This concept is inspired by ↗ Urs Hölzle's Personal User Manual, a document he created to
guide
others on how to work
and interact with him effectively. Unfortunately, the original document is no longer
publicly available.
Manifesto
✻ I love improving things. Iteration is at the heart of my design process. I constantly re-evaluate and refine my work, often rethinking and reworking designs even when I initially consider them "done."
✻ I believe that perfect is the enemy of done, and sometimes even the enemy of good. Great design evolves through iteration (done → improve → improve → improve) rather than chasing an ideal solution from the start.
✻ I thrive in collaborative environments where ideas are works in progress. Brainstorming and conversations fuel my best work. I enjoy sharing "half-baked" thoughts, sketches, and drafts, and I value hearing others’ early ideas. This exchange of raw, unfinished concepts often leads to unexpected and impactful solutions.
✻ That said, I get frustrated in situations where there’s excessive discussion or a fixation on finding the “perfect” solution at the expense of taking action. In these moments, I advocate passionately for focusing on the core problem we’re solving rather than chasing aesthetic perfection.
✻ When it comes to communication, I prefer in-person conversations > video calls > phone calls > emails and messages. During work hours, face-to-face discussions energize me. Outside of work, however, I respond best to emails or messages—I’ll always reply but am unlikely to pick up the phone.
✻ When tackling complex problems, I invest heavily in preparation. My process starts with research, scribbling notes, framing questions, and organizing thoughts. If you don’t see immediate drafts in my design files, it doesn’t mean I’m not working—it means I’m laying the groundwork to deliver something meaningful.
✻ I’m introspective and committed to continuous improvement. Constructive feedback helps me grow, and I deeply respect those who embrace feedback and strive to improve themselves.
✻ While I don’t see leadership as one of my natural strengths, I’m open to stepping into that role when needed. If I’m leading, I’ll rely on your collaboration and feedback to help me do it well.
✻ Lastly, about my work ethic: the best way to describe it is with the words of ↗ Mike Monteiro in Ruinded by Design (2018). He expresses it perfectly, and I couldn’t agree more: "When you hire me as a designer, I do not work for you. I may practice my craft at your service, but you haven’t earned the right to shape how I practice that craft. One, you don’t want me designing at your level, you want me designing at mine, which means you don’t get to pull the strings. I do. Two, you’re hiring someone who performs a service, not a servant. There’s a difference. I’m not there to do your bidding, I’m there to solve a problem or reach a goal that we agreed upon."