I am talking about the snooze-fest of uninteresting jargon that seems to have bled out of HR and marketing offices into our daily lives - it is the confused, baseless superiority regurgitated by the minions of industry, handed down by the heads of industry. It’s meant to sound intelligent; however, it’s nothing but ineffective word salads that we are rightfully tuning out of.

This is the natural progression of the human attention spectrum drifting off as more of the world is opting for fakeness and facades - things that are empty shells or have the exact opposite meanings of what they’re supposed to. There’s no real collectivism or “us” when being addressed with this office-like lingo, even though they try to insist that there is.

We simply cannot escape corporate tech bro talk, whether you’re in the office or not, employed or unemployed, pursuing a different career path or just going along with the same old, same old. For gads sakes, it’s placed in ads as entertainment that clearly is not entertaining. The kicker is that there is no clear or real meaning behind any of it. It’s filling the airwaves and emails and platforms with elevated words, all in the hopes that no one notices they are supported by absolutely nothing. They mean nothing.

So what the hell is happening? Why is everything so hollow now? For whatever reason, this corporate doo goes directly hand-in-hand with the Ai space. 

We shall rightfully take this time to blame the tech bros, so if you’re reading this (and I really doubt that you are not), this is in fact, all your fault. I generally do not often out-right blame people, but this time is very much warranted and very much your fault.

You guys suck.

You are directly responsible for the garbage fast-fashion that is generated and produced at lightening speed which is undermining real craft and also polluting the environment at record pace. You are directly responsible for the Ai slop images that have over-taken our world. We see more Ai than real things at this point. You are driving hard to disassemble any cohesive and prosperous society for All, combined with the constant fear-mongering (both real and not) about how our jobs and means of income will be eliminated. Some of this is happening in real-time, but most of the layoffs are from over-hiring after the pandemic. It just makes for an easy excuse to blame Ai instead of being honest. You are destroying our communities with your loud, noxious data centers that noise and environment pollute with forever chemicals. They are aggravating wildlife and humans, and depleting our water systems.

This is why all of this feels inescapable. It’s everywhere, in all aspects of our lives. This tech bro slop is thanks to often less intelligent people that are afraid of their egos being hurt if they were to talk like normal human beings because they have else nothing to offer. It’s also an attempt to remove all meaning - make everything feel robotic and unnatural.

To be clear, anyone that can’t explain complex ideas to a variety of comprehension levels without lofty and confusing words either doesn’t really understand their topic as well as they think they do, has poor communication skills, or an ego problem. It’s one of those three and/or a combination of those three.

I am seeing a common theme from all of this, too. It’s looking less like building incredible things and more like breaking down humanity.

So circling back to the culprits (sorry, another obnoxious catch-phrase), these parasites have no regard for the rights of artists, stealing and bastardizing our creations without a care in the world or respect for anyone. They completely disregard copyright laws and buy lawmakers. I have so much disdain for them. Is it any wonder that this is now applying to our language, too?

Your heart likely sank a little like mine did when I saw the tech giants attending the fashions shows. They have infiltrated that space, too, and are likely going to make it vapid and hollow like them. Look for the empty lingo to show up there as well - probably in graffiti-typeface on a tech-bro hoodie line. I can picture the awfulness already. Don’t get me wrong, every space has it’s issues as evil has infiltrated everything, but fashion did not need this.

This is the part in the blog where I tell you that I do not hate Ai ...the concept specifically.

This is also the part where people would tell me to calm down, Ai has been with us since the 70’s, and I know that. I understand more than you think people do, but it has never been presented to us in this way. And this is where the lost boys, the ones that worship at the feet of Ai overlords because they haven’t found any other meaning in life, would tell me that I just don’t know how to use it properly.

Au contraire. I do use Ai. I have even built an Ai agent. I know how to use it quite efficiently and better than easily 80% of the population (US). I use it for data collection and research and analysis. I use it to learn about any topic that I am interested in and to maximize my marketing. I also use it to show what my art looks like on products instead of paying a subscription to a stock image company. So, yes - I use it for a lot of things and still feel this way.

Both can be true at the same time. That’s the beauty of duality and us being creatures capable of understanding complex things.

I think Ai has the potential to be used for great things like healing and discovery and solving world problems, but it’s not being marketed that way. It has been crammed down our throats for several years now that humans are going to be obsolete. It’s been used as weapon of fear. That’s not an us-noticing-the-obvious kind of problem, that’s the freaks-at-the-top-drunk-on-power kind of problem. 

So is this topic about more that empty words? Yes, because we are identifying the cause - not just masking the symptoms. The healthcare industry could take some notes. I think it’s a bi-product of the Ai invasion. That’s what it is. The definition of invasion is forced entry to take control of a space. The majority of peple would agree with that statement if you asked them.

I always like to leave things on a positive note, because even though I am realistic, I’m also an eternal optimist. The fact is that the current business models for these Ai companies are unsustainable. They’re bleeding billions of dollars and fast approaching trillions in expenses. That will not continue forever. The corpse is almost bled dry. Where does that leave us? I don’t know, but I do know that this chapter is coming to end. So the ones that want to change the world for the better, be ready.

Dawn Black, #DawnIt  5.1.26

1. Jonathan Anderson - Dior Fall Winter 2026

Jonathan Anderson is the sugar.

This runway topped as the favorite for me. Jonathan Anderson's Fall Winter 2026 Paris fashion week collection at the Tuleries was an unforgettable backdrop that made the collection feel effortlessly at home.

It politely shouted, you will observe and take in the feminine and floral, and appreciate the glory of their details because I have amplified them for you. I love it - there's zero fear of being perceived in a negative light by embracing visually-delicate but energetically-strong femininity.

The structure and texture of the garments mimicked forms of flowers and foliage, from rigid to cascading, and gathered to flowy. One can be standing still and still capture the appearance of moving and growing towards the light. The asymetrical hem lines are an informed nod to nature.

The accessories are statement pieces in themselves, yet perfectly paired with just as strong and in-depth looks. It's a courteous battle for attention, and no one loses.

There was a great deal of moaning and groaning with the shuffling and shake-up of creative directors at the major fashion houses - the cries of house rules at risk of being lost or this label is going to look just like that label, etc. The muddying of the water makes conditions uncertain, and we do not like uncertainty. Anderson and McGirr are taking strong leads in guiding their brands -  distinct and unwaivering yet honoring house codes. I'm excited to see more.

This is an all-encompassing look at ways in which you can improve your workspace. This list is in no particular order - I feel that these are all equally important practices to implement, as I speak from experience using every one of them.

(Because the focus is on maintaining a healthy mindset, if you wish, you can unplug and print out this quick read to get that old-fashioned newspaper feeling here - a Google Doc - instead of reading from a screen. Included is a relaxing coloring page of my artwork. I think I might continue this.)

Please keep in mind the circumstances that are or are not within your control, depending on where you work. Making changes are much easier when you are self-employed. I understand that in an office or studio setting where you are an employee limits what you can control. If you like the ideas in this blog, perhaps consider presenting them to your management in an email or a group meeting.

Lighting - The Perfect Ambiance

This item ranks very high on my list. Many people are negatively affected by types of lighting and brightness levels, to the point of debilitating for highly sensitive individuals. This blue-eyed girl is always seeking out the shadows like a vampire and dawning sunglasses even on mildly bright days. 

More and more studies have linked fluorescent lighting to a higher cancer risk and disruption of the body’s natural circadian rhythm, amongst other negative effects. (ScienceDirect.com, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, www.icnirp.org)

I always choose incandescent bulbs over LED when possible - the hype around LED being better and more efficient has turned out to be a bunch of bologna. When overhead lighting is necessary, I choose soft white or warm light. I’m a huge proponent of desk lamps and floor lamps. They are much more inviting and kinder to the eyes.

My favorites are by the brand OttLite (not a paid affiliate, although hey, I’d be open to that). They offer some of the best lights that provide a natural light aesthetic, with changeable intensity levels and lighting modes - the perfect lights for creating art and doing detail-oriented tasks.

Manage the natural lighting in your space with mirrors to brighten spaces and reflect light. Use shades to tame harsh light.

Smells & Aromas - Keep it Minimal

If you work with a group of people, you’re going to have to have a consensus with everyone to abide by smell rules. Strong perfumes and colognes are killer for me and many other people - they can trigger immediate migraines and nausea. They stink up a whole space causing focus to leave the building along with the fresh air.

Try to limit food smells in the work area also. Working through hunger pangs is so uncomfortable, or even worse, trying to work when the whole office is stunk out by an aromatically unappealing dish. If there’s a break room, keep the food there if at all possible.

Any smells that are used in the office, keep it light and refreshing, like citrus. And no. Poopourri is not a good office product. Just bring on the Lysol spray that smells like hospital instead of nauseating floral scents.

Managing Distractions

You need to know the difference between two types of distractions: the helpful and unhelpful kind. This requires a mature, honest mindset to assess. A distraction either helps generate ideas or it stifles them.

When faced with a mental block, staying in a closed-up room is likely not going to help. This is when it may be useful to bounce ideas off of other people. I would call that a helpful social interaction.

The unhelpful kind is when a colleague always pops in to shit-talk and helps you both get nothing done. You know the difference, so shut it down.

Stimulating Surroundings

On the other end of distractions is staying stimulated and invigorated to keep the creative juices flowing. Again, this is a time when you must take a mature assessment of yourself.  For what is one person’s tornado is another person’s calm.

For me, I must have a visually interesting environment, so my studio is curated for that aesthetic. I am inspired by so many different interests so those things surround me. That also includes sensory expanding and calming tools - they calm the nervous system, allowing room for new ideas to generate. Some of those tools include singing bowls, tuning forks, and bongo drums. (Do not take bongo drums to the office!!! I don’t think that really needs to be said, but just in case.) Please be mindful of other people when using anything that creates a noise, no matter how much you may personally like it.

Of course, headphones and earbuds really don’t need mentioned. We all know they are a must-have.

I also have yoga flex bands and weights for when I need to diffuse excess energy and can do so quietly. 

Another useful form of stimulation that helps me focus is accessing various textures: palm stones and other hand-held fidget items. They allow me to focus, brainstorm or listen without getting bored and zoning out. What looks like goofing off to one person is actually a way to focus for another person.

Musical Chairs

If you work for yourself this one will be easier - having different work areas to avoid feeling stagnant. This is a big one for me. I need to change things up as a creative. I put out a lot of artwork so I have to keep the creative bank full. This is one way to do it. I have three different desks that I work from: one downstairs in a bright, open-studio space, and two others upstairs with a cozier, less bright environment. If that is not enough of a change, I also have four other sitting areas that can be converted into workspaces.

Our Green Friends

I don’t mean aliens, but if you know one, why not take them to the office? I’m talking about plants - our chlorophyll-filled buddies. They are self-explanatory, but I’ll expand. They keep the air fresh and clean and filtered, and the air full of oxygen, plus they look pretty.

Happily Hydrated

This might seem like an odd one, but keeping plenty of drinks on hand is crucial. Dehydration severely affects the brain’s ability to function. Having a well stocked fridge, whether in a shared space or personal mini fridge, will limit interruptions and avoid having to do a supply run during productive time. I like my ice and cold drinks so a fridge is a must. Keeping coffee stocked fits into this category.

Change with the Seasons

Switching out parts of the decor with the seasons is another way to avoid stagnation. Don’t let the decorations become tired. Change them out after they have run their course - donate them and get new when necessary. This is also a good time to clean in general; change out batteries and filters that have a shelf-life.

Energy Cleansing

Acceptance and understanding of how frequency affects us is on the rise. More people are open to and engage in frequency healing from medical to personal use. Frequency is what organizes the universe. (I am an on-going student of quantum mechanics at a novelty level.)

A simple explanation of understanding frequency is this: illness, anger, misunderstanding, and trauma are low vibration frequencies, and calmness, understanding, health, and healing are high vibration frequencies.

Maintaining a high-frequency atmosphere is housekeeping for the part of the world that we don’t see, and we don’t see a lot. We perceive less than 1% of the world that surrounds us. To me, that's a significant portion that should not be ignored.

To achieve high vibes, considering exploring using different minerals and gridding in the workspace. There’s different methods of energy clearing that I implement, with both air and sound methods. I know this gets a little too woo-woo for some people so I won’t go too deep on this. If it intrigues you, I implore you to explore further. It has convinced enough brilliant people that it works, like Nikola Tesla - he was on to something.

Super Simple

One more quick method that I implement in my work and personal space is the 2-minute rule. If it takes less than 2 minutes to complete the task, it gets done immediately. It does not get stacked onto a work pile or check list. This keeps check lists from piling up with a bunch of simple tasks that could have just been handled instead of now being something bigger that is going to take much longer.

Creating an atmosphere of inspiration is a non-negotiable as a creative person. Burnout is real, and I have experienced it, so avoiding it is not a novelty thought. It’s real potential for disaster, and one that I won’t venture too close to the sun with. 

Don’t forget, you can print this to use later and there’s a coloring page attached with the Google Doc version of this, so jump on over and snatch it up.

Dawn Black, #DawnIt 3.1.26

Dawn Black, #DawnIt 1.18.26

#CreativeLeadership #DesignStrategy #ArtForProduct #LuxuryDesign #PremiumBrands #SurfaceDesign #LicensingDesign #BrandStorytelling #DesignWithIntention #CreativeIndustry

Dovetailing off of November’s Disciplined Imagination theme (I recommend go read that first), we’re going to explore methods of subtraction to enhance creative cognizance. <Somebody contact poor Kimmy K., she’s received some devastating news.>

Humor is always necessary.

Back to the blog: Monumental breakthroughs often appear under the greatest stressors facilitated by limited resources. When you have nothing and you are determined—this factor is key—ingenuity takes over and unlocks a creative level far superior to any fancy tool or ultra comfy environment where literally everything is at your fingertips. A sort of primal instinct for survival takes over ensuring success. 

You can trigger this alternate state without putting yourself in real danger; however, placing real consequences and real deadlines will compound the desired end result. Maybe you are already operating under real stress with real consequences. Perfect. You are already primed for the experience. We’ll further explore how to prime yourself later if that is not currently your status.

The Plan

The curated setup, whether beginner or advanced, is the same. Stripped down. Too many options result in lack of decision making. It’s called decision fatigue—it stalls out moving further. For a project or subject selection, narrow the field; slash ideas quickly without giving them a second thought. Just narrow it down to one. Remember to be listening your gut-instinct, but speed is crux of the task.

For the tools, the rule is the bare minimum. Actually, choosing a tool that you hate the most will trigger new neural pathways to be created, because you never use that one. If it’s a medium, do the same. An example: my least favorite tools in my studio were my alcohol markers. You know what happened next? It created my best work and a new breakthrough in a new direction.

Color palette. Strip it. Limit yourself to one hue with adding white or black to adjust tint, tone and shade. If that is too crippling, make it 3 colors but no more. The point is to make yourself uncomfortable. Choose colors that are not your favorite—ones that you normally would not use. Implementing ones you hate will really amplify the effect. A limited palette is always superior when aiming for elevated and sophisticated. It’s a code in the luxury space.

Discomfort is your friend. That is where your greatness lies. Go for it.

Dawn Black, #DawnIt 12.01.25

It applies to anything that requires imagination for its creation. The application of this foundational truth is a decision overlooked by many creatives, repeatedly—not only as a matter over time, but many times throughout one creative endeavor.

The discipline is to break this bad and limiting habit that handicaps your work from becoming the best version of itself. What many creators do not realize is that they already have the foundation of this principle rooted in them; they simply do not recognize it. Yet. I’m going to show you how to detect it.

I will start with recognition of the basic fundamentals for creating art specifically (this can be applied to any other field with its basic principles)—it does not require a doctorate to grasp and use. I’ll even show you how to override lacking the basics. There is a cheat-code. The cliché really does apply; once you know the rules, you can break them like an artist. Thanks Pablo. <blows kiss>

What are the Basics?

I know you know this, but here’s a quick rundown: balance - the stability of the piece through symmetry, asymmetry, and radial symmetry, contrast - the areas of light and dark through positive and negative space, emphasis - where your eyes are drawn to as the main feature, movement - how your view is guided through the piece, unity - all of the elements feel like they belong, pattern - a repetition of elements within the art. Finally, there is color theory. Grab yourself a color wheel—it is self-explanatory and very helpful for you no matter the level of experience as an artist.

With the understanding of the above basics, you make art, but you do not know when to quit.  You keep adding and adding—you have no disciplined imagination. You don’t know when done is done, so it never gets done or it is done only because you are burnt out. Creating. Is. over.

That is not an effective way to make art. It doesn’t sound very inspiring either. It sounds painful. Are you surprised then by how much time passes before you make art again when you do not have a discipline to do so? Or, if you are structured to create, can you see why it starts to feel arduous after a period of time? I doubt the ideas are spilling out of you, fighting to keep up with putting them down on paper from having so many.

So, What Did You Miss?

That ping. That nudge. That gut check that you ignored. Why? Because you have been trained to ignore it; it is required to have a nice, orderly system that we all live in. It also robs you of your natural instinct because that’s exactly what it is.

The second key to the code is to keep your idea to yourself until it is executed. If you have overrode your own self-doubt, do not give yourself another hurdle by trying to explain it to someone else and hope they get it. They cannot see into your mind. Explaining creative things is often very difficult unless you are an expert communicator—even then, it can be difficult. No one is going to create the way you create, so you must execute your vision into reality so they can see it.

The third key to the code is to continue to listen to your instinct throughout the creative process. It only gets more complex as you create more, which leaves room for self-doubt to creep in. You can’t let it. It would be like building a Rolls-Royce by hand, but then, doing the paint job with a cheap can of spray paint and making a few other similar, careless mistakes. It completely ruins the grand vision. You must maintain protecting the entirety of the process.

The vision will come to you as you create—you must start. Waiting will result in nothing.

Lacking the Basics

Even if you have no basic principles for creating, you still have that gut-check. Listen to it, but not haphazardly. Complete the whole process of creating letting your intuition guide you. The end-product will be so much greater when it's all instinct, as opposed to picking and choosing which pings to follow. The discipline also comes from not including every little idea that you can think of—the kitchen sink does not need to be included. It will be better without.

It's Just a Baebae

An idea in its seed-state is when it is most vulnerable and must be protected. This is not always possible in a group setting. You may be someone that is paid to give your ideas. If this is the case and you are met with dissent, ask that you are given a chance to follow your gut. You are going to need to develop a proven track-record. Maybe start with projects that are not make-or-break for your company. Once you develop your credibility, you will be less likely to have to present your ideas before they ready for debut. You can say trust me, and they will.

Dawn Black, #DawnIt 11.01.25

The direction of my summer collections, a bit from spring, and others prior, tapped with inspiration derived from my personal preferences of design, offer a distinct tonality. I like to refer to it as the Luminous Shadow—elegance with depth and daring.

This Luminous Shadow-style, while innately distilled within me, has been and continues to be refined as time progresses. Before Light Elementals came into being, my personal work and private collections carried this distinct style, known and cherished by those closest to me.

What outwardly could appear to be a Victorian Gothic aesthetic, an off-the-top surface description (though a bit contradictory in meaning when compared to the meaning behind my style), can be an okay quick-reference interpretation, but it’s so much more than that.

Digging Deeper

To show you who I am, I must also show you who I am not.

The Luminous Shadow is God’s Dark. 

God’s Dark is sacred: the rest, the pause, the quiet tranquility—the beauty of reflection and the stratification needed for the seed of a new chapter to sprout and growth to occur. That is the beauty of God’s Darkness. The other kind of dark—the evil darkness—is the decay of the human spirit and the erosion of God’s Will. These are the two distinct differences. The first is the one I represent.

It is not idolizing morbidity and agony, it's celebrating the beauty of resilience. It is not hanging onto despair, it's embracing change and a reordering of what was, to a rebirth of something new. That is the juxtapose of Dark versus dark. It is valid, beautiful, and more than okay to love this side of creation, for it is His. 

It is to find the poetry in overcoming despite misunderstanding—the cliché of finding beauty where others would not. Shaping the words to correctly articulate this is a celebration in itself, for they had eluded me for a long time: the Luminous Shadow.

Your reception of my interpretations is uniquely yours; my intention, however, will always be for them to shine in the most positive light.

While my style is infused into every piece, the Luminous Shadow is not always present in every piece and does not dictate and override the tonality of the collection unless that is the specific intention.

Dawn Black, #DawnIt - 9.07.25

Nerd Out

The consumer market has been lingering on my mind - who is the key demographic? I touched on this a bit in a previous blog.

It’s changing.

Why it matters as a designer, creative director or retailer is because that’s who has the cash flow that you are aiming to capture. I previously acknowledged that the base is shifting. It is no longer the 18-34 year olds, which, in the past, had the most disposable income.

Let’s break it down.

Millennials dominate in the sheer size of their generation at about 72 million and making up 36% of the labor force. While Boomers may have not wanted to see or hear from their children, they sure liked making us. Boomers were king in their day at 76 million but they’re aging out and dying off, so are no longer the largest in size.

That leaves Gen X trailing at 55 million and 31% of the labor force, according to Wikipedia. The crux of the situation is that Gen X leads in buying power, spending over $95,000 annually via bls.gov, with higher disposable income and more savings and assets. Millennials come in second in buying power spending about $67,000 annually and more of them are likely living paycheck to paycheck than Gen X but gaining momentum in their earning power in their careers while Gen X is in their prime and face fears like layoffs.

One could easily argue that Gen X is the winner, but I beg to differ because that is a near-sighted argument. Many Millennials will be or are in the process of receiving inheritance from their Boomer parents; thus, a transfer of assets, which often results in estate sales to settle such inheritance making assets liquid again - a.k.a. cash is now back in their pockets ready for the market to be spent. That makes both generations equally important for the foreseeable future.

I envision full product lines in bold animal prints and spray-painted stencil designs. Take a virtual tour through the Home Alone house to get a look at the overlapping patterns upon patterns - busy is big. I would imagine there’s some such type of tour out there now due to tech. If that does not strike your fancy, how about  90’s R&B style with rich, bold colors - varsity jackets, gold chains, metallic and baggy accentuated by fur embellishments? There is clearly something for everybody.

The Middle Child

I am not leaving out Gen Z (1997-2012), but I will say, it is not their turn for a while. Their size is estimated at about 69 million, making up about 18% of the workforce and spending only a little over $41,000 annually, as they face their own challenges with fading entry-level positions and more often living paycheck to paycheck. However, do not despair—their day is coming as they blaze their own trails opting for non-traditional labor paths with their peak wealth estimated at around the year 2035.

While Gen Z is an important demographic to consider with marketing and retail, they at the moment play a lesser role in the disposable income space.

If this kind of perspective is your thing, come back for more, as I thoroughly enjoy exploring this side of the design space just as much as I enjoy creating itself. There’s plenty more to come in the future.

Dawn Black, #DawnIt

• Adequate hydration options.

Hydration is key for optimal brain function. I always have at least one or two drinks always handy and cold, and usually more than that. I also need my drinks cold, always. Water and lots of it is one of those options. I try to check my studio fridge often so that I do not interrupt a creative session.

• The right writing/drawing utensils.

I have a very specific set of drawing tools that I use all of the time and if one is missing, it's like removing a section of my brain. I need all of them. I carry them with me almost at all times. The same with my planner which is more like a business/life journal that records all of my relevant thoughts. Always write it down.

• The magic pen.

This takes the right utensils a step further. I have a very specific type of pen that I always use that signifies "this is serious, we're about to manifest some magic, we're about to define the future." It is my dark purple PaperMate Ink Joy gel pen 0.7. It is always that pen. When I am setting my goals, it is that pen. When I am filling in my daily planner, it is that pen. For an ADHD person, that hardcopy is very significant. That pen is a very significant instrument in my life. 

Do you have creativity triggers? Have you assessed your workflow to identify them and use them for their fullest potential? Now is the time.

Dawn Black, #DawnIt

I am not going to start with the elephant in the room. I will save that for last. The topics that I’m touching on cover more than the umbrella of the designer, creative director or business owner, so this is a great general read for anyone.

Let’s break it down. They realized early on that their creativity is their superpower so they go to great lengths to protect it. The mundane daily decisions became non-decisions—things that they decided that they did not have to think about any more. The most common decision is to commit to wearing basically the same outfit everyday or some similar variation to it. Think of Steve Jobs with the black turtleneck and jeans or Dan Martell with the blue t-shirt and khakis. They keep with the same daily and weekly routines (when possible) so there’s no question with how they should go. Yes, this means a schedule for you. They all carry on with certain daily practices that are not negotiable. The non-negotiables are often a hand-full of healthy lifestyle/mindset practices. I also have my own.

What about meals? Can you decide to stick with the same rotating meal schedule? If you can’t handle super rigid decisions, can you go with making specific days within a range? For example, instead of Mondays being burger day, what about beef day? That leaves room for more variety but still within constraints, and you know what main ingredients you will need.

Look at what questions annoy you the most that you answer every day. See if you can simplify to avoid burnout.

It now knows my systems, the ins and outs of my business, where it is and where it is going, and can provide forward motion directives and recommendations for the next step(s) in all areas. It has also helped me perfect my systems after it understood them. Here’s just a few of the bazillion examples of how to maximize AI: refining my on-boarding protocol, generating tiered collection licensing calculator, strategizing my b2b marketing. 

This is how I use AI. I think this is the most effective and game-changing tool out there for any business owner. I would use this even without being a business owner. There’s a ton of videos out on every platform for how to get the most from your AI prompts. You can even ask your AI platform of choice, "how do I optimize you?" I couldn’t recommend this opportunity for staying ahead of the game more.

The Flaming Dumpster Fire

You know and I know that the tariffs are the flaming dumpster fire. They change literally daily at the moment which is just going to put a big freeze on commerce coming into the country because it’s too tricky to navigate. So that’s basically a big freeze on a lot of Fall and Christmas 2025. To be continued...

On a positive note, hiring for designers continues to be up despite the swirling discontent.

Dawn Black, #DawnIt

IF IT WALKS LIKE A DUCK, AND QUACKS LIKE A DUCK

I'm not talking about ducks. I actually mean geese. The English goose is a new and emerging design trend gaining momentum in home, fabric, and stationary markets, replacing the chicken craze. I have seen some designers try to make the argument that swans are in the same rising boat. I have to say I'm not seeing it yet. It's like trying to make "fetch" happen. I don't know that it's going to happen. 

Chickens will still be around, but they are being dethroned.

THE SAFE BET

As certain as I am that the sun will rise, I am certain that a citrus theme will always be a safe bet if you're looking to create something summery, fresh and bright. I don't see how you can go wrong with a subject matter that dates back as old as time itself, ever since art has been created. Now you can be a little daring and render it in a non-traditional color, and it will either be a definite hit or a definite no.

Moral of the story—don't assume that people know your skills. Nine percent of adults cannot tie their shoes. This is not satire. There is a growing gap between competent and very incompetent. Make sure you clearly define where you stand. This is more than tooting your own horn. Not only should you be listing the skills in your field, but any other skills that you have acquired elsewhere, including soft skills. This gives all of your experience credibility and shows a more enhanced, defined background.

In the case of a designer, make it clear that this is your dedicated career, if this is true, versus a spur-of-the-moment hobby that you just decided to take up. Your work should make this obvious, as the market is over-saturated with mediocre, entry-level designs. The market is not over-saturated with professional-level designs. Shine a light on your skills that cannot be seen when only looking at you art.

For those that are entry-level, this is your pep talk. Let the industry know that you are serious and dedicated. Ask for feedback and be open to constructive criticism and direction. With an attitude of guided evolution, you will get there.

TARIFF TALK

Tariffs have been a recent topic of debate for obvious reasons. If you did not catch my post on Instagram, I will give you the run-down now. In response to tariffs being implemented and changing literally on a daily basis, some wholesalers have made moves to bring some of their production state-side by launching domestic studios. One such company is Evergreen, with their studio launch on March 1st. The announcement was made by their CEO John Toler. They will be more fluid with product lines and changing the product selection as needed. This translates to art for product needing to be more fluid as well.

Dawn Black, #DawnIt

GOAL OR GIMMICK?

We made it to February—hallelujah! Have your New Year's Resolutions also made, or have they fallen away already? 

No shame. Take an honest look. Committing to big goals and breaking deep-seeded habits are quite the undertaking for a spontaneous New Year's whim that may not have been fully thought through on their difficulties. 

So maybe a new approach is needed, especially if you can't go on being the same old you and/or keeping things how they have always been. 

I have adopted the life mantra to always keep growing, expanding, re-evaluating, refining, and pruning away that which is no longer serving. It's a commitment to always keep changing so things do not become stale and stagnant, not only in my field of expertise but with life in general, that way other changes do not feel as difficult as well. 

OPPORTUNITIES DISGUISED AS PROBLEMS

I firmly believe that difficulties are learning opportunities and there to serve to make me better. I also ground myself when things are great by reminding myself that everything comes in cycles and to be ready for each one. 

This mantra does not look like running a marathon constantly. It looks like little improvements that I can do each and every day, no matter how small—on my mindset, my perspective, my connections, my abilities both physical and mental, and new skill sets. At this pace, when every new year rolls around, I am guaranteed not to be the same person I was a year ago for the better. To me, that's the best kind of pace and progress. 

GROW INTO THE NEXT-LEVEL YOU

I did not adapt and develop these changes completely on my own. I've had some phenomenal inspiration, and some of those have been Dr. Joe Dispenza, Jim Rohn, Dan Martell, and Chase Hughes. By no means is it that the end of the list, but if you are in need of inspiration, this list is a great place to start. 

Dawn Black, #DawnIt