DESIGN HEROES: John Cage
John Cage
John Cage was an influential American composer, philosopher, and artist known for his avant-garde approach to music and art. In his book "Rules and Hints for Students and Teachers," Cage shares a series of principles and strategies for creative work, collaboration, and learning. Below is a sampling of Cage’s wisdom.
Find a place you trust and then try trusting it for a while.
General duties of a student: pull everything out of your teacher; pull everything out of your fellow students.
General duties of a teacher: pull everything out of your students.
Consider everything an experiment.
Be self-disciplined. This means finding someone wise or smart and choosing to follow them. To be disciplined is to follow in a good way. To be self-disciplined is to follow in a better way.
Nothing is a mistake. There’s no win and no fail. There’s only make.
The only rule is work. If you work it will lead to something. It’s the people who do all of the work all of the time who eventually catch on to things.
Don’t try to create and analyze at the same time. They’re different processes.
Be happy whenever you can manage it. Enjoy yourself. It’s lighter than you think.
We’re breaking all the rules. Even our own rules. And how do we do that? By leaving plenty of room for X quantities.
The more space you leave open, the more room there is for others.
When you enter a room, do so with a purpose and a sense of openness to what may come.
Be willing to accept and work with ambiguity.
The most important part of a project is the start.
Do not try to be original, just try to be good.
Here are some of the ways in which Cage's rules and hints can make you better at anything you do:
Embrace chance and randomness: Cage believed that chance and randomness are essential to the creative process. By letting go of control and allowing unexpected things to happen, you can tap into new possibilities and break out of creative ruts.
Be open to all kinds of experiences: Cage believed that everything can be a source of inspiration, from the sounds of the environment to the mundane activities of everyday life. By staying open to new experiences and perspectives, you can expand your creative horizons and develop fresh ideas.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes: Cage believed that mistakes and failures are valuable opportunities for learning and growth. By embracing your mistakes and learning from them, you can refine your skills and deepen your understanding of your craft.
Collaborate with others: Cage believed that collaboration is an essential part of creative work. By working with others, you can share ideas, learn from different perspectives, and create something that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Take breaks and practice self-care: Cage believed that taking breaks and practicing self-care are essential for sustained creative work. By giving yourself time to rest and recharge, you can prevent burnout, maintain your focus, and approach your work with renewed energy.
Overall, Cage's rules and hints encourage a mindset of experimentation, openness, and collaboration, which can help you approach your work with creativity, curiosity, and resilience.