Filet-O-Manifesto
My (design) principles, visualized through the anatomical study of a fish. Each
system has its own
function;
they
influence each other, overlap, and can also work independently. The fish has long accompanied
me—mostly
as a
metaphor—throughout my journey as a designer. It represents my personal approach to design. Whether
that’s
good or
bad? Here it is, filleted without judgment—for the viewer to decide.
Have Structure
Framework, Bones
Before the rest of the design process can take shape, the foundation must be in
place—solid and
stable. It may evolve over time, but the core should remain steady. Be aware of your values.
What do you want to do? What don’t you want to do? Respect these principles and build your
design process upon them. No one shares your exact visions and dreams. It’s okay to be
different. It’s just as okay to be similar. The only thing that matters is that you stay true to
yourself.
Take Care of Yourself
Nourishment, Blood
Taking care of yourself is the most important first step to being able to help
others. Make sure
you’re doing well. Your life should give you energy, not drain it. Too much work can extinguish
even the brightest spark. Take breaks. Few things are worse than ending up hating the work you
love just because you don’t have enough time for yourself. We weren’t made just to struggle—we
were made to hunt, to gather, to lie in the grass, and to have sex. Everything beyond that is,
from an evolutionary perspective, just a bonus. Too much stress turns even the best designer
into an average one.
Be Sensitive
Feelings, Nerves
Everyone wants to be taken seriously—you just as much as the person
experiencing your design.
Even the smallest inconsistencies are noticed and processed. When you reach the point in the
design process where you have to choose between the quick way and the right way, always choose
the latter. The subconscious is more powerful than we often realize, and it picks up on far more
than we expect. To truly engage and captivate the person on the other side, you need more than
just function—you need feeling.
Move Something
Strength, Muscles
The desire to make an impact should be present in every design process. Without
drive, nothing
happens—neither in an individual project nor within yourself. If you have no destination, you
won’t set out on the journey. And even when you arrive, the journey isn’t over. We all keep
moving until the very end. The enthusiasm you feel at the beginning and the ability to maintain
that motivation are often the keys to carrying the spark through to completion. Only work on
something if you truly feel that drive.
Make It Beautiful
Appearance, Skin
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Put yourself in their place and ask:
Would this appeal to
me? No matter how much thought you put into the background, if the result isn’t visually
compelling, it won’t be seen. A good exterior should showcase your work, not disguise it. As
frustrating as it may be, we humans are inherently drawn to aesthetics and judge things heavily
by how they look. Use that to your advantage rather than fighting against it.
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