I call this my “viewpoint” symbol—it is meant to keep a critical point front of mind: that design is opinion.
By that I mean, there is rarely a “right” way of designing a thing—not much in the way of rules or formulas to learn that will somehow guarantee success. To the contrary, most successful designers, in my experience, are rule and formula breakers—they learn and understand the norms of user experience, communication, and aesthetics so well that they are able to identify ways of disrupting them to draw attention to and amplify outcomes.
What is your viewpoint?
Understanding other people’s opinions has some value, but if you want to be more than a decorator, you’ve got to craft and present a viewpoint of your own—an informed, insightful, creative approach to presenting your client’s products, services, or ideas that they and their audience will gravitate to. A viewpoint, in some cases, that is more compelling than the client’s own opinion.
It is no small task, but be clear, it is THE task.
Know a designer? The Viewpoint Pin makes an out of the ordinary gift.
Hard enamel “cloisonné” pin in black, white, and silver. 7/8 inch square with a metal, butterfly clutch. $14 plus $4 shipping.
