When entering a new client relationship, there is a good amount of back and forth determining budget, timeline, deliverables, and process. I enjoy working to establish the parameters that the team will be working within. I can be a fairly flexible partner in this process. BUT. I’ve come to recognize the need for certain things. Things I will not budge on if I’m to expect a positive outcome when the project gets wrapped. These are crucial to continued success. To delivering the quality of work you say you will do by the time you say you will do it within the costs laid out in the beginning the way you said you were going to do it.
When it just has to get out the door
It isn’t perfect. It’s not your best work. You did what you could but alas, here you are. The deadline has arrived and the work just needs to be done. It’s time to pull together whatever magic you may have left in you and release. It isn’t that interesting, profound, or earth-shattering. And you know what? It probably doesn’t need to be. What it does need to be is finished. Swallow your pride and just make it happen. You are a creative professional after all, it comes with the job.
Off to Schuyler, Again
How do we build an inclusive community through volunteerism? How do we bridge culture and age barriers with community pride?
This past weekend my wife Katie and I found ourselves in Schuyler, Nebraska for another visioning facilitation for a group of community leaders. In the fall of 2015 we conducted 6 sessions for the Schuyler Media Network. Now we’re looking at the possibilities community volunteering could lead to with the Center for Rural Affairs. One daylong session with 11 participants that will be followed by a final presentation where we deliver our Strategic Plan for a new non-profit called Schuyler Is Home.
The session, which took place on Saturday at the St. Benedict Center, was incredibly successful. I cannot tell you enough how impressed we were with the ideas, the thinking, and the solutions these Schuyler residents put out there in just 6 short hours. So much hard work and so much effort. Time flew by. We completed all the group work ahead of schedule and we’re extremely excited to pull everything together into a final plan of vision and action.
Working with Katie again on something like this is always a good time. She really brings her best to whatever she does. And we are both highly confident that this non-profit will be able to start on a solid footing because of the hard work this small group of committed individuals put in on a random Saturday in the middle of rural America.
Weekends are for writing
Work hard during the week so you can write on the weekends. That’s been a steady goal for me since the beginning of the year. Though, the year has been pretty packed with client work that often good chunks of weekend time get gobbled up by important work to-dos. (To-dos that allow the following work week to get started on a very important right foot.) Frequent writing has become such an important part of my design practice. Usually I measure a good weekend if some solid posts/thoughts/articles were put together. Sure, it’s technically work related, but it compliments design so well. They work in tandem, as one uses up thinking power, switching to the other then replenishes the well, and vice versa.
I drive truck, break arms, and arm wrestle. It’s what I like to do, it’s what I do best.
Bull Hurley quote of the day. Quote of my life. Loved that quality film from the late 80s Over the Top. Fun fact: I was actually in a surf/punk band in college called the Bull Hurleys that practiced a set of surfy songs about trucking and partying. We played no shows.
Anyway, this particular quote from Mr. Hurley really stuck with me. Our household watched that movie literally hundreds of times as I was growing up (my father drives truck for real). I feel like that quote has played an integral part in helping me understand brevity and cadence. As you hear this 3-point cadence, it speaks to your core and you just know everything this big dude is all about. You know that 3-thing introduction now so common on Twitter, LinkedIn, and at TED conferences? I say it has origins here with this large bald-headed man.
Long-form bio? Na, just give me your 3-things. Tell me a paragraph of what you’re up to? Na, just give me your 3-things. If they’re interesting, then I’ll watch your movie.
Mind the overcorrect
Something didn’t turn out quite right and now you need to course correct? Make sure what you’re planning to do next is smart, thoughtful, and weighs the appropriate risks and rewards. Don’t just jump to one extreme because another proved to not be a good path forward.
Digital Revolution/Evolution
Today I visited Creighton University to speak with a class that looks at the impact of the digital revolution/evolution on journalism, design, and computer science. Specifically to discuss the opportunity for cause marketing and design for social justice. I went through a host of our Action Backed projects and discussed working with organizations and activists, designing for a sustainability cause, how design is an obvious tool for social change, and what it’s like working as an independent designer today. Creighton students are always so welcoming. Great way to spend an early afternoon. Many thanks to Carol Zuegner for the invitation!
