Recharging the batteries at Offset 2012
Every so often it’s great to get a break from the drudgery of daily life and do something different. This weekend I took Friday off work and went to Offset 2012 instead. Charlie was going for the full weekend and I decided to tag along on Friday to check it out.
Now I felt a bit of a faker there, because Leaving Cert Art is the closest I ever got to being a designer. But I like to hear the perspectives of people who think differently to me, who challenge me to think differently. I’m also in awe of people who are truly artistic. And the Offset conference is an opportunity to get a little bit of everything.
As I said, I only attended on Friday, but I heard talks from graphic designers, illustrators, sculptors, children’s book illustrators, and even two guys who inadvertently stumbled into playground design.
Some talks blew me away, and some didn’t. Highlights of the day for me were Hort’s reminder that when it comes to be creative, it’s more important to be surprising than good, Hellovon’s unbelievable illustrations, getting Chris Haughton to sign his two books for Little Man, and hearing a call to happiness from Stefan Sagmeister. But I’m pretty certain there was something there for everyone. By the time we finished up at Sagmeister’s talk on Friday evening, I was itching to do something creative – and more than a little disappointed not to be attending Saturday and Sunday.
Assuming it’s on next year, I’ll definitely be picking up a weekend ticket.
I heard so many people talking about this over the weekend in such a positive way it’s just a pity I heard about it so late as I would have loved it. What a great way to take time out for yourself. The best days out are the ones that inspire you I think.
Absolutely Caitriona! I think it’s so important to take the time to listen to ideas from other people. It really makes you sit up and think yourself!