With Our Powers Combined…

Posted September 13th, 2010 / By Jeff in Resources, Tips

As the old adage goes, “Two heads are better than one.” This can be especially helpful in coming up with a concept for a new piece or figuring out how to overcome an issue in a project already under way. I am sure I am not inventing the wheel here for most, suggesting running ideas past another designer, but how many consider working with or just running ideas past somebody involved in a different discipline? How often do you get input from a photographer or graphic designer?

Well, maybe not literally...

I recently spent some time in the studio with a photographer friend. While I am no stranger to setting up lights in 3D software, it has been a long time since I had to physically move a real world soft-box or experience the multitude of variances that reality imposes on an image. She also asked for opinions and ideas on how to position and frame her subjects (which were produce) and we would try both our ideas or hybrids of them and before long she was more and more happy with the images she was getting for the project.

After my time in the studio helping her with her product shots, I started all over on a personal project I had on the back burner because I was just at a loss with how to make it better. I opened a new project and started from the ground up. I lit the logo, taking inspiration from her setup and revised the angle I shot it from. I even revamped the materials. The result is a project I am much happier with.

In the end, both of us would have had decent projects working on our own. It’s impossible to say how much our respective projects improved due to the paring, but we both overcame obstacles faster. I, at least, found a reinvigorated approach to creativity that led to resurrecting a problem project.

So what is the lesson from all this? Expand your creative horizons. Other motion designers are always a great source to run ideas by, brain storm or collaborate with, but thinking outside the box with whom you do those things with can really impact all your work in positive and surprising ways. Find a photographer, graphic designer, or even a chef, and talk about each others pieces or approaches to design. You never know who holds the key to that project that is giving you trouble.

Jeff Saunders has a Bachelors Degree in Visual Effects and Motion Graphics from the Art Institute. He currently works in Minneapolis, MN as the Visual Art Director for Fitness on Request LLC. He has also over 3 years experience in broadcast television behind the scenes as produciton assistant, floor director, camera operator and has even moved the levels on soundboards.