Jean-Pierre Jeunet "Foutaises"
This first tutorial with Luke was really inspiring. In addition to offering me such abundance of names, books, websites, films..., Luke also reminded me something very important: about the mode of my thinking.When I explained my research interest on a mind map, the first thing he mentioned was to distinguish the “extrinsic” and “intrinsic” of my influences. At first I didn't take it too seriously because I thought I know what I am doing. After going through all the materials, he sort of summed up my current thoughts. Apparently, there is a quite "diverse" scope of my practice and interest, (or sometimes not so mutually relevant). But he suggested that now I should start thinking about my future practice more inwardly and from my perspective - the question is about what "I" want.
He later showed me the film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet "Foutaises", in which the director used a rather simple and funny way "what is that I like, what is that I don't like", to present a kind of personal manifesto. Luke saw me also on a path of quest for manifesto. However, what I didn't think of is, when it comes to a manifesto for myself, what would that be?
After a few days of contemplation, I sort of realized where my identity crisis and the sense of lost come from. All too often I don't think "from", or "for" my self. "Subjectivity" is something that I am not familiar with. I always try to find out how other people think and care, or how the y expect. When it comes to my role in the world, I usually start by thinking "how the world needs me?" instead of "what do I want to do for the world".
I wonder if it is that I have the wrong mode of thinking, or that I choose the wrong profession...? Or is it possible to strike a balance between these two while still being a good designer? What is good design/designer anyway?
I guess the answer still depends on how I think about it.
