I have been wanting to make something out of my life my entire life. And I was determined that absolutely nothing would stop me.
I wasn’t even aware that that was what I was doing. I was more conscious of avoiding the constant obstacles that pop up in each of our lives. I didn’t really have a plan, or even an ultimate goal. I just knew that where I was, was not acceptable. Even at moments when I was fairly satisfied, I just simply wanted more.
Curiosity consumed me.
I had to learn more.
About everything.
In many ways, I didn’t create my life; the path I accidentally built led me to it. I was just there to make a choice. Do I go this way or that way? Learning helped me make the right choices. I learned from my family, the “streets”, and many people that crossed my path, who taught me — sometimes by accident—that “improvement” is just in front of you. All you have to do is reach for it.
There are many moments in my life, some of which were key, that have not left me to this day. I clearly remember the feeling of inspiration entering my body, revealing the answer I was looking for, and realizing how truly simple it was, but only after someone shared it.
We all walk behind someone’s footsteps. Someone before us created something special. Something that changed the world. An act that reveals new options for others to follow. Or even simple kindness that opens your heart and helps you become the better person that you are searching to be.
One of the most significant changes I made in my life was moving to Chicago. And it happened simply because I got a job offer to come. I’m ashamed to admit here that I didn’t even know where Chicago was. I grew up in Cuba, then moved to Miami. I was completely isolated in my own little world.
I saw snow here for the first time in my life. I was astonished at the skyscrapers and the architecture. I had never even seen a brick house before. When I experienced Winter, it made me curious to find out why people chose to live here, and I wondered about the reason for the city’s establishment in an area that makes life so difficult, especially 100 years ago.
The laundry list of innovations born in this city is absolutely astonishing. I will mention a few here: First Skyscraper (1885), First Open Heart Surgery (1893), Birth of Mail-Order Retail (Sears, Montgomery Ward), First Controlled Nuclear Chain Reaction (1942), Birthplace of Chicago Blues & House Music.
I see all of these as gestures of humanity.
It is what I believe creativity is.
A few years ago, I received yet another unexpected gift via an email from Christian Solorzano. He invited me to participate in his newly founded Chicago Graphic Design Club’s podcast via an interview. At the time, I did not understand the implication of this exchange.
We have spent many moments together since then and have become good friends for various reasons. Still, one that stands out is his unrelenting dedication to improving everything he touches.
He practices Zen, is a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt, founded the Chicago Graphic Design Club, produces the publication Faculty, runs a music program, hosts a podcast, organizes club events, teaches, and operates his freelance creative studio — all while holding a full-time job. He is infectious, and everyone who meets him, without exception, wants to help him in some way to improve the Chicago design community.
I am no different and willingly contribute as often as I can.
In his quest to position the club as a positive beacon for our community, we embarked on a search for a positioning statement or tagline that would frame our intentions to be inspirational.
We wanted to underscore the magic of our craft, how fortunate we are to be a part of it, and how deeply it can change society through the simple yet complex process of sharing a powerful idea. GO DO BETTER. We can all do it in our own way. It offers no excuses, shows no bias. It is the ultimate embrace of crafting a better world for no other reason than to make it better. Not a bad goal.
GO DO BETTER.
