The 200th Monster
There's something intriguing about a daily, self-imposed task that imposes formal constraints but which is flexible enough that creative exploration is possible. More than possible—the work is actually stimulated by the rigors of the premise. Luc Grateau's paintings of commuters rendered on Paris subway tickets are a perfect example. And closer to home is Stefan G. Bucher's playful series of Daily Monsters, which recently concluded with number 200.
Bucher had the inspired idea to dab some ink on a page, blow it and then transform the resulting blot into a "monster," an interesting enough seed from which to grow a series of 100 of the little fellows. However, things really got interesting thanks to Bucher documenting the drawing process and posting the clips on his site, which created a stream of visitor-generated stories about the possible lives of the wee beasties. From such feedback loops are projects born and the end result in this case was the publication earlier this year of 100 Days Of Monsters, a book that contains not just the 100 drawings but also a selection of the best stories, as well as a DVD with all the movies and additional stories.
While the production of new Daily Monsters may have reached an end, the site has just been updated and the monsterish initiatives seem to be continuing. It was certainly an inspired idea to provide ink blots that visitors could use to create their own monsters, with some witty and whimsical ones posted so far in the Open Source Monster Gallery. Capping the interest in the series is a related store, in which you can purchase limited-edition prints of the monsters, buttons, a messenger bag (sold out!) and the ultimate—your very own land, air or sea monster drawing.
Admirer's of Bucher's monsters, and the work of his 344 Design shop, can participate in an upcoming Graphics.com Network webcast. The ninth in a series from Dynamic Graphics magazine, Going Solo: How to Start (and Keep) Your Own Design Business will be hosted by Bucher and will cover what it takes to launch and grow your business. Sponsored by PsPrint.com, the free webcast is scheduled for 1 pm CDT on June 17. More information and registration is available on the Dynamic Graphics site.
Chris Dickman
Graphics.com | Also blogging on Photos.com
I am probably not the only graphic design fool but I feel like one of the most incompetent one. I am like those generals of the past who a led rebellion, was given political leadership, but did not know what to do next for his nation. I did not know what to do. I had successfully completed all that was required of me by my college, but what do you do when you graduate in the middle of a recession. What do you do when you have no connections? What do you do when you eyewitness the towering dot-com industries fall like the Twine Towers and bring the graphic design industry to its knees. Do you fish in a pound full of dead fish trying frantically to fulfill your dreams of becoming a graphic designer, or do abandon your dreams? I abandon my dreams. I turned my back on it for the security of a teaching position, only to find out that becoming a teacher is almost as impossible as becoming a graphic designer. The strive for financially security was not worth it. So you tell me, am a fool or what?