We create to inform. We create to share. We create to express. We create to fail. We create to make a difference. We create to learn. We create to inspire. We create because we can.

Be it illustrators, artists, designers, architects or musicians. Why do we create? Why are we creative individuals?  It is not because we blend typography and imagery. It is not because of the mastery of our brush strokes or that perfect note. It is not because we see the glass as both half empty and half full. It is not because we are talented. It IS because we can put all of these traits together and create harmony with the elements given. We bring organization to the chaos that is clients, photography, type, paint and sounds.

I think that I am creative person. I have learned over the years that is not just one thing, but all things that make met hat way. I do not to blindly accept things as they are and question information, not in a defensive way, but as someone who seeks to understand. I believe understanding is one of the most important parts of design. As I sit down and tap my fingers to the keys to write this, I know that I am yet to be the designer I could be, want to be and need to be. This why I constantly reinvent my brand and redesign this site (we are on version 3). I also have much to offer younger designers, older designers, myself and the design community. Still I have yet to realize my fullest potential, but with my collaborations, creative interests and support from my family and friends I know I am getting closer.

But to answer my own question:
I create because it is in me. It is a driving force that keeps me going. I am not aware of the notion that says that at 5 o’clock, the whistle blows and I stop working. Even when I leave work I am working! Thinking of new ideas, sketching and planing what to create next. I wish that sometimes I can just turn it off, but then I run the risk of losing it and that’s never a good thing.

Staying organized (in any way that suits you) is the best way to stay on top of your creativity. Gather your thoughts, keep those sketches close, collaborate with friends and prepare yourself for some harsh feedback. Then get right back up and do it again, creativity never dies it just needs some re-inventing.

We have asked other artists, designers and thinkers this same question… Why do you create? or Why are you creative? and these are the responses we received.

Bruce Colthart

“For me, I think it comes down to regularly conducting exercises in making order out of a perceived disorder. Or reordering someone else’s arrangement or composition of something.”

Rob E Bowen

“Great question, George. You know, I guess it started with me as a child, I had this creative energy that just wanted out. My friends and I would act out skits for our families from our favorite comic strips, and I loved that element of performing. When I was eight I remember starting to want to be responsible for what was on the page rather than performing from it, and I began writing song lyrics. Nothing major or to be that proud of, but I was beginning to play with letting out that energy and I was really loving it. Years went by and the energy became more fluid and I began writing poetry. For years I wrote as an outlet, to assist me in some dark times that I went through in high school, and it was then that I realized the power of this creative energy. It had saved my life.

It was through this realization that I dove into the arts and I never looked back. This energy yearns to be free and I have found so many outlets for it to explore, each one enriching my life and my experience on this planet so much, that the consideration of a life without this creative expression seems hollow and half-lived. I just can’t do that. My pen has guided my journey since and opened up new directions for me to walk. I create to honor that energy. To honor the artforms that have sheltered and shielded me. I create, because I know no other way to live. It is who I am and who I have become.”

David Soto

That’s a hard question to answer. Because I have no idea why I’m a creative person. I really don’t think it’s anything I can control. Its part of me and my personality I guess. What I find interesting is how I can’t really answer the question with assurance. I’m always in a “problem solving” state of mind. Which im sure all you graphic designers out there can relate to. I also have a competitive personality which may explain why I push myself so much. What I do know for sure is, I’m addicted to being creative. Or at least trying.

We also asked on twitter and here are some responses...

Thank You for the great responses to this simple, but complex question…

Hey! Why are you creative!?

“radical culture and the idea that the work you do as a designer could actually be of benefit to society is no longer evident. When did you last hear the word progress? Progress is essential to society; the idea that what you’re doing now should make a better society for tomorrow. [Good Design] is not about doing something that’s going to bring you money, its about doing something that’s goings to re-engage people, re-engage culture and society and re-engage possibility.”

-Neville Brody, Computer Arts Magazine, 163

Design is a very powerful form of communication. It allows us to reach the core of a persons soul, express the unexpressed and unite people. If we allow the work to speak for itself the viewer will interpret it in various ways and give it their own meaning. Over the years I have come across some really great examples of design that has meant something… at least to me.

Designers Like Shepard Fairey, Milton Glaser & groups such as the AIGA have all created powerful works that have resonated with today’s culture. They have help to re-engage us in social issues such as education, politics, genocide and terrorism to name a few. Some examples of what I mean are:

Shepard Fairey x L.E.A.D. Ugnada

Shepard was approached to create mixed media collages to help raise money for L.E.A.D Uganda, an Educational Leadership Program. “My work is about trying to make striking, provocative images that can lead people to take an interest in social issues that I care about … whether it is what is going on in Darfur or Uganda or any other form of injustice that is happening around the world,” said Shepard Fairey. Just like his now famous mixed media piece for now president Obama, Fairey uses his talent to peak our interests through art and make us more socially aware.

Milton Glaser – 9/11 & Darfur

Glaser, an original member behind Push Pin studios has not only created memorable work, but he has made us think. As the designer of the iconic I love NY campaign, he responded to the 9/11 tragedy with another remarkable poster illustrating the loss and hurt that the city was going through with the updated “I love NY more than ever” poster. He also create a poster bring light to the pain in Darfur and how it really effect us ALL.

AIGA – Get out and vote project

Why do we care about such frivilious things. The US as a country seems to care more about reality shows like: American Idol, The Bachelor and Dancing with the Stars than our own political system. This is evident with the amount of voting that these shows produce. America seemed to be more interested in shows about reality rather that reality itself! The American Institute of Graphics Artist is changing that. Through design and exposure the AIGA has created the Get out and Vote project for each election year since 2000. This was create to inspire us as American voters to participate in our right to choose our elected officials.

These are just some things that I have found where designers are creating something with meaning. What have you come across? share your work, links and findings with us.

Remember to re-engage with yourself to re-engage with the world.

Moderated by Alice Twemlow, the panel consisted of Khoi Vinh, Design Director of NYTimes.com and Subtraction.com blog. Allan Chochinov, Editor-in-Chief at Core77, and Design Educator at the SVA MFA program. Tina Roth Eisenberg aka SwissMiss, founder of swissmiss blog and studio & last but not least was Josh Rubin, founder & EIC of CoolHunting.com.

These blogs and authors offer great resources for design products, critical writing, commentary on design, cool finds and overall interesting views on the world. I was lucky enough to hove some free time in my schedule to make it to the New School to hear some insight!

As a designer that has a blog, I thought it important to immerse myself and hear the inner workings of what and how design bloggers think. C’mon how often do you get a chance to be in the same room with these people?

They spoke of the importance and sometimes unimportance of a design blog. Khoi mentioned how the design blog is passed its peak and we need to find other ways to engage our audience, and how designer could easily move into more of an entrepreneurial role in the future. He brought up a good point from one of his followers on twitter.

This is from a ReTweet he sent out..

It seems true that we maybe at a pass, design blogs aren’t as fresh anymore. What we read is not always about design, but of Tricks, Tutorials and Hacks. (don’t get me wrong, I love those posts) But rarely do we read the multitude of good design articles like on SpeakUp & Design Observer.

It seemed like there is definitely room for blogs to evolve and become simpler and more visual, just like FFFFound & Flickr. Sometimes we need to remember that it’s all connected. From a Thought -> Idea -> Concept -> Post -> Brand -> Platform … these all snowball from a common place, the content. It is what engages readers and make them wanting to come back. Posts with great design products or the author giving up something of themselves, that personal touch makes it worth the ride these blogger take us on and make us feel part of their world. Take note, that whatever these bloggers are doing, they are doing it right and gaining credibility, readership and loyalty.

But please do take my word for it, check out their respective blogs for inspiration, entertainment and all around info about our design world.
Khoi Vihn > Subtraction.com
Allan Chochinov > Core77.com
Tina Roth Eisenberg > Swiss-Miss.com
Josh Rubin > CoolHunting.com

Special thanks the AIGA/NY & Parson New School for putting on this event with such an interesting panel and giving me the spark to write a new post.

It all started with some simple comments on D. Douglass’ image in Facebook. See full comments here> He drew a Monkey Samurai and made it his new profile picture. As  anytime when an artist changes their profile pic, people take notice. This time it sparked more than just conversation. Read some below…

Grin
oooooooh!

George Garrastegui
touchee… challenge smalls! lol… this is hot!

Grin
Challenge you say?hmmm.

Gorilla
BRING IT!!!!LOL

Grin
word! it’s like that?! OK, The Monkey Art King Challenge!

Gorilla
NAH!!!playboy..no more monkey king .. let do something different..okay Oni/Samurai Challenge..ooh now it(s) on!!!

So Now it on!!! A ole fashion Japanese Samurai/Oni Showdown. All the trash talking will culminate with an ART BATTLE at the begin of the New Year! Bring your A game and draw you ass off! Vote below if you are friends with any of the artists, and see who may come out on top!

The work of J.Smalls & The work of D. Douglass.

Then check back here in the new year with a reCap of the event.