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The Art of Being a Maker
An engineer-turned-creative technologist talks about the practices of problem-solving and creative thinking
In this world that is so focused on impact, it’s hard not to put all our focus as creatives on that end product and its ROI. But what we make is only an outcome. How we make a thing is more important in many ways — it shows how gritty we are when it comes to solving problems, how willing we are to ask questions and invalidate our own assumptions, how likely it is that the thing we made will actually solve a problem.
Through my graduate coursework at CMCI Studio, I’ve spent two semesters in a Critical Making Studio, exploring this process of making without having to worry about ROI, whether it was a 3D-printed wearable or an installation driven by creative coding.
My biggest lesson through these messy projects has been on the topic of the creative process. This insight came through the work itself, but also through conversations with studio director RJ Duran, an engineer who switched tracks to spend his time as a tinkerer, creative technologist, and teacher.
I sat down with RJ to ask about his approach to creative work and exploration. Here are some highlights, edited lightly for clarity and brevity.
