The Blog

Drawing on the evocative metaphor likened to a journey through the night with limited visibility, the blog post explores the creative process through an searching perspective. It delves into the notion that the act of creation is not about discovering pre-existing paths, but rather, carving out a unique trail as one progresses. This conceptual framework is echoed in a powerful poem that encapsulates the essence of forging one’s path in the vast unknown.

The blog post reflects on a particular poem, by Antonio Mahcado, that eloquently captures the essence of creating one's journey, emphasizing that there exists no predestined road; the path is formed by walking. This idea challenges the traditional dichotomy between design and discovery, proposing that the journey of creation is an amalgam of both. The poem, even in translation, serves as a profound illustration of this concept, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

In essence, the post and the featured poem speak to the heart of the creative process, likening it to the solitary moments of a traveler who leaves behind a path that cannot be tread upon again. It highlights the transient, yet impactful nature of the steps we take in both writing and in life, reinforcing the notion that each journey is uniquely ours to make. Reflecting on this, the post encourages embracing the uncertainty of the creative process, finding beauty in the act of making the unseen seen, and the untrodden path visible.

In an exploration of the intertwining worlds of writing, design, and the essence of uncertainty, the journey into the unknown is celebrated with the launch of a Substack titled 'This is Uncertain'. The newsletter promises to delve into topics that resonate at the intersection of creativity and business, with an emphasis on mindfulness and the uncharted territories of the author's book project. This initiative reflects a commitment to embracing uncertainty and the potential for original ideas to flourish within the business realm, aiming to captivate a niche audience of writers intrigued by the creative opportunities business offers.

The process of distillation in writing and design reveals a fascinating contrast; active creation and passive reflection comprise the cycle of producing meaningful work. The author shares insights from decades of design consulting, highlighting the importance of allowing the subconscious time to process and refine ideas. This dichotomy between active effort and necessary rest challenges the conventional workflow but is crucial for achieving depth and authenticity in creative outputs.

Intuition, informed by professional education and experience, emerges as a significant theme. The author recounts a lesson on the importance of recognizing intuition not as a dismissal of formal education, but as an informed, nuanced tool sharpened by years of learning and practice. This redefined intuition guides the pursuit of 'The Clarity Engine'—a concept whose potential impact the author is eager to explore, trusting that time will validate this intuition-driven endeavor.

In the process of creating compelling narratives, the concept of distillation emerges as a pivotal strategy, akin to a craftsman refining their masterpiece to its essence. This involves a deliberate narrowing of focus to align closely with a very specific audience, enhancing relevance through a process of convergence before allowing the narrative to broaden its appeal through divergence. This methodology reflects a reversed approach to the 'diamond' model of design, emphasizing the importance of specificity before expansion.

The 'double diamond' model, as explained by the Design Council of the United Kingdom, offers a visual representation of this creative process. By initially condensing the scope of work to a highly targeted niche, the foundation is laid for the narrative to then extend its reach, ensuring that the initial tight focus enhances the subsequent broad appeal. This model is celebrated for its effectiveness not only in writing but also widely adopted across various fields of process and experience design.

Adopting this strategy, the writer opts for a counter-intuitive yet potentially rewarding approach to storytelling. By aspiring for their book to resonate deeply with a narrowly defined audience segment, the aim is to establish a strong initial connection that can eventually propel the narrative beyond its initial confines. This deliberate focusing and subsequent expansion underscore a commitment to crafting a narrative that, while starting with a tight embrace, is designed to unfold in broader, more inclusive waves, promising more insights in future developments.

In the realm of creativity, the birth of our stories teeters on the edge of a fine line between being crafted from scratch and being uncovered through exploration. This duality—the act of designing something entirely new while simultaneously discovering what already exists—is a dance familiar to anyone engaged in creative work. The blending of these two processes results in a unique narrative that feels both entirely original and deeply rooted in discovery.

The journey of creation is not just about making or finding, but rather a complex intertwining of both. As creators, there is a constant back and forth between drawing from the well of imagination to design something novel and navigating the world as it is to uncover truths. The creative process then becomes a delicate balance of asserting authorship while acknowledging the role of discovery in shaping the final piece.

Navigating this paradox requires adaptability and experience, especially in understanding when to lean more into one role than the other. Creators don the hats of both designer and discoverer, learning to transition between these roles with fluidity. This nuanced understanding of creativity emphasizes the importance of embracing the dynamic nature of the creative process, where both design and discovery play critical roles in bringing any artistic vision to life.