If I Don’t Write, I Don’t Know What I Think
Design is business and it’s engagement. Part of that, unfortunately or fortunately, is learning to deal with people, learning to listen, learning to learn from what they’re saying, and being able to sell and persuade. You can’t do that if you can’t write. Writing is like great practice for talking. If I sounded coherent at all today it’s because I’ve been lecturing and I’ve been writing, so I know what I think. If I don’t write, I don’t know what I think.
After I heard Jeffrey Zeldman say that, it all sort of clicked for me. It makes total sense. If I don’t write, I don’t know what I think. If you’re anything like me, you have millions of thoughts, opinions and feelings just floating around in your head. For me, it’s nice to sit down and focus on the particular thing I want to write about. I’m able to think it through a little bit more and maybe even do some research if I don’t fully understand it. Bottom line, I get my thoughts out.
The longest I’ve ever been able to write was the blog on First & 20. I was pretty dedicated for a few years and usually posted something at least once a day. I’ve also have many personal blogs in the past. One blog of mine was set up so I could art direct each post, inspired by Jason Santa Maria, but it just became too difficult and time consuming, so I stopped.
I believe this time will be different though. I hope this helps my design career. I want to pick topics that I have strong opinions on or want to know more about and write about it. Hopefully I’ll get some readers along the way, but if I’m just writing this thing for me, that’s ok too.
You need to be able to express your ideas. A pretty good designer who can express ideas will actually a better career than a brilliant designer who’s too shy. A lot of us are very shy and really introverts and it and it takes work to become an extrovert or to be able to front like an extrovert.
Jeffrey Zeldman, an introvert? I’ve seen him speak many times and never would have I guessed that. It’s refreshing to hear someone like him, so great on stage — so relaxed and well-spoken — is someone like me. Someone who’d much rather not be the center of attention. I’ve realized that it’s all about confidence and knowing your topic. I may always be more of an introvert, but that doesn’t mean I can’t become a better speaker and communicator. It all starts with writing this post and keeping at it. Wish me luck.
Originally posted on toryhobson.com.
