Mindful Matter

Q&A with Lienke Raben

This month we partner with illustrator Lienke Raben, who is based in Amsterdam.  Lienke likes to focus on murals (she has a mural company called Wallnuts), hand-lettering, and character illustration.  She enjoys working with a bright and limited color palette.  Lienk says of this month's theme, "Integrity is an important value to me. I can be a bit slow with my thoughts and my feelings, but that is often because I want to figure out, first, what something means to me and how I feel about it, before sharing it with the world."   For a little more about Lienke, here's a short Q&A: Where is home for you? My own apartment in Amsterdam.  I like to be home and make my place cozy.  And it feels even more like home now that my girlfriend moved in with me. :) What is your definition of a successful life? I dream about traveling and doing mural projects abroad.  But, in the end, it’s just about doing the things that you like and spending time with the people you love.  That’s success for me.   Describe your perfect day. Sleep in, brunch with croissants or pancakes (or both, even better), and after that it doesn’t really matter, because after a great start like this, it can only be a nice and chill day.  Maybe go for a walk in nature, go to a museum, play games or just watch a series. How did you get into design? I’ve just always liked drawing.  I joined every coloring contest as a little kid and I was always doodling.  When I was a bit older, I started to like advertising and did a project about the history of advertising for a dutch chocolate brand in school.  I thought I wanted to work for an advertising agency.  Right now though, I’m more interested in communication and explaining then really selling.  I love the design thinking methods, and to be part of a bigger project, working with a team.  Rightnow, I’m combining this with being a freelance illustrator and mural artist. Where do you find inspiration? Color combinations, shapes and patterns - this can be in nature, clothes, interior, graphic design, etc.  And, just waiting for inspiration never works for me.  I just have to sit down and start and accept that it doesn’t always have to be nice and result in anything.  Sometimes a doodle, even an older one, can give me inspiration to make a new drawing.  Also, traveling (doesn’t necessarily need to be far away!) gives me a lot of inspiration.  I always keep a travel diary with little drawings and writings. I hope to be able to travel again soon. What's your dream design project? I actually just worked on my dream project that has been on my wishlist for quite a while.  Designing a beer label!  I worked together with Queers & Beers and hope to do more for them in the future.  Another dream design project would be designing the identity for a music festival. Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? I’m inspired by a lot of people I follow on Instagram. Here are a few that I love: Hedof, Malika Favre, Sebastian Curi, Tom Haugomat, Xaviera Altena, Lisa Congdon, Hey Studio, Rafael Mayani, Carolina Buzio, Maria Medem and, of course, my Wallnuts buddy Esther (Vonik). What was the inspiration behind this design? Funny enough, I made this illustration as a doodle on the word ‘Build’ for Inktober 2019.  I like the simple shapes and patterns.  And, I also like drawing hands. But, I actually think it works way better with the word ‘Balance’.   How does Integrity play out in your life? Integrity is an important value to me.  I can be a bit slow with my thoughts and my feelings, but that is often because I want to figure out, first, what something means to me and how I feel about it, before sharing it with the world.  I find integrity a beautiful character trait in other people too. I think it’s brave if someone dares to be vulnerable, while the opposite is maybe often expected from the world around you. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: Cobalt blueFood: RamenSong: Stonefield - Sleep (Stonefield is actually the last concert I’ve been to, when it was still possible, right before corona!)   Thanks for sharing with us, Lienke!

How do you measure a successful life?

A few days ago I was walking and listening to some music when a song called “We Got Love” by Teyana Taylor came on. The song is upbeat, high tempo, and as the title suggests, it’s full of good vibes and, well… love :-). Near the end of the song, I heard an interlude (at 2:57) that I hadn't really listened to before. It was a heartfelt message from fellow musician Lauryn Hill, which I later learned was sent as a voice note to Taylor before the release of her new album. “Above all, you keep your clarity,You keep your focus,You keep your sense of love,And you keep your sense of purpose.Those are, they're integral, you know, they're key.…A lot of people define success differently...You know, for me, you can have everything,You can have all the money in the world,But if it's not enjoyable, if it's not sustainable,If you can't be a person of integrity while having all of these things —What does it matter? What does it mean? The value is internal.Your value is internal.” What an unexpected hit of inspiration, wisdom, and delight. And a perfect tribute to this month’s theme of Integrity. Media and materialism tempt us to use fame and fortune and other external signs as indicators of success. The truth is, as Hill says, we each have the ability — the choice — to define success for ourselves based on our internal values. I am beginning to think that perhaps integrity — the extent to which we live in accordance with our own values — is the best measure of a successful life. How does this definition of a successful life sit with you? How do you measure success in your life? Wishing you success by every measure, Dave RadparvarCo-Founder, Holstee

Should we let the giraffes go?

The last time my wife and I took our daughter to the zoo, we had a great time. But while there, I couldn’t stop thinking. Even though this zoo was thoughtfully designed, it seemed that many of the animals, especially the larger mammals, had a certain sadness to them. I wondered if by going to the zoo, I was enabling something that possibly went against my values.Having just reviewed the Integrity Guide where we explore some basic concepts of Applied Ethics, I realized I was considering this dilemma through the lens of virtue ethics.Virtue ethics refers to moral decisions that are made according to the virtues that a person holds.In addition to virtue ethics, we cover two other approaches to ethical decisions in the guide:Deontology refers to moral decisions that are made according to a set of rules or a code of conduct upheld by a religion, profession, country, or other shared group. Utilitarianism refers to moral decisions that are made according to their “utility” or the happiness they produce; essentially, actions are moral as long as they produce good outcomes for the majority.Armed with these new perspectives, my inner deontologist got me to consider how this zoo was not breaking any laws. In fact, they were going above and beyond what any governing rules expected of them as a zoo, with spacious, naturalistic habitats, enrichment activities, and a loving staff that seems to really care about the animals’ well-being. Finally the utilitarian part of me chimed in. It started with an acknowledgment that the zoo is not ideal. It observed how the lives of these animals might be negatively impacted by it. But, it also got me to consider the number of people that a single zoo could inspire. If, as a society, more people learn about and appreciate animals, they might be more willing to help protect them in the wild, possibly even inspiring a future generation of Jane Goodalls. On a grand scale, wouldn’t all animals be better off if humans could see the majesty and importance of living beings beyond our own species?Reflecting on this was a great reminder that few things are entirely right or wrong.In everyday moral disagreements, hot takes and sound bites are entertaining, but they prevent us from thinking critically about our own view and from appreciating the many layers of an opposing view.While I am not prepared to declare virtue ethics, deontology, or utilitarianism as the winning approach, having different lenses to approach the same dilemma allowed me to better appreciate and create space for the nuance of the issue.To expanding perspective and appreciating nuance, Mike RadparvarCo-Founder, Holstee P.S. If you have been considering a Holstee Membership, this is the week! Sign up before Friday to lock in legacy rates before our rates increase. Learn more about our Membership →

Q&A with Jessica Benhar

This month’s art is by Sydney-based illustrator, printmaker, and designer, Jessica Benhar. She loves libraries and finding inspiration from old books. Her work is infused with touches from the past and present. She hopes her illustration serves a reminder that "even when we strip ourselves bare, are honest and vulnerable, we can still feel and act whole. Staying true to ourselves at our core makes life simple."   For a little more about what inspired this artwork, process, and their life, here's a short Q&A: Where is home for you? I was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and am currently based in Sydney, Australia. Proud to be both a Kiwi and an Aussie. What is your definition of a successful life? To be able to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. Working hard but also having quiet periods of doing nothing. Having the time to listen to good podcasts and books. Straying outside your comfort zone on a semi-regular basis. Spending time with people who inspire you. Owning only what you need. Using your talent and skills to figure out how to give back to the world. Describe your perfect day. I like to start my day with a good morning routine, which is always a work in progress. A walk in the morning, some YouTube yoga, and a slow breakfast. Remembering to take breaks throughout the workday and stretch. Listening to a podcast or two. Going climbing or training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the evening. Before bed I like to think of three things that made me happy during the day, even if it's something small like a good coffee or a kind comment.   How did you get into design? In high school I remember picking out two brochures, one for an arts degree and one for a design degree. I tried to visualize in detail what it would look like to work in both fields and it felt right visualizing myself working in design.  Where do you find inspiration? I collect a lot of inspiration at the library, I'll look through anything that has pictures, but I like natural history illustration, heraldry, children's books, woodcuts and engravings from 14th-century stuff through to now. I'll look through and photocopy or photograph things I like for future reference. I have a few folders at home packed to the brim with photocopies of awesome things I've found at the library. Sometimes when I'm walking through the street and I see something that looks cool, whether it's an architectural feature of a building or some poster taped up in the bathroom of a restaurant, I'll take a photo in case it's useful down the track. Instagram has also been really useful for providing endless inspiration, from tattoo artists to photography. Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? My favorite designers are often also artists, whose work tends to blur the line between both fields and has a timeless quality to it. Some of them include Eileen Mayo, Edward Bawden, Agnes Miller Parker, Escher, and Louise Fili. What was the inspiration behind this design? Integrity is the idea that even when we strip ourselves bare, are honest and vulnerable, we can still feel and act whole. Staying true to ourselves at our core makes life simple. At the moment, what is your favorite … Color: Always black Food: Homemade sourdough bread Song: New Light by John Ma yer Quote: "Our life is frittered away by detail. ...Simplify, simplify." - Henry David Thoreau  

The Golden Mean.

October is the month I was born, which makes this month’s theme of Integrity the equivalent of my astrological sign in the Holstee-verse (high-five to my fellow equitable and slightly indecisive Libras!). They say Libras are all about balance. Perhaps that is why this month I was drawn towards Aristotle’s concept of the Golden Mean. According to Aristotle, a pioneer of western philosophy, identifying our virtues is important but the real impact comes from being able to put our virtues into action — in the right way, at the right time, and with the right intention. In this month’s Integrity Guide, we explore his concept of the Golden Mean, the sweet spot of our moral behavior between two extremes, with excess at one end and deficiency at the other. Take courage, for example. Too little can translate to cowardice, while in excess it can become recklessness. But when we apply just the right amount of this virtue, we can be courageous in a way that meets the needs of the situation and doesn’t lead to unintended consequences. What values are you practicing in excess or in deficit? How might you be able to bring those values back to the Golden Mean? It’s all about the balance, Mike RadparvarCo-Founder, Holstee

Greta moments.

Q&A with Leah Duffney

This month’s art is by Holstee’s very own graphic designer, Leah Duffney. Based in the cozy woods of Vermont, she loves creating compelling visual solutions that help tell a brand’s story and make an impact. Leah believes integrity is an intricate balance between doing what is right in your heart and taking action. For a little more about Leah, here's a short Q&A!  Where is home for you? Home is in the mountains of Central Vermont.  What is your definition of a successful life? A successful life is one you can look back on when you’re older and feel pleased with the journey you’ve lived. You are able to look back at all the adventures you’ve taken, accomplishments you’ve made, reflect upon the “downs” you’ve had and are proud of the person you have become. A successful life is one of integrity—always taking action and following your heart. Describe your perfect day. My perfect day is when I find balance in productivity and self-care. I love being able to start my day in a way that allows me to feel full and ready to take on the rest of it! This could be a range of things like going to the gym or sitting on the front porch in the morning sun and listening to the world around me. How did you get into design? I was always a creative thinker—even as a child I was constantly drawing and coming up with new ways to challenge myself creatively. I took as many art courses in high school as I could and when I took my first Graphic Design class, I knew it was what I wanted to pursue as a career. What I love about being a designer is that there are so many facets in the industry—so many different areas and styles to explore. It gives me the ability to continue challenging myself and discover new ways to creatively problem solve. Where do you find inspiration? Anywhere and everywhere! I can’t seem to walk into a store without looking at or taking pictures of inspiring branded materials—packaging, signage, product design, etc. I also look on Pinterest but most of my creative inspiration comes from Instagram! I have an absurd number of Instagram collection boards of designs, styles, techniques, and project ideas that inspire me -so when I start a new project or want to challenge myself, I can easily look back and reference those inspirational pieces! What's your dream design project? I don’t necessarily have a “dream” project but any opportunity to create compelling graphics/branding to support a business is always the most fulfilling part of my job. I love taking a business’ story/mission and creating its visual direction. I find joy in designing cohesive elements that tell an engaging  story that makes an impact.  Which designers or thinkers influence/inspire you? There are so many people I am inspired by! I have to start by saying that Wassily Kandinsky, a 20th century artist known for his geometric shapes and lines, is someone I draw a lot of inspiration from. He is believed to be the first artist to arrive at a true and complete abstraction. One of my favorite pieces by him is titled “Composition VIII”. But there are many modern day designers and thinkers that I am inspired by—too many to list but I have to share a few!… Olivia Herrick, Carli Anna, Amy Bridgeforth, Morgan Rapp, Kim Lincoln, Kelsy Stromski, and the teams at Outline & Stitch Design Co! These are all people and teams that I look up to when starting a new project because of their unique outside-the-box thinking, creativity, use of color and typography, and influence in the creative community.  What was the inspiration behind this design? Throughout my life and my career, my goal was to always follow my heart. It was never about following the money or doing things I don’t agree with—it was always about doing work and making decisions that were fulfilling and made an impact in some way, shape, or form. Design has always been something that felt natural to me so I knew that I had to follow that path, even if I didn’t know exactly what that path looked like. (I still don’t! And that’s why it’s a journey.) So, I wanted to create a piece that reminded people to follow their inner truth and rise up to it, especially when the going gets tough. We are our integrity—our work, our decisions, our words and if we stay true to that, we will always find our way. At the moment, what is your favorite… Color: I love so many different colors but my ultimate favorite is matte royal blue—not specific at all, right? Ha! Food: Oh food, my favorite thing of all! Sushi and anything pasta related are top of the list. Song: Honestly, I have never had a favorite song! I like way too much music to just pick one. I love everything from pop, R&B, reggaeton, hip-hop, country… the list goes on. It entirely depends on my mood. Quote: “The details are not the details. They create the design.” – Charles Eames  

Integrity: Digital Art Download

The Holstee Team

'My life is over.’

When I was in high school, I did something I am really ashamed about. To this day, I have trouble sharing the story. My sophomore year, I stole a copy of my Latin II exam a few weeks before we were scheduled to take the test. It was the hardest class in school, and I was really worried about making it through. I shared it with a few friends, but within days it had made its way around the whole class. It was only a matter of time before I got caught. I was suspended. This meant I got a failing grade, which meant I had to go to summer school. This wasn’t even the worst part. What stung for me most was being labeled as someone who steals and cheats. I didn’t know how to tell my little brother Dave or older sister Ramesh, let alone face my classmates and teachers again. I started convincing myself that my life was over (remember, this was high school). I was lucky to have parents who knew me and knew that this lapse in judgement was not who I really was. They reminded me that yes, I messed up, but this experience didn’t have to define me — if I was smart, it could help shape me. It did. I learned that we all make mistakes — moments when we stray from our personal moral code. When this happens, we can either spiral into shame and self-doubt, like I started to do all those years ago. Or, we can take responsibility for the error, try to understand where we went wrong, and consider what we could have done differently. Reflecting on the moment allows you to grow from the mistake rather than define yourself by it. And if you are open to growing from bad experiences, you may end up in a better place than where you started. Mike RadparvarCo-Founder, Holstee P.S. I have made it a practice once a year to review my own personal values and method for staying on track. This month’s Integrity Guide is a great framework for doing that.