Manifesto 01: Listen to hear. Look to see.

In some of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld fantasy books, a young witch occasionally remembers to use her third thoughts. A first thought is often automatic, which can be useful, and while a second thought reflects our desire to understand more, it’s third thoughts that go unexpected places. Sometimes they reveal critical, or entirely new, truths.

So it can be when we take the time to listen and see a little farther.

In my writing, I hope it’s obvious. In my drawings I suspect it’s less so, but the intent is there, and I do occasionally succeed.

It’s absolutely so in my work as a designer. If we don’t bring curiosity and genuine empathy into the process that ultimately results in a finished thing (i.e. a product), then we are only parroting learned aphorisms.

Curiosity and genuine empathy is another way of saying it: Listen to hear. Look to see.

This “manifesto” is numbered because I plan to add more over time.