It is summer, and after a spring of free creativity without focusing too much on my prototype, I feel like Grapescottage could evolve into a virtual and hybrid space where I can share—and enjoy—both work and personal activities, along with experimentation, mistakes, and learning new things.
My job as an Architect
Daily work is an opportunity to experiment with my creativity, whether in content, the study of design processes, or the form of communication.
Today, I feel that the journey I started a few years ago has led me to a key purpose: to express my way of being. This has nothing to do with trying to be socially acceptable or identifying myself solely as an architect.
It involves accepting fear while embracing freedom. It means not overthinking how one should behave to be acceptable or completely safe. This approach fosters greater strength and courage. It doesn’t mean disregarding external requests or ignoring risks and the future; on the contrary, it means engaging with reality and addressing problems freely and genuinely, focusing on the “now.” It involves experimenting with dedication while avoiding anything that isn’t useful if it stems from the fear of making mistakes or from perfectionism.
In this sense, the prototype has been put on hold because, when it comes to design, I still need inspiration, constraints, and real problems from others to feel engaged.
I realized this while participating in an online design competition. Here, I rediscovered the pleasure of having an idea, pursuing it, convincing myself of it, and presenting it with courage.
This is something I had lost with the prototype, which is why I want to share real projects here—small aspects of true reality.
I can observe and enjoy what happens in my real job and reflect on it, and it isn’t worth abandoning this opportunity because of fears and perfectionism.
There is still much to learn, to be present in the moment, and to enjoy the process. Here are some tips to remember during challenging times:
• It doesn’t mean that the result isn’t important, but rather that focusing on the work itself is the most effective way to achieve progress.
• Concentrating, deepening, and improving what I am doing at that moment is often more fulfilling and effective than worrying about expectations and risks.
• The journey isn’t simple, so adopting the “prototype” attitude and embracing mistakes, rather than trying to avoid them, can provide valuable opportunities for growth and learning.
• When you encounter a problem, don’t imagine that others would handle it without making mistakes. Perfection doesn’t exist; what’s real is deciding to confront problems and doing your best, day by day.
• Discipline and structure aren’t in contrast with freedom; they are the means by which you create the time and space to be free to express what you are afraid to express. (Thanks to Rick Rubin – The Creative Act)
I hope this can foster improvement, boost confidence, avoid unnecessary waste of time, and, most importantly, ensure that the beauty of the work is not overlooked.
Creative and free exploration
It is more challenging to deal with my personal creativity, with activities where the commitment, the problem to solve, and the constraints arise from within rather than from external sources.
For me, this is a new and important aspect: it is a space where I can lose myself in freedom, where the restrictions and problems are mine and not imposed by others. It is a place where I can get to know myself even better.
Today, I am very inclined to enjoy reading, deepening my understanding, and researching. To know, observe, and explore. Less to “do.”
Is this constant need to “do” really that important? This is something I’d like to reflect on in the future.
Playing without a specific purpose is important. Self-knowledge and understanding the world can be significant reasons. And from there, the courage to express and share.
Here are some small notes I’m trying to keep in mind:
- Accept doing something that concerns only me.
- Accept that this is important.
- Find what I enjoy doing.
- Eliminate harsh judgment or fear, and anything that slows down creative joy.
Conclusions
These are my thoughts from the past few months.
Spring began with the idea of stepping away from Grapescottage and the prototype, at least a little.
That’s how it went, but the prototype is still here, even if it has taken on a new meaning.
Perhaps, as is often said, rest and silence work deeply.
