Sean Adams: Lessons in Fear

Sean Adams of AdamsMorioka presented his life and work through lessons in fear to AIGA KC last night. Sean is a bold designer and presenter that you would assume fearless. He wove in examples of fears and wisdom into an entertaining presentation. His fear of change (tropophobia) wiped out by 22 moves across the country as a child - instilling in him tremendous adaptability. His stories culminating in the inspiration to never be afraid of your gut. And ultimately, never be afraid of who you are.

A couple interesting details.
1. Sean’s boldness is a voice for design value
Sean’s firm presents only ONE logo choice to clients - they do, however, reveal their ENTIRE process and applications of the final recommendation. Many shops (out of fear) present three concepts and let the client choose. He gave a real world analogy of a Dr. giving you three options to choose from. Don’t you want the Dr.’s expert opinion?

If everything has been laid out and communication goals are met this approach can ring true for aesthetic solutions - trust the designer. But, one would argue that there is never ONE solution. If you took the same creative brief and business objectives to three different firms, you’ll get 3 different results.

And when it comes to solving business problems with the design process. The designer may be the facilitator, while the janitor, CEO, strategist, etc. may be the colaborative experts in the solution.

2. Visual trickery
AdamsMorioka fabricated a 64 page research document with bahavioral insights and statistics profiling “the designer”. A BEAUTIFULLY done document with charts, graphs, and information graphics to describe quirks and insights. Did I mention the book was filled with absolute rubbish?

A testimony to the fact that designers don’t read. And a supporting example of how great design can visually trick the viewer into legitimizing content as fact.

3. Humor breeds fearlessness
Sean down-played his work and concepts, and even made fun of their own mission statement. His ability to laugh off failures and not take work TOO seriously extinguishes his fears. In an extreme sense its like saying “Whats the worst that could happen?” Well, if that does. I’ll learn from it and maybe even laugh at it. So much for fear.