Design Thought Leader

The simple fact is this: You, and only you, can determine what works best for you. Regardless of how biased or objectively the advice is phrased, you would be unwise to not consider alternate methods and ideas throughout your entire career. You would be even more unwise to be swayed by every new compelling or forceful argument that comes along merely because it was spoken by someone notable. …

Rest assured a ‘better’ tool, a ‘better’ process, a ‘better’ way will always come along. However, what will remain unchanged is the need for you to know what works best for your personal, project, and client needs—and to adapt when it really is a better way.

Cameron Moll
Founder of Authentic Jobs and Proprietor of Cameron Moll LLC

We thrive with the challenges that limitations bring. Clients with limitations know what’s important. Wealthy clients don’t know what’s important because for them, everything is equal. If they want eight fireplaces, they can have them.

Einar Jarmund
Architect and Co-Founder Jarmund/Vigsnaes Architects

I think that we’re going to start to see more designers who aren’t waiting to be asked to solve a problem or for an invitation to act; when they recognize a need, they will craft a built response to it. But you can’t get it right unless the client and community are involved. Each of us has an asset we bring to a project, and when you put those assets together to resolve an issue, that’s incredibly powerful. We’re not just looking for a practical solution; we’re looking for poetry.

Bryan Bell
Founder, Design Corps

Let this be the last New Year that you make a ‘new start.’ Think about it. Every January the world makes new resolutions and every February those newly purchased exercise machines become overpriced clothes hangers. Rather than look to the calendar to set an ill-fated point of new beginnings, let every day become its own accomplishment. Start each day with an idea of what you are setting out to achieve, incorporating the resolutions listed above into bite-size, attainable daily goals.

How can you be more productive today? How can you expand awareness of your brand today? Who can you connect with today amongst your peers? What new skill can you learn or improve upon today? How will you better communicate with your clients today?

We cannot do it all at once. Nor is it realistic to expect ourselves to reach the end of the year and look back at the goals we set—without ever checking in along the way—to reveal a perfect success rate.

Live your life as a freelancer in the moment. Set out to do the best you possibly can for today and discover the joy of a job well done on a daily basis, rather than a yearly disappointment. The pride you take in your completed work, the sense of accomplishment at the end of a productive day, and the constant growth as a person as well as a freelancer in your field will improve your quality of living in ways you can only imagine.

Resolve to let these resolutions be the last one’s you make on an annual basis. Resolve to embrace each day with expectation and a full view of its unlimited potential. Resolve to live and work and play within each moment to the fullest of your abilities and enjoy a new life from this point forward, rather than a New Year every January.

You won’t be sorry.

Brian K. McDaniel
Freelance Web and Graphic Designer