In the midst of Project Two's Critique we were asked to free write on our reactions to each project. While I found myself writing about things such as; how proud I was of how far everyone had come in their form explorations, questioning how I could condition my body to not need sleep (thus being able to produce much more), magic and illusion, laughing until my face hurts, questioning conventions and even reflecting upon my delight in my decision to come to graduate school at NC State, I found a common theme resonating. It was about rules, how I feel the suffocating need to always follow them and how this has quite possibly stunted my creativity and my ability to truly explore. It seems to have permeated every aspect of my life. I have to follow a recipe, referring to it for every step and have a bit of anxiety if I have to veer at all. One might say my moral compass is painfully strong.
Other fellow classmates have somehow managed to escape this need and have in turn created some rather interesting and delightful things. I always think during presentations, "but, wait, you didn't follow the rules," but I have found that it doesn't seem to always matter. The rules are not the point.
For Project Three we were asked to elaborate on one aspect of these free writings and create another piece of writing that we would "perform" in front of the class. Then use in the creation of a strictly typographic interface. I choose to elaborate on my fascination with the rules and to attempt to break myself free (at least a small bit). I knew that I could not just jump write into breaking rules, so the best way to get a Rule Follower to become a Rule Breaker is to create a set of rules, naturally.
I am sure that there are many more to consider but as a beginner here is where I landed:
The Top Six Rules for Bending, Breaking and Out-Right Ignoring the Rules.
No. 1 | The Cardinal Rule. Never pay attention to anything that begins with the term “Number 1” in any of it’s various forms. You may read and consider and even think to yourself “Oh, that is quite interesting.” But never under any circumstances should you actually do what it instructs.
(Due to the fact that you are reading these rules in the first place says you are, at the heart, a Rule Follower. I can assume that you are at odds with yourself and are considering disregarding rule number one to move on to the next Rule. Don’t worry, I would be experiencing the same reaction. This is just the beginning.) You may actually disregard Rule Number 1 for the sake of this assignment and this assignment only.
No. 2 | Question Everything. Question everything. Rules hide in the most unsuspecting places. On signs, in gravity, they are everywhere. In order to ensure that you are never under the bounds of any rules you must be alert at all times.
No. 3 | Know the Rules. The key to bending, breaking and ignoring rules is actually knowing those rules in the first place. As stated in Rule Number 1, you may, and I argue must, read and consider the rules then graceful set them aside and start out on a journey all your own. The next step is distorting those things that you know to a point where they may no longer be familiar. This is the place where we just may find enlightenment, where things begin to change.
No. 4 | Toughen Up. Rule breaking is not for the faint at heart. You must be willing and prepared to accept the consequences in order to achieve the benefits. The consequences may include a range of things such as, but not limited to: speeding violations, strained relationships, weight gain, jail time, fashion faux-paus and bad grades. But you must remember that the key is in the achievement of breaking free of creating something, lets say, well structured within the confines of rules and in turn doing something extraordinary, interesting and compelling.
No. 5 | The Art of Illusion. Oftentimes you may succeed in augmenting rules without consequence. This requires great skill in illusion (luckily as designers we are trained in this ancient knowledge). The designer may spin an intricate web of illusion, or rather confusion, for the audience. You may succeed in confusing your audience so much that they do not know how to respond. They think something has gone over their heads and in order to not feel ignorant they remain silent, stunned, offering no criticism. Oftentimes the audience member may go even as far as to praise you for your so-called skills. The ratio of success of illusion can be greatly increased with the study of fields such as: prestidigitation, conjuration, mentalism, escapology, and ventriloquism.
No. 6 | Never Compromise. Never confuse yourself into thinking that in your quest for rule breaking you must go against or compromise your beliefs, standards, physician prescribed life or death health restrictions and/or morals. These things are not necessarily considered rules but rather a personally chosen way of life. If you feel some of them have been imposed upon you unjustly then by all means, get to bending, breaking and ignoring.
