These days, questioning ones identity is rampant.  We have moved past the age of having ones technical skill define who they are and what they do.  I believe this to be the case because so many people do more than one thing.  Art directors, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, they are all usually multifaceted individuals with a broad range of technical ability. However, the need to further differentiate yourself from the masses is becoming more important not only to get more work, but for ones own sanity.

So how does one go about it?  I am beginning to understand that your identity is driven by what you believe in.  I’ll say right off the bat, figuring out what you believe in is not easy nor have I done so. But, the value of thinking about it is immense.

A single presentation given by Bret Victor gave me amazing insight to this value. The video is embedded below, it’s a long watch but truly eye opening. Thank you Lion Isis for passing this my way. One things bret talks about is finding a principal that guides your work. I found this idea to resound strongly. What is it that moves you as an individual? What drives your work? For some it’s just money, but for many these days, it is so much more and he gives the audience tools to start thinking about these difficult ideas.

Self identity is a constantly evolving process, one that will not leave you to the day you die. However, if you ask yourself the right questions and commit to some answers, your identity can become much more clear.

The Human Project

The digital exhibit should be out in the app store mid-2012. Here is a teaser video! (Picture it in an iPad)