ISSUE 022. WHOLESOME DESIGN (1)
‘To accomplish great things we must not only act but also dream not only plan but also believe’
To flow with how things work one needs faith and patience in operating belief.
For the Wholesome Design series, we’ll delve into this unique intersection of artistry, philosophy, and practicality, offering a fresh perspective. Through four concepts; we’ll journey through these four frames we’ll drop the filter and train to make decisions that resonate with authenticity and purpose:
To Honor, Listen
Eighty-Twenty
‘The pendulum always swings back’
One Percent Better.
From the simplicity of attentive listening to the importance of prioritisation, from the rhythmic swing of potentiality and actuality to the relentless pursuit of being one per cent better - each issue in this series is a stepping stone towards creativity and actualisation. Drawing inspiration from diverse sources, from the mechanics of a swing to the ethos of The Success Pyramid, this series is a testament to the power of continuous learning and growth.
At its core, the Wholesome Design is more than just a guide; it's a creative's creed. It invites students, educators, and every creative to constantly embark on this totally transformative journey in discovering the magic that happens when passion meets discipline and dreams meet action. Join us to unravel the tapestry of design, one thread, one idea, one per cent at a time.
1. To Honor, Listen
Tuning into Customer Demands
In creativity, understanding customer demands is akin to fine-tuning a radio antenna to catch a specific signal. Just as a radio relies on precise adjustments to pick up clear broadcasts, we must intentionally tune into the feedback from our customers. This feedback, often subtle at first, becomes more pronounced and clear as it accumulates.
When customer demands reach a critical mass, they resonate like a strong radio signal, indicating sharp priorities that can not be ignored. Ignoring these clear signals is akin to missing out on a hit radio show; it’s a missed opportunity to connect, serve, and deliver. By actively and attentively listening to these demands, we not only meet expectations but also position ourselves to exceed them, creating products and solutions that truly resonate with our audience.
Any successful team will have a host of mates to lean on, and their voice matters too. Take the example of an engineer, who needs to deliver efficiently on a project, it helps to bring not just the customers but get early feedback on technical constraints or otherwise.
To get better at receiving feedback, it’s important to have good guardrails as constraints and on that note; listening is a key piece of the puzzle.
The opposite is like walking into a barber shop and the host insists on giving you whichever hairstyle they feel like on the day, most people won’t have it. Nothing gets done without that successful interactivity between the host, and who they seek to serve.
Going full circle Kiiking in Estonia.
“Every child dreams of defying gravity by swinging 360 degrees around the spindle of a swing set. In 1996, Estonia engineer Ado Kosk made this dream a reality. Kosk adapted Estonia’s traditional swings, which have shafts rather than chains. Kosk’s version had adjustable steel poles and foot straps to hold swingers in place while they fly in a full loop around the top of the frame. His adaptation ushered in kiiking (pronounced keeking), an extreme sport in which competitors swing around the spindle at increasing levels of difficulty”
The dream to defy gravity while swinging would never have been possible if Ado Kosk had not done something about it. Kosk's innovative design, which led to the extreme sport of 'kiiking' simplified the traditional Estonian swing. The unique idea to use shafts instead of chains, and the introduction of adjustable steel poles and foot straps changed the game. By listening to this innately simple desire, staying true with it, Kosk created something extraordinary.
Kiiking in Estonia, an extreme sport where competitors swing in a full loop around the spindle.
At the heart of every grand idea, every intricate design, and every groundbreaking innovation lies the humble ‘note’. Notation, in its most basic form, is an atomic act—a simple jotting down of thoughts, observations, or inspirations. Yet, much like atoms that combine to form complex molecules, these seemingly insignificant notes coalesce over time, giving rise to comprehensive lists, detailed plans, and expansive ideas. Each note captures a fleeting thought, preserving it as a tangible reminder of a moment of inspiration or clarity.
Leonardo da Vinci: The Master of Notation
Leonardo da Vinci, the quintessential Renaissance man, was not just a gifted painter, sculptor, and scientist, but also an ardent note-taker. His notebooks, filled with sketches, diagrams, and his musings, are a testament to the power of notation in the creative process. These pages, brimming with over 13,000 jottings, reveal a mind constantly at work, capturing observations from the world around him and experimenting with ideas that were often centuries ahead of their time. For da Vinci, notation was more than just a habit; it was an extension of his insatiable curiosity, a tool that allowed him to explore, question, and refine his understanding of the world, ultimately leading to masterpieces that have captivated humanity for generations.
As our capacity to listen and observe grows, the collection of notes also grows, each adding depth and dimension to our knowledge systems. When revisited and reorganised, these notes often blossom into actionable lists, guiding our next steps. They are the foundational blocks upon which ideas are built, refined, and eventually brought to life.
These atomic notations truly hold the power to elevate abstract concepts, honor our inner most desires and hopefully through faith and patience transform into concrete reality.
Thank you for reading, tune in for the rest of the series and invite others to join the conversation.