Communication is important. Everyone has something to contribute and, with the arrival of new social technologies, communication professionals and designers have the opportunity to gain valuable perspectives directly from their customers. For me, good communication starts with constantly being open to the world around you. Ideas come from the most unexpected places. Functions and forms, ways of interacting, colors and fonts - we are surrounded with a rich tapestry from which to draw inspiration. As long as we're open to the dialogue.

But an idea is only the beginning, because good communication relies on good design and good design needs to be functional. It doesn't matter whether a design is for a web page, a print piece, or an interactive museum kiosk; if it isn't intuitive or doesn't feel natural, it won't be liked. I like figuring out the functionality that turns an idea into a user-centered design that speaks to its audience. I like finding solutions that provide users with an intuitive way to approach the information they want, while balancing the need to convey branding, messaging, and essential content required by businesses and institutions. In addition, I like discovering new possibilities for leveraging media. There are so many great stories to be shared.

Most of all, I like evaluating what I've created. Design is an iterative process and it is only through evaluation and refinement that designers can learn and grow. I think that process is vital to the field of communications in general.