Required Reading

Read Strunk and White -- the points made regarding the reader are equally valid for the user. It's always about communication, and always about reaching for common ground with the person who you wish to communicate with.

Read Marshall McLuhan -- he foresaw the issues and challenges of everything we are trying to do on the web, though he didn't know what the web would be. All media is media, and as designers we mediate it for the users.

Read William Goldman -- it's always about telling a story and nobody knows story better than Goldman. He'll teach while telling stories about stories, and he'll warn you about the people (usually in a position to act as gatekeeper) who will try their best to turn every story into something else.

Read before you write.

Change

The world won't change without you.

Downtime

Downtime is a break. Breaks are opportunities. Opportunities lead to things. Where are you headed?

Signposts

Requirements are meant to be signposts. Guides. Help along the way. Never roadblocks.

Story

It's always about telling a story.

Yin and Yang... and Yin

Education and experience are each worth a great deal less without the other.

The Fence

Operate within the neatly fenced boundaries of the reasonable and the practical. But every now and then, move the fence.

'Til It Fits

You should never have to "paint it 'til it matches, pound it 'til it fits." But sometimes you do.

The Best Time

It's always the best time to get started.