Colton Barfield

The joy of making was not such a hard thing for me to find as a child. I did not have to give any reason for cutting up a large, discarded cardboard box, drawing buttons and dials on the inside with oversized scented markers, and creating an imaginary spacecraft for me to climb aboard and venture to imaginary galaxies; I did it because I wanted to.

Things changed when I got older. It’s an unfortunate side effect of having your world expanded. I learned about rules of shapes, color, design, illustration, animation, and typography. I learned how to use a dozen different programs, all for their own special niche. I learned about the work of other people far more talented than me, who made things that I can only dream of. I learned about deadlines, expectations, guidelines, critique, compromise, and having to let ideas go.

This world is hard on artists. We walk a line that is ever-changing and somehow subjective and objective at the same time. You can’t just build a spaceship anymore, because your employer didn’t want a spaceship; they wanted a complete brand presentation, which is due in two hours by the way.

I know that this is a struggle that I will face all my life, as long as I pursue art and design as my career. But I also know that it's worth it. God knows I didn’t pursue this profession for the money. I chose this path because the feeling of joy, the pride of creating something that wouldn’t have existed if not for you, is worth it. That’s how I’ll give that rushed brand presentation with a smile, even if it's forced. That's what this project is about. A reminder to never lose the joy of making cool stuff.