If I wasn’t a designer, maybe I’d be a...

Some other careers I find myself drawn to, for one reason or another:

• Media Theorist: What is truth? Where does it come from? Who are we talking to about it? Why?
• Landscape Architect: Plants and stone and design, working with the Earth and its seasons.
• Music Critic: Music is proof we are destined for greatness. So let’s talk about it!
• Chef Justin: The way fresh vegetables smell when I’m cutting and dicing gets me every time. Always.
• House Painter: Maybe there isn’t anything a fresh coat of paint can’t solve.

And Now This

While the urgent, visceral emotions and reactions to the results of Election 2016 would’ve been put to better use in the actual election itself, those emotions and reactions have been amazing to see nonetheless. In America, there’s only so much bullshit a thoughtful, well-informed person can take before you decide it’s time to jump in and fight like hell.

As thoughtful, well-informed Americans who draw lines in the sand when it comes to truth, inclusivity, and overall progress come out en masse to rally, march, and protest, the burning fire of activism starts to overtake the feelings of defeat. Yes we lost, and to the victors who think they hold the torch of American direction, we’re coming for you.

It will be a long game. There will be setbacks. This “resistance” will need to shift to full on “opposition” at some point. (Democrats! Where you at?) And the purists will need to be okay with not getting 100% of everything because this is politics. The game of leading, compromising, and holding the line.

This is America. Diverse and beautiful, intolerant and fucked up. A place of dreams and nightmares. A full-spectrum citizenry of half-participation, almost constant hyperbole, and a political national discourse that does not serve us well. The way we as Americans sort of, sometimes, do the right thing and the way we go about it has done okay for us in the last couple decades. But moving forward, our previous methods won’t be enough. That’s for damn sure.

Given where we’re at, with the party of closed-minds running the government, there’s a clear before and after. Where we were before Trump became President. And after. There was a certain quality to the reality during the Obama administration. Especially in its twilight. We had made it. It was, in even mild terms, a success.

Big, medium, and small things accomplished. Without a single major (or even minor) scandal. And the torch was being passed to a Democratic successor who would lock in a good amount of things that could be undone by another political party. And then, in the most unexpected, cruelest of ways, the other political party won the day. The form the win took was in a vile human being spewing forth a view of reality that makes the thoughtful, well-formed among us cringe and hold our loved ones close. This reality is what we must deal with.

And now, graphic design.

Be Less Good at Working

I’m thinking this will be a new action item for JKDC. Or potentially, another way to say it: Be Better at Not Working.

For me, July 2017 officially makes 7 years as a practicing independent designer (AKA Lucky Sevens). Quite a milestone. 7 years of graphic design, websites, branding, activism, and collaboration. 7 years of proposals, invoicing, taxes, and emails. 7 years of working with some really great people. 

Over the course of that time, I’d say I’ve gotten to be a pretty good designer. I’ve worked hard to make the projects inspiring, on budget, and on deadline. I’ve worked hard to make the workflow smooth and productive. And I’ve worked extra hard to make sure my clients get what they pay for, and then some.

In the early years, there was lots of hustle. Really getting after it. Staying focused. Keeping all eyes on it. Getting the work, doing the work, delivering the work, getting more work. Repeat. All while staying true to my original intent of doing only work that aligned with the principles I wrote out on paper when I was just starting.

In the last few years, as the projects have gotten more complex and bigger in scope, there’s been more attention paid to the process, the teams involved, and the way everything must keep moving ahead. 

And in those 7 years, with full working days, bleeding into nights and weekends, the extra time put in has certainly paid dividends. But looking to what’s next, does there really need to be so much focus put towards the working?

I don’t know for certain, but for now, I’m going to say no. This action item of being less good at working will mean some things change. Perhaps no more working past 5. No more working on weekends. No more working lunches. Instead, the working gets limited and what gets more focus is getting better at other things I want to do that aren’t necessarily tied to work. 

That could be cooking (already underway). Embracing new activities (scuba diving, check). Carving out time for experimenting and art (got a few things ready to go there). Whatever it is, the point is to not always be “on.” Whether responding to emails or thinking about a design solution while you’re suppose to be sleeping. Enough of that. 

It may seem like something that doesn’t really need to be said. But for me, writing it down has always led to better outcomes. And I think that being less good at working will lead to better work. I guess we’ll see, but I’m set on trying. Now let’s get to it.

Make Change Where You’re At

In a time of much tumult, it’s a breath of fresh air to see people boldly marching toward a future that’s better for everyone. Whether with community organizing, grassroots activism, or running for local office. In one particular instance, we just helped Megan Hunt launch her campaign for Nebraska Legislature. She’s an entrepreneur and activist, small business owner and mother. And she’s an overall great person with a passion for making things better. I’m very excited to see how her campaign unfolds as we move toward 2018. If you want to support Megan, contribute here. If you’re going to run for local office and need some branding, hit me up.

Megan Hunt for Legislature »

Megan Interviewed in Cosmo »

Graphic Designer + Deep Thinker + Agitator

New job title?

• Or: Dreamer + Maker + Citizen
• Or: Realist + Doer + Skeptic
• Or: Communicator + Advocate + Gets Shit Done
• Or: Intentionalist + Dissenter + Optimist (mostly)
• Or: Visualizer + Resistor + Peacemaker
• Or: Futurist + Connector + Rolls Up Sleeves
• Or: Organizer + Ponderer + Contrarian
• Or: Philosopher + Introvert + Running Out of Time
• Or: Coffee Black + Beer Hoppy + Music Loud

On Multi Culturalism

Looking out to a possible future, to a time hopefully not too far off, and seeing a more diverse and inclusive country gives me hope. To me, a more multicultural world is a better world.

As a designer, that is a common starting point for many of my projects. With clients and collaborators, this is a common understanding we all share. Trying to solve problems together we see this as either a common beginning or part of the place we’re trying to go together. So the thing that worries me, if you don’t see multiculturalism as a positive, then where does that leave us?

If multiculturalism is a bad thing, stripping away at the traditional fabric of a place, what are we to do about it? Sure, we can talk as neighbors and citizens about these things, and we should. But we probably won’t work on a project together, will we? If I want to see a community more welcoming to those who are different, and you do not, how are we going to come together to find solutions to a problem we don’t agree on? 

For example, in a recent workshop, we ideated around huge issues — racism, sexism, poverty, and gun violence. The starting point we began from included an understanding that in the not too distant future, America’s population was going to be more multicultural. The numbers are obvious. Everyone in the room understood this and agreed it was a positive. Then we worked together to try to find approaches we could take to address these huge issues. 

Designers, civic leaders, teachers, entrepreneurs, and community members collaborated in a co-ceation process for civic engagement. We ideated, discussed, shared, and received feedback. And we started to see visions appear for a better future. One with more racial equity, gender equity, more understanding around what poverty looks like, and a safer environment where guns are not so pervasive.

But, if this starts to help further solidify a world where diversity and inclusion is praised, and you are against a multicultural view of the world, do you want these outcomes at all? And if this is the foundation of how I see the world in the coming years, I probably will not compromise. 

Where does that leave us?

How you gonna change the world?

Lots on this topic of late amongst designers. Here are some of my thoughts. A working list. To any graphic designer who is interested in changing the world with design:

1. Do no harm. If you are working on projects for big oil, big pharma, or any known quantity of companies that pollute, oppress, lie, or exclude, then stop. 
2. Again, no harm. No work for any brands who amplify a world that makes racism, sexism, ageism, militarism, mindless consumerism, or any other system of oppression seem acceptable.
3. Check your privilege and standup for universal values: transparency, fairness, open-mindedness, creativity, and thinking critically.
4. Infuse high standards into your day-to-day work. Use your voice. Be an outspoken advocate for equity and inclusion. 

And then:

1. Make your own cause-focused design project. Poster, postcard, infographic, share graphic. Everything counts, everything matters. We see thousands of messages each day and we need more than the ones just asking us to buy something.
2. Take on projects for organizations who need help. Start with the issues you care about. Find the people who are working on those issues. Reach out. Ask how you can help. 
3. Teach your skills. To underserved youth, to older people changing careers, or anyone who doesn’t know what you know.
4. Partner with a cause. Become the designer within a group of agitators. Be a part of the movement. Listen, help, design, etc.
5. Make any number of these things, and whatever else you think fits into your mission to change the world, your thing. Full time.

Some good places to start. Some action-items to work through. Feel free to use, add to, or share.