Mastering Multiple Talents: The Intersection of Logic and Creativity

A poem I write in my youth, recently edited:

The Future:

The clouds envelop us in a mist so even,

Revealing the near while hiding the far.

Rolling towards us, they unveil a vision

Of possibilities we've yet to mar.

Within us, questions simmer and seethe,

Quietly building and slowly unfolding.

Answers reveal themselves in due time,

But oftentimes, we miss them unfolding.

Yet, like walking on a luminescent beach,

A radiance remains long after we've passed.

Outstretch your hands, and breathe in the air,

So tranquil yet fierce, it leaves you aghast.

Guided by inspiration, we move towards the future,

Driven to explore what has yet to be found.

The past remains a beacon, a guiding fixture,

But we leave it behind as we journey around.

Reflecting on the lessons learned along the way,

We forge ahead with newfound purpose and zeal.

Embracing change and growth without delay,

We unlock new potential and learn to feel.

With each step forward, we shed our old skin,

And emerge anew, stronger and more refined.

For the future awaits, a blank canvas to begin,

And our passion and dedication are the only design.

Once, I viewed a video discussing the use of filters in photography that resonated deeply with me. The speaker urged against the temptation to utilize all equipment at once, instead advising to use one camera with one filter and dedicating significant time to mastering each piece of equipment individually. This resonated with me because my career has been similar. Instead of seeing my multiple talents as a lack of focus, I developed each one as a stepping stone to the next.

Throughout my career, I encountered barriers that compelled me to learn new skills to advance my craft. To design interactively, I delved into scripting in Macromedia director and took a 3D animation course, driven to combine these tools to create something great. As I learned about new technologies, I also discovered new opportunities they created. With a relentless drive to learn, I studied HTML to design for the web, and even delved into network studies to broaden my knowledge of dynamic code and implement any vision I had.

Though I never sought to work alone, I often found myself doing so, but I remain a high encourager of other artists and designers, vehemently opposed to pigeonholing individuals based on their perceived limitations. Multi-talented individuals face misconceptions that they can't excel in more than one area, but I know that it is possible to create a tie if one has diverse talents.

Multi-talented individuals face misconceptions that they can't excel in more than one area, but I know that it is possible to create a tie if one has diverse talents.

As a highly creative individual, I stepped outside of my comfort zone and took a course in Business Information Technology. Though the business and management courses were easy, coding left me in tears, struggling to keep pace with computer science graduates. Over five years, I dedicated myself to coding in Java, .NET, SQL, and database warehousing. I even earned a CCNA with a letter of honour, studied mobile computing in Android, and delved into web development. Despite feeling like I knew a lot about databases and the internet, the course offered deep insights, and ultimately, I realized that coding was not for me. However, I was thrilled to discover the artistry of web design, hungry to create beautiful graphics and UI/UX designs.

I experienced a unique sense of balance nearing the end of this course, where I felt that logic and creativity were equally present in my brain, creating a peaceful equilibrium that is difficult to describe, but I guarantee is rare. It is possible to be good at two things equally, but only if one works on both and comes to intersections where they feel elevated. At these moments, peace and pleasure blend together, creating an intellectually arousing experience that reflects in one's work.

Musicians often experience this same sense of balance, as they use both sides of their brains to perform music, resulting in a more developed bridge of pathways between both hemispheres. Much like cross-training in fitness, holistic experiences engage different parts of the brain and make it faster and more efficient, leading to greater mastery in different areas.

I combined my skills and discovered a way to put the SDLC into Design thinking, becoming a good mediator between designers and developers. I found this to be more practical than anything else, but also a crucial stepping stone. The next steps for me include gaining skills as a principle designer with more business and analytical knowledge, as well as leadership skills.

Mastering your talents in your career involves gaining a deeper understanding of your craft, honing your skills, and expanding your perspective.

Far: A far perspective allows you to see the big picture and gain a wider view of the industry or field in which you work. This is where you do research, and try to find the right things to learn, as well as staying up to date in industry, seeing opportunities and challenges, and networking with others in your field.

Near: A near perspective, on the other hand, involves a focus on the details and the immediate task at hand. Getting your education, or fine tuning your skills. It's putting the research into practice. This perspective allows you to get up close and personal with your work, ensuring that every aspect of your projects are executed with precision and care. Developing a near perspective involves paying close attention to details, being meticulous in your work, and always striving for excellence.

Close: Finally, a magnified perspective allows you to focus on the nuances and intricacies of your work, revealing details that might be overlooked with a far or near perspective. This perspective involves a deep dive into a specific aspect of your work, exploring it in detail and gaining a nuanced understanding of its complexities. Developing a magnified perspective involves being curious and inquisitive, always seeking to learn more about your field and your craft.

By developing all three of these perspectives, you can gain a more well-rounded understanding of your work and become a master of your craft. Just like a camera lens can be adjusted to provide a far, near, or magnified perspective, so too can you adjust your perspective to gain a deeper understanding of your work and the world around you.

So, throughout my career, my dream and focus never changed, as I dedicated time to mastering each skill one at a time, as the photographer urged. This is how one truly masters a craft and can do everything really well. My ultimate dream for me is to delve into virtual reality, creating experiences that are not only delightful but also heightening, innovating and pushing boundaries. I envisioned myself doing this for many years, and I believe I am now at the stage of delving deeper into it.

In conclusion, let these words be a source of inspiration for you to pursue your passions with relentless determination. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it all or that your talents are too diverse. Keep honing your skills, one piece at a time, until you become a master of your craft. Remember, you are the artist of your own life, and with dedication and hard work, you can create a masterpiece that reflects all of your passions and talents. So go out there and explore every possibility, never giving up on your dreams. The world is waiting for you to shine.