graphic design

The Meaning of Art (Vinson Lim, photographer, videographer, designer, entrepreneur interview)

Posted on by Tim Kuefler

Human beings have a knack for finding meaning in just about anything. It’s supposedly in our collective nature to assign those meanings so that we can make the world around us just a little more clearer and lovely.

We don’t do this to grow into some ultimate truth, but because there is just far too much information to take in at any given moment. And consequently understanding each other isn’t any easier as we age. Loving people, reducing a need for gratification, overcoming fears (and a host of other insecurities), and accepting ourselves are all important lifestyle choices in the quest for meaning.

But what if you are a creative person?

Vinson Lim generally takes the position that being an artist shouldn’t elevate you above other humans beings, it really should only work as an expression of self… and at the core of his answers is the theme of acceptance in life. By letting go of hate, and truly being present at all times, that’s when we are able to create interesting work.

Whether it’s through a practice of meditation, as addressed in the interview preview, or by simply spending time with our families, Vinse accepts that his art will always be evolving based on how he is living his life.

And he is especially aware of this having just entered into fatherhood for the first time. But unlike so many other creative people, his art doesn’t inform his life choices, but rather his life choices determine how he demonstrates his creativity.

Vinse might be acting as a photographer today, but he is willing to switch hats on the fly to access his videography skills, graphic design education or even to play some music for friends and family.

I’m not going to give away his viewpoints on the meaning of life, art, and everything in-between. But I can say with utmost confidence, that this interview will make you think, and we’re both hoping that just might make you feel too.

I think you’ll learn something from Mr. Lim

theories Summarized

I always find it cathartic to have a heavier discussion on the meaning of it all, dear readers. I hope that this interview resonated the same way for you.

But even if it didn’t, please let us know what you thought of the interview! What was your favourite question? Do you agree with what Vinson Lim said? Do you disagree? He is a very talented photographer, so if  you’re interested, feel free to check out his Facebook page, Instagram, and website for yourself! The meaning of life might still be one of the greatest questions of all time, but dammit if Vinse isn’t fascinating to listen to.

And special thanks to Vinse for being vibrant, vulnerable and virtuous. Without his thoughts on the meaning of it all, I might not have come to the realization that being positive and standing in my truth isn’t enough, it’s important to reach out to the lost and the lonely too. A pretty good theory.

Tim!

Do It Yourself Board Games (Alex Racine interview preview)

Posted on by Tim Kuefler

Alex Racine (gamesbyar.com) makes board games.

What started as a passion many years ago, has slowly evolved into a full-blown career. Inventing his own version of hackie sack was the tipping point, and successive ventures into game design via collaborations with his roommate, and hosting outdoor carnival games helped him refine his craft. This year is different though, he now works part-time and designs board games every day.

But don’t be fooled into believing that all he does is 3D print his game components, come up with some box art, write the rules and then go.

No, there is a lot more to DIY board game making then you might think. There is production to be resolved, funding to acquire, marketing to solicit and a great many more aspects that the average hobby gamer hasn’t even considered when they boast of how easy it would be to perfect Monopoly or Risk. Like so many things in life, we all think, I could make a better game then that guy, but what the heck what about securing a distribution deal hobbyist guys and gals?

And we haven’t even considered all of the play testing that goes into the design of a game before it can even be considered worthy of a trial outing. Fortunately, Alex laughs at all of those challenges, because this isn’t the first game he has tried to complete, and it definitely won’t be the last. Uprise! is the first game that he wants to use crowdfunding to support his passion, and with another game called AnchorWhat? in the works, I can tell that this is the start of something beautiful.

Which is why I think you should stop pondering the details and let Mr. Racine provide the education on how you too can become an expert at doing it yourself – making board games, that is.

theories Summarized

It was a lot of fun to record this preview with Alex, and luckily for you, dear readers, this is only a sample of what we have in store.

I just know you’re going to enjoy the full-length interview, all of the questions I threw Alex’s way were easily defended with the swift roll of a die. Board games, 3D printing, invention and more are on the list for next week, so please subscribe to ensure you are the first to know when I release the interview. And if you liked it, like it, share the content and leave some comments for me. timotheories may be a passion project, but I can take criticism, direction, and all of your love. And especially the theories.

Tim!

Creative Parenting (Amanda Wall interview)

Posted on by Tim Kuefler

Last Sunday I shared a preview of an interview with an illustrator and graphic designer who I’ve known for a quite a few years. She is one of my personal inspirations and she regularly sets a high standard for commitment to her craft.

When I become a parent one day, I can only hope to be as gracious and dedicated to parenting, married life, and art making as this lady does. And she’s a few years my junior to boot.

That’s right, with an exclusive shoot, I’m ready to share the full length and well documented official interview with Amanda Wall.

In case you missed it last week, I wrote about a specific example of Amanda’s skill, which benefits greatly her ability to delegate regularly. No matter what she’s in the midst of this lady is committed – Amanda is a full-time freelance designer, who also stays at home with her son. She is passionate about life. That might seem super vague, but let me explain in greater detail; Amanda loves to produce work related to health and wellness, life events, social issues and the eclectic. She services clients from home, whether a business or an individual.

A graduate of Grant MacEwan University with certification in design and a diploma in illustration, she has been working in the industry for almost decade. And if you were to ask small Wall Riley, there are a set of credentials there that justify the title of Mom too.

Also, I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to try out on location interviewing for the first time ever with Amanda, so don’t be surprised at the different environment, embrace it. Her kitchen and dining room are really nice, and well lit. Don’t believe me? Hit the picture below to check it out for yourself.

Told you that was going to be a good one. Aesthetically pleasing, mentally inspiring, and otherwise entertaining, I couldn’t have asked for a better hostess my first time off campus. And Riley was very accommodating too, can’t forget to thank him for his patience.

But what did you think? Did you enjoy the theme this time around? Are you a creative professional with something to say? Hit me up for a chance to do your own interview and get your voice heard, because timotheories isn’t just about me, it’s about you too.

And special thanks for Amanda for being amazing, appropriate, and available to meet!

Tim!

Stop To Smell The Flowers (Amanda Wall, preview interview)

Posted on by Tim Kuefler

Outsourcing has become a major way to do business in the age of communication.

And as Ferris Bueller once said,

Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once and a while, you could miss it.

What that means for artists, is that it’s actually in our best interest to embrace the idea of outsourcing. Finding ways to trade off certain tasks for the sake of other ones, like making our art, for instance.

But what if you’re a parent AND an artist? Well, you have to figure out optimal ways to live for both of your passions.

Amanda Wall is a full-time freelance designer, who also stays at home with her son. She manages her business and keeps her son Riley engaged with all sorts of different activities, while her husbands works a day job. She is the kind of artist that finds double duty is the best way to accomplish her goals. And she is more than happy to delegate duties out when needed. Whether its meeting a deadline for a client in the service industry or finding time to go to the park and play with the kid, Amanda has a vice grip on life and she won’t let go of either of her two loves.

She’s figured out how to get the most out of her work, family time, and other responsibilities without sacrificing one for the other. It might help that she sometimes likes to think of Riley as a desk-mate, one she works with rather than against.

It’s an inspiring conversation, and this is just a small sample of life as an artist with a small Wall. So take a peek and learn what Amanda has to say when I ask her about outsourcing aspects of her business versus her household responsibilities.

She really does make things optimal, without having to stick to a rigid structure. Like so many of the moms I’ve met in my life, Amanda is an expert juggler with a great sense of empathy, and she’s happy to bring out the flowers when opportunity strikes.

Another week knocked out of the park my friends, and stay with me this week while we explore the city, get some inspiration from figures associated with Space, take a safety dance, review an album by Wilsen, and then dig into the real meat of this Amanda Wall interview, it’s gonna be a fantastic leg into the finish of May. What a week for theories!

Tim!

Maintaining Your Zen (Zen Pencils)

Posted on by Tim Kuefler

Where does motivation come from?

I often wonder this myself, and I’ve met with different perspectives on the matter throughout my life so far. I fully expect to encounter more examples and perspectives as I go along, but for the purpose of making a point, I’ve outlined some examples below.

Some believe it is something internal which we are all born with, which is bottled up and given out in precise amounts each day, so that if it is squandered, you cannot get it back. Others suggest that motivation comes from healthy living and positive emotions. You will find that some believe that motivation comes out of adversity, that in moments of trial we are given the opportunity to rise to the challenge, and if we reach out for it we will be rewarded for our efforts, a matter of will. There is the biological track which suggests that because we are motivated to basic functions of eating, drinking, and sleeping, our behaviours are dictated by those forces of nature. I’ve also heard people say that motivation is a spiritual matter, which is given to us whether we ask for it or not, but in miraculous ways, providing us the strength we need in moments that we cannot handle life.

We could say there are either internal or external factors that can determine motivation. In the everyday, motivation is the word we use to describe the why of a person.

In the arts in particular, you will hear all sorts of opinion as to why something created is “good” or “bad,” and how to be successful at creativity is no exception to this varied and often heated discussion of opinion. As the old adage goes, opinions are like hearts, we all have them and most of them are overworked.

Just kidding, theres a better one – It’s about the anus. Let’s not lose focus though.

I’ve personally found that routine is essential for maintenance of a goal, dream or accomplishing something large in scope. By building good habits you can be assured that no matter what your level of commitment, in the tedium, this strategy will be helpful.

But when it comes to major shifts of life, that is a completely different matter. In those moments, I would argue that external factors should and do play a role in motivation. Whether they are biological or spiritual is a matter of taste, and we all have our individual journey to take, which is why I am not interested in dictating the course for you. Rather I hope to provide choice from my spot on the internet.

Which is why today’s Wisdom Wednesday is a double feature. I’ve served up part A already by assuring you that your goals are attainable, but how you achieve them is definitely dependant on what stage you are at and the kind of motivation you need. *Hint* A routine never hurt anybody while they were waiting for inspiration to strike.

Part B is a little bit more fun for me, because I get to share a website I look at from time to time, when I want a reminder that success is an ongoing pursuit and a lifestyle, and not a result.

The website I recommend you take a look at is zenpencils.com – Convenient link is here.

Gavin Aung Than has been making cartoons for his website since the end of 2011. He decided to quit his corporate job as a graphic designer and focus on his comics after he realized that he loved reading biographies of people who lived more interesting lives than him and that he wasn’t happy with where he was at. He adapts all sorts of quotes from inspirational sources and combines them with his drawings to produce some really beautiful art.

The kind of art which eventually inspired me to stop focusing my efforts on a corporate career and reorient myself back to my real passions: Being involved in the arts, making art, and collaborating with other artists.

I’m not going to bore you with details of why I like his stuff because I think it demonstrates its value in different ways, unless, of course, I get feedback requesting more information and/or a technical analysis. But I will leave some good example links I personally like right here for you to peruse at your leisure…

Chuck Jones

Marcus Aurelius

Ken Robinson

Robin Williams

Amy Poehler

Shonda Rhimes

Jim Henson

Timothy Ferriss

Jiddu Krishnamurti

But please don’t take my word for it, there are almost 200 comics on that website by this point. All of them carrying a message of hope and practical information about how to achieve in life, especially if you are a creative type.

So what did you think? Did you like the website? Do you want me to share more of these kinds of sources with you? Today’s theories are tomorrows realities, and I’ve shared what I could for now, dear readers. See you soon.

Tim!