Four Art & Design Quotes That Inspire
The following four quotes are words that pass through my mind very often, sometimes daily. They are statements that ring true to me, and I find them to be incredibly inspirational. I hope they might prove useful for you, too.
“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide whether it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they’re deciding, make even more art.” -Andy Warhol
Mr. Warhol’s entire career is a near-constant inspiration to me. This quote will help fuel your work ethic when you are feeling tired or unenthusiastic. Talent is only one part of the equation of being a designer. I would argue that an ambitious work ethic is equally important. It took me years to really learn this lesson.
“Make it bigger.” -Paula Scher
The legendary Pentagram designer Paula Scher has done an impressive amount of exceptional work in her career. I tend to enjoy graphic design work that makes a big, bold statement, even if it is only a visual statement. When working on a design, I tend to try enlarging or expanding things greatly at least once. Even if it doesn’t wind up in your finished piece, it can help you look at things from another perspective or consider the little things on a large scale. Don’t be timid.
“It’s okay to pull a rabbit out of your hat, but sometimes, a rabbit out of your hat is not what’s called for.” -Sergio Baradat
Mr. Baradat is an illustrator and a former professor of mine at Parsons. He was an affable and quotable teacher and I often remember his words. Of freelance life, he said, “There is no office for this job. This job is in your head.” Of art openings, he said, “I love openings. I’d go to the opening of a window.” The rabbit/hat quote is useful to me not because I do backflips in my designs that often, but because sometimes it’s nice to have a reminder that doing the basic and simple things very well is often more powerful (and probably more appropriate for a job) than trying to impress people by reinventing the wheel.
“As you get older, you’re not afraid of doubt. Doubt isn’t running the show.” -Clint Eastwood
Eastwood is my hero and I hope he is immortal. He is not a designer, of course, but he is an artist. We all have occasional doubts about our work and our path through life, but it’s an obstacle that even the Eastwoods among must face. Often, when I find myself stuck doubting whether a design is right enough or good enough, I think of this quote, forget the doubt, and get back to work. Work will solve a problem; doubt will not.
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