Tyrone Pardue

We are surrounded by style, from this years fashion trends to advertising styles, architecture, art and even martial-arts. Virtually everything produced is subject to some kind of style imprinted on it by it’s creator.

Alan Fletcher (pictured here), one of the greatest designers and innovators of the twentieth century sadly passed away late in 2006, leaving behind much wisdom. Well known as the designer of the V&A (Victoria & Albert Museum, London) logo as well as being one of the founders of Pentagram (one of the world’s leading design companies) says, “The solution to any visual problem has an infinite number of solutions; that many of them are valid; that solutions ought to derive from the subject matter; that the designer should therefore have no preconceived graphic style.” This is sound advice for anyone attempting to solve a problem whether it’s a visual communications problem or indeed even a martial-arts problem. Alan Fletcher’s no-style style stands the test of time.

As a designer, it is impossible not to be influenced by ephemeral design trends that bubble into the visual world from time-to-time. Even artists are prone to become influenced by concepts and ideas appearing in the work of others. From an artists point of view, I can see nothing wrong with developing an idea to try and go further with it than the last artist. But in serving the needs of the corporate client I can see nothing worse than the imposition of a personal style or using the client’s work as a stage on which to act out ones artistic ambitions.

As a martial-artist, I am undoubtedly influenced by the styles of other martial-arts. No martial-artist would be true to himself if he did not admit that he sometimes compares what he is doing to the arts of others wondering if what his style is effective or not. Todays media including such technical wonders as YouTube and On-Demand Cable TV allow us view, over and over again the techniques of other styles at the click of a button.

The trap that sticking to a particular style sets (and remember I am talking about the perpetuation of a ‘mold’) is one of impurity. Both message and motion will be tainted by impure intentions (trying to stick to a style) rather than respond directly to reality of the problem as it is now presenting itself.

Myamoto Musashi (Right) was an excellent swordsman with with a style all of his own. In those days, his style was considered odd, but it was extremely effective. Folklore suggests he never lost a battle. And yet, he was never attached to his style and was quite prepared to drop his sword if the branch of a tree or the oar of a boat suited the occasion.

To quote Alan Fletcher once more: “Style is a curious word because it can mean all sorts of things, from mannerism to charisma. However, as far as I’m concerned, either what you’ve done has panache or it hasn’t. You can’t design panache."

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