This incredibly insightful research project by AIGA landed in my inbox a couple of days ago. AIGA says the intent is “to help designers and educators anticipate and prepare for the future, to lead change in their offices and schools, and to make each phase of their careers a learning opportunity rather than a fixed reality.” Having graduated recently, I found these trend reports fascinating. Take a look!
Design EducationI’ve heard this quote thrown around recently, and it’s really latched on in my mind: “Strong ideas, loosely held.”
What I love about this principle is how accurate it is, especially for designers working in teams. In a collaborative environment, generating valuable ideas and believing in what you create are so essential. At the same time, being receptive to feedback is an equally important skill.
So, what is possible with the marriage of these two concepts? I believe when you have good ideas and hold an open mind, great design can happen:
In critiques and conversations around design, this principle is helpful for bringing in new and different ideas to the discussion. One approach isn’t valued over others; instead, all ideas are treated as viable, and the goal of the exchange becomes iterating on and changing the work. In turn, the more rapid flow of ideas can lead to stronger outcomes because ideas that may not have been considered before are now included in the process.
In the design process, “strong ideas, loosely held” can help improve what you’re designing because ideas aren’t solidified early on. This means there is more time to reflect on and change parts up until the last minute, to deliver the best possible product.
Working in a creative field has shown me that communicating in a team and keeping an open mind to grow and learn are fundamental skills, not only for ourselves but for creating great work for our clients. With this mindset, you can more easily absorb and share knowledge, remain flexible, and be confident when it comes to design.
WorkThis sneak peek of Photoshop’s revamped Content-Aware Fill tool looks very impressive. Content-Aware Fill is one of those tools I rarely get to use, but when I do it can be a fantastic time-saver.
Adobe Videos
MorMor is a captivating new artist from Toronto whose music blends elements of R&B and dream-pop. His debut EP, Heaven’s Only Wishful, is an excellent sampler of what he can do—I’ve described the artist to a friend as a blend between Frank Ocean and Beach House, and I think it’s fitting!
If you only listen to one song from MorMor, my recommendation would be “Lost.” Although the entire EP is a real treat, this track, in particular, showcases his atmospheric, almost shoegaze-style approach to R&B. Overall, this EP is a perfect summer nighttime soundtrack when you’re feeling reflective or just want to be alone with your thoughts!
New MusicThis is a relevant and concise write-up of ethics in front-end development. I believe it is critical to apply ethics before doing work so that we can think through the consequences of our code and designs.
Design Ethics Web DesignI love this conversation with writer Ashley C. Ford on The Creative Independent. In it, she discusses her approach to time management when working in a creative field, prioritizing projects, and learning when to say no. The Creative Independent has more conversations with artists on their website, and they publish daily. I think it’s an excellent resource for learning about finding balance in this ever-changing industry.
Creative Health