Embracing the big and scary
A short opinion on big clients
A short opinion on big clients
Obsess over process, not outcomes.
Mind the gaps for long-term thinking and creative rejuvenation.
Mediocre work requires constant sales and marketing to maintain momentum. Exceptional work sells itself.
It’s time for a radical shift in how we present ourselves as designers.
The maturation of UX isn’t making you an uncreative robot or replaceable commodity.
The mark of a great designer is their awareness of system thinking.
How alternating focus between the yin and yang of design leads to the perfect balance of consistency and flexibility.
Pandemic-induced efficiency is real, and we’re all better off for it.
What l learned about designing quickly from Malcolm Gladwell and The Queen’s Gambit.
It cannot be created or destroyed, only moved somewhere else.
Humility and self-confidence lead you to strive for quality no matter the task. Lose that pride, and you’re destined for design mediocrity.
10 rules to help you thrive when your design foundation is missing or moving.
Money is not a goal, it's a byproduct of success.
Why freelance outsiders become critical design saviours.
Chuck Close describes the designer’s creative process in two perfect sentences.
Does the monotony of constant client work hold us back from design innovation?
The best designers are expert project managers and astute business people.
On creativity, complexity, and fairness in pricing services.
The easiest way to tell a wannabe designer from a valuable pro.
Last decade we reached peak homogeneity. Let’s mark the new one with an explosion of uniqueness.
The more important your work, the more trade-offs you have to make.
Generate qualified inbound leads so you never have to chase freelance work again.
How to find the perfect balance of new and old, according to your strengths.
Being ‘T-shaped’ will make you more effective and more valuable
Is your creative business primed to thrive or wither?
Valuing data over design instinct puts metrics over users
Trust, clear project goals, and objective feedback creates an environment that repels stupid suggestions.
Everyone can participate in design, but professional designers show their value as expert facilitators who drive the design process.
On building efficiency and flexibility into your creative process.
Communication is a core part of our craft — and equally important — it’s a “soft-skill” essential for getting design work done successfully.
The creative process is full of unknowns.
Are you frustrated as a designer because you’re trying to be an artist?
Can a waterfall sprint? Can a greyhound slow down?
You can’t create things without design happening.
Don’t “niche down” on visual style, unless that’s all you want to be.
Do you struggle to match the speed of your more experienced design colleagues?
My life experience tells me hard work is more important than innate ability. My professional design experience validates it.
It’s no longer a selling point when everyone is doing it. And it‘s not impressive if you’re doing a lazy job.
A comprehensive guide for designers and their clients to provide frustration-free feedback and create better design outcomes.
29 stories, 78K views, 3.6K fans, 1.6K followers, in 6 months. What did I learn?
Do you find yourself constantly dissatisfied with your creative endeavours? You’re not alone.
Tales of trouble when a “good” design deviates too far from its parent branding.
Isn’t that enough reason to put this age-old debate to bed?
Fancy Dribbble shots, gratuitous animations, tarted-up Behance case studies, and unsolicited redesigns — what do these say about you as a designer?
The old days of “visual design” are long gone. We need to think much broader & deeper to solve today’s design challenges.
Being stagnant in this industry is as bad as being dead. In order to grow your business, you need to be doing things you’re not prepared for.
Redefine your freelance service offering as a complementary process that delivers your ideal clients the most value.
Design fundamentals trump software proficiency. Timeless design triumphs over trends.
Designers, put away your screen and get inspired by the world around you