This is an old logo design I did years ago

This is an old logo design I did years ago. Just something I found in an Illustrator file while looking for something else.

Logo design isn’t something I do much of in my current role, But I feel like this speaks to creative work (and problem solving) in general.

Notice how I have options splattered everywhere, Artboards are ignored, Half-formed ideas are scattered around like socks in my toddler’s room. And I’d consider this a pretty clean working file. 🫣

Some of those ideas? Pretty good. Some? Instant regrets. But the chaos? The mess? That’s the work. That’s design. That’s writing. That’s creativity. That’s what problem solving is all about.

You try something, and you delete it. You chase down a concept, hit a dead end, then try again. You beat your head against your Wacom tablet… Okay, fine, I’ve never been fancy enough to own one of those, But I’ve definitely smacked my desk hard enough to count.

Then, out of nowhere… something clicks. Suddenly, what felt hopeless comes together in about 7 minutes.

Then you move on to option 2.

Here’s what I know: The struggle isn’t wasted. The mess isn’t a mistake. The chaos? All part of the process.

You often have to work through what doesn’t work to find what does. And any problem worth solving rarely has a super easy answer.

So if you’re up against writer’s block, a design wall, or just life being, well, life… Give yourself some grace. Keep chipping away. You’ll get there. Eventually.

And then, you get to start working on the client’s revisions. 🙃