Carry On: The More I Know, The More I Know That I Don't Know Shit - image 1 - student project

DISCLAIMER:

MY PROJECT PAGE IS SETUP BLOG STYLE ON PURPOSE TO SHOW DEVELOPMENT OVER TIME AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TO SHOW THOSE OUT THERE THAT MAY NEED A LITTLE EXTRA MOTIVATION THAT PURSING YOUR DREAM IS AS EASY AS PUTTING ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER AND NOT LOOKING BACK.

WELCOME FAM. COME ALONG, JOIN ME.

Carry On: The More I Know, The More I Know That I Don't Know Shit - image 2 - student project

When I first heard of this course and read the course description I immediately bought the book and signed up for the class! Being chosen as the Top 50 emerging fashion brands by Jeff Ng, also known as Jeff Staple, in his previously ended Skillshare course then following it up with a course on managing my business designed solely for the creative class taught by the OG Marc Ecko himself - OF COURSE, SIGN ME UP!!

I've taken quite a few classes here on Skillshare thus far where my first course was in January of 2013 with the OG in the photography game, Jonathan Mannion. From there I've taken the Sneaker Design course with Elliot Curtis amongst a few others.

Carry On: The More I Know, The More I Know That I Don't Know Shit - image 3 - student project

As stated above, I previously took a fashion course with Jeff Staple and my brand was chosen as Top 50 fashion brands out of 700+ brand submissions from all around the globe. Check it out here. Now you may ask, "What's with the duck?" The meaning behind the brand logo and name has much substance to me and can speak volumes if understood correctly.

Let me explain more:

Phonetically pronounced /puʀsɥit/ is the French word for "pursuit." Being broken down into two separate words as "pour - suite" it means "of continuation" which is exactly what we strive for; continued progression.

You know how in college or during interviews they always ask you to compare yourself to an animal that's not typical for someone to say? Well my response was always a duck. The reason behind it is this:

When you think of a duck sitting on a pond you think of him lounging in the sun catching the cool breeze and just enjoying life, right? Well that may be the case but you have to analyze things more carefully. Aside from the duck taking it easy if you pan underneath the surface you see tons of leg work going on. It's a crazy juxtaposition to see because of how the duck sitting on the pond looks at first glance and then you realize how much work is being put in to keeping him afloat and to keeping his cool and confident demeanor. His feet are moving quickly as if he were going somewhere and that he has business to attain to. That's the mindset of 'Poursuite.' We fully embrace the amount of hard work that has to be done to get things done accordingly and moreso respect and appreciate it. It really doesn't matter as to what things look like on the surface what matters is the substance and importance of it to you. That's what 'Poursuite' is and that what we embody. We embarace the entire lifestyle of the above sentiment.

I hope that cleared things up a bit for you as I feel that it can be universally applied to pretty much everything we do in life. That's what my brand is! That's what we're about and stand for. The hard work that those looking in from the outside don't see you putting in. Those long nights of identifying and organizing your brand identity.

Carry On: The More I Know, The More I Know That I Don't Know Shit - image 4 - student project

I was unable to attend the above event but I did watch the full video recap via YouTube. If you haven't, click here to view. Trust me you won't be sorry.

One thing that I took away from the lecture was when Jeff said, "The bottom line is, if you've got your own company and life sucks, or if you work for a company and life sucks or if you're not doing anything and life sucks that the least you can do is do what makes you happy." I couldn't have said it better myself!

We all tend to pester ourselves with things we have to get accomplished throughout our days. For example, I even caught myself telling a friend "Uhh yeah bro I have to go to this fabric store to source garments, meet with my manufacturer, email some people and still have to do more designing for my line." Take Jeff's advice and at least be doing something in which you enjoy doing. It at least beats wearing a monkey suit while sitting behind a cubicle all day.

Carry On: The More I Know, The More I Know That I Don't Know Shit - image 5 - student project

I recently cleaned up my workstation in my room as I had free time and wanted to get some design work done. Clear space, clear head is what they say. I sometimes find myself in a surreal space of mind when I think about everything that's been happening this past year for me and how things are coming full circle for me and the brand in which I'm creating.

I've also been reading Ecko's book like crazy! I must say, it's motivating to say the very least! It has my attention the entire time I'm reading it. One thing that stuck out to me was the differnce between the 'Gatekeeper' and the 'Goalkeeper.' I don't want to spoil the book for anyone but Marc you are my 'Gatekeeper' and this Skillshare platform is my 'Gatekeeper' whom I plan on bypassing using my methods of hard work, believability in my brand with undenying passion and conviction and more importantly to inspire and motivate others to push onward with achieving their dreams and aspirations.

Carry On: The More I Know, The More I Know That I Don't Know Shit - image 6 - student project

I bring my Word. Notebook with me everywhere I go as I always have a great idea at the most unsuspecting moments. In anticipation of this class starting I began to think to myself, "How can I go above and beyond with this class and really show Ecko that I mean business?!"

Write my own business commandment accompanied with a supporting visual you say? I'll do you one better. I'll add my image onto a garment to perfectly mesh my two worlds together seamlessly.

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In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was a king of Ephyra (now known as Corinth) punished for chronic deceitfulness by being compelled to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and to repeat this action forever.

In my case, my "boulder" is the never ending process of garment ideation, creation into physical garment all while directly staying in line with your target niche's aesthetic. "Perfection" isn't real but I like to believe that it is and don't mind my years chasing it. It's the thrill of the chase. It's as if those individuals holding the finish tape at the end of the race keep moving back as you try to break the plane of the finish line.

I don't want to stop and this is me doing that!

Stay tuned people as I plan on updating often.

Until Next Time...Making Progress.

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Carry On: The More I Know, The More I Know That I Don't Know Shit - image 8 - student project

WOULD YOU RATHER BE DEAD??

That's more of a rhetorical question but at the same time it isn't. Think about that real hard. I mean come on, sometimes with all of the complaining and bickering, you'd think some people would rather be dead and not have to deal with it.

Showcasing one of pop culture's cult classic films most iconic scenes, in my opinion, is the David Fiincher film "Fight Club." If you've seen the movie you know exactly what I'm talking about. For those unfamiliar I'll quickly explain it for you. The guy with the guy pointed to the back of his skull is the majority of today's population whereas they just let life pass them by being lazy and not wanting to put the necessary work in to achieve their goals. Brad Pitt's character randomly walked into the convenience store and dragged the worker into the alley and blatantly said "Today you are going to die!"

Imagine being told that with a revolver to the back your dome! Brad Pitt's character asked the guy "What do you want to be?" The guy merely squealed out that he had aspirations to be a veterinarian but didn't like it because it required more schooling. Oh yeah - Brad Pitt's character has his address from his drivers license and said that if in a certain amount of days that he going to check on him to see if he's working towards being a veterinarian. If not, BOOM! - he's dead!

What would you do? I bet that guy will be far along in his quest of becoming a veterinarian if Brad Pitt's character was to ever check back in on him.

Which raises the question, "Why does it have to be that way for you to go after your dream?"

Go now! Move! It's as easy as putting one foot in front the other! What are you doing? Carry On.

Peace.

Until Next Time...Making Progress.

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BACK AT IT!!

Carry On: The More I Know, The More I Know That I Don't Know Shit - image 9 - student project

Peace peace to all yall out there. I'm back like I left something. Anyway - I've been doing a lot of thinking about what it is exactly that I'm doing with my daily updates. A clear path for destiny. Then it hit me like the feeling a sneakerhead gets when he finds out the sneaker he's been waiting for all year is sold out in his size. My very own crack commandments but gracing the fabrics of various garments in which I choose appropriate.

One thing that I as kid knew and exercised, but forgot how to do as a teen/young adult, was the fillingness to fuck up and make mistakes. In a world where everything is "perfect"we tend to lose our ability and eagerness to try new things and learn but making mistakes. Actually, it's one of the best ways for me to learn. Here's why, when you make a mistake creatively, you see the mistake visually and now know what it is you must do differently to achieve your desired aesthetic.

Carry On: The More I Know, The More I Know That I Don't Know Shit - image 10 - student project

Haha crazy looking pic, right?

It was my reaction to what was supposed to be Jeff Staple announcing to our Skillshare class the Top 3 brands out of 50 (my brand included) in which he'll privately mentor. Only to find out that he'll post those brands on his next post, hahaha. This guy sure knows how to keep the suspense going.

What does that mean for me? Keep grinding is the first thing that came to mind! As usual!

Look at the quote I recently painted onto my wall in my creative space. It's true! Fuck up! Make mistakes but most importantly learn from them. It's a way of life. Accept it and you'll be better off.

Remember: IT DOESN'T GET EASIER, YOU JUST GET BETTER.

Until Next Time...Making Progress

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Carry On: The More I Know, The More I Know That I Don't Know Shit - image 11 - student project

BACK AT IT!!

Peace peace to everyone out there. Thanks for stopping by.

Above is the P-Collegiate Snapback hat. Black crown and brim. Green underbrim. White raised lettering with inner embroidery. One size fits most.

Today's commandment is - uggh shit I don't know. Who knows? I don't come into these things with a preplanned notion of "I'll say this" or "I'll say that; I speak from the heart fam. It's not about that. It's about you setting a goal, and going get it! As simple as that...no matter how big or small.

The above design represents the vertical "ladder" of necessary steps we have to take in order to achieve sought out goal(s).

Carry On: The More I Know, The More I Know That I Don't Know Shit - image 12 - student project

In other news, I'm making progress on this cut and sewn piece. I did some research and found a pattern maker who isn't too far away from where I am.

Nice! Can't wait to finally meet with her and get this process moving along!

Also, in other news, I'm still playing the waiting game on Jeff Staple's Skillshare class contest.

I can go on and on about whatever fam but I must get some rest. I have a long day tomorrow. Remember, the grind never stops. Set a goal for yourself and do what you have to to make sure you check off the box next to that goal. Write another goal, then repeat.

I'm here for all of you if any of you need advice, words of encouragement, etc.

Peace.

Until Next Time...Making Progress

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Peace peace what good fam? I hope everyone has been grinding since last time we spoke.

I'm back at it again with another update and with that comes another commandment.

THE MORE IN YOUR FACE I AM THE MORE RELEVANT I BECOME. -LEVI MAESTRO

I question posed in Marc Ecko's book was "What's your unfair advantage?" As I read on through the book that question was something that stuck in my head. I thought about it for a few days and I finally came up with an answer.

My eagerness to followup professional relationships via phone call, email, text, social media etc. I feel that we sometimes slip into "I'm good" mentality where you think you have it in the bag. Wrong - the work has just begun! Follow though on what you say! Don't just talk about it...be about it!

Be a go-getter! Don't let anything hold you back. Most of the times its us who hold ourselves back by making excuses. In Ecko's book he mentioned previous work with Spike Lee in the past where Spike was early to a shoot on a day where it was storming outside! Spike said "Nothing stops my work, especially the weather!" We all should feel the same way.

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I stopped in the rain to snap a pic of the billboard today. I wanted to remember it so that I can share it with you guys. What do you think of it?

Another thing I'd say is my "unfair advantage" is my ideation skills. I'm able to draw inspiration from everything around me. Even from the most mundane of places. Its my unfair advantage. I'm able to draw inspiration from whats around me in showcase it to everyone in a very obtainable way.

Honestly, so what about mine! Who cares. What's yours? Ask yourself that question. Think long and hard on it! When you figure it out then you've struck gold! I can't tell you what to do but it's one of those moments where you know exactly what to do so I say - Carry On!

Until Next Tiime...Making Progress

Ryan Jones

Poursuite | Designer

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