The words original and authentic always give us a bit of a sigh. They’re tossed around too casually when it comes to any type of creative work. It feels like taking a shortcut instead of doing the deeper work. Original on its own isn’t a differentiator—it’s a catch-all for all of the real qualities that define creative authenticity. Being authentic or creating something original is not easy. It requires introspection, discovery, and exploration. Because without challenging ideas, without curiosity, without risk, what are we even doing?

We dig in deep and expand on what we believe is worth valuing and prioritizing when it comes to design these days… and why there are no shortcuts when it comes to creating meaningful work.