I recently went to see the Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech” exhibition at BkM. (shouts to emma for the rec). What draws me to Virgil is the openness of his work. Openness that is born from the influence of remix cultures like music, fashion, and for me software. Each piece a site for learning and conversation. At the exhibit I got a manuscript of his “Insert Complicated Title Here” lecture and in it he asks:
What’s my DNA? Every architect, designer, and artist that I look up to, whether they were doing period paintings or buildings, has a through-line in their work
This question of DNA has already been on my mind as I start mY NeW DeSiGnEr jOb and has me revisiting this section of my website:
I believe that computers can make us more creative and that tool building can be a labor of love.
It’s vague, slightly pretentious and honestly a little unclear. Which is why I’ve been thinking about what this really means. Less dramatic and existential and more in a “how would I explain this” to my grandparents way. I talked with a bunch of Design Technologists to understand how they see their craft, I’ve reread my favorite articles and books, and even started and stopped several attempts to write down my many messy thoughts. And after all that, I still don’t have a satisfying answer. The best I can do is:
I believe that computers can make us more creative and that tool building can be a labor of love. The creativity inspired by digital artists, social media publishing tools and creative coding. The love inspired by carrier bags, home-cooked meals and digital love-languages.
I’ll get back to you if I can think of any more.
-mello
P.S. - Bruh, Virgil was detailed down to the shoes for the museum guards