My Entry – Design Group Writing Project For Charity

A couple of days ago I mentioned a project that has been commissioned by Just Creative Design. The author, Jacob Cass, is giving away prizes (which are beside the point) to people who either donate to the Blog Action Day Poverty Fund (100% of all proceeds will go to the charity) or write a blog post (if they have one) or article about design.

You still have time to enter a submission, the deadline is Nov 22. Check it out at $11,000 Prize Giveaway – Design Group Writing Project For Charity.

I have donated to the charity and here is my blog entry:

Design is such a personal thing, and quite frankly it has always intimidated me. I have always had a deep, deep admiration for people in the design profession. To me it is my own personal torture. If someone hooked me up to some electrical device with the intent of inflicting severe pain on me unless I designed X (X being a card, a room, a web page, a you-name-it) I would surely die from electrocution!

Design requires the consideration of aesthetics and function as well as considerable research, thought, modeling, interactive adjustment, and re-design. Function I got, but I don’t think I will ever have the eye for aesthetics. But what I do know is… I like what I like, and that is why design is also personal. Look at fashion design, there is something for everyone. Even if sometimes you have to wonder “how the hell can anyone think that is good design?!”

There are many design approaches, but one that speaks to me the loudest is the KISS principle, (Keep it Simple Stupid, etc.) this approach strives to eliminate unnecessary complications – THIS IS ALL ME! I like this approach of design because I cannot stand clutter and I like clean lines and white space.

One of my favorite quotes is: The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. — Hans Hofmann

But the KISS design approach is also a lifestyle design approach. And it is a philosophy I try to live by. Life design, like any other design field, requires considerable research, thought, modeling, interactive adjustment, and re-design. In other words, as you go through life we form opinions, gain experiences and then re-evaluate. Maybe later changing an opinion or changing our activities until we hone in on to what makes us truly happy without expense to others or our environment. Then we re-assess.

Following this approach, you can really live your experiences in small doses day by day and you have control over the design of your life. Friends, family, career, spouses become part of the design and are worked in or out as is necessary. Eliminate the complicated including people who complicate your life. Live simply, within your means, and with care to the world around you.

Although I am supremely happy with my life, if I could change or add something it would be that missing design aesthetic gene that does not seem to be part of my DNA. And since it’s not there, I will continue to admire and appreciate those who have it.