1. Do good work
5 ideas on how to make good work
& do what you like to do everyday
Observation & insight from life as a creative professional
Working in great agencies, with inspiring colleagues
Solving brand & marketing problems
Producing good work with others in key global markets

2. Quality Material. Careful
Inspection. Good
Workmanship. All combined in
an effort to give you a perfect
painting.
John Baldessair – American Painter Born 1931.
That’s the painting.

3. A simple message in beautifully rendered black type hand-drawn
on a cream surface.
The original is in the J. Paul Getty Museum L.A.
A postcard reproduction is on my office pin board.

4. Here’s the thought
Each component of this message reminds me of what we do as
creative professionals and why:
all combined
to give you
a perfect painting – or in our case, a perfect brand,
design, structure, idea, image, campaign
We should seek perfection more often.

5. Mies van der Rohe – one of the pioneers of modern architecture

6. Mies van de Rohe the great German-
American pioneer of modern architecture
was asked by Chicago students – what is
your secret?
He simply stated: ‘Do Good Work’

7. So profound.
So clear.
The ultimate is to do good work, and
that’s what we should strive for – always.

8. Average work is just that - average.
The difference between simply adequate
and good work - is more often about the
intent, purpose and determination of the
designer, the commitment to do good
work, and the persistence that brings
inspiration to life.

9. It’s a matter of design, how we
design our life
How do we measure our life?
By what we do every day.
Essentially that’s a design problem, and
one we can have an effect on.

10. 5 ideas on the design problem
#1
Give yourself permission
to make
constructive criticism
at all levels

11. # 2
Choose what you want to do & how
you spend your time.
What do you like to do every day?
You can design a life that works
based on what matters to you!

12. # 3
Connect with individuals
and mentors of all ages & disciplines
Design is a problem-solving process
Collaboration expands the range of
inspiration & opportunity

13. # 4
Find the quest in question &
the inform in information.
Curiosity is your friend.

14. # 5
Be consistent in your purpose
Do some good work
Have some fun
Be clear to others*
* Inspired by the words of Richard Saul Wurman – architect, designer, polymath,
coined the term ‘Information Design’ & founder of TED

15. Adrienne Bateup-Carlson
Ideas & insights that shape brands.
Adriennebateupcarlson@cxaspac.com
Twitter @CarlsonAdrienne