30 Unanswered Questions

by | Apr 14, 2009 | My Journey | What's On My Mind

Creative Commons License photo credit: CarbonNYC

I got the idea from Dave Pollard author of the blog, How to Save the World. He got the idea from Beth Adams. Basically you sit for half an hour and write 30 thoughts/questions that enter your mind. It’s a fun exercise but beyond that I’m not sure what value it creates. I wrote my questions over Pho at my neighbourhood Vietnamese restaurant.

  1. What is the line between empathy and judgment?
  2. At what point did human’s start ignoring that they are animals too?
  3. Why do some people take pleasure in others’ pain?
  4. Why are people fearful of that which is different?
  5. Why do we want to feel superior to others?
  6. Why is the mainstream media so mindless and ill-informed?
  7. What causes someone to become more conscious?
  8. Do I deserve to be happy?
  9. Why do people think that they have to ‘work’ for happiness?
  10. When did ‘fun’ become a bad word?
  11. Why do people push their expectations on others?
  12. Why do some women glare at other women?
  13. Why do we focus on our weaknesses?
  14. How important is human reproduction? Is it necessary that I reproduce?
  15. Why do people wear sunglasses indoors?
  16. What makes someone love their life? Hate their life?
  17. What is the real colour of my hair?
  18. Does history matter?
  19. Why don’t we realize how insignificant this moment in time is?
  20. What/who caused the Big Bang?
  21. Where is line between crazy and genius?
  22. Why do people think love = sacrifice?
  23. Why do we try and change each other?
  24. Will we ever ‘wake up’?
  25. What is the next natural disaster to happen due to climate change?
  26. Why are people so f’ing lazy?
  27. Why is there no public recycling in the United States?
  28. Will there be any animals left when it is all said and done?
  29. What happened after this shot was taken?
  30. Why do most people think more about what they are putting on their body than in it?

Shoot First, Think Later

by | Apr 14, 2009 | Cultural Creativity, Self/Business Growth

Creative Commons License photo credit: monkeypuzzle

How often is a movie filmed without first writing a script? How often is a book jacket designed without first writing the content?

A website is no different. It tells a story. One of the most common mistakes I find business owner’s make in their website development is creating the design before writing the content.

Your website content isn’t there to fill up your design space. Determine what you are saying and to who before you find a design to compliment it. The worst thing you can do is write web content for the singular purpose of filling up space. Decide what content is important first and then create a design that highlights and compliments it.

Your story, your purpose, your message is the best design inspiration there is.