Influence – Philip Abang

Hello ZedTears. Thank you from the bottom of my heart

Corita 100 scr — 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

Design. Good design is honest. Dieter Rams

I thought I’d share this from one of my favourite designers Dieter Rams.

Dieter Rams is an industrial designer who studied and worked as an architect initially, and known for his minimalist and clean approach for Braun consumer products. He remains an iconic figure in the design industry especially with his distilled approach on products. He best describes his approach as “less, but better”.

“Dieter Rams’ ability to bring form to a product so that it clearly, concisely and immediately communicates its meaning is remarkable… He remains utterly alone in producing a body of work so consistently beautiful, so right, and so accessible.” – Jonathan Ive, Apple chief design officer (CDO)

Good design is honest_ in his 10 principles for good design is my favourite, indicating that an honest design does not try to manipulate the consumer by promises they cannot keep. Also, an honest design does not make a product appear more innovative, powerful or valuable than it is.

Here are his 10 principles for good design:

1. Good design is innovative
2. Good design makes a product useful
3. Good design is aesthetic
4. Good design is makes a product understandable
5. Good design is unobtrusive
6. Good design is honest
7. Good design is long-lasting
8. Good design is thorough down to the last detail
9. Good design is environmentally friendly
10. Good design is as little design as possible

There is a film coming out soon titled ‘Rams’, about Dieter Rams by Gary Hutswits.
I am looking forward to it. It is worth also watching the documentary Objectified also by Gary Hutwits which also features Dieter Rams, Jonathan Ive, and many more influential designers.

I will leave you with these words from Dieter Rams, a transcript from the ‘Rams’ trailer.

Design, Art/Creative direction, Post 
By Philip Abang