On having an audience
I recently attended and participated in the Creative Carousel here in Las Vegas. My local AIGA sponsored the event in Jana Cruder’s S P A C E studio. The studio was littered with precious photographs of memories recent and past, Jana was a gracious host and made everyone feel at home. The primary purpose here was to exhibit your portfolio and get some exposure, perhaps a chance to get some ears and eyes on loan. I suggested to Lauren Stewart, one of the AIGA organizers, that I try to create something different. My goal was to speak about myself, much like I try to do here (though not as often as I’d like) and offer people a chance to take my experiences and see themselves or their work in a new light.
When the time came, I had created a combination of four elements arranged in a square format as it is here:
The imagery would represent a time journey alongside my work through the years as a design student to a self-starting entrepreneur. Aside from the obvious elements, I sought to make it more fun by re-creating different design styles from the years they were contained in as well as the music I listened to during that phase. Music has, and always will be an important part of how I live my life. The quotes would be turning points, anchors or those ‘Ah-ha!’ moments I encountered as I struggled with an identity.The purpose of my presentation was to first, reacquaint myself with an audience, then, to give them a new perspective.
I was, of course, a nervous wreck. I consulted with my fiancee repeatedly over the previous week, even as far as practicing my speech in the car on the way there!—I am lucky that I have such a strong, encouraging partner.
In I went, and as I dug deeper into dialogue about the quotes I read and talks I had, it reminded me of how much they touched my life. I spoke out vividly into the darkness facing countless tiny reflections. Their eyes fixed upon the screen behind me. I wanted to tell them that they too, can aim higher and be moved to act on their passion. This is what happened to me. This is what I wanted to make them feel.
So many people came after to congratulate me and I felt as nervous as the first time I posted drawings up in art class. I feigned bashfulness and a little boy jumped for joy, deep inside of me. Reaction from my colleagues and contemporaries was enthusiastic and encouraging. I felt triumphant and I glowed. I had encountered yet another sign, lighting my way towards teaching. In turn, this would rekindle my lust for sleepless nights and fruitful exaltation.
I humbly present to you, my slideshow. It’s certainly not an award winning speech but I got the essence of it. I hope to do more and get better at it. I tied in the audio as best I could. I hope it inspires you in some small way.
