The Graphic Design Diary of Scott Landells

Make a World by Ed Emberley Drawing broken down to its basics.  "If you can draw these things,  you can draw all the objects in this book.  S everal weeks ago I reviewed  What It Is  by Lynda Barry. This week I review another book recommended by Austin Kleon. Lynda Barry is a wonderful illustrator. This time I chose Make a World  by American illustrator and artist, Ed Emberley. Emberley is best known for his series of children's picture books and I can see why Kleon recommended this author. Just over 30 pages of wonderfully simple ways to draw planes, trains, automobiles, animals, fish, birds, dragons, people, boats and buildings that even the most skeptical person could recreate Emberley's 2D images by following his pictorial step-by-step instructions. What Emberley masterfully done is to reduce images to their most basic components. The book is basically the art of the stick figure and cave painting. I have included some pages from the boo...

W e have now reached chapter 10 of Austin Kleon's book, Steal Like an Artist. This is the last chapter in a very interesting journey. I was skeptical at first. Now I find myself using his methodology and sharing his ideas with friends. I'm glad I read this book. It's definitely a keeper. So as Kleon closes his little book with a challenge and an endorsement that it's not so much what we put in our work, but what we keep out. He say's, "Nothing is more paralyzing than the idea of limitless possibilities." That sounds absurd. What does he mean? How can he suggest we limit ourselves? Kleon suggests that using constraints is actually a form of freedom. To concentrate on what is really important. And therefore will lead to our best work. So he has given us a challenge. To do a project in which we actually limit ourselves. I think he is right. I think having constraints can make you more creative. Creativity is a form of problem solving. Limits can force...

This week, ladies and gentlemen, I read the next chapter in Austin Kleon's book called Steal Like an Artist. Chapter 9's is called  Be Boring (It's the Only Way to Get Work Done.) And he's right. In this chapter, Kleon talks about basic life management skills. The skills that everyone should have and follow to live a long and happy life. It might sound boring, but in reality it's the wise thing to do. Something Hunter S. Thompson never did and look what happened to him. Kleon dispels the myth about an artist's life. He suggests that we should not follow in the foot steps of people like Jean Michel Basquiat, Kurt Cobain or Amy Winehouse. Instead, we should be smart about life choices we make with our bodies, finances, work, time and marriage. And I agree with with him 100%. I want to live a long life. There is too much to live for, and if that means I have to eat right, exercise and see my doctor every year, it's worth it. I hate being sick. If you th...

In this day and age, technology has literally made this world feel smaller. We can communicate with anyone around the planet instantly. Sometimes this is good and sometimes it is not good. For better or for worse, we are a global community, so be mindful of what you say.  That brings me to this week's chapter 8 review of Austin Kleon's book, Steal Like and Artist. Kleon covers several topics but they all have one common denominator. He says if we want to make it in this world, stop wasting time making enemies and spend time finding the smartest and the most creative people in the world. When you find them, surround yourself with them. They will be a positive influence, giving you inspiration and the energy to make great things, instead of sucking the marrow.  In the past year, I've been surrounded by a lot of creative people. These people are my fellow classmates and my teachers. I've been challenged by all of them, just by the fact they are so good at what...