One of the first things humans ever did was paint the walls in caves, so we are hardwired to look for something unique that no one has ever seen before. But as the modern world rushes by, it’s easy to lose that sense of mystery and exploration. No one is looking for the Philosopher’s Stone or the sea monsters that used to dot the maps of the old world. But why not?

Some may think that this is outrageous. Clients are not looking for monsters. There is a design playbook on what is appropriate. Cookie cutter solutions to your problems that promise the right metrics. But that is also untrue. I have spent my career designing for clients ranging from enterprise leaders to agile startups and the weird and the wonderful still excites them.

And so the quest for the forbidden continues. Join me.