I enjoy trying new things, and as a result I tend to collect hobbies. Knitting, quilting, drawing, playing musical instruments, martial arts and outdoor adventure sports are all examples of activities that have caught my attention enough to dabble in. I never really quit a hobby, but there are some I keep coming back to, that become part of who I am and how I design. This is a list of those hobbies, along with my thoughts on how they help me cultivate my skill as a designer.

Calligraphy

I find the act of reading and writing to be rather magical. Using a sequence of lines, we can communicate across time and space, reading works by authors long gone from this world, written in a place we may never visit. To be able to hear the stories of people we will never meet is fascinating to me. Through the practice of calligraphy I can reflect on and explore this etherial connection with the past while myself creating a legacy that will last indefinitely into the future. As I learn and hone my calligraphic skills, I gain a greater understanding of the patience and practice required to create extraordinary texts like the Book of Kells. As a craft, the learning process has much in common with design, and I enjoy reflecting on the similarities.

Yoga

I practice Ashtanga yoga, which focuses on flowing through poses and linking breath with movement. In addition to the physical benefits, I enjoy yoga as an exercise in mental focus, to practice blocking out external and internal distractions.

Clary Sage

Gardening

In addition to providing a reason to interact directly with the earth, which I find therapeutic, gardening also is a wonderful metaphor for design. A design cannot truly live until it is planted, it thrives only under the right conditions, and some designs require ongoing care, while other thrive with neglect and work best when they fade into the background. I am enjoying learning what will grow best in what conditions, and which plants best meet my needs in this place.

Photography

I believe in any endeavor enthusiasm is the most important key for success, so I am proud to call myself a photography enthusiast. I am not after the perfect picture, and I do not aspire to sell my photos as works of art. I am interested in the thought process, techniques, and skill that goes into taking a photo, and the usefulness of the photograph once taken.