We can create serendipitously and see where the mark making takes us. Or we can create with purpose. If we create with purpose other than to glorify ourselves, then the intellect has to get involved. How does it get involved? Keep reading.
- We identify a problem or recognize a need. We can’t solve any problem unless we first define it accurately.
- We define the goals and the limits, the must-includes and the dimensions.
- We research, analyze, and consider available options.
- We consider the medium and materials.
- We explore how forms will work together and discard what’s superfluous, non-essential, not working.
- We test and choose the elements that work together in the best way possible to solve the problem.

Parodies and visual puns deliberately combine familiar, similar forms in unusual ways. Image source: unkown.
Mose people recognize similarities first, before differences. We see the whole human being and recognize its form as human before we assess details such as hair color, skin color, etc. This relates to gestalt design theory.
Therefore we tend to draw based on similarities. We draws ideas of things based on experience and common knowledge — stereotypes — rather than draw the differences that make things interesting. An apple is red, but it’s really millions of different colors dominating on the red hue family. Pine cones are brown, when they’re really a multitude of different browns, tans, grays, greens.
What is your biggest take-away from this article? Drop a comment. Comments are moderated.