When I started (or restarted) my creative studio about a year ago, I had one thing clear in mind: I wanted the studio to be unique and different. Well, everyone who’s doing a creative or design studio is doing this, isn’t that right? But I had another thing in mind besides focusing on the work that we would offer: I wanted it to be a business of fun and not just about the money.
At first, looking at the rough plan I had that I sketched on a piece of paper, I’d think to myself that this would be very very hard. And it still is. I have yet to fully figure it out. But, it’s a plan that me and my team had committed to. So by hook or by crook, we need to figure it out.
Whatever I had planned (in terms of the business side and non-business side of things) it comes back to what I called the Design & Creative Manifesto. There was a long list of them before I decided to only three. They were:
Stories Matter, Defy Convention & Inspired by Life.
These three Manifestos are the core that drives how Studio HDJ should function as a studio and as an individuals that we are. At the end of the day, we are still human and the people we serve are also⎯humans. So nothing else matters.
Stories Matter
Stories are what make a great connection between us and other human beings. Without stories, there’s nothing for us to tell. Without stories, life seems boring. But, at the same time, it is not daily that we encounter interesting stuff. For some if not most of us, interesting seems a little farfetched because we are living a mediocre life. Our jobs are boring, we don’t do anything exciting beyond our daily lives and this is OK. Because stories are still stories. The ones who tell them and create connections are what make it exciting. Sometimes, although it seems boring to others, there’s someone out there who might have the same stories as you do and it’s what makes them feel connected to you⎯because of the stories.
So tell yours, no matter what you feel about them.
Most of the time, telling your stories is not entirely about you but about the people who have the same stories as you do. The difference between you and them is that, you have the resources to tell yours, they might not. But once yours are out, theirs are also being heard and that’s what matters.
Defy Convention
Conventional is boring, outdated and suffocating⎯because everyone is doing the same thing.
So go left when others go right. Flip the table, be crazy, get weird. Think outside the box. This is what will make you stand out. Sometimes, defying convention comes with a lot of risk, but it’s OK. Well, it’s OK for people who take risks daily but for most, I understand if fear is looming over you. But, if there comes a day when you are pushed to the edge and you are task to decide either to jump or not, take it. I can’t promise that everything will be fine, but I can promise you that if you decide not to take it, the day will come when you are going to regret your decision. So take it, take the risk and jump. What’s the worst that can happen anyway? If you get hurt, get healed and rise back up. What about death? Well, everyone will one day. If it isn’t yours yet, it won’t.
Inspired with Life
Life is beautiful. That’s it. Enjoy the life you have. Even if it’s a bad day, enjoy that bad day because that bad day is what hardened you.
Hopefully these manifesto will be drivers that drives how Studio HDJ function and work as a creative for as long as it can be. In due time, I’m pretty sure we will add a few more that fits and represent the unconventional that we are trying to be. But until that day comes, we’ll stick to only these three for now.
Peace.