Solitude.

Photo credit to Chad Siddal

http://www.baisermag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/cs11.jpg

The peace and quiet found in solitude is irreplaceable.  Stepping out and away from monotonous routines is always rewarding... The silence is humbling.  There is time to think the thoughts you usually don't have time for, there is no one there to distract your attention.  You're free to perceive your world how you wish. This photograph captures a perfect moment of solitude.  The light, shadow, and scenery create a mood which epitomize the tranquility felt in solitude.  I love the design of this photograph. Its composition is interesting and I like the washout spot the sun creates, as well as the sun spots across the photograph.  It has a very pleasing gestalt.

We've Got To Start Somewhere

Pursuing your passions is a part of life that can really bring satisfaction.  It is something that encourages self fulfillment.  The thing about pursuing our passions, though, is that we’ve got to actually begin to do so.  Beginnings are important.  One of my favorite inspirational quotes is: “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”  If you can answer that question without hesitation, that’s probably a passion worth pursuing.  As a student at UC Davis, I have begun to discover my true passions.  I have begun to pursue my true interests with an “if not now, then when?” attitude.  Taking that leap of faith is the hardest part, the rest will come to you.  Passions I have been pursuing include photography, design, landscape architecture, guiding white water rafting… all things that I could have easily told myself I might fail, and avoided those intimidating beginnings.

An Early Impression

Design has always been intriguing to me.  Ever since I was an elementary school girl, I was awed by appealing graphics, art, photography, etc.  I can recall several memories when I realized the impact design has on our lives; but, one picture in particular truly sparked my fascination.  This picture was a hand drawing of the English alphabet.  It wasn’t your average calligraphy, though.  The artist had drawn children forming their bodies into the shapes of the letters.  This picture was framed in my grandparents’ house.  I can remember staring at the picture in that hallway every single time I passed by it.  The picture had careful depictions of the kids’ features with a simple white background.  But, it was the creativity of forming the alphabet this way which is what made such a big impression on me.

I used to try to mimic each girl and boy in the picture (because if they could do it, I could too, right?) Well, this proved to be quite challenging for some of the letters!  It was, after all, from the artist’s imagination and not realistically portrayed.  But, viewing the picture gave me such a sense of awe that I had to try again and again to master the poses; tweaking my back, touching my toes, reaching my arms… 

I think pictures such as this one from my childhood impacted my perception of design in my life.  Whether it was animation, graphics, or hand drawings, I became very interested in this realm of creativity at an early age.  It’s those first impressions that make a difference and a lasting impact on our understanding of such concepts as design.