Rambling Thoughts
Judging books by their covers… January 2025
It’s been a while since I compiled a selection of publication covers that caught my eye. Now that we’re into 2025, I feel that it might be a good time to restart the habit. My love for cover designs goes back to my college days and years in publishing. I haven’t designed a commercial publication cover for quite a while, and I’d like to change that this year.
How much experience is too much experience?
Some senior roles ask for 6–10 years of experience, yet candidates with double or even triple that often hear, “You have too much experience.” Why?
Design isn’t just about making things look good; it’s about solving the problems no one sees.
In today’s fast-paced world, design often gets reduced to quick fixes and visual polish. However, design should tackle root causes, not just symptoms. By embracing system-level thinking, we can create solutions that are fit for purpose. Solutions that build solid foundations for a better society and planet.
When was the last time you just sat and thought?
In our always-on culture, being ‘busy’ has become normal. It robs us of the space to truly think.
I often hear people say, ‘If only I had time to think things through.’ But I wonder: is it really a lack of time—or is it a lack of willingness?
What business are you really in?
A couple of weeks ago David Hieatt asked “what business are you really in?”
For me, as a designer, I thought this was easy to answer.
I’m a designer, I’m in the business of solving problems.
Judging books by their covers… May 2024
Book and magazine cover designs are an essential aspect of the publishing industry. They are usually the first thing that catches a reader’s eye, and often, can make or break a book’s success. A great cover design not only reflects the content of the book or magazine but also appeals to the target audience.
Judging books by their covers… April 2024
Book and magazine cover designs are an essential aspect of the publishing industry. They are usually the first thing that catches a reader’s eye, and often, can make or break a book’s success. A great cover design not only reflects the content of the book or magazine but also appeals to the target audience.
Judging books by their covers… March 2024
Book and magazine cover designs are an essential aspect of the publishing industry. They are usually the first thing that catches a reader’s eye, and often, can make or break a book’s success. A great cover design not only reflects the content of the book or magazine but also appeals to the target audience.
What do we do about AI in education?
Last night, I joined a fascinating group of humans across the educational and training spectrum for an insightful discussion on AI and learning.
Judging books by their covers… February 2024
Book and magazine cover designs are an essential aspect of the publishing industry. They are usually the first thing that catches a reader’s eye, and often, can make or break a book’s success. A great cover design not only reflects the content of the book or magazine but also appeals to the target audience.
Unlocking creativity: Sparking innovation through face-to-face encounters.
Yesterday, I spent the afternoon working in person with inspiring humans from Unthinkable Digital.
Knowing how to use my dyslexic thinking helps me manage complexity.
As a freelancer who works across different departments and disciplines, handling large and complex projects can be overwhelming at times.