9. Gold Seams

When we take risks we eventually mess up. The important part is how we repair. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repair. The word translates to "Gold Seams." This is an art form in which we repair broken objects with gold, highlighting the imperfection, celebrating the process of coming apart and putting things back together. … Continue reading 9. Gold Seams

7. A Great Collaborator

https://youtu.be/gIUJIC8dpgc?si=ijWYCcja7swjaRXx&t=740 This interview with Pharrell Williams on completing year three of the Black Ambition project is fantastic and this bit at the end about collaboration is deep. When Forbes Senior Editor Jabari Young asks, "How do you go from a good collaborator to a great one?" Pharrell answers like a true producer:"A good collaborator knows … Continue reading 7. A Great Collaborator

4. Sample + Remix

Take inspiration from something great, play with it, and make it your own. Be sure to give credit where credit is due. https://www.youtube.com/embed/yd8jh9QYfEs?si=3EoM2JP9d4Ci2utm https://youtu.be/1XMvPTFzgVU?si=Tbt8Ac3CWpyFFet1 https://www.youtube.com/embed/PblSmVR7hCk?si=JchG1YdOfWoT5j8O This post is part of a mini series on “12 Days of Play“ 1. Joy in Repetition2. Dream a Little Longer3. Make it Silly4. Sample + Remix (h/t Z for … Continue reading 4. Sample + Remix

3. Make it Silly

When we start brainstorming ideas for a project to address a specific problem, we can be too practical. That practically can get in the way of finding breakthrough ideas. The next time you are brainstorming, consider warming up by exploring the silliest ideas you can think of. There are at least three benefits to this … Continue reading 3. Make it Silly

2. Dream a Little Longer

When we have good ideas that we get excited about, it's easy to shift into planning mode. But if we want to be more playful in our work, we have to carve out more time for dreaming. Dreaming allows us to move past the obvious solution, to explore deeper ideas, to push the bounds of … Continue reading 2. Dream a Little Longer

The Status Quo is Really Good at Maintaining the Status Quo

Changemakers know this going in: the Status Quo is positioned well to hold its ground. Expect it. Plan for it. Take your vitamins. Do your warm ups. Choose to believe in yourself and others. Find time and energy for playfulness -- it'll keep you going.

repost: Reclaim Your Energy

PROBLEM Coming up with ideas for new projects is fun. But sometimes after we have an idea for a new project, we talk ourselves out of it: we don’t have the time; we aren’t qualified; someone else could do it better. Those excuses are often manifestations of fear. And rather than manage that fear, we … Continue reading repost: Reclaim Your Energy

Working Back and Forth

My graduate advisor, David Morgan, had a saying, "Work back and forth." By that he meant that it's wise to work on a project from multiple angles - pencil sketch, then build a 3D model, then go back to sketching, then revise in 3D. When we are working on complex problems, being able to set … Continue reading Working Back and Forth

Rigor, Practicality, and Beauty

I've never understood why people joke about basket weaving as something that's a fluff skill. True basket weavers engage in a craft that is rigorous, practical, and beautiful. What more could you want in something, really? Case in point: check out Swamp Road Baskets. The craft is unbelievable and the skill is undeniable. Craft is … Continue reading Rigor, Practicality, and Beauty

Meet People Where They Are

Meet people where they are. Talk about things that interest them. Listen, really listen. Show them that you heard them.