“To me art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take the risks.” _Mark Rothko
Mark Rothko’s quote inspired my initial post ‘Art‘ and also this artwork. I created this artwork ‘Into The Unknown’ as an abstract representation of the conscious, subconscious, and the unconscious mind. The eye denoting the conscious, the subconscious represented by the abstract layers and patterns of type and forms floating in space and the unconscious are the ‘blacks’ found in every existing space.
There is a complexity about the subconscious and the unconscious mind, and human behaviour is influenced by the abstract nature of this complexity. The floating layers of information in the subconscious are a culmination of things seen, heard or experienced. In the unconscious mind lays a deep tunnel of things the conscious mind cannot conceive or comprehend. In it lays a wealth of uncharted knowledge, strength, weaknesses, potential, goals, wisdom, vulnerability, power, you name it.
Like Mark Rothko’s quote, exploring that space of our subconscious and our unconscious mind can help unravel our inner stardom and realizing our full potential. Being the hero of our story lay in how deep we are willing to dive, how deep we are willing to look from within to make our story a best seller.
Lest I forget, I created this artwork exploring with torn pieces of papers, sketch and ‘scanography’. I tried something different and the result is this digital collage. Let’s take an adventure into the unknown (our inner self) and see how we become a beautiful piece of art.
Design, Art/Creative direction, Post
By Philip Abang
Hello ZedTears. Thank you from the bottom of my heart
Corita Kent. Corita 100. mock up
I haven’t been as active posting blogs or wonderful quotes on my site lately. I am in the process of moving home so it is physically tasking coupled with work and family activities. Although, I still do come across many inspiring quotes that I would have loved to design and post here but obviously things get overtaken by events.
I will love to share in depth why I do what I do, why I love to design quotes and why I use a degree of expressive typography in a subsequent post. But for now let me share my process of how I come across quotes. Leonardo Da Vinci once said that “learning never exhaust the mind”. My approach to learning lead to my path in Graphic Design. The first day I heard of the term ‘Graphic Design’ was the day I pick up the phone and called a few universities if they had vacancy so I could enrol. Thanks to my business partner at the time who mentioned it in conversation and thanks to UEL that had vacancy for me to start a new chapter in my life’s storybook. Learning is never too much in my opinion, we’ll keep learning and discovering new things until we cease to exist.
I try to pay attention to things that I read, watch or listen to. This approach often or most time lead to discovery and a wealth of knowledge. The quotes I post have come as a result. Some quotes posted have also come from some blogs read and from some amazing bloggers on this platform. I wasn’t aware of this platform until I shared my first post. By this I mean a channel where a community of great minds and awesome individuals shared great posts and contents. Sincerely speaking, when I shared my first post it was at the beginning of March 2018. My intention was to have a portfolio website displaying some of the works I had done and something extra that I could share my thoughts and my design process.
Enough of the blah blah blah! Not so long ago, I designed and posted a series of quotes on Corita Kent when she was mentioned in a YouTube video I was watching. I did a research on her and was blown away by this incredible woman, her works, her powerful and inspirational words. I was truly inspired. I could see why Brian Collins mentioned her in that video and why she is an inspiration to many designers, artists, painters, writers, you name it.
Recently, I have started posting on instagram, and shared these quote series there. The quotes had many likes and some comments too to my astonishment. I was discovering another world. The quotes were liked by Designspiration, Corita Art Center and more.
Last week I had a direct message from Corita Art Center based in Los Angeles, CA. saying how they loved my artwork and will like me to submit the artwork as they were celebrating Corita’s 100th birthday anniversary. The artwork is considered for the #coritaartcontest #coritainspired, #corita100. Needless to say how humbled I was by this very kind gesture and for the work to be recognized. This is an indication that some things we put out or share could mean a great deal to others.
I wanted to share why I do what I do in a subsequent post but I might as well spill the beans on why I design quotes. I design quotes because I am inspired by the powerful words (I hope someone else shares my sentiment). I also design quotes because it lets me experiment with type and typography (as a graphic designer). I see typeface(s) as image(s). I design quote because it gives me so much joy in doing so. I design quotes as it has become somewhat of a hobby. I design quotes because I love quotes period.
The reason for the Corita Kent’s quotes was not to gain praises or recognition, it was for the reasons stated above. Words cannot fully express how grateful I am for the likes and recognition though, for the readers of my blogs and for the followers too. Without you I wouldn’t be wholeheartedly enjoying this process, and wanting to post more content.
I will be sharing my design process on how I created the Corita Kent artwork in a later post.
I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to Corita Art Center, and to the wonderful community of readers and followers of creatives.
Design, Art/Creative direction, Illustration, Mock up, Post
By Philip Abang
Philip Abang 