This guest article from Paolo Feroleto is part of a collection of stories, tales, and ideas about Adventure, that will be on my blog this month. If you would like to chip in I would love to hear about your Adventure, whether it was a purposeful expedition or evolved through the wonders of just living; email me at Catherine@InMovement.co.uk You can also explore more at Playground Sessions on the 5th of March 2013. It’s all about Adventure #IAAA, in Manchester from 6.00pm, book your place here-Playground Sessions.
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Technological advances means we are now surrounded by so many gadgets that we use on an everyday basis that many of us have forgotten what it used to be like before we had mobile phones, tablets and laptops. Certainly the younger generation has no real notion of what life would be like without a mobile phone. Walk to my friends to see if he is in? Rather than text or Facebook him from my bedroom? What are you thinking?!
Many of us have become reliant on our gadgets to help communicate with others and whilst they are useful, it’s equally important to step back from the technology and switch off for a while. I am as guilty as most, sat here typing on a laptop with a mobile and tablet beside me yet I am aware of the need to give myself the opportunity to go back to basics with a pencil and the humble sketchbook.
For me, communicating through my sketchbook is just as important as being able to send emails, tweet or call friends and clients. Making the time to switch off and focus solely on a sketchbook proves more difficult as I juggle various projects, yet nothing beats the adventure of starting a new project.
Whether for clients or my own projects, a sketchbook is something I always carry with me, enabling me to gather my thoughts and ideas in one place.
A fresh sketchbook comes with its own challenges; the first page. What to write or sketch? I generally like to sketch out ideas across a double spread so the first page is often redundant from the start. So I often change the approach to my first page, whether it’s a splash of paint, sticking a magazine clipping in, drawing a few random lines, anything that gets me past the first page and into the actual project.
Whilst this may not sound like a challenge to most people, for me missing the first page of a sketchbook is a waste and totally out of my comfort zone. It also signifies the commencement of the project and lets me get on with exploring routes and achieving project aims. This is not just a quirk of my own, I know many creatives who have a similar dilemma when using sketchbooks!
The sketchbook is an extension of any computer application that I would use for designing, and in my opinion just as important. I certainly prefer the physical, paper versions and I’m also appreciative of how technology has been used to showcase the sketchbooks of famous artists, one lovely example is Leonardo Da Vinci’s
I would encourage all readers to purchase a sketchbook and pencils, switch your phones and tablets off and just sit and doodle. Go and create your own creative adventure!
Paolo has a background working in for agencies in the UK and abroad over a 14 year period. He has recently set up Creative Discovery, facilitating sessions for both the corporate and educational sectors. Themes include Branding, Creativity and Personal Branding. Paolo will be delivering open Creative Workshops on the 6th of April 2013 in Manchester- watch this space for further details.
You can follow Paolo on twitter @Create_Discover or @Four_Design