Looking back, the creation of this tote bag was one of the richest experiences I've had as a designer. However, at the time, it felt like hell. Sometimes it's the "little" projects that teach you the most.
This was one of my first projects at Moz and I expected a quick turn around. I mean, it's just a tote bag, right? Thus, my anxiety ratcheted up as one round of revisions turned into ten. I thought "I can't even make a passable tote bag. They're going to fire my ass for sure."
Finally, feeling completely incompetent, I pulled my art director, Derric Wise, aside and confessed that I'd poured twenty hours into the project and still wasn't done. He casually told me to spend another full day on it. I was flabbergasted.
After I asked why this bag deserved so much time, Derric explained that the project's intent was for me to master Moz's illustration style, not just to a design bag. The endless revisions didn't reflect my incompetence, but the need for me to master the look and feel Moz's brand. It was a lightbulb moment for me.
I use the lessons this project taught every time I design. If a project isn't going smoothly, I know how to get the information I need to succeed. I take the time to understand my stakeholder's intent and context before I start designing. This project felt rough, but I'm a better designer for it.
