Words of Wisdom (or lack thereof)...

The Blank Page

Much has been written on the blank page, and much has yet to be written. Here is my attempt to add my 2¢.

We have all been there the white sheet in front of us begging, yearning for that perfect design, but where to begin? You continue to stare idlely expecting some great miracle to be bestowed from the heavens, and yet you wait. You get up, get some coffee, or maybe a beer, and you stare. You get up do an inspiration dance, and yet, well the page is still white, still untouched. What can you do? Here is a combination of my past experiences.

Over the years I have tried several things, and I welcome all new suggestions. They include everything from going on spending sprees to buy that much too expensive item that you really did not need (my case a new car when my old one was one year old), to going out with friends, drinking, planting lawns, doing laundry, dishes, and sleeping. The funny thing is that somehow I expect when I sit back at my computer for the screen to no longer be white- like little mystical people would have created something for me.

Well since no little people have ever assisted me, I am forced to try on my own. Sometimes I change the color of the screen, so now it is gray, blue or really anything other than white. This for me is the equivalent of placing your name on top of that 20 page report so you can say you started; and then I stall some more.

Typically around 2 a.m. I wake up with the worlds greatest idea, I get up, create it and feel rather pleased that the project is done, usually to find out it was a dream and I have no idea what the idea was- but rest assured it was the best idea ever.

3 days of procrastinating and the due date is tomorrow. Nothing gets you going like necessity, but first I have forgotten some of the lines to Top Gun so I really should watch that before I begin. As I watch the film, my monitor sits staring, calling my name, ruining one of my all-time favorite movies. I feel compelled to get up, sit, and draw. I scribble on the screen, play with the client's logo; make it dance around the screen, change colors until all of the sudden the idea sparks. This idea is thrown out within the first five minutes of development because of another spark, and soon the fireworks are going off. Boom, bang, kablooey, no fizzle here, just shear joy and excitement. The chanting begins - "The page isn't white", "The page isn't white". The colors are melding beautifully, the juxtaposition is perfect, everything is falling into place, and I am pleased. My best work ever. Really, it is that good. Then, as I send it to my client the phone rings- no they did not change their minds, nor want different colors, their logo or any of they rest, they love it, it was just what they needed…2 months earlier, because today they filed chapter 11 and I should not expect to see re-imbursement.

Anyway, life continues and there will be more blank pages. As I stated at the beginning, the blank sheet will haunt you and I have no solutions. In fact I welcome all suggestions. Maybe some inspirational urls, art galleries, special photos, sayings, poems, locations, all of your own stories are welcome and the best will be posted.