“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
– Robert Brault
If you’ve been following our social media pages this summer then you know we’ve been focused on appreciating simplicity. We’re taking moments to find joy during our days, value time spent with loved ones, and remind each other to take deep breaths when life (and work) gets a little hectic.
What is it about summer that lends itself to the opportunity to slow down? In our go-go-go lifestyle it seems like the months of June-July-August are when society cuts itself a little bit of slack. Nobody blinks at the “out of office” response to emails, last-minute vacation day requests (weather permitting, of course), or the trending summer Friday office hours many companies have adopted over the last few years.
Maybe it’s the longer sunny days, or the gentle night breezes. Inviting pools and sandy beaches, or casual morning hikes through emerald green trails. Then there’s social media, full of pictures of impressive ice cream creations, and beautiful sunsets that make you stop the scroll to admire on your feed. Whatever it is about summer that forces us all to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and smile more often, we appreciate it. And we’re trying our best to spread the word so others make conscious efforts to do so as well.
Here are a few of the ways team insight180 is celebrating simplicity this summer.
In Design: Less Is More
There’s something to be said about the un-said, don’t you think? As designers, we know that cluttered space can lead to chaos. When the eye has too many things to look at, the brain struggles to decipher the true meaning of the “big picture.” When laying out a website page, brochure, or even a social media graphic, less truly is more.
“Clutter and confusion are failures of design, not attributes of information.”
– Edward Tuft
In our 2019 blog post, “Just a little more white space, please,” we cover all of the benefits of white space and how by saying less with your design elements and resisting the urge to fill every square inch with copy or images, you actually deliver a louder, clearer message. “White space is what makes you stop and take notice in a visual design, it makes you see what’s missing and draws on your feelings. It gives your brain a chance to notice the patterns, to fill in the gaps. White space is definitely not wasted space. It is as much of a design element as color, form, type, or objects.”
If you’re still not sold on the value of white space, we invite you to read the insight180 blog post linked above to understand why white space is your best bet for cutting through the noise, diminishing chaos, improving readability, and getting your true message across to your audience.
At Work: Enjoy the Little Things
Often in our weekly production meetings over Zoom, we take a few moments to catch up with each other and share some things that have made us smile throughout the week. A frequent theme this summer among the insight180 team has been views from our decks. Gardens are blooming, tomatoes are ripening, and sunsets have been beautiful!
In Life: Rest and Creativity
Everyone looks forward to vacation! Whether it’s a staycation in your backyard, a quick weekend away, or a week-long visit to the beach, vacation is a great way to recharge, practice self-care, and spend time with friends and family. At insight180 we’ve also found that our creative process is better as a whole when we allow for better work-life balance. Burnout is a very real thing and taking time away from work every now and again isn’t just good for your physical and mental health but it’s good for creativity too. Take it from us – as a branding and design firm, creativity is our life blood! Quality rest and relaxation can lead to fresh perspectives, out-of-the-box thinking, plus “creative insights and innovative breakthroughs.”
These are just a few of the reasons why we try to make it as easy as possible for our team to take the time they need away from work to regroup. We really are a team here and when one member is out of the office, we all notice (and miss them!). This is why we do our best to plan big projects, meetings, and deadlines around staff vacation plans and set each other up for success even when we’re out of the office. Because nobody likes getting work calls on vacation!
Here are a few moments of joy from our various vacations this summer:
How are you savoring simplicity this summer? Let us know in the comments below.
