let’s talk.
Hit me up and lets chat. You can contact me through my website. Glad this could help you. Take care and stay positive.
I love lunch and dinner…almost as much as I love design. I’m open next Wednesday for either or. What about Jalapeno’s in Highland. Would be a great outdoor meeting place for dinner or even the lunch buffet. I don’t see a reason we can’t schedule a lunch or dinner once a month. Even if only 2 or 3 show up. It will at least get something going. Make it casual and fun. I’m sick of structure.
Please let everyone know if you all decide to meet there next Wednesday so we can all meetup.
Actually, if everyone starts meeting up in small groups or larger groups (either way), let’s try to start posting them here on NWI Creative under the events section. That’s a great way to keep everyone in the loop!
Jamie,
There is quite a gap between being in school and being in the “real-world”. I know exactly where you are coming from. I had been in the industry for a little over a year and was looking for a bridge between where I use to be (a student) and where I found myself (in a “real” job). It’s amazing how isolated and lost you can feel trying to make your way in the design industry out here in good ole’ Northwest Indiana. Amazingly I found out that if you put yourself out there a little (which is scary in and of itself), there are people out there who genuinely want to help you.
Take a look at this link and read how the INsight Design Conference has helped me. http://blog.golden-tech.com/2010/06/idc/
I’d be more than happy to meet up and chat sometime.
Rock on!
TZ
So when is this lunch or dinner get together? I’m interested and have heard a lot of talk that Rahsaan is organizing something. Rahsaan…need help?! Give me a holler if you do!
Great article Joe. Really hit home, I know INsight really helped be the bridge that I was looking for into a creative culture. I feel NWI has come a long way in building a creative community as of late, but there is still an incredible road to tow. I was part of the planning committee for the INsight Design Conference, and was in charge of reaching out to other creatives in the area to get the word out. I was saddened by some of the response that I received when reaching out. Many in the community felt that it was an event only for “students”. And although much of it is extremely beneficial to students, I also feel that experienced professionals should of been interested for a number of reasons. Let this article and much of content on this site be a call to action to the creative community: Get up and get involved. There are great things happening out there.Collaboration can spark new inspiration/ideas within you, grow as a designer and as a person. No matter how long you’ve been in the industry, there are people out there who you can learn from and who can learn from you.
And as a sidenote: I met Kevin Bruinsma sometime ago (don’t even remember when), and have had the honor of collaborating with him quite a bit. He’s an amazing, selfless designer with such incredible talent. What has really impressed me about Kevin is his genuine interest in the community, it has been extremely inspiring to me. He’s become more than just another creative in the industry, he’s become someone that I am happy to call a friend! It’s awesome to see people recognizing his talents and abilities. Way to go KB!!
virtual hug!
Still working on it. I’ll get in contact with you and get you involved. I’ll also post something on this site in the near future with details.
hi to all at http://www.nwicreative.org i thought i had sent this newyears eve but it didnt send so i have sent it again all the best for new year to you all
– gentas