The Shape of Design Quotes

“A person is not a closed system, they can never be fully self-sufficient. We need each other because we cannot make everything ourselves. Everything was invented, but it was not done alone, so we should revere the times we are able to fill this complementary role for others, and cherish when others do so for us. It's the words of others that teach us to speak, the expressions of life by other people that teach us how to express ourselves.”
― Frank Chimero, The Shape of Design

“I believe in the two-way bridges we build that connect us to one another. I believe in the deep interconnectedness of everything, in the benefits of our codependency, and in the opportunity of today when we believe in a tomorrow. I believe in the gift that creative people are given and in the obligation to use it. I believe that we have done well, but I think we can do better. I believe we can do much, much better. There is more making to be done. There are dreams out there that must be made real.”
― Frank Chimero, The Shape of Design

“How enables, but Why motivates...”
― Frank Chimero, The Shape of Design

“The actor can learn from the painter about the emotive power of facial expressions. The painter from the designer, about the potential of juxtaposing images and words. And the designer from the poet, who can create warmth through the sparseness of a carefully chosen, well-placed word.”
― Frank Chimero, The Shape of Design

“The hand axes record the first moment that we understood that the world was malleable – that things can change and move, and we can initiate those transformations ourselves. To be human is to tinker, to envision a better condition, and decide to work toward it by shaping the world around us.”
― Frank Chimero, The Shape of Design

“You don’t get to decide the truth. Other people have their own experiences, just as valid. This is easy to forget. Your slice of life seems so large and unmistakeable, like a mirage of wholeness from where you stand. But it is your job to know better and not confuse your small piece for the whole, even if you sometimes forget. Life is big—much bigger than just yours. This is the only note to self: other people are real. That’s all there is to learn.”
― Frank Chimero, The Shape of Design

“Yes, four in the morning is both too early and too late. Anyone awake must be up to no good, so let’s not ask any questions.”
― Frank Chimero, The Shape of Design

“Projects that seem cold or excessively composed are more indicative of a lack of understanding than a mark of professionalism.”
― Frank Chimero, The Shape of Design

“Creative people commonly lament about being “blocked,” perpetually stuck and unable to produce work when necessary. Blocks spring from the imbalanced relationship of How and Why: either we have an idea, but lack the skills to execute; or we have skills, but lack a message, idea, or purpose for the work. The most despised and common examples of creative block are the latter, because the solution to a lack of purpose is so elusive.”
― Frank Chimero, The Shape of Design

“It is easier to recognize failures of technique rather than those of strategy or purpose, and simpler to ask "How do I paint this tree?" than to answer "Why does this painting need a tree in it?”
― Frank Chimero, The Shape of Design

“Design doesn't need to be delightful for it to work, but that's like saying food doesn't need to be tasty to keep us alive.”
― Frank Chimero, The Shape of Design