The Hardest Lesson in Designing Anything

Yesterday, a good friend of mine was due to arrive at my studio to pick up 8 pairs of earrings she ordered for a bridal shower she was traveling to for her future daughter-in-law.

It was a last minute order, and I was in a rush to get them out the door.

An hour before she was due to arrive, I discovered a major design flaw in three pairs of the same earring design, and it all centered around a hinge that was attached with a jump ring.

Hinges are a signature component I use in a lot of my designs.

But it wasn't working consistently, and all three pairs were not hanging right because of the way I had attached the hinge.

I spent 15 minutes of precious time trying to adjust for the discrepancy. As I looked at the clock, I began to panic.

I couldn't fix the design as it was, so I made the decision to take out the hinge and reassemble what I had left.

The design was instantly cohesive and worked like it was supposed to.

And it looked better.

Sometimes what I think is essential is actually the thing that needs to be thrown out.

Once the hinge was history, the design could breathe and function properly.

Not everything we add to something is necessary. I have a tendency to cling to a part of the design that took a lot of effort or time to come up with.

But if it isn't serving the design as a whole, throw it out .

Clarity always wins.

Random fact about me: I don't eat the last bite on my plate or drink the last drink in my cup or bottle.