We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Dery recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nicole, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
What a great question! Creativity can be defined in lots of different ways. For me, creativity is the generative use of imagination and observation.
I keep creativity alive by prioritizing it as a daily practice which means saying no to a lot of other things. You can’t be good at what you don’t do and, unfortunately, we are often rewarded for following past formulas for success that encourage us to shut down or ignore our own imagination. We all know we are in a historical moment where we really need to observe where we are and use our strongest visionary muscles to imagine where we need to be. And not just on a macro scale but in our own lives, when we’re engaging in collaboration or caretaking– even (perhaps especially!) when we are focused on competition. There is potential inspiration at every level and the stakes are clear. Making sure there is some kind of creative practice in the days, weeks, years of your life can be a critical source of strength and resilience.
One example of what I mean by creative practice is my choice to hang out and learn with my friend who is 6 years old. She’s a natural creative, as we all are at that age. She reminds me that the seemingly mundane activities of life provide ample opportunity for creative play. For example, when we’re walking somewhere, we often play some impromptu games informed by the structure of the sidewalk we’re walking on. If it’s slate and irregular, we might jump over the cracks, imagining there is lava underneath. If it is smooth concrete, we might imagine it’s a snake’s back and try to figure out how we can step lightly without disturbing it, etc.
If I open my mind to the ways she follows, ignores, adapts and creates rules I often get ideas about the type of creativity we need to bring to our problem solving at work. Exploring how we can turn a routine chore into an experience that challenges us has a direct correlation to how we can turn necessary work tasks (quickbooks reconciliation comes to mind) into something meaningful and potentially, occasionally, inspiring!
I also find that my physical environment has a dramatic effect on my mood and my cognitive ability. I also have a special place in my office designated for playing with ideas. If I need to do something generative, I often pop over to that little section of my space to work on it. I keep tools that serve as visual reminders about where I am and why (in my case, lots of colored pens).
If I am banging my head against a metaphorical wall – if I’m stuck I often leave the office entirely and go outside for a walk. Sometimes I stop and treat myself to a coffee at my neighborhood coffee shop and set my thoughts free for a designated period of time before returning to the problem or challenge. The trick is to come back to it after shifting perspective. That’s the discipline component. Always come back to it.
Many of these techniques I learned for myself after taking a course by Jocelyn Glei. https://jkg.co/, which inspired me to be self-reflective about my own patterns and to use that information in shaping my habits.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
At Allelo, our mission is to use the power of design to help create a more equitable and regenerative economy. What we do to serve that mission is help climate technology companies design products and stories that have direct, measurable downstream impact.
What is super exciting about this work is the moment we are in. Climate change offers us a powerful, potentially beautiful set of compelling motivations for change, along with some well-defined design constraints. And the urgency with which we need to create and deploy new systems adds intensity to the work. It’s work that’s both crucial and exhilarating!
We’re currently expanding our collaborative reach by hosting a series of events aimed at redefining design processes. These gatherings are for designers, artists, and visionaries keen on shaping sustainable futures. We’re not just designing; we’re building a community committed to meaningful change.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Reflecting on my journey, curiosity, a willingness to learn from mistakes and experimentation, and an awareness of context have each been pivotal. I would add a fourth which is necessary for all of the others, which is a willingness to connect and collaborate with others.
Early in my career, I felt I needed structure or some kind of formal arrangement like a specific job in order to try things. I almost felt like I needed permission. But I didn’t. If I had it to do over again, I would embrace a greater bias toward action and connection– especially action that supports and serves collaboration.
My best advice is to practice every chance you get and see every chance you get as a practice. Embrace uncertainty, cultivate the qualities you want through consistent iteration and revision, and approach both successes and setbacks with a learning mindset. Always, always be kind to yourself and others.
How would you describe your ideal client?
Our ideal clients are founders and investors who are deeply committed to generating positive social and environmental impact as a cornerstone of their path to prosperity. They recognize the transformative power of design in reshaping experiences, organizations, and global markets towards a better future. These clients are visionaries committed to long-term goals who are willing to learn and revise in order to reach them. They value playfulness, imagination, and humor as essential elements of innovation. They aim to create businesses that not only succeed but also contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.allelodesign.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-dery/
