[No. 110]
Design
Last weekend, I spent my time creating design assets for my clients and me. Some have told me it's a waste of time, because by doing good work, you'll always have a job. I nodded my head before, I strongly disagree now.
A valuable lesson I've learnt in my years of employment is that stability is an illusion. Life itself is unexpected, why would a pay cheque be any different? Companies close, economies explode, you and I will die.
In this digital dreamscape of AI, scam calls and identity theft, we all need to see it to believe it. This is why I've spent the past few years cultivating my digital presence. Website and whatnot.
In doing so, I've realised the best way to prolong the impact of your past work is by documenting it — not for anyone else, but yourself. It should be free from expectations and limitations, that's what enables our full creative capacity. The tricky thing about it is that because there isn't a deadline or anyone to report to, you're not obligated to complete it.
I used to call this a portfolio, now I see it as my life's work. Ever since I started building my solo design studio, this process has revealed itself as a reflection of my work ethic and relationships. It mirrors mindset as much as the body reflects discipline.
If there's anything to take away from this, it's to revisit your past work and passion projects. Have a good look at it from a new angle and immortalise the process. There are plenty of ways to do this, especially with AI and some Photoshop magic. Personally, I've been doing this in the form of vlogs and case studies. Here are some of my new additions, I hope it sparks inspiration:
Reminder: it doesn't need to be perfect, but it should feel undeniably yours. Much like fitness, it's all within reach and you have no idea what type of doors these small decisions can open. It's just a matter of how badly you want it.