How do I design me?
Design is about solving problems. And while my UX past taught me to meticulously map out user journeys for other people, here in Florence, the problem I'm solving is far more faceted: how do I design me? It’s a welcome pivot, from optimizing digital flows to sculpting tangible objects for faces. And today, at Polimoda, the journey got intensely personal.
Our instructor set the tone that she wanted us to become a collector. Not just of objects, but of feelings, of moments. Gather shapes, images, textures, anything that sparks something within you. And, she encouraged, sketch it as you find it, so you capture that immediate feeling of inspiration. Let the process lead you, she said, echoing a design philosophy I'd almost forgotten in the structured world of tech. For me, that meant a deep dive into vintage glass decanters, the bold patterns of retro geometric wallpaper, and the tactile allure of metallic fabrics. We looked at the curves of luxury luggage, what fashion designers were trying to say in their latest collections. It was about filling the well before drawing from it.
Beyond the initial burst of inspiration, the UX questions became familiar, yet utterly new and different: Who are these glasses for? What do I want them to say? How do I translate who I am as a designer into something others will also want to buy and wear? This isn't just about drawing pretty shapes; it's about understanding the user, the wearer. Will the frame hit their cheeks when they smile? Does it sit right on their nose bridge, or will it slide? Are the top lines creating awkward "double eyebrows" or giving the illusion of a crooked frame? We learned to use existing eyewear, not to copy, but as a starting point – a foundational blueprint from which to experiment, modify, and explore entirely new shapes. It’s design, it’s art but with a deeply human focus.
Firing up the tech side
The afternoon shifted gears, and today the pace quickened with our Rhino 3D lesson today. My tech background usually makes new tools feel like old friends, but today, the speed of the lesson was a little daunting. I found myself scribbling notes that probably won’t make sense later but I think when I have a moment to think about what I’m trying to do and with the tools I have available now-a-days I need to relax a bit. It's a familiar feeling from my early days in UX, tackling complex new platforms. This weekend, you can bet I'll be watching YouTube tutorials, reinforcing the concepts and getting my brain more comfortable with the new interface. Old habits, new tools.
It did not help that we were on the top floor of the old palace, some AC but not much.. The skies were starting to get very dark. Then just as the mental gears were grinding, the skies opened up! A spectacular thunderstorm! Downstairs, we heard whoops and hollers celebrating the dramatic, cooling break from the punishing 100-degree heat. Maybe it was the fresh air, or maybe it was the relief that came with pushing through a challenging lesson, but maybe this was a breakthrough for me too ;) A reminder that sometimes, clarity comes after the storm, both literally and figuratively.
Tomorrow, it’s back to the library for books and magazines for more inspiration, more collecting. Because if there’s one thing I’m learning here, it’s that to truly design, you first have to truly see. And now I am opening my eyes to all the possibilities.
