The Beginning of My Design Journey
As far back as I can remember, I've always been drawn to designing things. It's a passion that's been ingrained in me since childhood, where every problem sparked a creative solution waiting to be crafted. One of my earliest memories comes from a simple moment during my bedtime routine.
As a kid, I loved listening to music as I drifted off to sleep. My rotation of tapes including instrumental Hosanna Praise, Michael W. Smith, and Wayne Watson. However, there was always a pesky problem that interrupted my peaceful evenings. My cassette tape player had a habit of slipping down between the trundle bed frame and the wall. Night after night, I'd reach out in frustration, fumbling around in the dark to rescue my fallen device from the abyss below.
But instead of accepting this nightly nuisance, I decided to take matters into my own hands. With the determination of a budding designer, I set out to solve the problem once and for all. Armed with a vision and a newfound sense of purpose, I embarked on a DIY project that would start my life of designing things.
My Papa had a wood-working barn and was one of my sources of encouragement and inspiration, so I took my idea to him to ask for help. I wanted to create a wooden box to hold my cassette tape player that would fit on top of my bed frame. Together we planned, measured, sawed, glued, and assembled the pieces until my creation took shape before our eyes.
The result? A sturdy, custom-made holder that not only prevented my cassette tape player from slipping down but also added a touch of personal flair to my bedroom decor. As I admired my handiwork, I realized that this experience was about more than just solving a practical problem—it was about tapping into my inner creativity and bringing a vision to life.
Looking back, I see now that this childhood project was just the beginning of my journey as a designer. It planted the seed of passion that would continue to grow and evolve over the years, shaping the way I approach challenges and opportunities alike. From that moment on, I knew that design wasn't just a hobby—it was a calling, a way of seeing the world through a lens of endless possibility and innovation.
So here's to the power of design, to the endless potential of creativity, and to the journey that continues to unfold with every new challenge and every innovative solution. If you love to design, keep in mind that no matter where life takes you, you'll always be a designer at heart, ready to dream, create, and inspire others along the way.
#sewhappy,
Jamie
(Me & my Papa - circa 1998)