Selfish Collages Postcards Series by Sharon Webber-Zvik

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DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

SW : The Native Americans believed that a camera is capable of capturing a person’s soul. I tend to agree. I feel very uncomfortable having my picture taken. In our days, selling perfection through filters is part of our daily routine and business marketing. And to that, we expect immediate feedback and positive reassurances. I couldn’t help but wonder if a selfie presentation can be genuine, emotional, exposing, and one that shows an X-ray vision that is not necessarily beautiful. Very much similar to my personal experience when having my picture taken and alike to the Native American belief.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

SW : My main goal was to raise a discussion on each postcard, to make people talk about the way they feel in the real life- and not through the filtered "Beautify” Selfie. I published the series in steps of revealing, peeling layers and nourishing from the public responses. The first step/ collage, “Watching”, was cautious and external, and with time it became more and more personal and profound, until the last step- “Creation” that speaks about the place from which I create. The feedbacks changed as the aesthetics did. People asked to have first collages as wall art, posters and framed postcards, and as the process progressed, the reactions became more private, and very intense. The most powerful moment after releasing “Open Heart” was a random encounter with a writer who told me that “Selfie_sh” inspire him to write his nest book. At that point I decided to hand out prints of Selfie_sh.I was dreaming for honest dialog and real emotions through social media platforms, which I seceded to receive.

DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?

SW : Selfie_sh is being displayed in several exhibitions, art galleries and magazines. This project echoes and taking it’s next level of growth- my Sketchbooks collaboration with 65 people (artists and non artists all over the world). Selfie”sh aimed to create a true discussion about real emotions and The Sketchbook Collaboration aims to make people’s feelings to impact on my art.

DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

SW : I wish I could say that I had a clear visual of concept, but at that time I simply listed to my heart and the viewers feelings and thoughts, that led me to a concept. It took me 30 days until completion of the last postcard, but the project itself still alive and echoes.

DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

SW : hated having my picture taken, my thoughts always went to that ancient faith of the The Native Americans believed that a camera is capable of capturing a person’s soul. That and the feeling that every step of daily routine must be photographed and emphasise perfection for marketing and good publicity was frustrating for me.

DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

SW : At this moment this design is not for sale.

DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

SW : No, I do not think so

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

SW : I was aiming to any gender and age and I was surprised to understand how correct I was.

DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

SW : I believe that this project starts from a very personal and privet place which immediately makes it a unique and different.

DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

SW : Selfie_sh name contains the combination of the word “Selfie” (The art of taking your own picture) +the beginning of my name (Sharon) = the phonetics of the word “Selfish”

DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

SW : I used Photoshop but along with real paper and pens.

DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?

SW : believe that the immediate reaction of people and the effect it had on me- I head the strength to create the next card, the next step of reviling my inner self. Oh, and the fact that it still echoes and so much alive.

DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

SW : I collaborated with regular facebook followers. The dialog of feelings made me continue and create the next postcard.

DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?

SW : I used the social media and Internet social rules of discussion to make this project grow more and more.

DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

SW : he main obstacle in the creation process was myself: The fear to express that inner me, the fear of publishing it to the world to see and judge, and then the absurd fear of knowing what the people’s verdict will be. Can it be accepted? Will it be appreciated?

DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

SW : I think that the main idea behind the submission was to reach more viewers to this project, to open people’s heart and mind to this dialog and emotional honest discussion.

DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

SW : First of all I love to look at my pictures since that project- I do see the inner me and my soul through my eyes and I love the reflection of it. I learned to use all the resources I have to forward my ideas and art, and not to be so shy and careful

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

SW : With great modesty, I am hoping to continue and create more art and design that effects and touches people.