Ruminations

A friend of mine showed me this site a few weeks ago, and it's been a bit of a distraction during classes now. The site is called Ruminations.com (www.ruminations.com), and it's just a collection of people talking about things that bother them or funny things that happen to them. It's hilarious because it's so relatable. I read through them like "yeah, done that...done that...done that..." On the one hand, it's just an amusing way to pass time, but, on the other hand, it's helped me a bit in my writing. Part of writing a good line is connecting to the reader, and often using humor or some relatable anecdote is a good way to go. When I'm having trouble writing, I just think about how I would say what I'm trying to say to a friend and write that to start. I like conversational writing. So, this site combines conversational writing with funny anecdotes. They aren't lines, but there are a lot of good ideas in there. I'll leave you with a few examples... "If anyone ever found out the one password I use for everything, I'd be fucked." "Yes, Google, that's what I meant" "Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and realize I have no idea what time it is."

The Savoy Cocktail Book

I work at a local restaurant, and I found this book behind the bar the other day. The original book was created in the 1930's, and contains a plethora of classic cocktails. So, it's a great book for a bartender, but I was mainly taken with the design of this book. The copy I held was printed in the 90's, but seemed to be completely hand-done (minus the type.) If it wasn't, it definitely seemed like it. The pages are thick, almost card stock paper with different illustrations on each page. Maybe this was just reprinted from the original form, but it is visually amazing. To me, it's an example of "If you're going to do something, do it right." If you're going to make a piece that is supposed to look like it's from a certain time period, you have to do it correctly. If this book used some modern font mixed with old-timy illustrations, it wouldn't have had the same effect. It's impossible to portray the whole effect online, so if you happen to see this book somewhere, pick it up. You'll see what I mean.

I am a creative.

If you have never heard the term, it sounds weird to say, "I am a creative." Probably everyone is creative in some sense, but I mean a creative in the advertising student sense. Each new class, we go around and introduce ourselves. What follows: "Hi, I'm Alina, and I'm a creative." Then you expect the class to say, "Hi Alina," like we are in some sort of program for addiction. Truth is, it is some sort of addiction. I find myself running through potential lines in my head while waiting tables, jotting thoughts down next to food orders. (This is not a good way to stay focused on a busy night at work, but it happens!) I feel like I live, breathe, and sleep advertising. Ads are literally everywhere. My family is probably tired of me yelling at the television when an ad totally misses the mark. Ex: "It's not just Alrighta, It's Ore Ida" AHHH! Not to mention the rest of the commercial is horrible, but I find myself constantly thinking in an advertising state of mind. Whether I'm critiquing, complimenting, or seeing something that I want to incorporate into my own work, advertising is always on my mind. But we aren't just inspired by other ads. Ads are inspired by life. Meaning, anything you see or hear could potentially come out in your next ad. Remembering everything that inspires you is difficult, so this blog will serve as one way for me to remember and share my inspirations. As said in a video we watched in class, remarkable work is something worth making a remark about. And that is our goal.

I was reading a recent copy of C.A. and found this profile of Shaw Nielsen, an illustrator that I really liked. I am always drawn to ads with illustrations or with any handmade aspects to them. Nielsen doesn't just do illustrations for ads, of course, but also for books, articles, and just personal use. This is an illustration he did for the Denver Zoo for a children's event called Zoomily. The kids in the illustration are all dressed up as their favorite animals. I like illustrations that aren't particularly realistic, but still give off the feeling you would get from the actual situation. For example, the trees in this image are circles with different patterns sitting on a striped post, but the fun, carefree feeling of a day at the zoo is definitely portrayed. I think Nielsen doesn't only attract children with this picture, but hits a nostalgic note with an older crowd, making this a successful illustration for an ad.