My 7 Design Philosophies

Today I wanted to share some highlights from my recent experience at Elevation Church. I had the privilege of delivering a keynote to their incredibly talented Creative Department. I was a bit intimidated at first, but decided to just be myself, haha. Ain’t that silly — happens to the best of us.

During my talk, I shared my seven design philosophies. Principles that I apply in my creative process:

1. Think about the outliers: Consider the audiences on both ends of the spectrum. When you do that, you are designing for everyone.

2. Be idea ready: Don't wait for a project to start brainstorming. The sooner you begin generating ideas, the more innovative and effective your work will become. Watch this video 06:23 Being Idea Ready.

3. Process leads to progress: Understand that the journey is as important as the destination. Your creative process is the key to personal and professional growth.

4. Combine contrasting ideas: Unusual pairings can lead to breakthroughs and unique solutions. 

5. Ask questions: Challenge the status quo and seek opportunities for discovery and innovation.

6. Reference beyond the world of design: Valuable insight can be gained from other disciplines. Expand your sources.

7. Draw Meaning: Find common ground to create a bridge that connects with your audience.

I hope that these philosophies inspire you in your creative journey. As a designer, what guides and inspires you in your work? I would love to hear about your own experiences and insights.

Looking forward to our continued creative exchange.