Doug Wittnebel is an architect, an illustrator and an artist based in California. He combines a unique viewpoint, a knowledge of cool aesthetics, a sense of humor, an undying interest in visual phenomena, a deep sense of history, combined with multiple layers of very sound practical experiences as a free hand drawer and designer.
He specializes in editorial and travel drawing advertising, and is open to illustration assignments, in-house work, visual development, storyboarding, visual note taking, architectural sketches and more. As a practicing architect working for firms like Gensler over in Asia, Doug was able to experience spaces and places in Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, China, India and Japan, and capture those scenes in numerous sketchbooks and digital tablets.
Doug is also known as “the Designer that can’t stop Drawing”. He employs drawing as the basis for so many creative acts. Doug is also known for teaching young students about the magic of immediate sketching and live drawing.
“The more you draw, the more you can decipher the hidden depths of the creative process,” Doug notes. “The process of group and individual sketching becomes the spark for igniting new possibilities.”
A chance to evolve in a new improved way, a silver lining is that we can acknowledge the notion that we are living in a world that is devolving because we have ignored the signs of limits and the signs of damage to our collective minds and souls. If we accept that, and then we take the silver lining and make it shine.
ONE is to be as POSITIVE as you can be given the conditions in which we live. TWO is we are in this state of pandemic together and we need to REACH OUT to our friends and family MORE than ever before. THREE is try to FOCUS on others as much as yourself, its hard but is it important to keep a sense of EMPATHY, and practice growing that ability to empathize. FOUR is maintain your sense of CURIOSITY and ADVENTURE, don’t let those traits be weakened or allow to disappear. FIVE is think of the EARTH and ENVIRONMENT as an ecology of economy that needs to be nurtured and followed and not controlled and managed. SIX is SAFETY, meaning that we are responsible for our actions and must act in a way that shows everyone that we are concerned for their safety as well as our own. SEVEN is learn how to “read the atmosphere”, “Kuuki wo yomu” (場の空気を読む) act as a collective member and not just an individual. EIGHT is simply TRUST, we have to relearn the meaning and the ability to Trust others.
For me, I recommend to draw everyday, take the time to draw and sketch. No matter what the subject or object, try to sketch it out and add words or narrative or symbols. Save the drawings, collect the ideas, broadcast on media channels if possible. I recommend using a digital tablet like an iPad, and use it daily. Try to do visual note taking of things you see and things you respond to both negatively and positively. Then take those drawings and share on social media on all of your channels, at least twice a week. Have a NO TECH day once a week. Practice flying a drone and see what you can learn. Post a question of the week on your social media channel or blog.
Ayse Birsel tea event held every Wednesday, and reconnect with the forest in a manner of Shinrin Yoku.
For creatives, it is best if we can rethink of ourselves as ambassadors for the future. And remember that there is a generation following us that needs our guidance and wisdom to help them not make the same mistakes that we seem to be so good at making. Secondly, I advise that we take the time to ask our children what they are feeling and what they would do to make changes. Thirdly, I would ask we reconnect with the trees and nature in our world, reach out to the forests and make a new connection.
