Behind the Screens: How Our Designers Create Away from the Screens
At Poke, our design process often begins off-screen, long before pixels come into play. Sure, a lot of our work happens digitally, but some of the most exciting parts of the process take place away from screens.
By experimenting with different techniques, our team brings authenticity, texture, and originality into the work we deliver for brands. Here’s a look at what our designers have been exploring recently…
Analogue Design
Using bubbles, shaving foam, and hand torn paper, Paul, our Creative Director, has used analogue design to get creative when tackling different briefs.
“I think the majority of brands value authenticity and want to paint themselves in an authentic light, so when the creative direction of a project requires some form of analogue element; a texture or a tear, a paint stroke or handwritten typography, I’m a big believer in getting your hands dirty and physically crafting that piece of the puzzle manually.”
For Paul, the authenticity comes from the unpredictability of analogue work. Every brushstroke, every ink splodge, every rip is unique. It’s an originality that no digital work can replicate.
It’s also a process that’s deeply cathartic. “You step away from the screen, you slow down and you allow your brain to connect with your hand and your hand with the page. It’s great for creative problem solving and I’ve always found it to be a really meaningful part of the process where you leave a part of yourself in the work.”
Lino Cutting
Becca, our Motion Designer, has used lino cutting to bring her ideas to life. She prints the same shape a few times by carving designs into lino, painting on the ink, and pressing the pattern onto paper. This technique gives her work a distinctive, stop-motion feel with a handmade touch.
Chinese Ink and Stone
Last week, Na, our Motion Designer, brought in a Chinese ink stone, brush, and ink block, all components of Chinese calligraphy. The process begins by grinding the ink on the stone, dipping the brush, and painting onto the page. Na has been experimenting with drawing logos, even writing Poke in Chinese!
The ink and stone brought a calming quality to the creative process, adding a personal, handcrafted touch to design exploration.
This creativity goes a long way. By starting off-screen, we make sure what ends up on-screen feels human, authentic, and full of character.
