Earlier this week my mom and I were discussing various things, one of them being my writing and some challenges that have popped up this week.

Knowing that I love learning from others, she mentioned to me an interesting artist she’s been watching, David Bird. Who has created one of the most interesting and inspiring careers I have ever seen.

Let me give you some background,

Instead of reiterating I will be sharing directly from David’s “about me” page and linking a 9-minute documentary on his work.

You just have to see it yourself, I think it’s so fun.

As David says,

“I’m a photographer, toy designer, and illustrator, based in South Kingstown, RI. I studied Industrial Design at the Rhode Island School of Design and have spent most of my career designing toys for Lego and Hasbro. I’ve always loved illustration and visual storytelling, and the feedback I heard from kids about my toy designs convinced me of the power of storytelling as a means to connect and inspire. I’m now freelancing as a designer and illustrator, while working on personal projects devoted to visual storytelling of wonder and whimsy.

The seeds for Becorns were planted when I worked for Lego, designing warrior action figures for their Bionicle line. I fell in love with the process of inventing characters and stories out of the abstract bio-mechanical parts. When I left Lego, I missed it, and the never-ending supply of building parts… until I looked into a pile of sticks and realized I had all the parts I need.”

Identifying with Becorns

I absolutely love David’s career. Here’s why:

• Incredibly creative. not only in his idea but in his everyday process.
• Working for himself & freelancing. I obviously don’t know what David’s everyday life looks like. But from what I can see through his website he has a self-directed career. Supporting himself through YouTube, selling prints, and occasional freelance work.
• Original and unique.
• It’s so fun and human. After I watched one of his videos that’s all I could say, “this is so FUN.”
• Wonder and beauty in nature. While shooting David takes on his character’s perspectives.
• Natural career path. Everything organically fell into place for him.
• Combining passions and strengths. He may not be the best toy designer, photographer, or illustrator. But he is, clearly, the best Becorn designer, photographer, and illustrator. I love this concept of niche.

Throughout this post, I have said the word “fun” way too many times. But that’s how I feel, this is just FUN.

After learning more about David’s career and personal story it has opened my mind to the absolutely endless amount of possibilities open to me. To ultimately have a career where I can wake up and do something so niche is an end goal for me.

And this is a reminder to follow any inclinations that I may have. Even picking up sticks and rocks off of the ground has the ability to kickstart something huge.

Create, create, create.