magicdesignbunny.com

ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Cathy Feldkamp
My concept website, magicdesignbunny.com, features a bunny character who gives design advice and inspiration through witty sayings and links. The inspiration for the site came from a joke with a friend and wishful thinking that coming up with ideas for a design could be as easy as pulling a rabbit out of a hat. So I created a concept website where you can pull an idea out of a hat, or at least laugh at witty graphic design sayings and videos.

Although I began this project with the goal of it being entertaining, the more I delve into the magicdesignbunny character, the more I realize the truth in the comparison of graphic designers to magicians. Since the creative process designers go through is not always seen, creative ideas seem like magic tricks that we only know the secret to. To someone outside the design process, it can appear as if designers have replaced the magician’s flick of a wand with the click of a mouse. In truth, creativity relies upon many different factors ranging from long hours of focused work to relaxing through taking a hot shower (Lehrer).

Many creative ideas begin in a part of the brain dedicated to making connections between distantly related information. People are actually more likely to form new connections when relaxed and less focused on a single idea (Lehrer). Albert Einstein said, “Creativity is the residue of time wasted,” so don’t be so hard on yourself the next time you are distracted on YouTube. One situation that facilitates forming creative ideas is when we are laughing, such as after watching a funny video (Lehrer). My site magicdesignbunny.com- is based on the idea that humor helps spark creative ideas. By offering entertaining links and quotes, my goal is for this site to be a place where a designer can go when he or she is stuck on a project, because, face it, we all get designer’s block every once and awhile.

Equally as important as humor in the creation of this concept site is the view of the community around you as a creative resource. Although magicdesignbunny’s comments will be my own funny inspirations and experiences initially, the site is designed to grow into a diverse collection of opinions and experiences. Other designers and site visitors will be able to share ideas, inspirations and links with magicdesignbunny on the contact page. Creative ideas develop more frequently out of a community setting because more experiences lead to more connections to spark those ideas. We draw inspiration from anywhere when developing an idea because the most creative ideas are the ones the reach past the typical answers for the challenge.

I couldn’t create this site without making it personal. My character’s sense of humor had no place else to start but with what amuses me. In graphic design, I thrive on the clever details. I will forever be amused by the arrow in the FedEx logo, and bull cutout on the tab of a can of RedBull. The details are what you remember and what make good design.

I would like to thank the people who make up my community. First, my parents, Alan and Judy Feldkamp, who raised me with a deep appreciation of the little moments that make you smile every day. Also, Kari Braden and Lee Golden from GT Creative, where I have had the privilege of interning since May, 2011. They have been a constant source of inspiration, design knowledge and, of course, great laughs.  My last thank you goes out to anyone who has ever made me laugh, including my two awesome roommates Bobbie Jo and Andrea, my best friends, Kathleen and Megan, and everyone at Cardinal Stritch University and Bradford Beach. The moments of laughter are most important in my life.

Work cited
Lehrer, Jonah "Imagine: How Creativity Works," Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 2012 Print.