The beauty of life and the natural environment is something that we must cherish and protect. I believe in a design that recognizes the importance of the natural world and the concept of a more beautiful and healthier world culture. This means embracing sustainability, conservation, and responsible stewardship of the environment, as well as promoting and working together to dismantle systems of oppression. If we can do these things, not only will we create a better world to enjoy ourselves - but we will also ensure the resiliency and livelihoods of future generations as well as our legacies among them. The goal of art and design is not just to create something beautiful or express ourselves, it is an act of love. It is about creating something that has the power to connect with others on a deep and meaningful level, inspire, and create a positive impact on the world. When we create something with love, we infuse our work with a sense of purpose and authenticity that cannot be replicated. Art and design are powerful tools for creating connection and meaning in the world. I believe in a design that is a testament to the power of love to transform lives and bring people together.

The world we live in is a breathtakingly beautiful and awe-inspiring place, and it is our duty as human beings to cherish and maintain it in all its sublime wonder. We are undeniably fortunate to exist as lifeforms on this planet amongst an array of universes with minimal prospects to host life as we know it. From the darkest depths of the ocean to the glimmering crusts of fissuring volcanos and the sweet whispers within the mycelium network across our planet’s soil – calling Earth’s incredible landscape home provides us with endless opportunities for arousal of the soul. Despite the incredible beauty of the natural environment, we have done a great deal of damage to it over the years. Pollution, deforestation, and overconsumption are just a few of the many ways in which we have harmed the natural world, and the consequences of our actions are becoming increasingly apparent. Climate change, natural disasters, and the extinction of many species are all direct results of our impact on the environment. If we do not act to protect the natural world, we risk losing it forever. It is time for us to recognize the beauty of life and the natural environment and to work together to design a more beautiful and healthy world culture. We must embrace sustainability, conservation, and responsible stewardship of the environment if we are to ensure that future generations not only can enjoy the same natural wonders that we do today – that they may even call this planet home.

To design a more beautiful and healthy global culture, we must first recognize the importance of the natural environment in our lives. The natural world provides us with the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat, and it is our responsibility to protect these vital resources. We must also recognize that the natural environment provides us with many other benefits, from recreational opportunities to mental and physical health benefits. I believe in a design world that embraces sustainability. This means using resources responsibly, reducing waste and pollution, and protecting the natural environment from harm by sourcing materials ethically and responsibly. We must work to promote renewable energy sources and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, which are major contributors to climate change. Conservation and responsible stewardship of the environment are essential components of designing a more beautiful and healthy global culture. The natural environment, including wildlife, habitats, and ecosystems, must be protected, and preserved in tandem with the built environment. This means making decisions that prioritize the long-term health and well-being of the planet over short-term economic gains. We need to remove the use of non-sustainable materials from our practice entirely. We must work in tandem with material scientists and related disciplines to completely overhaul our approach to shelter. Our built environments ought to be places that protect us from the elements without poisoning the Earth with toxic and non-biodegradable materials.

Designing for a more beautiful and healthy global culture also means prioritizing concepts of community enrichment and upliftment. I believe in a design that recognizes the systemic mechanisms of oppression at play. I believe in a design that disrupts and dismantles oppression. Globally we feel more divided than ever, and there is an increased focus on how we can foster connection and understanding through shared experiences. Through trauma-informed design research, we are beginning to recognize the role of our built environments in shaping our social experiences and opportunities for connection. Data and theory support a rhetorical exigency for design to continue to explore the significant relationship between an individual, their physical surroundings, their sense of dignity, and self-perceptions as connected, and worthy members of society. Ultimately, trauma-informed research in situ must be brought to the forefront of design ideation across all public projects for architectural design to continue to intercede in the movement of creating a more equitable society.

Art and design are often seen as a form of self-expression or a means of creating something beautiful. However, at their core, art, and design are acts of love. The goal of art and design is not just to create something that is aesthetically pleasing, but to create something that has the power to inspire and connect with others on a deep and meaningful level. At its heart, love is about connection. It is about creating a bond between individuals that is based on mutual understanding, respect, and empathy. When we utilize art and design, we are expressing ourselves into the void with the anticipation there will be an echo: we are also seeking to create a connection with others. We want our creations to resonate with our audience, to touch them in some way, and to create a sense of shared experience. I believe in art and design that embodies a universal language. They are not bound by cultural or linguistic barriers, and they have the power to transcend time and place. When we create art or design something, we are tapping into a fundamental aspect of human experience – our desire for connection and meaning. This is what makes art and design such a powerful act of love - the intention behind the creation. When we create something with the intention of connecting with others and creating meaning, we are infusing our work with a unique sense of purpose and authenticity. We are not just creating something for the sake of creating it, we are creating something with the intention of making a positive impact on the world around us.

A designer’s work must go beyond aesthetics and productivity for the sake of a rigid perception of perfection. I believe in a professional who creates works of art while engaging with the intention of creating connection and meaning. Whether it is a painting, sculpture, or performance art, the goal is not just to create something beautiful, but to create something that has the power to move and inspire others. This requires a deep sense of empathy and understanding of human experience, as well as a commitment to creating something that has a positive impact on the world. When we engage in the act of creation, we are putting a part of ourselves into our work. We are infusing our creations with our own unique perspectives, experiences, and emotions. This is what makes art and design so personal and meaningful – it reflects who we are and what we value. I believe in a design that reflects the very fundamentals of our existence and the planet which supports those possibilities. Life ought to be serene and simple. Our solutions to the issues that plague our planet must systematically reflect that.