Over years working as a designer and creative lead, I’ve found myself rallying around lessons and guidance over and over again — practical values that help drive excellent creative work and vibrant creative team culture.
Make it intentional.
Even if it’s beautiful, make sure it looks like you did this by hand — that you thought about it. I call this ‘Intentfulness.’ This feels more important than ever these days.
Just ask.
Ask for help, ask for something bigger, ask for more — More often than not nobody is asking for what they really want and those who do ask often get exactly what they want.
Be a human.
Everyone we meet is just like us — we all buy toilet paper — so treat folks as friendly and genuine as possible, even when they have power; especially if they don’t.
Practice enthusiasm.
Positivity, and genuine curiosity go a long way to exploring novel ideas, and widening the circle of partners and collaborators who can make big ideas come to life. Not just acting energized, but finding ways to be really excited — excitement is infectious, memorable, and costs nothing extra.
Be pushy and prudent.
Design should be the loudest and strongest advocate for beautiful, well-made things: But don’t confuse that with derailing the mission or deadline — be a negotiator. Design should never be the friction or the enemy.
Do what’s right.
Creatively, spiritually, morally — push back on anything that feels out of whack. Design won’t change the world on its own, for good or bad, our work influences ideas and how they’re perceived. Choose work that’s for good.