"Everything worthwhile takes time."

October 4th, 2013, 12pm

It was 12.2°C with overcast. There was moderate breeze.

Perhaps my favorite moment of Design Camp this past weekend was lunch with Debbie Millman (!).

(Well, after Jessica & Russ’ epic karaoke rendition of End of the Road, but that’s another moment…)

At our roundtable discussion over cold sandwiches and boring salad, one girl raised her hand.

“I don’t know, I’m just so unmotivated. I just got fired from my job, too.”

Debbie listens to her intently. “How old did you say you were?”

“… 22.”

“And what job?”

“… at a malt shop.”

Silence.

“Look, honestly—you should be glad you got fired. And 22?! 22?! You’re not allowed to be unmotivated at 22! You better get your portfolio together, now.”

“Yeah, but…”

Debbie starts to raise her voice. “No! Now. You have to do it now. Get it together! You just have to start. NOW.”

We all sat in silence like kids after a good scolding—nothing like getting a much-needed ass kicking over lunch with Debbie. We all looked at each other—although Debbie wasn’t yelling at us, she could have been. We were all stuck, one way or the other. (In fact, it felt more like a group therapy session than a design discussion.)

Later, she smiles. “Hey Sarah? I wasn’t too hard on you, was I?”

I don’t know about her, but this was just what I needed.


David Wade, Paul, Cassie, Craig and 7 others said thanks.

Share this moment

Christine Herrin

Designer. History major. Memory keeper, paper hoarder, frequent flyer.

Create a free account

Have an account? Sign in.

Sign up with Facebook

or