General Why

I am sure many of us watch a lot of content on Netflix. But even if you don’t, you should definitely watch this Netflix original series, Abstract. This series promises to take us inside the minds of most innovative designers in a variety of disciplines. Once you watch the trailer it is difficult for you to not give this a try.

If you haven’t seen the trailer yet, here it is:

Personal Why

Few reasons why I think this is a great piece of work:

• It makes us aware of the ubiquitous nature of design in our urban life.
• Irrespective of what is your craft, you are likely to walk away with inspiration.
• It’s a great way to tell stories about people through their work.

I have chosen to write about the first episode of Season 1 here. For me, each of these lines is potent for further exploration and interpretation. I contemplated writing a short paragraph about each to tell you what in this line that I liked the most or related the most. Then again, I asked why do I need to do it. Hence I am presenting each line as I heard it in the episode.

Who is S1E1

Christoph Niemann is an artist. He regularly draws for New Yorker, Wired, and New York Times. He lives in Berlin. One of the many cool things he has done is to sketch the New York Marathon while running it.

What did I pick up

Is this about me or is this by me?

Be an artist

Get rid of everything that is not essential to making a point

He did not teach by encouragement

It is extremely exciting but it never becomes easy

My real life and my work life they don’t really mix

Chuck Close said “ Inspiration is for amateures. Us professionals, we just go to work in the morning”

It’s just about showing up and getting started and then something amazing happens or it doesn’t happen.

All that matters is you enable the chance for something to happen.

Create an armour of craft around you

Danger of focuing on craft is it can keep you from asking really relevant questions

You always have to change direction while things are good

The only way to grow required that I loosen up

Nobody likes authenticity its like changing your kids diapers

The big big problem about routine is everything starts to look the same

Read the book – discovery of slowness by Sten Nadolny

The polarities of being in control and being free spirited need to be managed. Hence I am not an editor when I am an artist and not an artist when I am the editor

You measure yourself against a lucky moment

My fears threatened to take a toll on my work

Every athelete, every musician practices everyday why it should be any different for artists