In my creative process, I often look to nature for inspiration. Since I was an infant, I have always been captivated by the beauty of flowers, stars, and animals. I am fascinated by how plants grow and flourish, how stars create the foundation for life, and how animals are like us in many ways.
Growing up, I rode horses to my grandma's house, drank milk from cows I milked, and saw watermelon grow from a flower to a size larger than my infant self.
During my time at Dartmouth, I took numerous astronomy classes where I learned how we are made from the remnants of stars — we are made from carbon atoms and carbon atoms are what is left after a star dies. So yes, you are stardust.
And since moving to New York, I have been obsessed with home plants: Monstera Deliciosa, Birds of Paradise, and Money Trees. Something about being surrounded by plants is so calming, even when your surroundings are going 100 mph.
Seven lessons from nature
I. Pattern and repetition. The slightest curve and the lightest touch can transform a piece from okay to unforgettable. Iteration, iteration, iteration is our best friend in discovering what works.
II. Colors are vibrant, perfect. They rarely overwhelm. I hope you see the magic around the many creations in the universe — beauty, past and present, hidden design just waiting for us to discover it.
III. Flowers bloom and simply are. They are for everyone to enjoy. They do not need permission to grow yet they light up their environment. Good design is available for everyone to see or discover.
IV. Group identity and individuality. Each flower is beautiful on its own and beautiful as a collective. There is no right or wrong flower to like most. This is how design should be — diverse.
V. Efficient design, no waste. Plants take in carbon monoxide, make their food, and give out oxygen. I use recycled gold and fix things instead of replacing them. There is no need to create unnecessary waste.
VI. Harmony. There is a beautiful dance happening at night when the sun settles, the moon rises, and the birds sing songs to us and each other early in the morning.
VII. Abundance. There is room for your ideas. There is room for growth. There is hope.
Image c/o Nelly, 2021