A Magical Act

"Design is a job." "Good design is good business."

You’ve Got to be Mad.

Good design is borne from passion, and design is my rice bowl (profession).

There’s balance, and then there’s magic.

There’s never enough focus time (at least in my world), too many distractions, and never enough of the most precious resource—time. 

The assembly of beautiful teams.

The Ensemble.

Relationships unlock true magic.

The ensemble is built upon a foundation of equal stakes, equal hearts, equal pains, equal gains, and differentiation yet total alignment. Each member contributes their unique blend of style-craft, mind-craft and hand-craft, united by a shared vision that transcends individual differences with a sense of blind trust that makes working together a joy.

Yet, amidst the fun and laughter, there is a maniacal obsession to the right amount of discipline, and bold operational excellence to challenge norms.

We break the rules all the time.

It is this delicate balance of structure and chaos—individual brilliance and collective harmony, that sets the stage for magic to take place.

In the tension of creativity, magic happens.

Again, you’ve got to be mad. And the ensemble gets you across the line, all the time.

The stakes are always high, with every multi-dimensional act carrying significant impact to everything around. The tension triples with the fuel of individual passion and intention to design something worthy of this world. The ensemble is multi-dimensional in skills: artistry, sciences, emotion, and strategy.

  • Style (The Unseen Magic): Style is the intangible essence that elevates the design from good to magic. It's not your wealth or your face, but rather your vibes. Dress the part, and unleash the soul.

  • Mind (Strategic Moves): Bloom quick and new ideas to consider short-term, long-term, and systemic conditions. Think through with data to inform the magic with business savviness.

  • Hand (Crafted with Soul): Roll those sleeves up. To touch is to feel; collaborate with hands to think, and then iterate it a thousand more times. Craft with pride.

These ingredients, serve as the catalyst to transform the ordinary.

Magic happens when we live in the tension (as Human Beings).

Navigating Dualities.

The work has got to be beautifully impactful. The tension is real.

It is the stage for magic to be unleashed by those who embrace it. The tension that shapes us and disrupts the very nature of living normal, and creates the abnormal.

Tension challenges us work around our limitations and discover a hidden reserve of ideas.

The ensemble thrives in tension, finding magic in madness—together.

  • Science or Art: Data-driven or emotionally creative? Research meets imagination, turning analysis into magic.

  • Discovery or Delivery: Innovative ideas or hitting deadlines? Visionary concepts brought to life, on time and on the money.

  • Substance or Style: Depth or dazzle? Substance wins minds, style wins hearts. Every interactions must be an inspiration.

  • Hoodzpah or Doubt: Bold confidence or critical reflection? At the start, hoodzpah drives bold ideas. Doubt refines them to perfection. Be sensible.

  • Distractions or Focus: Embrace chaos to maintain laser focus. In creative storms, distractions spark innovation. Find your ideas and flow.

  • #$^& and Thank You: Defiance or gratitude? Sticking to your gut? Stay hungry, stay humble, stay you.

Grow all ways from the tension.

Is there Balance?

Balance exists, it's fluid, always in motion—and we’re in a constant equilibrium between various tensions and opposites, such as structure and spontaneity, individual brilliance and collective harmony, and the need to make magic.

The profession is mad. Design the balance.

Don’t snap.