The creative process

The O in Obama, courtesy, NYTimes

One of my most difficult shifts in my transition from print to multi-media/visual storyteller, has been developing a way of seeing.

I have a way of hearing, because I’ve played piano for more than 40 years. I can actually hear melodies and rhythms and execute them. I’m aiming to develop the same type of ability as a photographer/designer/Flash designer. It’s a crucial skill to have because the web has become a visual medium – Derek Powazek, notwithstanding.

Now, I’m real left-brain about this. I look and analyze. Then I look and analyze some more. And I read. So I was thrilled by this interview with Sol Sender, the designer who created the logo for Barack Obama’s campaign.

He blew the McCain/Palin logo out of the water, to the detriment, I’m convinced of the losers. The Obama logo was fresh and inspiring, masterfully reinforcing the candidate’s personality and values. Plus, the use of white space had that Web 2.0 feel; the implication was Obama was the candidate for the digital age.

McCain Palin logo

McCain’s logo, by contrast, reinforced the candidates’ names, but gave no insight into their personalities. There were white letters, but almost no white space and the logo looked darkand tired next to Obama’s.

I loved the interview because Sender explains his process, something my left brain loves to consider.  Now that I’m living the motto, “don’t be envious; be inspired,” I’ll be using Sender’s steps as a template.

The truth about Ohio, and why it’s so hard to call

I’ve lived in Ohio almost 20 years; I moved to the state in 1990.  That means I’ve gone through five presidential elections as a Buckeye, even though I’m not a native. On thing has had me scratching my head. How did Ohio get to be a swing state?

When I look at the state’s 88 counties, I see a red state with blue spots.

The Plain Dealer had a great graphic on its front page. It illustrates my point.

The urban centers, like Cleveland, are predominately African American and Democrat. Those are the blue spots. The rural and suburban areas, especially in the central and southwestern portions of the state, are predominately White and Republican. That’s where the red is concentrated.

In the past, that difference meant that an African American candidate could carry the cities, but not do well in a state-wide election. The most recent example was our own gubernatorial race, where the Republican candidate, Kenneth Blackwell, crashed and burned. Some blamed it on his politics. I blame race; the African Americans who were running at the top of the Democratic ticket lost as well.

That history is why I, an Obama supporter, believed until say three weeks ago, that he would not take Ohio. Now, I believe he might pull it off in a squeaker because the economic collapse has worked in Obama’s favor.

Ohio has never recovered from the 2001 recession. This current economic downturn makes our future look even more bleak.

I’ve been following coverage out of Columbus, where voters tend to be conservative, and I’ve been impressed by Obama’s climb in the polls. That’s why I’ve concluded this: the fact  Ohio is up for grabs shows how successful Obama’s efforts are.

In 2004, Kerry had the cities, but Bush had a tight grip on the rest of the state.

One more point: if Obama does take Ohio, he will have done more than won a red state. He will have, in my opinion, toppled the obstacle to kept African American politicians out of the governor’s office. If, and it’s an if, Obama wins or barely loses Ohio, expect to the state will elect its first African American governor within a few more of years.

The thing about change

“Change never waits its turn. It does not ask permission. It needs no electoral votes to prevail.”

This observation came from Keith Woods, who writes for poynter.org. The Poynter Institute is a school for journalists.

Lord knows the profession put the “c” and the “s,” in changes.  Journalists aren’t alone. Magazines have been watching advertisers cut back and that industry is laying off, too.

It’s almost a cliche to say we should be pro-active. But I’m ready to push through. Change isn’t coming. It’s been here for at least two years. Maybe we just didn’t see the forest for the trees. But the forest is deep and I’m standing in the middle admiring the view.

The astonishing developments of this electoral season have given me a new outlook on life. I’m not just talking about Barack Obama’s candidacy. I’m talking about John McCain’s tenacity. Both men were come-from-behind candidates who have refused to give up.

But both have been incredible teachers in my life, and in their ways, inspirations. Obama has shown me not to give in to the idea that race is limiting. McCain is showing me not to give in to the idea that age is limiting.

No, I haven’t forgotten about Hillary Clinton. She’s shown me how to push, push, push past those who would limit women.

What a wonderful year to be an American. I salute all three.