Frederick D. Andres

Anyone alive and coherent within the last year can tell you what the promise of change can do. Change is by no means a new concept, though it’s presence is often viewed as unknown and risky. If change isn’t but a decision made against the established course, making that leap seems almost essential to forward progress in any facet of existence.

Admittedly, selling good design through the power of change was a lot easier three years ago. Good design was money well spent when it came from a bank on loan or through a surplus. Today though, small businesses are focused on making it to tomorrow at the cost of employees, culture and design. It’s an understandable concept, though cutting away the very substance that has held up the business community isn’t going to make it any stronger.

Business owners unsure of the power of design should take a walk around their downtown and see which shops are still around. More often than not, they’ll find small businesses like the Valona Café in Crockett, California thriving under a shallow economy, thanks in part to a business plan that still buys into good design.

It’s amazing how a small, temporary change in typical life protocol can provide a profound new perspective. Recently, a trip to the San Bernardino mountains afforded the very much overdue self reflection I had no idea I needed. As it turns out, I’ve spent the last year creating things without any sort of reflection or review. That is to say, my work and I haven’t had the proper relationship counseling I afford my special lady, family, friends and fellow workers.

I’ve decided to take the personal examination of my work as serious as the employed creation method. I’ll be making things that are worth writing about and sharing with humans. Also, I plan on actually writing more.