Affinity

Do you have values that guide your life? What clients do you choose to work with? What companies do you collaborate with? What opportunities do you pursue? This weekend, I had the privilege of joining a panel discussion hosted by Affinity where Dale Anne Scogings, creative lead Canva, and I explored the power of core values. We discussed how aligning with companies and people who share your values can profoundly shape your career, personal life and happiness. It’s not always easy to make the right call...especially when big industry players dangle dollar signs in front of you. So, how do you decide when to say “yes” and when to say “no”? I believe the answer becomes clear when you live by a set of core values... You have to have a set of internal boundaries that act as a guide to your decision making. This year, I made the decision to slowly step away from Adobe products. Not because of my friends who work there... all of whom I love and respect. or the creators who represent them... most of whom I love and respect. Instead, it was because Adobe, as a company, has fallen short in supporting the professional and creative industry I care so deeply about. So... I had to change lanes. In my search for a decent alternative, I started using Affinity, which led to meaningful conversations with their team about their mission, ethos, and vision for the future. Their commitment to democratising design, their focus on reducing financial stress in education, and their deeply aligned values struck with me. They’re building a design world I’m proud to be a part of...one where creativity is accessible, meaningful, and genuinely supported. I’m excited to team up with Affinity on some incredible projects, content, and products in the years ahead. I will be sharing how I got to grips with a new platform in lot's of video content and educational tutorials soon... It's been a little learning curve and one I am excited to share with you. Be the change you want to see in the world my friends. #affinity #design #creative #artist

We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us in person and online to make this year’s Design for Planet Festival a success. Reflecting on yesterday, we’re filled with gratitude for the speakers, partners, and attendees who brought the event to life and shared their insights to help drive sustainable change through design. ✨ Thank you to our incredible speakers for your inspiration and bold ideas that challenge us to think, design, and create differently. ✨ Special thanks to our wonderful MC, Kyle Soo, and to Martyn Evans FRSA and the team at The Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester School of Art for hosting us in such a fantastic venue. ✨ Thank you to our partners Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Innovate UK, SUEZ UK Affinity, Smile Plastics and Purcell for your invaluable support —and to our media partner, The Guardian, for amplifying these vital messages. ✨ A huge thank you to SUEZ for the beautiful, sustainable furniture on stage—loaned from their repair and reuse scheme. ✨ To our Stitch production team: thank you for seamlessly streaming this experience worldwide! ✨ And finally, to every single one of you who tuned in or attended in person—thank you for your passion and commitment. This Festival reminded us that the challenges are urgent—our systems are broken, and consumption habits must change. But we also have powerful tools: radical design, meaningful cross-sector collaboration, and a shared commitment to quality, craft, and sustainability. If you missed any sessions or want to revisit the talks, the platform will remain open for 30 days! Log in anytime to catch up on the content and continue learning here 👉https://ow.ly/M2t350U25VH #DesignForPlanet #ThankYou #SustainableDesign #PlanetPositiveBusiness