2022 was a really difficult year for me and my family. We’ve struggled with loss and grief and having to adjust our expectations and personal goals. I struggled with some serious depression as well. As a result of all that, I spent most of the year in survival mode – I didn’t do any professional goal setting, I didn’t seek out new clients, and I didn’t match last year’s income.
But I survived 2022. And 2023 has given me an opportunity to refocus on what’s important and to think critically about my work. Instead of starting the year by setting my usual business targets, I decided to focus on why I do what I do, how I do it, and who I am willing to do it for.
I developed a set of creative principles to guide me as I take on projects and clients and use my free time to create art. I read You Need a Manifesto, a Stanford d.School guide by Charlotte Burgess-Auburn, to help me come up with the language for these principles.
The process outlined in the book felt a little silly and kind of woo woo when I first read through it, but by really digging in to my values and my personal motivations I was able to put into words a kind of filter for making creative decisions going forward.
1. I am a problem solver. I believe that informed, responsible, and well-executed design will help create a world that is sustainable, equitable, and diverse.
2. I am not always an expert. I will center the experience of those who are directly impacted by design outcomes and make space for marginalized voices, stories, and bodies.
3. I am still learning. I approach my work with curiosity, honesty, and humility. I believe learning and growth are a life-long process.
4. I am optimistic. I believe in fighting injustice and celebrating joy. I believe my work will bring about change. It’s my responsibility to ensure that change is for the better.
5. I am on a mission. I want to leave it better than I found it. I will measure my success through the impact of my work, not my intentions.
I’m looking forward to using these principles this year to ensure I make the most of my time and creative effort. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be diving into more detail on each of these topics here, so stay tuned!