fritz klaetke's 10 rules to live/design by

this was from when i was a silly sophomore, fritz klaetke, a boston-based graphic designer came to give the first lecture ever at our art + design department. all of it still rings true, but i couldn't really have known until years of school and work experience. so here they are:

FRITZ KLAETKE'S 10 RULES TO LIVE/DESIGN BY (03.16.05):

1. you can't turn it off; design even in your dreams

2. a good designer can create anything from a spoon to a car.

3. you need input to give output. be interested and invested in your projects. experience the world with a visual thirst. read books, magazines, visit galleries, etc.

4. remember the form/content equation: if form > content then audience is jipped; if form < content then no audience interest.

5. tell why you did what you did. don't just say you did it because you liked it.

6. God is in the details. the details hold the lifeforce.

7. know when to help someone whose car is stuck in the snow. demonstrate that you're doing what you can. (note: i'm still kinda unsure what this means. but what i get from it is that you can't always help your clients when they're stubborn or otherwise just plain difficult. know when to say no.)

8. good people, good project, good money; you need at least two out of the three.

9. deal with the decision maker. go straight to the authority to get answers.

10. you don't ask the doctor for three options. just offer the best solution to your client, otherwise they might pick the worst option. (note: i've actually seen that happen, haha)

11. trust your gut. make your own rules.