Official blog of StemmingsTumblr (3.0; @stemmings)http://blog.stemmings.com/<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/c9d222ef2cff5138819643511d3b6da7/tumblr_mn3xoq4ykZ1rl1a10o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Learning from other designers online has been an essential part of education for Detroit-area designer and letterer Joseph Alessio. People are one of the greatest resources the internet has to offer—but why are so many people reluctant to help others grow?</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/giving-back/" target="_blank">Read Joseph’s essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/50917733724http://blog.stemmings.com/post/50917733724Mon, 20 May 2013 13:24:26 -0400stemmingsdesigntechnologyessayIllustration<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/723a3a286ee0fa49defe63c29f087c48/tumblr_mmr3vnWApG1rl1a10o1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>The transition from academia to industry isn’t always smooth: recent graduates often wind up in a jobless battlefield, fighting both friend and foe for that perfect job. Washington, DC-based designer, Matt Chase helps strategize a comprehensive attack plan for the newly-enlisted.</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/advice-for-graduates/" target="_blank">Read Matt’s essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/50357535624http://blog.stemmings.com/post/50357535624Mon, 13 May 2013 15:09:24 -0400StemmingsdesigntechnologyIllustration<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/6a4edeeff3704426fcd51861f2b2e8d6/tumblr_mmjj7tdZxJ1rl1a10o1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Recently, user experience has seen a more elevated role in product development and design. The discussion around it can often get cluttered and unfocused.  Interface designer, Shawn Borsky  offers a simplified lens to how we think about and define an “experience”.</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/we-design-memories/" target="_blank">Read Shawn’s essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/50020682577http://blog.stemmings.com/post/50020682577Thu, 09 May 2013 12:59:53 -0400stemmingsdesigntechnologyessay<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/f2a3e39041e6d2d5e4bc94128ec0cc17/tumblr_mm31mfXQyq1rl1a10o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>We all have them—busy schedules and digital distractions. Andy Luce shares how a recent adventure off the grid ignited a new passion for living and experiencing life disengaged.</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/powering-down/" target="_blank">Read Andy’s essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/49275392777http://blog.stemmings.com/post/49275392777Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:18:15 -0400stemmingsdesigntechnologyessayphotography<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/80726bec8e38fd40cf3576d604d914fc/tumblr_mm31kd1kIb1rl1a10o1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Ainsley Wagoner, a designer in Lexington, Kentucky, asks if a degree is an essential part of a designer’s growth and development.</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/the-grad-school-assumption/" target="_blank">Read Ainsley’s essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/49275130734http://blog.stemmings.com/post/49275130734Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:17:01 -0400stemmingsdesigntechnologyessayIllustration<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/47c345c798bbc7015adfa990928b0e3c/tumblr_mlvk8hnM571rl1a10o1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>In his debut Stemmings essay, web designer and podcaster James Fletcher shares a story on the struggles with learning a new skill and his thoughts on the importance of staying challenged as a creator and individual.</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/challenge-yourself/" target="_blank">Read James’ essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48941702602http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48941702602Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:19:29 -0400stemmingsdesigntechnologyessay<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/cb941963db97a97625f0e0aca6fd0844/tumblr_mltkqo37Az1rl1a10o1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Fatigued by the rat race, Sydney-based designer, Jasmin Wong writes about how we should eschew the temptation of gaining prestige and instead do good work by focusing on the details. </p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/the-pursuit-of-prestige/" target="_blank">Read Jasmin’s essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48860080255http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48860080255Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:35:12 -0400stemmingsdesigntechnologyIllustration<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/6e85b5b0ec4c4161f10ed4aed6c55ecf/tumblr_mlrp22efIR1rl1a10o1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Designer and illustrator Ash Huang muses on what’s common between builders, and how we must bridge the gap.</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/everythings-the-same/" target="_blank">Read Ash’s essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48779876769http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48779876769Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:13:14 -0400stemmingsdesigntechnologyessayIllustration<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/a0152b5bde00c87e85ed2448884a61dd/tumblr_mlpu59Pll51rl1a10o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Sometimes we can find the motivation to embark in the practice of design in the people, places, and experiences we are most fond of. Ricardo Vazquez tells the story of how he found love for design as a young boy in the moments he spent listening to his grandfather play trombone.</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/sound-waves/" target="_blank">Read Ricardo’s essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48698916057http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48698916057Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:07:57 -0400stemmingsdesigntechnologyessaymusic<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/1dc987fa2caa5d06df2b5fb973021fb8/tumblr_mlo31kngDp1rl1a10o1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Front-end developer, Bostonian, and ex-carpenter, James Wilson explores why success is highly dependent on the ability to go with the flow; even the best laid plans are simply guesses and the goals themselves can change along the way.</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/the-path-isnt-always-forward/" target="_blank">Read James’ essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48622121113http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48622121113Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:24:56 -0400stemmingsessaydesigntechnology<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/5a9d66f56b434354ba828856b416b07c/tumblr_mlikdnZvPU1rl1a10o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>In this departure from our normal essays on technology and design, designer Krystyn Heide shares her personal experience with anxiety after tragedy in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing.</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/everything-is-upside-down/" target="_blank">Read Krystyn’s essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48367877065http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48367877065Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:53:47 -0400stemmingsbostonessay<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/782e1d2f34f12c2c86ad5db6b6a22e54/tumblr_mlewnimcWH1rl1a10o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>In a time where we’re seeing the dawn of a technological revolution all around us, Patrick Rogan, a Raleigh based designer/writer, speaks about the passion that should fuel us all towards building this better future.</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/the-infrastructure-of-passion/" target="_blank">Read Patrick’s essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48212248822http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48212248822Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:28:29 -0400stemmingsdesigntechnologyIllustrationessay<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/d7b11536cec586fbb0ea3d295c838168/tumblr_mlbdqj5njG1rl1a10o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Michael Ciarlo, a New York City based designer wrote his personal impression on what it means to be a mentor.</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/on-losing-a-mentor/" target="_blank">Read Michael’s essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48063613414http://blog.stemmings.com/post/48063613414Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:47:07 -0400stemmingsessaydesigntechnology<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/3f4e200c6fd472fa8b9f7bfd1a4bc576/tumblr_ml5ncvFwIg1rl1a10o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><p class="p1">Someone once told Jeff Rogers, a New York City-based designer/illustrator, that he would eventually have to choose between playing music and making art. He didn’t listen. Jeff tells the story of the love triangle between himself, art and music and why it’s made such a difference in his life as a designer.</p> <p class="p1"><a href="http://stemmings.com/a-music-lesson/" target="_blank">Read Jeff’s essay here</a></p></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/47794788130http://blog.stemmings.com/post/47794788130Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:29:19 -0400stemmingsdesignIllustrationartMusictechnology<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/f92d9fee8f6e2f7a80c70edb36456c51/tumblr_ml0hbpb8rj1rl1a10o1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Shawn Borsky, an interface designer based out of San Francisco wrote about the impact of gaining momentum, a key driving factor behind better productivity and engagement.</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/inertia/" target="_blank"><span>Read Shawn’s essay here</span></a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/47574860833http://blog.stemmings.com/post/47574860833Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:31:01 -0400stemmingsessaytechnologydesign<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/c805743fed6cc6ccd1a5aa3a3b51e4ad/tumblr_mkn55d6Xzv1rl1a10o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Cat Smith, a New Jersey-based designer shares an emotive story of a conversation between her and her younger brother discussing the importance of finding what you love and pursuing it despite the path others might have wished you’d taken.</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/find-what-you-love/" target="_blank">Read Cat’s essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/46951575852http://blog.stemmings.com/post/46951575852Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:39:13 -0400stemmingsessaydesignIllustrationphotographytechnology<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/6cd6f141027b3d86c68db94a03732d74/tumblr_mklgtbkvqI1rl1a10o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Patrick Rogan, a North Carolina based Designer & Developer wrote an absorbing discourse on being a “hipster” and the innumerable similarities between the trendy stereotype and the life and methods behind being a creative.</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/designers-should-be-hipsters/" target="_blank">Read Patrick’s essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/46875916739http://blog.stemmings.com/post/46875916739Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:55:00 -0400stemmingsessaydesignIllustrationphotographytechtechnology<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/c809e933172b04b8986835b5d3cf3a20/tumblr_mkc02oNbM11rl1a10o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Senior Designer at Squarespace in NYC, Krystyn Heide wrote an essay on what makes us happy—highlighting a Harvard study from 1938 along with interpreting and relating those lessons to our work as creatives.</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/creating-happiness/" target="_blank">Read Krystyn’s essay here </a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/46434297195http://blog.stemmings.com/post/46434297195Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:16:00 -0400stemmingsdesigntechnologyIllustrationphotography<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/65b1b710de2b1c5f8763ea9c404bc0b9/tumblr_mka88kEbno1rl1a10o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Morgan Jones, a UI Designer from the UK wrote his maiden essay on line he heard from Laura Kalbag at this year’s Responsive Conf, that “nobody is an expert.”</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/nobody-is-an-expert/" target="_blank">Read Morgan’s essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/46354097890http://blog.stemmings.com/post/46354097890Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:17:35 -0400StemmingsessaydesigntechtechnologyIllustration<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/5f730b37898f78f631221423cce8b96e/tumblr_mka5lsQXJG1rl1a10o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Brandon Satterlee’s has introduced his new monthly series, “The Clientless World” featuring a new interview with creatives who are venturing into entrepreneurship, philanthropy and non-profits. Read</p> <p><a href="http://stemmings.com/the-clientless-world-introduction/" target="_blank">Brandon’s essay here</a></p>http://blog.stemmings.com/post/46350296720http://blog.stemmings.com/post/46350296720Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:20:15 -0400Stemmingsdesigninterviewessay