The 2015 Class for the Straight Shot’s next accelerator is in Omaha and ready to go. The seven-company class includes second-time entrepreneurs, teams from Des Moines and Chicago as well as a new corporate venture out of Election Systems & Software. I’ll be joining a roundtable discussion on branding during week 3 which is dedicated to product development and positioning. Very much looking forward to sharing some of my designer knowledge.
A Big Reset
Twelve days and no work. It’s been so long since I’ve had that much time off. It was amazing to get to an end point on several big projects, wrap things up, and head out the door. No emails, no deadlines, no conference calls, etc. Now back in office, getting caught up on things, I feel a huge sense of reset. The potential of what’s to come is what I love most about being an independent designer, and there’s a lot of that looking out over the horizon. New clients and collaborations to work with, new issues to take on, and new skills to learn. Rested and refreshed, a big reset makes all the newness that much more exciting. So much new energy, so many possibilities. Let’s get to it.
Vacation
The offices of JKDC will be closed until June 4th. Time is being taken to recharge and hangout with my wife. And to not look at a screen. To the 2015 successes, challenges, failures, you’ve been great thus far. I’ll be excited to keep at it when the time comes. Until the 4th, godspeed.
How do you manifest justice in your community?
What is the most important thing a single individual can do? Understand that the forces of the status quo will fight you at every turn. Do not be deterred. Do not be discouraged. Know that the status quo wants to keep things just the way they are. And for things to change, it will take your resolve, persistence, and an infinite supply of stubbornness in the face of indifference, hatred, and sometimes violence. Be stubborn and stand with those already fighting every day for change.
Oh burnout, there you are!
When I decided to keep a regular blog on design and collaboration about a year ago, I told myself I’d be honest. Honest about the good and honest about the bad. One of those bad things that comes with a job in the creative industry is burnout. It is very real and very cruel. It can take what you love and want to do most and turn it into work you just HAVE to do. You can end up going through the motions pushing buttons or rolling over to get something done. What used to come with passion and drive can even be cringed at. It’s not the work. It’s just that you’ve gone too long without a good, healthy break. It happens. When you love what you do it’s easy to overlook the need for leisure, hobbies, and impulsive day trips. Right now I am approaching burnout. And it’s a beast. But fear not, a long vacation is just about here. Excellent timing for sure. I’m really looking forward to it. And after, I'm really looking forward to getting back to it. Designing good work and having a grand time doing it.
Make Time to Think
Before I set out on my own, I had all this thinking built up. Like an insane amount. I was at a cushy agency job sitting on all these ideas, theories, priorities, etc. Just waiting for the perfect time to unleash them. Almost 5 years later, having spent most of my time doing design work guided by this thinking, and staying current with the design industry, responsive web design, infographics, type, software, and on and on, I’d say I’m philosophically low. When you are focused on the doing, purely thinking unrelated to a specific project or task can take a back seat. I have a vacation coming up and a big priority when I get back in office is to make time to just think. In my experience, doing so makes you less reactive, more thoughtful, more patient, and better equipped to deal with the bumps in the road. There’s power in thinking. Just like standing on a street corner with nowhere specific to go.
When Projects Are Disappointments
It happens. For whatever reason, things fall short. Maybe a design direction you initially thought would turn out just didn’t. Or the process went astray and cobbled together a mishmash design that in the end shows lack of vision. Most times, you’re stubborn enough to apply extra force when needed and get a project to a point everyone can feel good about. But sometimes you can’t. Because everybody has a limit. The “Fuck It” moments, if you will. And when those happen, it’s a good time to acknowledge your defeat. And it’s a good time to share. Everything is not awesome all the time. Being honest about that will make you a better designer, a better communicator, and an important member of any team where creating something new, exciting, and inspirational is the goal.
