Level 6: 602: Task 3 - Thinking About my own Project

Free Time:
https://www.freetimeinc.fr/

https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/free-time-magazine-publication-201120

Free Time is a magazine all about self-published books, Sunday sketches and all things made in our spare time. It is the brainchild of graphic design and creative direction studio Faye and Gina (somewhat confusingly run by Helena Kadji and Rocío Ortiz) and the illustrator and fashion designer Pol Anglada.

Inspired by the hundreds of drawings they found lying around Pol’s house (all made in his spare time), the friends decided to come together and create a project around what Helena and Rocío call their “shared passion for self-published editions, DIY, fanzines and a need to create”. Behind the project is a fundamental belief that what one chooses to do in one’s free time demonstrates a considerable distillation of character, and “constitutes one of the most significant forces for personal growth”.

“In a time of achievement-oriented culture, where we have structured our culture around work, not play,” Rocío and Helena remark, “Free Time focuses on the importance of leisure.”

“In a way the lockdown has been a stop in time to discover oneself, almost like a child spending hours painting, playing. We suddenly realized how broad and inclusive the idea of free time is, to dive into and celebrate everyone’s free time, alone time, ‘me’ time, as much as we make of our own.”

- I really resonated with this idea of discovering more craft and play through lockdown. Since most forms of socialisation have been taken away I've found that I have limited activities I enjoy doing that aren't on a screen, this hadn't been a big problem before, but now all my learning is online I don't have much time off screen when working.

I've picked up doing fun creative things on the weekends that are physical and this brings me so much joy! I want to keep this is, this weekend's plan is paper marbling.

Making dye from veggies and using them to tie dye:

Paper making:

Working on something that encourages people to explore their creativity outside of a screen is something I'd like to look into, how can this be done? what benefits can it have for others? what new ways can i approach this?

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Doodle Club: https://www.instagram.com/doodleclubsheff/?hl=en

Doodle Club is a monthly drink and draw event where people come together to talk and doodle. Expect a group of people from all professional and hobbyist backgrounds with a common interest in doodling and making marks! You can get involved as little or as much as you want, and anyone and everyone is invited; you don't need to be an artist to turn up and take part!

I attended Doodle Club a few years ago when I was living in sheffield on my foundation year and it's something I still talk about today. The event is loads of fun and encourages the attendees to go and just draw, there are events for those feeling more confident (sort of like speedy date style drawing challenges) and then space for people to just sit, have a beer and draw.

I've wanted to go back but I moved to Leeds and now there's the pandemic so it's not been running for a while. The event really encouraged me to just draw and create for fun, something I hadn't done for a while since I was worried about grades and making "good" work.

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People of Print & Wild Press Riso Kits: https://www.peopleofprint.com/shop/wild-press-riso-craft-kits/

Wild press strive to make Riso printing accessible, inviting, affordable, and as fun as possible. Having only launched in January 2021, Lou and the team have lots of exciting plans they can’t wait to put into action, including Riso workshops, collaborations with artists, curated print exhibitions, and publications.

Wild Press have recently launched their Riso Craft Kit. Unable to host regular Riso workshops due to the ongoing pandemic, they wanted to bring the playful workshop experience to people at home. “It is a fun introduction into the wonders and possibilities of Riso printing” says Lou. By making a simple collage and getting creative at home you can create a unique 2-colour, A4 edition of 20 Risograph prints.

This way of getting creativity to wider audiences is really exciting, and considering the fact that they started during the pandemic shows how things can be done in the pandemic to engage people. The prices are affordable and can encourage creatives to engage in a more physical practice that isn't widely accessible to many people.

- I'd love to have a go with one of these kits developing a design for fun, low pressure.

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Ideas for my own self initiated project:

After the portfolio review and Rob Watsons talks I feel really encouraged to post things to studios, agencies and general public. I think having physical post is alway 10 times more exciting than an email, something about it makes you feel special and thought of, especially if it's addressed to you.

Thinking back to pre art school I didn't know much about the design world, if anything really. All I was told was that it's impossible to get a career in art, but I loved it and decided to go for it anyway. If someone was to tell me all the things I know now about the creative industry I would've been much more confident in my choices moving forward.

Could develop something that I post to people to encourage them to get in touch with their creative side off screen and find more joy in relaxed, no pressure creativity.