y0freebs

Isn’t it wonderful just to know that absolutely everything around you is designed? That someone has sat down and created something that wasn’t there before, or reinvented it, or made something better.

What makes people want to be creative? Well, design is about more than just making something attractive. It’s about wanting to make a change, an impact, to make the world a better place. I have no doubt there will be too many times that what I’ll have to do will be anything but this, but design as a whole should be this.

Did you know that by taking off serifs on a typeset, that when printed, the carbon footprint is reduced dramatically? Probably not. Because people don’t realise that this is what design is about. Making a difference.
Of course though, design is also about beauty and having fun. By making something amazing, you can evoke a range of reactions and emotions and connect to another human through your own creation.

I guess for me, design is the only occupation I’ve ever thought about. It’s hard, tiring, and a bit of a mind-fuck, but I can’t think of anything better. To aesthetically please, and to physically help. To be inspired, and hopefully one day - to inspire others.

This though, has been one of the truest quotes I’ve ever heard:

“Does having a calculator make you an accountant? No. Does having a stove make you a chef? No. Having a computer does not make you a designer and having a camera does not make you a photographer” - Marita Leuver.

Because it’s passion and appreciation is what really drives us.

And I shall end on that. 

I recently attended my great uncles funeral. He was a lovely, kind man, and even nick-named the AFL footballer, Steel Sidebottom “Rusty Bum” when my cousin was dating him. The service was at the uniting church in Elmore. (Apparently when I was three I contorted my body through a set of bars to go to the toilet. After this I unfortunately couldn’t get out and my poor mother and grandma had to go on a man hunt for the keys). But other than that event, I realise I’ve only ever been to Church for funerals. I’m up to six, and unavoidably, still counting.

Funerals are always sad. They’re just downright depressing. But I’ve found that the older the departed is, the less compelled I am to feel saddened.  I didn’t cry at my Great Grandmas funeral, Great Uncle Bills, nor either of my grandparents.  Don’t get me wrong, I miss them dearly, but they lived wonderful full lives until the very end.

I’ve only ever cried at two funerals; my cousins’ mum was the first. She was only in her early 40’s and was hit by another car as she went to turn a corner. She survived a few more days in ICU down in Melbourne, but soon after her body shut down. She left behind a father and two young boys.
It wasn’t until I saw the youngest carrying a stuffed rabbit down the isle as the family sat down at the funeral that I shed any tears.

The other was, as many people know I’m sure, my friend Angelas’. 18 years too young.

It wasn’t until we reached the cemetery that I realised how much I missed all these people. Angela especially.
Living in Melbourne make’s it hard to visit her very often, I’ve only got to see her three times since. I’d like to visit her more often, but each time I have, I miss her more, I build up so much resent and hate for the world for taking her away, and I think of all the people that miss her more than I do. The words “Loved by Nathan” kill me the most.
Visiting her was the point at which I cried at my Great Uncles funeral. 

All of this makes me look at myself on where I am now with death and life. I always think I’ve come to terms with losing one of my best friends, but on the other hand I’m probably far from it. And just looking at my cousins and thinking how they’re missing out on one the most loveliest people caring for them.

YOLO is a stupid, stupid term, but you do only live once. Not to party, do stupid things or use the term ‘YOLO’ cos you’re just a total fucking idiot looking for excuses. But to love, care and appreciate the people you have around you.

Because one day, they won’t be there.