“I don’t listen to music!”. Anna Meredith explains the painful process of making an album, and how listening to music she likes doesn’t help. I’m a designer in the room full of musicians, and I’m hooked. I flew from Shanghai to Berlin the night before. I had the idea that attending the Loop — a summit for music makers — would kick open some doors. What I discovered over the three days of conferences is that music makers and designers alike have the same problems. How to find your style, how to gain confidence, how to get inspired, how build a solid body of work, how to keep the flame burning.

I’m in Japan having breakfast. Gazing at the kitchen. I notice the microwave oven. It has something strangely remarkable; it has only two dials, numbered. One for the heat, one for the time.

You are an independent. You are an employee. You have doubts. You are confused. Here’s my advice to you. Design is pleasurable. No, it’s not ok to follow a set of guidelines — iOS or Material Design — and call it a day. Your product has to be usable, right. But does it…

Shanghai Puxi spring 2012 I can’t remember when I fell in love with Shanghai. When I landed last summer, in a taxi flying over the highway to downtown. A sunday of september lost in the alleyways of the French Concession. In the lift to that rooftop. Down the streets running under the rainfalls. Shanghai eructs and splits, Shanghai is not classy. Materialistic like a demanding Er Nai. But you can feel it every night rumbling in your guts, keeping you excited. Shanghai is amazingly alive.