Nicky Case
Last semester while making local video games in a class in the Honors College, I found Nicky Case's work to be inspirational. He has made a collection of high quality video games. Each game is creative, meaningful, and well presented. Below is a link to his website.
JK Brickworks
Jason Allemann creates some of the most intricate Lego models
that I have ever seen. As I love to build with Lego, these creations are certainly inspirational to me, and even the rest of the Lego community. Although Jason doesn't work with lego, he was able to produce a set with the company, which is shown on the right. |
The Dad Lab
Instagram is filled with an endless amount of creative accounts. For me this one, in which Sergei Urban makes simple science experiments with his two kids, takes the cake. I have some experience doing labs like this in Elementary schools, and I am currently an advisor for an after school program at a school in Albuquerque. I find the way that he communicates with his kids both encouraging and exciting. I would recommend checking out his Instagram page, which is linked below.
A Mathematician's Lament - Paul Lockhart
This book, by Paul Lockhart, is the most important piece of literature that I have ever read about math. He challenged the way that I view math and made me question why I am studying math. I found the book encouraged me to teach math more creatively. Below is a link to the essay that Lockhart expanded upon to write this book.
Corazon Ranch
For another type of inspiration, other than people on the internet, I am going to go with this mesa at Corazon Ranch. This is the view from my grandma's house, which I have always thought must be the best view you could ever ask for. I have used the shape of the mesas in a couple pieces of art that I've made, including some custom socks I made last summer!
|
Vsauce - Jake Roper
I watch a fair amount of YouTube, and of all the people that I have seen Jake Roper is definitely one of my favorites. He has such a strong awareness of his creativity and why he makes his videos on YouTube. I have a passion to make things, usually in the form of some artwork, and I have been inspired by the way that Jake talks about why he loves to make his videos. Below I linked one of my favorite videos.
Christian Waggoner
I love to draw with pencil, colored pencil, or markers, and of all the inspiration that I have found to draw throughout my life Christian Waggoner sticks out the most in my mind. He does amazing work with reflective surfaces, and the image within the reflection. I have never actually been able to draw with this style, but I still find these pieces considerably inspiring to the way that I build my drawings.
Star Wars
Yep, Star Wars. If there is any one franchise that is common across some of my work, it is Star Wars. For some reason I love to draw pictures of the characters and create Lego buildings and scenes from the movies. It's nerdy, but that's me!
Brick x Brick - Adam Ward
In my opinion Adam Ward has the coolest job in the world! He's collaborated with the YouTube channel, "SoulPancake", to make videos about cute little lego creations which he takes to the streets to share with strangers. I find all the work that he does with Lego and SoulPancake to be fun and refreshing. I linked one of the episodes below.
Messi vs Neuer
I don't get to play soccer much anymore, but I still remember when I saw this specific goal. This goal blew my mind and Messi continued to inspire me. For 10 years now Messi's unbelievable skills have been inspiring the whole world.
The Slow Mo Guys
I love the that Gav and Dan do! I always find it fun to watch them slow down all sorts of things to see how they work or just to watch them for fun. Although I don't do it often I enjoy making slow motion videos. There's just something so cool about slow motion!
What's Inside
This is another YouTube channel that steps back to see how things work, but instead of slowing it down they take it apart. I love seeing how things work, and this channel helps to keep my curiosity going! After seeing this and other shows like it I have also spent some time taking things apart to see how they work and see what's inside.
Mark Rober
Of all the YouTube videos I watch, these are some of my favorite! My favorite part about Mark is that he is so curious, and is always willing to try to make new things. He has made some amazing projects, and I hope I could create some things like these in the future. This curiosity is what helped me to decide what project I want to do this semester - I knew that I wanted to create something that I found exciting and could show to others like Mark does. Check out one of his videos (this is my favorite video, he made a dartboard that will help you score a bullseye every time!)
Raspiboy
As I have been searching for game emulators, I found this one which has to be the coolest one I found! It mixes a classic Super Nintendo controller with the idea of a GameBoy to create the highest quality emulator I have seen.
I Like to Make Stuff - Bob Clagett
One of my biggest interests is making things, and Bob takes this to the extreme! He makes all sorts of things although he doesn't know half the things he needs to before he starts the projects. He is willing to go out and learn the necessary skills as he makes these things because he is motivated to always create cool things. I found this as I was looking for game emulators, so here is a video of him making his own, full-size arcade cabinet:
Howchoo
After searching for resources to create my game emulator, I found this video which is perfect for my project. It has all the components that I am looking for to make the emulator, it's so good I almost feel like it would be cheating to use it.
Sock Club
If you read my previous blog you may know that I created my own socks this
last summer! When I was creating these socks I found a bunch of different
sock companies and Sock Club was by far my favorite. It's a small company
run out of Texas, and they have some of the coolest sock designs on the market.
last summer! When I was creating these socks I found a bunch of different
sock companies and Sock Club was by far my favorite. It's a small company
run out of Texas, and they have some of the coolest sock designs on the market.
Field Day Lab
I used this website a bit for a class last semester, but my favorite reason to go to the website is the little constellation function at the top of the page. This sight also gives simple, yet high quality vibes. When creating this blog I knew that I wanted something similar, not being too complicated but looking professional and fresh at the same time.
Smarter Every Day - Destin Sandlin
This is another YouTube channel with some amazing content. I look up to Destin and all of the time he spends learning new things. I think it is quite inspirational that in each of his videos he has some question that he cannot find an answer to, and then goes out to research and ask professionals to try to come to an acceptable conclusion. I wish that I had the time and patience to answer my deepest questions like this.
American Idol Contestant - Zack
I also have a sock obsession! It's always inspirational for me to see others that love socks as much as I do. But it's not only the socks, he is also a talented singer and he has a generous personality which I always respect!