What is an 'elegant solution'?
“If there is anything to do, there is certainly a best way to do it, and the best way is both the most economical and the most graceful.” - Inazo Nitobe
To me, an elegant solution is a well-considered, intentional response to a complex situation. It achieves the maximum desired effect with the smallest or simplest effort, and the most joy. It has clarity of purpose and meaningful connections to its various contexts. It will almost never emerge on the first attempt.
There are three conditions that I aim to meet in all of my work:
Enable real people to act on their the passions, talents, and interests at every stage - especially if they otherwise couldn’t have.
Give strength to: local cultural practices, moral and ethical obligations, legal requirements, and environmental limits.
Create the conditions for more people to do the same, in more places, more often. Show and tell.
I'm an advocate of systems thinking, human centred design, regenerative principles, strengths-based practice, circularity, and reindigenization.
My aspiration for society is that everyone, everywhere, has the conditions they need to live a life of meaning and dignity. I believe that those who add the most value to the world should get the most in return. And I know that doing what is right and good is better, faster, cheaper, and easier than the alternatives, almost all of the time.