What my 13 year old self dreamed of — The Everyday Designer #40
Taking a moment to reflect upon 10+ years of doing the same thing, but loving every minute of the journey and still excited to this day.
I love sharing stories. I know I’m not the only one. Humans were designed to do that.
Let’s pretend we’re all sitting together by the proverbial campfire, however decorated you’d like it to be, with however comfy of a seat you’d want it to be, (for me a bean bag chair), with whatever beverage of choice, hot or cold, (I ain’t judging) and let’s all go back to a time where we remember how we were like when we were kids.
I remember being in Grade 8. I was on the yearbook committee. I thought I was the coolest kid. I was literally just putting photos in preset places on a page, and maybe choosing the “font” of the page. (I didn’t even know the term “font” at the time) Yet, that moment was one of my eureka moments. I really liked doing it. I didn’t even know it was called “design” at that time but I knew it was something I wanted to explore and continue to do.
I started dreaming.
I was like “if I can do photos on a page, what else could I put on a page?”.
A blank canvas was always an invitation for me.
What else could I create? What else could I come up with? What other fantastical creations could I come up with? What dreams in my head could come to life on a piece of paper or on a screen?
I kept dreaming.
I’ve always been an artistic person.
Ever since I could remember, I loved colouring. I loved painting. I loved playing with legos. I loved re-organizing my room, thinking about what colours go well with others, what articles of clothing go well with what shoes. I’ve always wanted to see things better, I’ve always been a “repurposer”. I’ve always been imaginative.
I’m so glad I never repressed it. I never down-played it. I only leaned in harder when I realized it was what I wanted to do.
I really do believe in “leaving the world in a better place than you found it.” Design is just one of those ways to do that.
The Long Road
I’m just in awe, that after all these years, I’m still a designer. More resolved than ever to be one. More excited about the infinite possibilities of worlds that is out there to create. More beauty to behold. More human connection waiting to happen. More serendipitous moments to stumble into.
I remember watching Will Paterson when I was in highschool and following along his tutorials for creating youtube channel art. Chrome gradients, and inner shadows with vents and all that. Those were some of the glory days I look back on fondly. Especially on my cracked version of Photoshop CS4—I pay for CC subscription now, don’t you dare come at me.
Now being 27, to think back to that 13 year old kid, that got excited over putting someone’s photo on a pre-made layout for yearbook software, all the exciting projects he didn’t know he was going to be apart. It just baffles me. In the best way possible.
And it pushes me, well more like the most tender nudge, to keep going. Keep designing. Keep creating. Keep beautify-ing. Keep interacting.
I hope this encourages you in some way or another, wherever you are on this journey, to keep going. Double-down. Those dreams are not too far away from happening.
🌊 Currents
I love sharing what I’ve been up to lately and this is one way for me to let you in on what’s been happening in my life.
🤖 Currently worried about: SORA - OpenAI video generator - anyone else a little scared about video generation at this point? It was around this time last year that the most heinous video of Will Smith came out, and now a year later, we have near-perfect videos generated from just text prompts. Is technology learning way too fast? Just me? Okay..🫠
🥝 Currently giddy: fuse.kiwi - interesting internet - a different view of the internet. Not your normal curation website, or best of things website, or social media platform. None of those. Just cool, weird, wacky, internet things. Its a refreshingly different take than landing on a normal curated website. (I spent 5 minutes on that ball pit page 🙈)
🎁 Currently excited: Remote Supply Giveaway - ICYMI my designer friend Keith recently launched a remote-centric clothing company called “Remote Supply” and I am running a giveaway where one person will win one (1) item from the shop! The good news is that, as long as you’re subscribed to this newsletter, you’re entered! If you’re not subscribed, this is your chance to. Winner will be announced at the end of February (this week!) 🎉