The beginning of the year brings hopes, aspirations, resolutions and
PROJECT 365. Here's some helpful tips to help you get through your
project 365 a bit easier
What is project 365?
Project365 is originally the goal of taking a photo a day for a year [totalling in 365 photos]
BUT; you can do it with anything
write something every day
do a sketch/drawing a day
make a craft a day
With
that possible question cleared up, many of us set forth on New Years
day with the ambition of completing this project, but ideas do grow
slim, creativity fades, time just simply doesn't allow it, ambition and
excitement over the project grows weary... simply put; interest gets
lost along the way here and there.
Thus, this year, armed with your fresh new, Project 365 Survival Guide, you are ready to start your project and FINISH!
Why do it?
There are many reasons to do it; the main two being
* to improve your art
*to keep a diary of your life
ALWAYS, always, always take your tools on you!
This
is a pretty basic concept, but an extremely useful one. Keep your tools
on you; your camera, pen & paper, pencil & sketchbook, tablet,
whatever. This will be the most helpful advice I can give you.
Ever see something and think "I wish I had my camera?"
Or have inspiration to write hit you at the bank?
Maybe you see something while you're waiting somewhere that you want to draw?
Since
you are now going to be doing it every day it's going to be a lot
easier to have your tools with you wherever inspiration may strike.
Plus; this will fit into your daily schedule a whole lot better than setting time aside each day to accomplish your work.
If
you forget your camera; use your phone camera. It may not be the best
quality but it will be a photo regardless which will work if you don't
find another opportunity that day.
Same goes for writing or drawing; you have a notepad on your phone and you can take a photo of whatever you want to draw.
Your phone will probably be extremely helpful in your project!
Have a goal & support
What's
the point in doing a project this extreme without a goal? So you have a
large collection of photo sitting around on your harddrive? Some do
this to improve their skills and create a chart or meme [day 1, day 25,
day 50, day 75...etc.]
Personally I did mine with the goal of
turning it into a book. That way I can look at it sitting on my coffee
table one day and say "hey, that was an interesting year".
I've
heard of some people who say things like "for every month I get to..."
and treat yourself to something. If you work better short term with a
reward at the end go for it. At day 100 I bought myself something I had
wanted and did the same following that.
Also; tell your friends
and family what you're doing. It's hard to stay excited about something
if you're the only one that knows about it and how hard you're working.
Let them be your cheerleaders. Even if they aren't interested in your
art most of the time they will still support your goal, and they
probably wouldn't object to a quick overview every once in a while!
Don't wait until last minute!
Imagine
this... it's 11:54pm and you remember you haven't done your project
today. It's dark, it's almost over and you're potentially tired. Take
something earlier in the day, if you find something better later then
awesome, if you don't at least you have something to fall back on.
At
least you won't end up with the case of in 6 minutes all you can find
are your dirty socks, broken hair ties and a bag of stale chips.
Plans & Back-up Plans
I'm not talking Monday - this, Tuesday - that, Wednesday - this; that would make this incredibly tedious.
If
you're a photographer get to know the area around you, plan some
mini-trips, get a plan of things/places you can do/go to get different
things. Do you really want to take a photo of your grandmas garden
everyday? It gets old.
So; you're sitting there and your daily
project is finished but: OMG You have a brilliant idea! Write it down!
Seriously; write down all your ideas in a notebook, a memo on your
phone, whatever. Just keep a list because there will be days you're not
inspired and when those days come oh look, you have ideas!
[another suggestion is try the 100 theme challenge, you can complete two challenges at once!]
You can also join groups on dA that offer prompts, online groups, blogs, tweeters(?) that offer daily/weekly/monthly prompts
Experiment
Project365
is the perfect chance for you to experiment and try new things. You're
in this for a year, so why not have fun with it? It is your perfect
chance to try/learn new techniques, perfect old ones and work on
something different you wouldn't normally do.
This is 365 pieces, NOT 365 masterpieces
This
is a tough one for a lot of people, you're not going to get a perfect
artwork everyday! Don't scrap everything because you didn't get a great
piece for the day. One thing you'll notice through the project is the
improvement you've made. What took you all day in the beginning may only
take you a short time now.
Also you get to learn new things like
mentioned above, if it's not perfect, oh well. You're learning! And by
learning, you are really improving.
Promote your project
Let
people follow your project. Create a folder in your gallery, make an
album on Facebook, create a blog, a flickr account, etc. Let the world
see what you're doing. Not only does this open the chance to share your
project and perhaps get some feedback, it also keeps an organization of
your project.
Be Organized
This
isn't the most important, but it is very helpful. Create a specific
folder titled 'project 365' and put your work for the project in there.
It makes it easier to keep track of where you are and see your
improvement than having them scattered about your computer. If you have a
special folder for art, you can always move the photos into there
later.
Other Stuff
*
Don't have time for project 365? try a 52 week challenge. A 52 week
challenge is a less intense version of project 365. Instead of a project
a week for a year
* Pick a date that works for YOU - sure Jan. 1
is quite memorable, but, so is your birthday. Christmas when you got
your new gear, ect. I started mine April 1. Spring reminds me of a
'fresh start'.
* ENJOY THE RIDE! - this isn't supposed to be a
chore, it's a fun project involving something you love. This is your
project, your rules, your art!
