July 2009 - Ideas and how do you come up with them

Started by Danny the Idiot, June 30, 2009, 11:32:49 AM

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Danny the Idiot

So this month I thought it might be a great idea to discuss ideas - and how to come up with them for twisting.

Ideas and how do you come up with them


A lot of us buy DVD's and PDF's and they are really great. But how do you start creating your own designs?

Where does one start?

Maybe the more experienced creators can contribute here.


enjoy,
Danny  :geek:
Danny Schlesinger
Balloon Excellence Award Winner
https://dannytheidiot.com
https://www.CircoRidiculoso.com
Follow me on Twitter at @danny_the_idiot

Ida Twister

#1
Quote from: "Danny the Idiot"So this month I thought it might be a great idea to discuss ideas - and how to come up with them for twisting.

Ideas and how do you come up with them


A lot of us buy DVD's and PDF's and they are really great. But how do you start creating your own designs?

Where does one start?

Maybe the more experienced creators can contribute here.


enjoy,
Danny  :geek:

Yes, please!  I am at a loss on this one.  I can recreate from photos of other people's work & obviously follow instructions, but I'm not the most creative when it comes to making my own designs - except maybe crazy hats.  Those I can usually come up with.  But no real figures of things.  Excellent topic for the month Danny!  I'm looking forward to everyone's answers!

Normski

#2
i too am eager to watch this thread..........after having the pleasure of spending time with thelma at tmj it blows me away :) how creative her mind is..............self taught master xxx I find it hard to break away being a copy cat artists!!

Great topic but the only time i get creative is on abstract hats..........where i can combine my skill and techniques influenced by the likes of addi.

Great topic danny, how do u come up with ur designs and ideas for your shows??

Danny the Idiot

#3
Quote from: "Normski"danny, how do u come up with ur designs and ideas for your shows??

I can't really say that i come up with twisting designs. But with the performance stuff (which is probably transferable) its about playing with ideas from inspirations. I've searched the net and various other worlds like art, magic, circus and then see if i can do it with balloons.

I remember Thelma and Graham saying about come up with new balloon ideas is to try and make something and see what else it could be.So if you attempt to make something it may not happen but on the way you have a new something else!

i hope that helps

Danny
Danny Schlesinger
Balloon Excellence Award Winner
https://dannytheidiot.com
https://www.CircoRidiculoso.com
Follow me on Twitter at @danny_the_idiot

Danny the Idiot

#4
I think it may have been here or not, but I took notes on Patrick Van de Van and what he said on NEW IDEAS...

1) Look at stuffed animals, photos, and pictures

2) Break the model down into easy shapes - make a drawing.

3) Describe the animal in terms of basic shapes. For example, Seagull - longish head same thickness as head, Round body with triangular feet underneath.

4) Use two or three ideas per attempt.

5) Be very critical along the way, examine from all sides if its the correct shape you desire.
Danny Schlesinger
Balloon Excellence Award Winner
https://dannytheidiot.com
https://www.CircoRidiculoso.com
Follow me on Twitter at @danny_the_idiot

Dave

#5
I haven't come up with many models that I can say is mine, but then thats true off everyone all start some where what ever your art or skill, but as you get more experience you grow.
I think a great way off learning is rather than ask someone to show you how, have a go at recreating, look at where they started the model and the strengths. Also Jam with others whenever you can no person is an island.
A load of hot air
http://www.davehickory.co.uk

Tonya

#6
One of the ways I come up with my own designs is by just trying to recreate other designs I see.  I believe it truly helps you become a better twister.  You will find that you may add different twists and/or details that will work better for you and helps make the design your own.
I also use "google images" alot for ideas of what I want to make.  I do what Patrick does and break it down into simple shapes.
Have a happy day <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=\":-)\" title=\"Smile\" />

Tonya

seanmcd51

#7
I learn as much from others as I can and I use their models because there are a lot of GREAT artist out here sharing their work.

When I do come up with my own designs it breaks down into three categories.

1. On the spot, no menu requests. People ask for cool things that push me to places I wouldn't normally go. That's the #1 reason I don't have a menu. usually this stuff is more simple and relies on known techniques. Here are two samples of those designs: first one is a simple sword, the request was, "can you make me a sword out of the biggest balloons you have?" I originally only had one set of flower petals at the hilt but it wasn't sturdy enough so I added a second set. This has become one of those - make-1-make-50 models so I don't pull it out all the time.


Another sample, a girl asked for a racoon. I didn't know one, but I thought of Twisted Critters and then chose my colors respectively. I wanted to capture the ringtail in a quick way so I spiralled.


Just like a characture artist, play off the main features of the item you are trying to create.


#2. Special Balloons made from a known base.  If you can use a model you know with minor modifications that will alleviate some of the pressure. I wanted to create a Tie Fighter for a Star Wars party. The 6-balloon woven ball was the perfect base. I just added the wings - which are based on a Grist birthday cake hat weave.


#3. Special balloon, original design. When I have to start from scratch, I'll play with different ideas, I'll google image search the item I'm trying to create. Sometimes I'll sketch it. Again, it's about getting the main character of the shape to come out, then add a few extra details.


I hope this helps. I think the main thing is to just go for it.

Bonnie

#8
[quote="...A lot of us buy DVD's and PDF's and they are really great. But how do you start creating your own designs?

Where does one start?

Danny  :geek:[/quote]

Where does one start?  By learning your basics.  You will find that you are a lot more satisfied with your own creations if you have a solid foundation of skills to draw from.  Learn the bird body roll through, the tulip twist, the marriage twist, the lock twists, the difference between a 1" bubble and a 1.5" bubble, the difference between a pinch twist, an ear twist, and a loop twist, etc...

The second step is re-creating someone elses design without benefit of instructions.  This teaches you to recognize bubble groupings at a glance and gives you a solid final view of what the creation should look.

Then use those skills in the public.  You would be surprised at how a design gets modified during actual use.  How a series of bubbles made at home under no pressure gets changed to a more practical, faster approach when faced with a line of eager children.

Once you start modifying others designs, you are just a small step away from creating your own designs.  

The next step is knowing the basic anatomy of whatever you are trying to re-create.  For instance: a dog has 4 legs, a head, a snout, ears, a body, and a tail.  Once you have identified these parts, then you look at each section and ask yourself, "what series of bubbles would I need to make in order to make this?"... The next question is, "Well if I use that series of bubbles here, how do I tie it into the next series?"  The second question usually has more importance than the first question because if you can't get the parts to go together cohesively, than the design just won't work.

The final step... have fun!  If you get too frustrated with your efforts, put the balloons aside, go get a cup of coffee (or tea), chill for a while, then go back to it.  If you can keep it fun (or at least challenging) you will have a lot more success than if you let a perceived design flaw get to you.  Those 'design flaws' often are the beginnings to other really nice designs... that is if you haven't let your frustration get the best of you and you stomp the air out of the troublesome piece.  :lol:  

Happy twisting,
Bonnie, The Balloon Lady (who would never stomp the air out of a bad design... OK, I have jabbed them with scissors a time or two.  :oops: )

Petra

#9
When I'm going to make something new, I google for a picture first. I'll take a look at the shape, and what the most important details are to make a thing look like what it is.
For example you can't make a butterfly without wings, no one will know what it is then.
Then I look at the different sizes and look if I need smaller or bigger balloons to make those details. From that point I can start choosing my balloons and looking witch twists/bubbles I'm going to use.

Sometimes I also try to create a new figure, just by taking a shape and look at it,.....think what can that be.....where can I use this for.
That is what I did for my heart figure CD. I took a heart an figured what I could do with that. The first thing I tried was to devide it in 2 bubbels of the same size. Then I looked at it from every different angle, tried to see a shape wich I could use for something. From one side it looked like a butterfly wing. So then I decited to make the same size again for the second set of wings. Well...the rest was just jamming. Thinking what does a butterfly need more and adding those things.
Sometimes I get the most stupid things working that way and sometimes it works and I get more then one usable figure. The fun is that I never know what i am going to create.
That's FUN!!

Petra

Petra

#10
Ori Livney gave a great workshop at millenniumjam 2007.
He called it "figure it out".

He gave us some theory about how you have to start to create a new figure. Then he devided the class in 4 groups. He brought 4 figures and individual had to create the figure of his group.
It was real fun to see that everyone had his own vision, there weren't 2 creations the same.
When everybody finished we all had to show what we made. He choose 2 creations of every figure and explained to everyone what he liked about them.
Sorry, I was working hard, so I have no pictures about the other figures.

The bird "thing" group is showing what they made:
[attachment=1:jkvzr5lr][/attachment]workshop Ori 2.JPG[/attachment:jkvzr5lr]

This was my creation and the original figure:
[attachment=0:jkvzr5lr][/attachment]workshop Ori.JPG[/attachment:jkvzr5lr]

Petra

Dave

#11
we should do that!?
A load of hot air
http://www.davehickory.co.uk

Smiggle

#12
We do it in a way - the model of the month or the challenge = all we have to do is take part. me included
C\'mon Let\'s twist again...

Graham Lee

#13
Just to give a little plug to the Levett and Lee Roadshow (yes, I'm plugging it again) on Wed 22nd July in Birmingham, booking details; http://sempertexballoons.co.uk/index.ph ... &parent=12

We are having a section in the day called evolution and Thelma has done a little write up about it;

"EVOLUTION    If the day has a sub-title this would be it.  One of our aims will be to help you to become not just a twister but also to be able to adapt models and make them your own and even to take the first step to designing your own material.  

We have an array of new models to show you.  A new bird design which is quick and easy to make, using just two balloons,  cute and adaptable.  We will then show you how to adapt this model into a flamingo, a kingfisher and other exotic creatures.  Also you will be given tips on presentation.  How to make your model  become more than it is."


Sounds like another fun twisting day to come along to and enjoy.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Danny the Idiot

#14
I just re-watched this

//http://www.theatlantic.com/movies/artists/

Where Ideas come from!


 :geek:
Danny Schlesinger
Balloon Excellence Award Winner
https://dannytheidiot.com
https://www.CircoRidiculoso.com
Follow me on Twitter at @danny_the_idiot