David Airey

Category: Personal

  • Why is so much of design school a waste of time?

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    In response to the student question, former AIGA NY President Juliette Cezzar said, “Sure, you can leave, but you’re going to take your inability to use criticism with you.” That’s the crux. I was a bad designer when I finished my formal education about 15 years ago. The difference in quality between my work and…

  • “How do you storyboard a smile?”

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    If you’ve been reading my comment threads over the years you’ll likely be familiar with Lee Newham of London-based Designed By Good People. Lee’s been kindly sharing his experience for as long as I can remember, so I thought it’d be interesting to get more of an insight into what makes the man tick. I…

  • It’s okay to change your mind

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    “The way I express my thoughts the first time round is almost never the accurate reflection of what I believe. “In journalism, though, if you say something the first time round and then you call [the journalist] the next day and say, ‘Actually I thought about it and what I really mean is this,’ the…

  • Appreciative

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    David Airey
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    “Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.” — Aldous Huxley, Brave New World

  • Five things

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    Belfast-based designer Paul McNally asked me to submit to his Five Things project — a collection of favourite things from people of all ages, locations, and occupations.

  • Ask me anything #2

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    Following on from part #1. 21/ How much time did you spend on your favourite piece of work? — Dustin Andrew I couldn’t choose just one, but there are a few that definitely aren’t favourites. One should’ve lasted three or four months, but 18 months had passed before I was paid the balance. That taught…

  • Things I’m sent

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    Now and again people send me products to review. A lot of what’s sent isn’t worth sharing. Some things are.

  • Ask me anything #1

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    The first in a two-part series, with answers to your questions. 1/ How do you feel the surge of social-media and internet dependence has changed the way we brand? — Duane Doogan Not very much. The principles are the same — create something appropriate, distinctive, memorable, and ideally emotive. 2/ What gave you the courage…

  • Is it still important to sketch as a designer?

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    Design sketching. Is it still important? That was this week’s Voxpop question on Design Week. I know I could use only a computer and create a workable design, but it’s obviously restricting if too much time is spent looking into a monitor. And there’s something I find relaxing about sketching. Perhaps because I’m more relaxed…

  • Alan Watts on the dream of life

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    David Airey
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    “Everybody is fundamentally, the ultimate reality. Not god in a politically, kingly sense, but god in the sense of being the self – the deep down basic whatever there is. And you’re all that, only you’re pretending you’re not.” — Alan Watts From the late Alan Watts’ Out of Your Mind sessions, available on CD…