Grow with the wind

Ever heard of the trees that couldn't stand up? Biosphere 2, a massive glass enclosure in the Arizona desert, was designed by scientists to create a 'perfect' environment for trees to grow, featuring controlled temperatures, water, and no wind. The trees shot up faster than their wild cousins, but they collapsed under their own weight before reaching full height. Why? Without the stress of wind pushing against them as they grew, they never developed the strength to support themselves. They grew quickly but not strong.

Those challenging clients, tight deadlines, and projects that push you out of your comfort zone — that’s your wind. Each 'difficult' experience is actually making you stronger, more adaptable, and more resilient as a designer. Next time you're facing a tough situation, remember those Biosphere trees: you're not just surviving the wind; you're growing stronger because of it.

Lo-fi filters with Toooooools

TOOOOOOLS.app is a free web-based effects processor for adding minimalist and lo-fi filters to images and videos. Using it is simple: upload your image or MP4, pick a filter, tweak the settings, then export.

Built by designer Daniil Sukhovskoy, it's great for creating unique images and textures for websites and branding material – if you're looking to step beyond the usual, this might be your new secret weapon. It’s free for personal and commercial use (but Daniil would appreciate attribution).

Try out Tooooools here

(Find it in my tool kit for future reference)