I know. I said I wouldn’t be posting here until January 2nd. Sometimes I say things I don’t mean. We’re all human. Besides, if I’d waited until January 2nd to ask you about this, you might think that it’s too late to start one even though you’ll only be two days into the year at that point. So now’s the time to figure it out. Are you planning on doing any sort of creative side project that spans 2014?
I did the photography Project365 in 2010. It’s nice to look at now because I can see how much my photography skills have improved since then. Of course I missed some days, but overall I did a good job* of honoring my daily photo commitment.
* Not really. No I didn’t. But hey, I birthed a human that year!
In 2014 I’m trying something different – an experiment that will include art, design, photography, mood boards, and real-life experiences all rolled up into one year-long (AKA not every single day) project. My Year of Amélie starts in January, and I’m super excited about using one of my favorite all-time films and fictional characters as the inspiration of new work and new experiences in 2014.
If you’re looking for ideas for your own creative side project in 2014, Issue #1 of Flow Magazine International is a great place to start. They published a list of 146 topics that you could create a project around. Some of my favorites were:
30. Write a three sentence ID profile of a fictional person, including name, place, occupation, love life and draw a small ID portrait.
33. Make a fingerprint and turn it into something: a figure, an animal, etc.
50. Turn an existing picture into a new work of art (paint over/around it, copy, print, paste, etc.)
70. Design a label: for preserves, detergent, wine, etc.
84. Photograph the digits of your age in a different spot.
98. Photograph (a piece of the) sidewalk, a bit of street, the floor.
103. Draw, paste, cut out a little monster.
106. Write down a sentence you hear from a random conversation around you.
123. Think of a rebus (a rebus uses pictures to depict words).
139. Cut out a picture that goes with your mood.
Worst suggestion: #113. Get on the scales and take a picture of your weight.
A mildly creepy, yet intriguing suggestion: #142. Briefly touch a passing stranger. In the supermarket, for instance.
I’m not sure if the issue is still available for purchase, but it looks like there might be some links to buy it through Magpile. It’s worth getting your hands on if you can find it!
Enjoy the rest of 2013, and let me know if you’re doing a 365 project. I’d love to check it out. Happy New Year! xo