Anticipate but...
The first element in my alphabetic mnemonic list for successfully practicing design is: Anticipate But… This involves a dance between two forces – preparedness and stillness. Consider meetings, for…
Balance Beautifully
The “B” element in my alphabetic mnemonic list for successfully practicing design is: Balance Beautifully. Whether you’re arranging flowers or designing a building, this concept is crucial. We tend…
Create Courage
The “C” element in my alphabetic mnemonic list for successfully practicing design is: Create Courage. Design is a journey to a new place. New means risk. Why go there? If you don’t have a reason to…
Delight in Diversity
The “D” element in my alphabetic mnemonic list for successfully practicing design is: Delight in Diversity. Why is diversity in design practice so often simply tolerated rather than enthusiastically…
Engage Enthusiastically
The “E” element in my alphabetic mnemonic list for successfully practicing design is: Engage Enthusiastically. Are you enthusiastically engaged and passionately sharing the work you are doing? If…
Find the Figure
The “F” element in my alphabetic mnemonic list for successfully practicing design is: Find the Figure. When was the last time you were accused of not seeing the forest for the trees? In our…
Get Grounded
The “G” element in my alphabetic mnemonic list for successfully practicing design is: Get Grounded. Riddle: What do electrical work and artistic painting have in common? Answer: They both require…
Humans have needs
The “H” element in my alphabetic mnemonic list for successfully practicing design is: Humans Have Needs. When was the last time you were somewhere you thought you didn’t belong? Probably within the…
Improve Iteratively
The “I” element in my alphabetic mnemonic list for successfully practicing design is: Improve Iteratively. In the design process, what happens after you have that big “aha!” moment? Arriving at a…
Joy is Contagious
The “J” element in my alphabetic mnemonic list for successfully practicing design is: Joy is Contagious. Our founding fathers almost got it right: “…life, liberty and the pursuit of…” Joy. It seems…