Justin Ahrens
Sarah Ahrens
Kara Ayaram
Tim Damitz
Bob Davidson
Susan Herda
Kerri Liu
Katrina Strich
Intern
Guest Blogger
A few months ago, I had an idea for a new personal project. Over the years I had amassed quite a few pairs of shoes. Nothing crazy, but a nice, modest collection that I was really into. Just for Kicks started as an idea to illustrate each pair of my shoes and put them together in a blog (and a book). Every shoe will be illustrated and documented. After those are done, I’m moving onto friends’ and colleagues’ shoes. Shoes are one thing we all have in common. We likely all have a favorite pair – and I want to document that.
The idea behind it was quite simple, really: I wanted to illustrate more. And I needed to create something new to keep myself inspired. A fellow designer (and close friend), Mig Reyes, spoke to the importance of this idea of “passion projects” recently at HOW (PDF). The presentation was great – and I can’t really replicate it – but essentially:
We need to find something that we’re really passionate about.
This keeps all of our work at a high level. Inspiration is contagious, and one project will flow into another, and into another. Before you know it, you’re treating the most mundane project to come across your desk with that same passion that started with the little personal project you decided to do.
It’s also a fantastic catalyst to learn something new.
I wouldn’t know how to create a Tumblr theme for my site if it weren’t for personal projects. Nor would I have any knowledge of motion graphics. These self-taught skills translated into real applications in projects here at Rule29. The point is: if there is something you want to learn – go out and create a project for yourself to get it done. Challenge yourself. Dream big, and reel it in as you need to. The payoff is two-fold: a great project for yourself, and a new skill/perspective to bring to your paid work.
Do you have a favorite project that keeps you inspired? Any ideas boiling deep down in your soul, just waiting for you to let them out? How about sharing them in the comments? Because once you share the idea with the world, you’re out of excuses! Time to get started!
Tim great post. You can have passion projects for studios too, like Africa is for us, or serving others in someway. I’m ready for my Rule29 shoes to make the site.
[...] Everybody needs time alone—whether it’s to do a crossword, watch a sitcom, or even draw a pair of your kicks—this time needs to be added to the mix. All day long, many of us are constantly doing for others [...]