A note on perfectionism

Aug 3

Image credit: James Victore

If there is no such thing as perfect, does that mean there is no such thing as perfectionism? It’s a word and title that is self-appointed by a lot of designers and usually with a sense of pride, or at the very least, martyrdom.

Perfectionism is rarely about focussing on things that are “perfect” and mostly about ripping apart things that are imperfect. It focuses on mistakes and inadequacies, instead of what makes our work individually unique and different.

*Carrie Bradshaw voice* I couldn’t help but wonder, what’s the line between objectively good work and subjectively obsessive behaviour? Let me know if you’ve got it figured out. For now, here are some links.

Feck Perfuction
A book by James Victore. Still haven’t read it. Still intend to from the title alone.

Untamed
A book by Glennon Doyle. This one I have read, and I’m glad I did. Perfectionism is for the tamed. Be a goddamn cheetah.

Perfect Circle
Trying to get things perfect—in this case, drawing a perfect circle and being graded on it—is irrational and addictive.

Stay safe friends,
Gabby

Resource of the Week

A collection of beautiful commerce experiences on Shopify to help inspire designers, developers and merchants to create amazing things. This has been a super handy resource of late!

Commerce Cream

Lucky Dip Links

Looking to level up your skillset in 2020? Check out this Digital Illustration class on Skillshare by Laci Jordan.

So Laci Like

A growing collection of clean and simple icons designed specifically for products. Use how you want, without attribution.

System UIcons

Candid Classifieds

Watch the new LIVE online design competition, Battle of the Monarchs on Wednesday nights at 8 pm EST. The show begins with 4 creatives who design in real-time via stream as they race to fulfil a brief provided to them just 24 hours before.
Join a How I Built This fellow, an NYT journalist, an author, a multi-passionate artivist-scholar, and an award-winning photographer for a two-day virtual retreat for womxn this August.

You can submit a classifieds link here—it’s free! Conditions apply.

Feeling extra generous? Consider a donation of any amount to The Marsha P. Johnson Institute. Your donation helps respond to unjust violence systemically, physically, and structurally as it happens to Black transgender people.

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All resources and links are shared purely because I think they are cool, interesting, or helpful. No content is sponsored unless explicitly stated. I am open to submissions but cannot promise they will be featured.

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