Posted In: Graphic Design, Inspiration

How My Grandma is Making Me a Better Designer

Grandma stood under 5 feet tall, but she left some big shoes to fill. Even after her death, she continues to inspire me to do better on both a professional and personal level.

My grandmother’s death was unexpected. While ultimately better for Grandma, it was a shock for the family and the many lives she impacted. My grandma devoted her life to the church, and while she could be set in her ways, Grandma was one of the most compassionate and loving people to ever live. Every year, Grandma and Grandpa together would set out to give a bag of groceries to just about every family in need in Monroe County. The lives they’ve touched over the years are immeasurable, a fact that was ever apparent at Grandma’s visitation, which had a line out the the door the entire time. Who was the last person you stood in line over an hour to see lie in a casket?

Thinking back, Grandma would always end our telephone conversations or visits with these words, “Be good, boy, ” and I would always respond by saying I would. And while I’ve never been “bad”, so to speak, I certainly can’t say I’ve had the impact on people that my grandmother did. Since her passing, I’ve been thinking hard about my role as a designer and the influence my work has on the world around me. And then Mike Monteiro’s words from Webstock 2013 were really humbling and inspiring in light of what I had already been working through since Grandma’s passing.

If I am being honest, I can’t say that I care about most of the work I am putting into the world, nor do I see it as having a lasting, positive impact on society. As a designer, this is a hard pill to swallow. If my work is what defines me, than it’s time to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask myself how I want to be remembered.

To paraphrase James Victore, ‘graphic design is great for selling socks, but it has a much higher calling.’ As designers, we have the power to create solutions that make it easier for people to live better lives. Referring to and thinking of ourselves as merely “cake decorators” is a disservice to everyone, especially those who need our help the most. How I am going to change and carry on my Grandmother’s legacy I am not yet sure of, but I’ve created a series of questions to ask before accepting or creating new work.

Are you designing for good? Try asking yourself these 10 questions before taking on work.

  1. Identify the core problem/need. Is it worth solving?
  2. Who is the client and what is their cause?
  3. How will the work impact the world around it?
  4. Will the work help improve lives or make life easier for others?
  5. What are the potential consequences of the work?
  6. Does the work’s existence contribute to people wasting limited resources on crap?
  7. How will the work effect my industry peers? Will it hurt, teach, or inspire?
  8. Does the work excite you?
  9. Can you say no to the work or the client?
  10. What are the effects of saying no?

I’d encourage fellow designers to incorporate these 10 questions in their process. I’d also love to hear your feedback or advice on how you’ve addressed similar situations in your own career and life. Also be sure to watch Mike Monteiro’s Webstock 2013 talk.


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