Q&A with Dominic Flask: On the Creative Process, and the Power of Limitations

This year’s Camp NaNoWriMo design was created by Dominic Flask. You can see his “noveling by candlelight” design on this year’s poster, the 2014 T-shirt, and on the badges. After you do that, read about Dominic’s design process and how limitations can enhance his creativity:

When you begin a new creative project, how do you approach it? Are there routines that help ensure productivity?

Each project is always a little bit different in the nuances, but there are some big-picture steps that I try to follow.

First up is always research and development, questions for the client, a review of the customer base and competition, etc.

Second is the creative phase. This usually involves a shallow look at things first to gauge some initial responses. That might include sketches or a mood board type of exercise. The second step also includes the first dive on creativity as well, past the shallow look, but not too full-depth yet.

The third step is where we go all the way in and make sure we have all angles covered, that the application works everywhere it’s supposed too and that we figure out the production process to ensure everything is set up correctly.

If you can describe your artistic style in a sentence, what would you say?

Shapes and color are where it’s at, add a pinch of mid-century inspiration and I’m cooking up awesome.

What do you enjoy about mid-century modernism? How do you think it has inspired your work?

It’s a couple of things: the first being its reduction to only the necessities, whether that’s number of colors, materials, or otherwise. This was often a result of more restrictive production processes.

It’s also the personality. Mid-century modern design is fun and has a personal touch that the user experiences. I try to add that little bit of personal fun into all of my work.

It’s also just the style; the mid-century had class and a timelessness that you just can’t argue with.

If you could shadow any designer (past or present), who would it be?

Tough one, so many. I’ve been lucky enough to have some close encounters with two of my favorite current designers: Ben Schlitter and Luke Bott. There are too many other current and previous designers to name though that I would love to spend just one day with them all. Just hanging out and working.

You are on a camping trip. The sun has set. Everybody is huddled around the campfire and it is your turn to tell a story. What story would you tell?

There’s no way I can explain this one in writing, but let’s just say that the most memorable event in my life involved a rhinoceros, a possible UFO sighting, a ‘64 Chevelle, and a whole lot of adrenaline.

Dominic Flask is an independent designer and illustrator, with a passion for graphic design, education, and all things mid-century. His career has provided unique and interesting opportunities to work with everyone from small local businesses to international corporations. His talents apply to a wide variety of different design media including interactive, mobile, print, identity and motion. His mission is to make the world a more beautiful place to live in, one small piece at a time.