Word of the Year / Decade
At the beginning of each year, we choose a word that will help guide us. Hear from the team on how their chosen word has helped them through the uncertainty of 2020 and beyond.
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Tell us what your Word of the Year/Decade will be. Share on! @TheDesignerAnnual & @NimbleDesignCo.
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Candice Riley Campbell
CEO and Creative Director
I chose the word ‘pause’ as an intentional reminder to slow down to allow purpose and people to guide growth and daily decision making.
‘Pause’ drove halt to projects, but never to purpose. If anything ‘Pause’ gave purpose a stronger voice. ‘Pause’ drove us to push harder and open ourselves up to tough conversations. ‘Pause’ allowed us to fill voids, to focus on team, to revert back to basics, and to lead with one step forward at a time. In 2021, my hope is that ‘Pause’ continues showing up as resilience and mindful change.
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Lauren Riedling
Project Director
Consistent and individual/human level connection - an intentionality to carve out time for people. This was a necessary focus for 2020 but in some ways made easier by the slow down in other “distractions” - looking forward to some of those distractions returning in 2021, making time to maintain and foster those connections will be a different, but important challenge.
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Maria Royal
Brand Strategy Manager
2020 caused priorities to change, and using 2021 as a year of refocus on the things that matter most seemed only fitting. My word of 2020 was proactive — comical to look back on now.
To me, drive means the ability to find ways to push beyond comfort zones. Originally I thought it would be for the larger goals, but found it to be more important to apply each day. Getting up and getting ready to seize the day.
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Stephen Wright
Design Director
I find that no matter what project you are working on or how busy you are, if you enter each day with the goal of bringing energy, you can’t help but stay positive and introduce fresh ideas. I look forward to continuing to live each day of 2021 with the same mindset.
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Heather McNamara
Senior Brand Designer
The conflict in 2020 reminded me of what I’m grateful for. It’s hard to complain when you’re able go to school, work, see family and maintain good health in the midst of a pandemic. Thanks to 2020, I’m headed into 2021 with a lot of inspiration and a fresh set of priorities.
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Curran Harrison
Design Intern