Yeah, I dropped the ball this year

Not gonna lie. In the back and forth of everything that happens, I typically have, in the past, always been someone you could count on to deliver no matter what. But now, new dad and all, that’s just not the case.

My main job, the job of JKDC is to make sure all the client work gets done and gets done right. After that, with the projects and extras and side hustles that have typically all added up to this independent design practice, well if those falter, so be it. I have a kiddo to keep alive, which is job one. Everything else comes after.

So all this is to say, if I didn’t deliver for you this year, if I dropped your ball, failed to return your email, and was the crickets on the other end of your communication attempt, I am sorry. Once I get the hang of this dad thing, maybe I’ll do better. But then again, I probably won’t ever get the hang of it. Just remember, it’s not you, it’s me. And the kiddo.

Better Social

I want to be better at social media. In the beginning, I started out slowly. I was intrigued by all of the connection and the platform that came with each account. I ramped up as a digital optimist as it helped my work grow and reach new people in far off places. And now that I’ve plunged into disgust and am slowly rising out of that, the way I want to approach all of these tools is with clear eyes and a full heart.

I want them to be better. And since I can’t control what the heads of those Big Tech corporations do to fix the situation, what I will do instead is change how I approach them. Less snark, less shit talking, less angst poured into the void. Instead, I’m going to be professional about all of this, as best I can muster. Which is why I started using any of it in the first place. It was to further my career, to connect with people in order to keep the creativity flowing. So that’s what I’m going to do again. It’s completely within my control so I’m going to give it a go. Here’s to better social.

The Civility Jar

The Civility Jar. In this, our age of disappointment and discontent, we’ve learned our Republican overlords have extremely thin skin. Poor, poor overlords. Thus, every time I call them names, swear at them online, make fun of their terrible ideas, completely disregard their insufferable books, and do what I can to stop their bad faith policies, I add to the Civility Jar. Not pictured: all the Bitcoin and CryptoKitties. Things got a little out of hand during Brett Kavanaugh. And when we always refuse to do anything about all the guns and the violence they cause. Also when we try to take health care away from vulnerable people. Or build dumb walls.

Dumpster fire, carry on.

Note: no Republicans were harmed in the name of civility

No shoulder shrugs

There’s a common character trait I’ve noticed amongst other independent professionals I’ve had the pleasure of working with. All of them, no matter what, quite literally, do not do shoulder shrugs. Ever.

They never say oh well, not my problem.

They don’t just sit their twiddling their thumbs waiting for someone else to figure it out for them. No way. The independent professionals are always getting in there, figuring it out, diving in, solving problems, and finding opportunities. Why do they do this? Simple. No body else is gonna fucking do it for them. Period.

Anyone out there who is looking for a designer, this is what you’ll find if you go with one who is independent.

I want your skull

It’s Halloween. For me, that means one thing and one thing only. Not candy or costumes, leaves or souls. Nope, for me it’s all about The Misfits.

So don’t cry to me oh baby
Your future is in an oblong box
Don’t cry to me oh baby
You should have seen it coming on
Don’t cry to me oh baby
Had to know it was in your card
Don’t cry to me oh baby
Dead-end soul for a dead-end girl
Don’t cry to me oh baby
And now your life drains on the floor
Don’t cry to me oh baby
Die, die, die my darling
Don’t utter a single word
Die, die, die my darling
Just shut your pretty mouth
I’ll be seeing you again
I’ll be seeing you, in hell

Look! It’s Elizabeth Warren!

While in the Reno airport, waiting to get our rental car for the drive down to Lake Tahoe, we heard some commotion. Yelling and shouting. Something about Trump and impeachment. Sitting down with a coffee, as we see the loudness come into view, I recognized her right away. It was Elizabeth Warren. Being swarmed by 9–10 MAGA assholes. Seeing her determination, her strut, her focus on the exit, I yell as loud as I can: ”go Warren, wooooo!” It was awesome.

Welcome to Reno, indeed.

Do Not Work for Facebook Ever

Young designer who wants to change the world, don’t work at Facebook. Old designer who wants to make a difference, don’t work at Facebook. Regular designer who wants to make a decent living and provide for his or her family, don’t work at Facebook.

A job is not just a job. A job is your chance to put a marker down. And I simply can’t believe you don’t care about human rights, democracy, elections, communities, mental health, and privacy. Deep down you care about all of those things, and since you do, you can’t work for Facebook. Ever.

To the argument that if you’re already on the inside, that’s where you can really make a difference because there’s always another asshole who will take your place. Well, maybe. But are you actually making a difference then? Or are you just pushing buttons in the same old way everybody else is?

That’s what I thought.

Big Oil? Nope.

Big Tobacco? Nope.

Big Pharma? Nope.

Big Finance? Nope.

Big Tech? Sorry, but nope.

Do not work at Facebook ever.