It’s been almost a year since I started doing client work, and I figured it would be appropriate to share some lessons that I’ve learned so people can avoid or mitigate some of the big pitfalls that happened to me. This is really intended for anyone who is self-employed and doing freelance work, not just designers.
I think the most common question I get asked is “What do you do?” A rather good question, in fact. Often design is defined by its outputs: things like products, furniture, logos, or websites. There are certainly designers who specialize in particular outputs, so it becomes easy to think of design as a field that Read More
This is part of an ongoing series examining the Detroit Strategic Framework Plan. View the other entries in this series here. On this entry we’re going to dive into the 12 imperative actions set out by the framework plan. If improving Detroit is the “why” of the document, these actions represent a very abstract version Read More
The Detroit Strategic Framework Plan. You might also know it as Detroit Future City: a massive, 368-page outline for improvements, revitalization, and development here in Detroit. While it’s parent organization, the Detroit Works Project, has received some negative press due to some mistaken words and late schedules, the framework plan is exactly what it needs to be. It’s the Read More
We so often assume that we are always designing in the best interest of our users; we are being objective and thoughtful in our decisions. But unlike the scientific process, the design process is very much subjective. We pick our hypotheses, and we personally choose what observations are important, each stroke of the pen on Read More
While it is not some new concept to consider design and the design process as a force for good, allow me to throw my hat into the ring. Design, by nature, is not a political ideology or set of values, it is merely a process. Before we go further, let’s try to define what this Read More
You may have not heard from us in a bit, but rest assured, Wedge is moving. Like most fledgeling organizations, we’re going through a lot of self-investigations and growth spurts. Here are a few recent highlights: (Photo Credit Curbed Detroit) Detroit Creative Corridor Center This January, Wedge joined the DC3’s Creative Venture program as their Read More
Last fall we broke a world record. We brought a lot of people in the community together, created a fun and awesome project in Detroit for people to talk about, and had a blast doing it. Perhaps most importantly, though, is that the record beaten was previously held be those who live on the other Read More
Seth Godin is one of my favorite writers, bloggers, amongst others. He has a lot of great things to say that I think everyone should know about. Here I am, spreading the knowledge to the world. The following entry is specifically about website creation, and how important it is that your website is well designed Read More
The Gem Theatre in Detroit is just as it sounds – a little Gem. It’s quaint, intimate, and authentically wise. A venue where you can imagine long ball gowns amongst sports jackets and cigars. Where a show either led into great conversation, or an evening of dancing. Absolutely perfect for a TEDx event. Wedge was Read More