Art Over Astronaut? That’s a No-Brainer
Jan 24th, 2008 by Boulder Design Festival 2009
Amanda Lenz, an illustrator/graphic designer by trade, gave up her desire to fly space shuttles and wear moon boots at the age of 5 to become an artist. Originally from a little town in West Virginia, (and no, her parents aren’t related), she moved to Colorado 10 years ago to continue her quest. Since then, she has earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Denver and landed a job amongst a strong creative team at Mayfire design and advertising studio here in Boulder. With only two years in the work force, she feels fortunate to have experienced some priceless opportunities as one of the contributors to Point: AIGA Colorado Educational Journal and 2COMMUNIQÈ.
Now from Amanda’s computer to yours, here’s what she had to say about her experience in the AIGA Denver Design Jam competition on Wed, Jan 16, 2008:
Overall I thought the event was really exciting, and I would have enjoyed it whether I participated (in it) directly or not.
1. What were you thinking about once the clock started?
Holy Hell, why did I say I wanted to compete again?
2. What was your technique considering you only had 15 minutes?
I definitely could have used a bit more technique. I sketched and ran with the first idea that came to me…getting as much done as I could. (I had to go with what I love: illustration.)
3. What inspired you to compete?
I went to the
AIGA’s “Next” Conference, and really envied the contestants that got to compete in
Command X. They were fantastic!
4. What did you think about your competitors and the selection process?
It was neat…very random. It would have been really neat to have more workstations to bring up as many people as wanted to compete. I’m sure there were very talented people who didn’t get their numbers called.
5. Do you feel the judges were fair and credible? Any format changes you’d like to see?
Yes I believe overall. It would have been nice to have a creative director/designers from local design studios or professors from design programs involved. I really wish when the judges made their statements in the final round they would have been more specific. I would have loved some feedback about the actual work/process rather than just a stating they were basing their scores on the emotional response to the work.
6. Would you like to see an event like this in Boulder or another venue?
Sounds like fun. Count me in.
7. Is a prize a motivator?
Yes. Fame and glory does wonders also.
8. I noticed you had to work with the tools you were given, would you prefer using your own work station instead?
Overall I was happy we all were given the same tools. I thought it was strange we were given
CS3 to use…when they were giving it away. (That was my first time using CS3). I think it may involve too many variables to allow outside devices…other than sketchbooks.
9. Would you be willing to participate if you had a team and a longer time period?
Yah a team would be great fun especially because a team effort is more reminiscent of the actual studio design process.
10. Any suggestions on future challenges?
Yes, you cannot get the full sense of a designer in 15 minutes, but if anything it’s fun and interesting to see the varying processes.
As a final question, I asked Amanda to share something a little more personal…
My biggest dislike… in 1990 Crayola added the cerulean crayon to the 64 count line-up, and I have hated it ever since and I am currently dreaming of… cupcakes and travel, preferably simultaneously.
To read more about DesignJam’08 check out: DesignJam’08: Next Stop, Boulder?