ONE NaTION, INDIVIDIBLE. Production underway

An insane amount of work goes into these projects. While the concept-design is the driving creative force behind them, there are many small details which can make or break the project.

There is a saying  "the devil is in the details", which refers to problems or difficulties that result from the unforeseen nature of unexamined details. Having seen this devil arise a few times in the past, when I have rushed things or cut corners, I allow myself ample time to pore over minor details, double check measurements, text and colors, and tweak designs when they don't feel right yet.

While words can communicate meaning, color, line, shape and composition are equally communicative forces. These elements must come together in such a way that they support and enhance each other. It is a challenge, and a grace, to find the appropriate balance to simply/cleanly introduce a concept. The end result should always be more than a sum of its parts.

For me, it is more important to create something that feels right, than it is to produce something that is aesthetically pleasing yet energetically hollow.

Pins in progress. The stickers have been placed on the back of all the pins. The pins are being attached to the backing cards. The backing cards were printed 12 up on letter sized paper and then hand cut. Each backing card then had two slits put into it fro the pin to be attached. The pin is inserted and closed. Then a piece of tape was out o the back of the card to keep the pin in place.

The pile of finished pins growing. I find that it is much more joyful to work in small batches of 25-40 pins at a time. It is so much better to keep up moral and a joyful attitude when there is less monotony in a task. And, you can see the finished products amassing.