Discipline vs. Talent in Design
Talent is a gift—we spend years trying to discover what we’re naturally good at. And when we find it, it feels like magic. But talent has a flaw: it leans on motivation. And motivation is unreliable.
Discipline, though, is solid. It shows up when inspiration doesn’t. It gets the work done, even when you don’t feel like it. In design, that consistency matters more than bursts of brilliance.
Talent might open the door, but discipline is what keeps you moving forward.
Don’t miss the next essay. Signup for our newsletter
⸻ Newsletter signup
We always see ourselves a littl e better before we look in the mirror.
Fun fact that goes with singing in the shower and playing some air guitar. But lets transform that phrase into branding. When was the last time you looked with your brand in the mirror?
Do What You Don’t Know
If you know exactly what you’re doing, you’re not creating — you’re repeating. Experience can be a beautiful curse. After 25 years in this field, I’ve learned how easy it is to hide behind what you already know. You get faster, smoother, safer — and slowly, you stop being dangerous.
Are we artists or designers?
One of the longest debates out there. Are designers artists? Well, no, we are not. Let me explain from a different perspective why not.
Black and white
The combination is so basic that I don't consider it a color. It is more of a structural element or a form.
Everything beautiful is analog
We can't avoid digital; it is everywhere, and not all is bad, of course, but we are focused on it way too much, staring at our phones, for instance. Just think that everything beautiful that has ever happened to you was analog.
AI-Generated content should be in the public domain
There is no stopping the Ai; questions about the ownership and copyright of AI-generated content are something we all talk about. I support the argument that such content should belong to the public domain and it cannot be copyright restrictions.
Dear Client
We need to talk — honestly, openly, and with respect.You’ve trusted us with your vision, and that means everything. But good design isn’t just about creating what’s asked — it’s about knowing when to pause, rethink, and realign. Sometimes that means saying no, stepping back, or choosing a different direction for the sake of something better.