Zen Quek
Illustration and Visual Media The coronavirus outbreak has forced the world into a standstill, yet despite such uncertain times, creativity continues to thrive within the design community. For most designers, especially freelancers, working remotely is not far from the norm. Still, it is interesting to observe how creatives are coping with shifts in their professional environments. When sharing their creative routines with the It’s Nice That team, illustrators Saehan Parc and Kate Isobel Scott spoke about how they kept themselves motivated and creatively-engaged while the rest of the world was on pause. Both illustrators admitted to feeling the obligation of staying productive more so than usual while in quarantine, but also found their own ways of fulfilling their creative needs while ensuring that they were not consumed by the anxiety to churn out something. Parc commented on how she would dress up as if she were going to work, sort of as a mental manipulation to ease herself into her work, while Scott adopted a more slow-paced approach, seizing this downtime to return to simpler crafts like embroidery and wood carving (Bourton, 2020). It was immensely comforting to read about the frustrations of these artists indoors, as I could relate to the pressure of feeling like I had to produce a masterpiece while stuck in quarantine. While my productivity has dwindled, I am still engaging myself creatively by participating in online challenges and initiatives. Interestingly, recent ‘pandemic art’ has resulted in a surge of poster designs as a go-to format, whether these posters are shared digitally or outdoors (Steven, 2020). Global campaigns like Stay Sane, Stay Safe have popularised the use of uplifting posters to boost morale, forging solidarity between design communities across the world. When released into real spaces, these posters become reminders of humanity and fighting spirit amidst dark times. In Singapore, where I am currently residing, design studio Kinetic Singapore has organised a community project titled #ThankYouDeliveryHeroes, cheering on the unsung heroes that help move society along while in lockdown. The studio released downloadable posters that could be printed and pasted on the front doors of local residents, showing appreciation for delivery workers. The designs all adopt a clean and simple illustrative style, allowing people to replicate these posters even without a printer. References: 1. Bourton, L. (2020) Does a creative routine matter when the world is turned upside down? Available at: https://www.itsnicethat.com/features/dropbox-creative-routines-kate-isobel-scott-saehan-parc-alexander-coggin-partnership-230420 2. Steven, R. (2020) HOW COVID-19 PROMPTED A RETURN OF THE POSTER. Available at: https://www.creativereview.co.uk/posters-covid-19/
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February 2023
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