A much needed whack.

Since graduating about 2 years ago I've spent a lot of my time reading books and one set of books that I cannot recommend enough are from Roger Von Oech. His books are about trying to help you become more creative at life and at work. A few months ago I read “A kick in the seat of the pants" and now I'm reading the 1990 version of "A Whack on the Side of the Head"(I do need to check out the updated version). While reading it I ran into two quotes that not only sum up what it means to be creative in my opinion but also fit really well into what it means to be a game designer.

"Play is what I do for a living. The work comes in organizing the results of the play"

This is the first quote I would like to share with everyone. In previous entries I've talked about the games industry as a fun business and that we do need to work to create games. However we are making fun, creative products and you need to keep yourself light hearted and open minded to be able to do that. In "A Whack on the Side of the Head", Roger talks about 10 "mental locks" we have that prevents us from being creative. Being unable to have time to play is one of them and I also think this quote describes pretty well what we as designers do for a living.

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist after growing up."

Moving on this quote by Picasso is yet another quote that fits well with both being creative and working in the games industry. This is one industry that "growing up" by societies' definition is frown upon. I fully admit that I still watch cartoons everyday over Lost or American Idol and haven't developed that one track mind of working in corporate America yet. I try to keep my thoughts as weird and out there as I can as you never know when something will grow from that one random thought. Keeping yourself young at heart is one of the key traits of being creative and besides what normal adult could ever come up with the plot and weapon designs for Pain Killer anyway?

I'm still reading through the book in my spare time but I felt these quotes were perfect for a blog on game design.

Josh.