The ten point plan
we love
Advices for young designers from John C Jay of Wieden+Kennedy
1 Be authentic. The most powerful asset you have is your individuality, what makes you unique. It’s time to stop listening to others on what you should do.
2 Work harder than anyone else and you will always benefit from the effort.
3 Get off the computer and connect with real people and culture. Life is visceral.
4 Constantly improve your craft. Make things with your hands. Innovation in thinking is not enough.
5 Travel as much as you can. It is a humbling and inspiring experience to learn just how much you don’t know.
6 Being original is still king, especially in this tech-driven, group-grope world.
7 Try not to work for stupid people or you’ll soon become one of them.
8 Instinct and intuition are all-powerful. Learn to trust them.
9 The Golden Rule actually works. Do good.
10 If all else fails, No. 2 is the greatest competitive advantage of any career.
We missed No 11
11 Design an outstanding paper notebook
2 Work harder than anyone else and you will always benefit from the effort.
3 Get off the computer and connect with real people and culture. Life is visceral.
4 Constantly improve your craft. Make things with your hands. Innovation in thinking is not enough.
5 Travel as much as you can. It is a humbling and inspiring experience to learn just how much you don’t know.
6 Being original is still king, especially in this tech-driven, group-grope world.
7 Try not to work for stupid people or you’ll soon become one of them.
8 Instinct and intuition are all-powerful. Learn to trust them.
9 The Golden Rule actually works. Do good.
10 If all else fails, No. 2 is the greatest competitive advantage of any career.
We missed No 11
11 Design an outstanding paper notebook
