THE PEBBLE DROP PHILOSOPHY

By SATISH BABUSENAN

Photo Courtesy: Architectural Digest

Design is often thought of as a creative process, one where we must think outside the box to arrive at novel solutions. We’re taught to use ideation patterns and boxes to generate ideas, but sometimes, these patterns can constrain our thinking, limiting our ability to see beyond what we already know.

It’s in this space that the Pebble Drop Philosophy of Design comes into play. It’s a philosophy that encourages us to let go of our preconceived notions of what design is, and instead, approach it with a clear mind, free of all preconceptions.

Photo Courtesy: Sloww

We are conditioned to think in certain ways, to remember certain patterns and thought processes, and to use language to express our ideas. These are the raw materials of the box that is our mind. To truly be outside of the box, we must learn to work with no mind, to approach design from a place of complete openness and clarity.

This concept is beautifully illustrated in the Zen story of Matajuro and his master Banzo. Matajuro is repeatedly beaten by Banzo, despite his best efforts to avoid the attacks. It’s only when he gives up planning and is completely present in the moment, stirring a pot of boiling soup, that he’s able to block Banzo’s sword with the lid in his other hand. This is the concept of Mushin, the philosophy of “no mind”, and it’s from this space that true creativity and design can emerge.

Photo Courtesy: Pijamasurf

The Pebble Drop Philosophy of Design encourages us to let go of our preconceptions, to approach design with no mind, and to allow our ideas to emerge naturally from a place of openness and clarity. It’s a powerful approach that can help us break free from the limitations of our own conditioning and explore the infinite possibilities that lie beyond the box. Let us embrace this philosophy and approach design with a clear mind, ready to drop our pebbles and see where they may lead.