Life - as we know it
Have you ever pondered the purpose of your work, your existence, and the meaning of your life?
If the answer is yes, you are not alone. Recent studies highlight a widespread pursuit of meaning and purpose in life among individuals. A 2021 survey revealed that 81% of Americans believe there is an ultimate purpose and plan for every person's life, with 68% prioritizing the search for deeper purpose, and 73% deeming it important to pursue higher meaning in life. Research also indicates that 75% of Millennials are actively seeking meaning and purpose, making them the most likely among American adults to question their reason for living. Globally, a Pew Research Center study across 17 advanced economies found that people derive meaning from various sources, including family, career, and faith, reflecting diverse cultural perspectives on life's purpose.
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These findings underscore a universal inclination toward seeking meaning, with variations across different demographics and cultures. At some point in our journey, every professional—whether just starting out or seasoned—confronts the same essential question: purpose. Purpose and meaning, those ever-alluring forces, drive us as human beings. They give us reasons to wake up, to create, and to keep going. In a way, they’re like the fuel that powers our passions.
Yet, life comes with its own surprising twist: It is inherently empty, and meaningless. This realization isn’t a harsh truth but rather an open invitation. The meaning we can give to life needn’t be handed down to us—it’s something we can shape ourselves, uninfluenced by our unique identities, perspectives, and experiences.
Life is nothing but empty and meaningless.
The essence of meaning, therefore, is deeply powerful and personal. Imagine the universe handing you a blank canvas and saying, “Paint whatever you will.” The colors and shapes we choose reflect who we can be and how we choose to perceive the world. Meaning isn’t something we find—it’s something we create, albeit imperfectly, with the occasional smudge or misstep.
Like many, I search for purpose in life as well. I am fulfilled, at least in part, by what I do. What I create. Thus it's inevitable that I seek the purpose behind my creations. This pursuit is its own journey, an exploration of the soul of what I bring into the world. Purpose isn’t optional; it’s the compass that guides my decisions, my innovations, and the mark I leave behind.
True purpose isn’t surface-level. It runs deep, connecting what I create with those who experience it. There’s a profound relationship between creator, creation, and audience—a kind of intimate dance that I am a part of.
These reflections spark questions that I can’t ignore: Who am I? What is my purpose as a designer? What is the purpose of the things I bring to life? And ultimately, what is "design"? These questions push me to not just create, but to uncover the “why” behind my work - my "designs".
Design
“Design” has been articulated by many renowned designers in profound and diverse ways, each perspective revealing its multifaceted nature and boundless potential.
Design is a multifaceted discipline that goes beyond aesthetics, as Steve Jobs famously stated, “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” It must marry function and form seamlessly, ensuring that every element serves a purpose, echoing Charles Eames’ belief that “Design is a plan for arranging elements in such a way as to best accomplish a particular purpose.” This process requires simplicity and restraint, with Dieter Rams advocating that “Good design is as little design as possible,” emphasizing clarity over clutter. Yet, design is also a fight—a relentless battle against mediocrity and “ugliness,” as Massimo Vignelli described. Jony Ive highlights that great design feels inevitable, as though it is the only solution that makes sense. At the same time, Victor Papanek urges designers to push boundaries, arguing that “Design, if it is to be ecologically responsible and socially responsive, must be revolutionary and radical.” Don Norman reminds us, design is an act of communication, requiring a deep understanding of the people for whom it is created.
Together, these perspectives underscore that design is not just an act of creation, but a thoughtful, purposeful, and often transformative endeavor. This realization led me to delve into the history of design, exploring the purpose it has served across time.
From my perspective today, a clearer picture is starting to take shape for me—answers that resonate with who I am in this moment. I see design as a bold and imaginative endeavor, one that courageously explores and creates extraordinary possibilities. For design to reach its full potential, it must be fueled by purpose and steered with intentionality.
Simply put:
Fueled by purpose and driven with intentionality, design is an act of courage and imagination to invent extraordinary new possibilities.
At its heart, design is grounded in three profound pillars:
Purpose, the guiding light that infuses clarity and passion; Intentionality, the driving force that turns ideas into impactful actions; and Imagination, the spark that unlocks limitless possibilities.
Purpose
The Why. The soul reason why something is or needs to be in existence.
Uncovering the purpose behind what I create has never been more crucial. Discovering the purpose of something before it exists is like observing a black hole—you cannot see it directly, yet its influence and its absence is unmistakable. You sense its pull, notice its impact on the surrounding space, and perceive the profound void it creates. To understand the purpose of a creation before it takes shape, we must explore its Context (Dimensions), Connections (Relationships), and Connotations (Significance).
A key enabler in discovering purpose, beyond skills, is a particular state of being—one that is challenging to attain. It is a state that allows us to see with greater clarity, stepping outside our own contexts and stories. It requires an emptiness, free from preconceptions, biases, conditioning or preconceived beliefs—an authentic self that fosters committed observation and listening. In this profound state, we can finally distinguish facts from stories and stories from meanings. Only then can we truly understand the context, connections, and connotations that guide us toward uncovering purpose.
Purpose is often multilayered, much like an onion, revealing greater depth and power with each layer you uncover. It begins with the self and the individual, gradually expanding outward to encompass the world—and perhaps even beyond.
When we seek to uncover the purpose of our creations, failing to recognize and embrace their layered complexities can prevent us from aligning with our own purpose in life and being. Discovering the purpose not only brings meaning to our work but also keeps us, as creators and visionaries, rooted in essential human values like ethics, trust, respect, and inclusion.
Imagination
The How. The envisioning and inventing new possibilities for fulfilling the purpose.
Imagination has long been revered as a driving force in shaping our world. Albert Einstein famously stated, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world," highlighting its boundless potential. Carl Sagan observed, "Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere," emphasizing its role in envisioning possibilities beyond our current reality.
We cannot overstate the transformative power of imagination in fueling innovation and driving progress. With this immense power comes an equally profound responsibility—the responsibility not only to fulfill a purpose but to shape a reality that has never been envisioned and that resonates across generations.
Design’s most pivotal moments remind us that imagination is unlocked by three timeless virtues: Creativity, Craft, and Courage. Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s action despite it: the fear of being vulnerable, failure, judgment, or survival itself. Yet, it dares to bring the unseen into existence. Creativity calls us back to childlike wonder, where ideas roam free and innovation is born. Craft, the pride in the endeavor of perfecting our work, transforms bold visions into meaningful realities. Together, these virtues shape not just what we create but how we dream, live, and aspire to a better world.
Creativity takes courage. Henri Matisse
In 1984, the Macintosh transformed computing by daring to imagine technology that spoke human language, not machine code—a bold stand against the status quo of text-based systems. Its craft lay in the seamless fusion of hardware and software, creating a tool that felt as natural as an extension of the mind. In 2001, the iPod redefined music’s role in our lives, creatively distilling thousands of songs into the simplicity of a pocket-sized device. It took courage to disrupt an entrenched market, betting on a new ecosystem that connected hearts and ears across the globe. In 2020’s SpaceX’s Starship, envisioned in the 2020s, soared beyond imagination, proposing a reusable spacecraft to carry humanity to other planets. Its courage shattered the limits of conventional aerospace, backed by relentless craftsmanship in engineering and innovation. Together, these creations inspire us to dream fearlessly, act boldly, and execute with excellence.
Intentionality
The What. The act of bring imagination to existence so that it can fulfill its purpose.
The final piece in this puzzle we call Design is Intentionality—the linchpin that brings vision to fruition. Without it, even the brightest ideas risk fading before they see the light of day, diluted by a lack of focus or commitment. Intentionality is the force with which we transform vision into reality—the pledge we make to ourselves and others to deliver on our purpose.
Intentionality is all about Action. Taking action is the vital spark that transforms ideas into reality. As Arnold Glasow wisely noted, “An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied.” Success isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment; it’s about moving forward with purpose and determination. Tony Robbins emphasizes this with, “The path to success is to take massive, determined action.” Even when mistakes happen, persistence is key, as Conrad Hilton reminds us: “Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” Together, these truths underscore the power of action in turning dreams into achievements.
Intentionality stands on three essential pillars: Clarity (Expression): The precision and authenticity that is delivered and with which we execute our vision. Celerity (Velocity): The swiftness and agility with which we move from concept to action. Care (Attention): The thoughtfulness and dedication we bring to every detail. Together, these pillars create a foundation for intentional execution—a harmony of purpose, momentum, and mindfulness that ensures the envisioned becomes the accomplished.
Intentionality is the heartbeat of fulfilling a purpose anchored in a remarkable vision. It’s a profound force, infusing the creator with joy and a deep sense of meaning. It propels us into action, sparking the genesis of bold strategies, precise planning, and the relentless pursuit of progress. It transforms aspiration into tangible reality through careful measurement, thoughtful adjustments, and, ultimately, the creation of something extraordinary—a masterpiece shaped with purpose and crafted with care.
In conclusion
In the interplay of purpose, imagination, and intentionality lies the essence of creation—a fascinating journey that transforms fleeting realizations into meaningful realities. Purpose ignites the “why,” tethering us to clarity and meaning. Imagination fuels the “how,” unlocking the potential to dream beyond boundaries. Intentionality empowers the “what,” translating vision into deliberate action. Together, these pillars form the foundation of impactful design and purposeful living. As Carl Sagan profoundly observed, “We are a way for the cosmos to know itself.” This truth reminds us of our unique role as conscious beings—not just to exist but to reflect, create, and contribute meaningfully to the world around us.
We are a way for the cosmos to know itself. Carl Sagan
As a designer, I have the privilege and responsibility to be the catalyst in this transformative process, and I am profoundly grateful for that. My role extends beyond the act of creation—I am a seeker of purpose, a cultivator of imagination, and a steward of intentionality. By uncovering the layers of meaning behind what I create, I seek to align my work with values that inspire connection and progress. Through bold imagination, I can envision extraordinary possibilities that transcend the ordinary, bringing to life designs that resonate with humanity’s aspirations. And with unwavering intentionality, I can guide these visions into reality, ensuring they are not just impactful but also thoughtful, ethical, and enduring. By embracing this calling, I desire not only to contribute to the design of suitable conditions, but also fulfill my role as part of the cosmos’ journey to understand itself by empowering others, leaving behind legacies that resonate across time and space.
This, I believe, is my purpose.
References
Note: This article is painfully co-created with a AI writing assistant. Contrary to popular belief, it is not easy to use AI to create, especially when you have a very specific vision.
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