As someone with a more than a handful of years experience in design, I've come to understand the impact our life experiences have over our perspectives and decisions. Each encounter shapes us, influencing and guiding our approach to crafting products, services, and experiences that has the potential to touch millions. It's a profession rooted in problem-solving, where we advocate for and on behalf of others solutions that support the betterment of their lives. One collection of digitally rended experiences at a time.
I hold a deep conviction that design is not merely a craft, but a service and a responsibility. It's a calling that demands responsible stewardship, recognizing the transformative power inherent in our creations. Through mindful design, we possess the ability to instigate meaningful change, one experience at a time. While I may not single-handedly alter the course of the world, I firmly believe in our collective capacity to alleviate human suffering through thoughtful design interventions.
In this journey,
With each passing day, my resolve in the potential of design is strengthened by life's lessons, affirming its capacity to effect tangible, positive change in the world.
Some of the most difficult things to see in life are the ones that stare you in the face daily. The little teaching moments that can easily blend into the background of the our noisy busy lives, often overlooked, pushed aside and forgotten in the monotony. It is a challenge to "..stay conscious and alive in the adult world day in and day out (David Foster Wallace).” These are some of the things I have learned and attempt to practice daily.
“It is about simple awareness — awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, that we have to keep reminding ourselves, over and over: ‘This is water, this is water.’’
— David Foster Wallace
I journal occasionally and try to understand some of the challenges that I have faced over time. Sometimes, I learned things. They aren't anything new and may even sound familiar and old. But they are the old, little things that if practiced daily can make a huge impact. I work to try and apply them daily in attempt to develop the discipline to help me "..stay conscious and alive in the adult world day in and day out (David Foster Wallace).”
Practice gratitude and humility. Both will help keep you grounded and aware that every person you meet has something to teach you, no matter their station in life, nor yours.
There is strength in compassion. Growing up, my idea of being strong had everything to do with physical strength and emotional muteness. I've since learned I was mistaken. True strength came from the things that were seemingly delicate and soft: Love, compassion, empathy. It extended inward, demanding an acknowledgment of the importance of self-compassion—a lesson I found particularly challenging to embrace. Amidst the ebb and flow of life, I often neglected this crucial practice, until gentle reminders from compassionate friends and family remind me of its significance in nurturing my own well-being.
Have the patience to build strong relationships. You'll end up building strong teams and organizations. The relationships we build are more important than any single piece of equipment, tool, process, or app. People are still at the core of what we do, make, and sell. At the heart of everything that makes our world go 'round are the people and communities that make it happen.
Sometimes we have to put our expertise aside. Our minds can very easily builds walls with rules and structures of our own experiences and the arrogance of our “knowing” egos, blocking our view of the possible with a predefined known path. However, true innovation often emerges when we nurture curiosity and dare to explore beyond the boundaries of our comfort. By adopting a beginner's mindset, we unlock the potential for groundbreaking ideas and discoveries.
Remember to laugh and play. It can help get you through some of the most stressful situations you'll face. Allowing yourself to play or just being a goofball is a reprieve and a mental break from the seriousness of the world around us. It's vital for our own mental health and expands our problem solving abilities, creativity, and ability to form connections.
