One of the unexpected highlights of putting the exhibition together was working with Jim (again) on the design of the posters and invitations.
I knew I didn’t have the budget to place much emphasis on anything other than the prints, frames and venue, so I approached the morning’s design session, rightly or wrongly, with little or no expectation. It pained me, but I knew that if I set my heart on coming up with something I was 100% happy with I would end up trying Jim’s patience, good will and available time.
As usual with these things we spent a few hours playing with basic designs and layouts, finding our feet and a common ground. Perhaps my mood and low expectations influenced us, but somehow things didn’t seem to click. I had no vision or ideal for us to pursue and didn’t want to place a burden of importance on the job or any expectations on Jim.
We muddled around trying to generate enthusiasm for perfectly adequate designs that would do the job, both of us knowing we would not be happy should they go to print…
Cue a quick break – the ever present (green) tea with generic snacks.
Followed by the decision to go back upstairs and choose – almost at random – one of the morning’s designs.
Then, as in all good books and films, that eureka moment.
I was looking down at the floor, scanning print outs of mediocre posters, head in hands. Jim, I assume free of the restrictions of my mood of pessimism, and safe in the knowledge that the job was done bar the choosing, drew on his years of experience as a designer and allowed his talent a free rein.
I looked up as he said something along the lines of ‘we could try this’ or ‘do that’ or ‘what about’ and sat back and smiled. Almost with a flourish he produced the basic design for something that became the essence of the exhibition. A voice for the show that I used with pride and enthusiasm, knowing it was eye catching, simple, effective and, most importantly, representative of my work and what I was trying to say.
To say that half an hour later it was done would take away from the subsequent work Jim put into it – tweaking the text, moving the images up or down a few mm and producing a portrait version – but, looking back that is what it felt like.
Let’s just say, it flowed – it became and it felt as if it had always existed.
March 19, 2018
April 27, 2017
April 9, 2016
November 11, 2015
November 10, 2015
November 17, 2013
November 16, 2013
March 24, 2013
November 1, 2012
June 22, 2012
January 17, 2012
March 23, 2011
March 22, 2011
March 20, 2011
March 19, 2011
March 16, 2011
March 15, 2011
March 14, 2011
March 13, 2011
March 10, 2011
March 9, 2011
March 7, 2011
March 5, 2011
March 4, 2011
March 3, 2011
August 22, 2010
August 6, 2010
August 3, 2010
July 8, 2010
May 18, 2010
April 19, 2010
December 27, 2009