A Letter to Design (Part 1)

Design --

You flaunt yourself. Don’t think I don’t notice. From the moment you walk into the room, you make friends. Instantly. They trip over themselves to get close to you. You command their attention, and they ooh and ahh over you, like you’re a newborn or a Ferrari. It’s as if they’ve never seen blues or purples before. Or tasted limited edition French chocolates. But, like I said—or meant to say—I don’t mind. It’s not like I want to be seen or heard; it’s not like I sometimes feel like a shadow, inverted and invisible, in a room full of my own echoes. Would anyone hear me if I screamed? If I whispered? If I never talked again? They would, I tell myself. They just don’t know it. Yet. (Bitter, party of one, you’re table's ready…)

Sure, some say I have a complicated personality. I make people nervous. They don’t know how to talk to me. They’re unsure about my soft demeanor. Others dislike my bland wardrobe and that I never express myself beyond a few words.

I didn’t realize this was a competition: my subtle punches against your melodramatic style. To the victor go the praise! (If I hear “This looks great” one more time…)

Design, I want to believe we work in tandem—you know, you can’t have one without the other, like a Belgium Ale and a glass with the right lip. I’ll be honest, though. Lately, I feel unappreciated, like I don’t matter. Everywhere I look, there you are. Larger-than-life posters. Every Web site. T-shirts flashier than Times Square. And every time we talk, it’s about you. I just want to be noticed, appreciated and respected. Is that too much to ask?

I understand you’re under a lot of pressure. We all are. It’s a changing world, and you need to be fresh, hip and cutting-edge to keep a job. A-list today. Bird cage lining tomorrow. I get it. I really do. Nobody wants to see you succeed more than I do. Because when you reach the top, so do I.

I guess what I’m saying is this: on our way to the top—from day one—I’d really appreciate some recognition and respect. Anyhow, maybe we can chat later. Send me a text when you got the time.

Yours truly,
-- Copy