THIRD REVOLUTION

Kyle Schmit

In the first portfolio section of Daniel H. Pink’s A Whole New Mind, Pink gives several ways to improve the right brain skill of design. I have always considered myself a left brainer and branching out into right brain activities, like designing, has been a challenge for myself. I would prefer to pick between 2 or 3 basic options than design my own. My left brain tells me that time wise this is much more efficient and logical. However, Pink makes the point that many people are tending towards unique and customized items. From a bigger picture, right oriented, perspective I can see the merit in having someone design something themselves and still pay you for it. So, in order to further my skill of design, I decided to design some custom shoes.

At first I was apprehensive, planning on creating a plainer shoe that would be good for everyday situations. However, once I began exploring all of the color and design choices I began to understand the concept of design more clearly. When you make something yours, it is worth far more than a generic option may be. Additionally, with the use of modern technology this added benefit of design does not come at an extremely steep price. Originally, the starting price of $150 seemed extremely expensive to my usually more sensible self; but the personalization of the shoes almost tempted me enough to purchase them.

As a whole, practicing design in an easy to use platform, like Nike’s customization system, was an easy and fun way to explore the right side of my mind. As a whole, even after just one of Pink’s exercises, I feel more understanding of a “whole mind” perspective.