Karim Rashid's Creative Manifesto

www.karimrashid.com

Above is a source for part of Karim Rashid's "Karimanifesto".  He lists 10 points, part of a creative manifesto, by which he lives his professional life.

Never say:  "I could have done that" because you didn't


This is the point that stands out the most to me.  There is never any use in dwelling on failures, or on other people's successes.  If someone got to a great idea before you, accept it and move on.  Perhaps even use it as motivation to focus your energy more precisely next time.

It's hard for me to draw many substantial correlations between Karim's manifesto and his creative work, because of how abstract most of it is.  He seems to focus on mixing form and function into workable, sellable products, which I can admire.  Certainly his spirituality informs his art, as does all of ours.  Whether or not you place much emphasis on spiritual pursuits, one's spirituality (or lack thereof) is an important part of one's life.  To completely separate your creativity from your spirituality would take a conscious effort, one that Karim obviously doesn't bother with.

To conclude my blog, I present my own creative manifesto of 10 points.  Thanks for reading.

1 - Focus on now, not later

2 - Embrace your strengths

3 - Embrace your weaknesses

4 - Don't be afraid to give control to someone else

5 - Think about yourself first and your audience second

6 - Create things you would want to buy for yourself

7 - Think outside of your industry's accepted boundaries

8 - Connecting with other people is the most valuable thing you can do.  Do all that you can to be a "people person"

9 - Love money, but don't be obsessed with it

10 - Need success, but don't be obsessed with it