jamin.org

Obviously, I have not been writing much recently. There are a number of reasons for this. First, I needed a break from all the design thinking to remember how to function with the rest of the humans. It seems they don’t often talk about design or know what I’m talking about.

Second, I’ve had a lot to do in the way of preparing for my move to San Francisco and Nokia. I moved out of my apartment and will be leaving Pittsburgh in a few days for a road trip that I haven’t completely planned yet. In general, I’m visiting a few folks in the east, then heading to the top of the country, hitting state and national parks along the way. Some stops include Geneva, New York; Vienna, Virginia; Charlottesville, Virginia; Great Smoky Mountains; Badlands; and Glacier National Park. I’ll eventually arrive in Mammoth Lakes around early August, where I’ll stay for a bit before heading to San Francisco. I’m doing this by myself and living in my car or a yet-to-be-purchased tent. I’m pretty excited for the adventure.

Finally, it’s been difficult to blog as I have not had a laptop since mid May when we had to return the ones the School of Design let us use during our time there. Not having a laptop has really cut down all the design reading that often inspired posts. Of course, not being in school and exposed to great teachers and peers has also had its impact. But I suspect I will pick up again when I start working.

Until then, don’t expect much from me unless I bite it and buy a laptop or make posts through my iPhone from the road.

I am happy to announce that I will be joining Nokia at their new design office in San Francisco this August. The group is headed by Raphael Grignani, who inspired me with this response when I asked him what he would expect from me.

“I expect you to devise and execute with the project team digital design solutions that are compelling and relevant to people. You should be able to adapt and improve the various design methods and techniques you are familiar with to cope with challenges in designing solutions with people’s behavioral changes and their impact on society in mind. I require that you are equally comfortable in contributing or leading a project since project-lead roles rotate. I expect you to share your experiences, opinions, and passions with the others and to learn from them as well. Finally I count on you to be a thought leader that actively contributes to the design community at large - blogging, conference talks, teaching and mentoring students, etc. To sum this up, I want you to talk a lot, to ask a lot of questions, to be eager to learn, to share your opinion and to value creativity above else.”

If you read my blog and know me, you’re probably thinking, “That sounds like Jamin.” I thought it sounded like me, too. And after considering some compelling alternatives, it felt like the right decision. I’m really excited about joining the team. And really excited not to be looking for a job. ;)