Comments on: Why we design

By: Javier Salomón

Javier Salomón — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:13:06 +0000

I’ll go ahead and quote you in big, bold letters, printed in my office (and hammered in my skull) . . .

“The design I’m talking about isn’t about making something only look better, but actually function better. Design has to do with how a thing works.” — that’s why I subscribed to this magazine.

THANKS!

BTW: great “life story” of this person from Haiti. God bless!

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sat, 23 May 2009 15:59:46 +0000

John, thank you for sharing Mr. Currelly’s inspiring letter! It made me think about the gift of creativity and its purpose and value in the world.

From designing doll clothes as a kid, singing in a band as a young adult, designing showrooms and now designing magazines, creativity is a gift that has served me and hopefully my clients well. It works its way into every aspect of life, solving not only aesthetic problems, but functional ones as well.

Graduating from graphic design school decades ago, I remember thinking . . . “There is no way anyone will pay me to have this much fun.” Plenty of work went unpaid, but the money didn’t validate the creative gift. The gift itself was/is validation enough and works to fulfill the purpose of each assignment.

By: Randy

Randy — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:18:26 +0000

I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve referenced your article on LinkedIn: Groups: Communication Arts

I found it very inspiring and worth sharing.

Thank you.

By: Droolcup

Droolcup — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:01:16 +0000

Excellent article, even the second time around. Helped me focus: I design because I must communicate, and design is essential whether in photography, poetry, quilting, baking, teaching, or desktop publishing. (Really, in any endeavor.) Communication is a bridge others; to reach others, it must be done clearly, quickly, unambiguously, and often wordlessly.

By: Robert Gordon

Robert Gordon — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:56:39 +0000

I’m not really a “designer” in the traditional sense. I’m a mechanic by training and a tinkerer by nature, but since I have get a thrill out of making pretty things on my computer, I often am called upon to do some desktop publishing. Even at my low level, and with my unsophisticated clients, people appreciate and can recognized documents that are well-designed vs. those that are not. I echo the sentiment that good design is a problem-solving tool. Good design is essential to good communication.

By: Paul McEwan

Paul McEwan — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:56:10 +0000

As a designer, I understand and thanks for explaining it in these words. Beautiful. I think so many still need the emotional connection of design. Not just design but that harmonization of who they are or what they are saying to resonate congruently. Something pre-purchased stock graphics can never supply. Thank you for helping.

By: Raed Hijjawi

Raed Hijjawi — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 07:54:51 +0000

It’s really important what I read in this article; it motivates me to keep improving my designs to reach the target of design.

By: Kerry

Kerry — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:01:19 +0000

It’s good to remember that each gift we have is for a purpose bigger than ourselves. I am honored by what God has given me.

Thank you for the reminder.

By: glenda puhek

glenda puhek — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:33:06 +0000

Sometimes in the throes of trying to complete a project which often includes the frustrations inherent in this task, it is so easy to forget that there IS meaning in what we do. The audience benefits. Clients benefit. My soul benefits.

Thank you — your comments make this sunny day even brighter.

By: Isaiah Sheppard

Isaiah Sheppard — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:38:10 +0000

A wonderful reminder that it’s not about me, the awards, or the 15 minutes of fame.

Thank you, John and John!