Bruce Mau

Bruce Mau has seemingly branched into every area of design from branding to print work to digital and even to film. Most importantly in all of his work, he grounds a firm belief in pressing boundaries and being as creative as possible. He opened a postgraduate program to further designers’ imaginations, inspiring books for young designers, traveling expeditions to spread the word of design, as well as a program in Guatemala to not only to help the people, but show how design can bring about positive change.

From his “Incomplete Manifesto for growth,” I found many inspirational points including: capture accidents, begin anywhere, keep moving, ask stupid questions, don’t clean your desk, think with your mind, take field trips, and laugh. When asked to pick just one that means the most to us or that we find most intriguing, I wasn’t able to. So I narrowed it down to four.

1. Allow events to change you. When I thought about it, this point was really powerful. Most people say, “Oh, this changed my life,” but seldom do I think they really mean it. Mau explained it as growth happening because you make it happen for yourself. The event won’t change you or help you grow on your own – you personally will it to happen.

2. Love your experiments (as you would an ugly child.) Sometimes what I create at first is crap. I look at it and think to myself, “Did I really do that?” Well I did and I need to accept it and love it just as much as the cool stuff I make. Frankly I probably wouldn’t have created half of the cool stuff had I not first made ugly things.

3. Drift. People always get freaked out at the aspect of getting lost, but I personally don’t mind it too much. My mom is incredibly tall and would always lose me in crowds when I was younger because she walked too fast. I eventually learned not to worry about it and just enjoy my surroundings until I was found again.

4. Listen carefully. Being half-deaf, I’ve learned to really appreciate hearing things. I love talking, but I find that listening to people is far better.