THE RHYTHM OF THE RAILS.

On the packed commuter train to school,
Ryuichi Sakamoto would simply listen;
to the sounds of the journey.

Identifying a series of sounds
that would occur on every trip.
The journey was playing
its own piece of music.

A symphony of everyday sounds
that most would’ve heard,
but too few would’ve listened.

Doors opening.
Doors closing.
The squeeze of the brakes.
The rolling of the wheels.
Clicks and clacks.
Brushes and rasps,
and
the rhythm
of the rails.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THE FLOW OF FOCUS.

When you’re so immersed in what you’re doing.
Reading or writing,
Painting and drawing.

The path draws you in,
the flow that turns you on,
and time fades away.

Absorbed,
In the hues of sound.
And the colours of taste,
When what you feeling
and doing, dances.

Leading your ideas
in to a tango.
or your thoughts into a Waltz.

Opening up the doors
to your dance floor,
allowing your mind to play,
to create something unique.

OVERLOOKED RHYTHMS CAN INSPIRE A LIFETIME OF INSPIRATION.

AND THEY’RE NOT THE ONLY ONES.

“First sentences are doors to worlds” wrote Ursula Le Guin.

They create a sense of intrigue, distinct to any other.
Otherwise why would you read on?

They prod at the door of curiosity.
Inspiring thought and provoking a sensation of what might come.

And while those first few words can inspire desire to read on,
the rest of the story needs to deliver.

There’s a parallel, I see, in designing product.
Integrating an essence that captures the imagination.

More than a USP.
More than a tie-up with celebrity.

It’s about creating a spark.
A spark that delights and delivers.
Something unique that tells a story.

From the thread of ideas to the sources of inspiration,
to the materials chosen and the place of their creation.

To the colours and textures,
and the patterns
of play.

To the prices we hold
and the values
they convey.

If your product had an opening line,
what would it be?
And where would the story go?

All shoes are stories.
And they’re not the only ones.

DON’T JUST WRITE WORDS. WRITE MUSIC.

“Don’t Just Write Words. Write Music.” said Gary Provost

Wisdom from other disciplines and genres can shine a different light.

A shift in perspective can open doors. And create movement.

In Provost’s 1oo Ways to Improve Your Writing, he talks about the rhythm of writing. About the effect of long and short sentences. How they feel. The balance between the two allows the reader to rest. Space. To breathe. And how, in the right moment, you can carry them on a curious journey with detail and texture that raises the temperature, speeds up the heart rate, driving blood through their veins with enough anticipation that they can taste passion on the buds of  their tongue. 

Before delivering the essence of the message, with a line that illustrates the importance of balance, and rhythm.

A pearl of wisdom with a wider relevance than the written word.

Don’t just design stuff.  Design Harmony.

Image originally found via Swissmiss