A. Ragnauth: Expanding the Frame

Every time I start a design, I create a story I want to tell. The hardest part is when the story to tell is my own. I’ve always been a closed off person. Why? I’m not sure, that definitely on my to do list for unpacking. It’s not that I’m antisocial, or lack trust in everyone. I lied I most definitely am both of those things but giving people access to me is not something I take lightly. I’ve always believed it to be more important to protect my peace than to worry about others. That I am the only one worth depending on, maybe that’s the only child in me. Yet, after this week’s reading, I’m starting to question those beliefs.

On Writing Well: The Essential Guide to Mastering Nonfiction Writing and Communication by William Zinsser was a very intriguing read. In fact, I got as far as page 5 and already knew what I wanted to talk about this week. Zinsser says ” Ultimately the product that any write has to sell is not the subject being written about, but who he or she is. I often find myself reading with interest about a topic I never thought would interest me… What holds is the enthusiasm of the writer for his field. How he was drawn into it? What emotional baggage did he bring along? How did it change his life?” (5).

This part stuck with me. As someone who is a designer, it reminded me that no matter what I create there’s a story to tell. Every design has its’ own story but I control that story, and those stories are each a part of my story. It’s my perspective, my style, my preferences, that brings my designs to life. While I can follow the principles of design and the client needs, without my personal touch it would feel empty.

Now I understand, why my favorite designs are actually my favorite because in each one, there’s a little piece of me embedded in it. After reading these chapters, any design that I create, I ask myself, What story am I choosing to tell this time?