In my childhood things were pretty basic, not simple just basic. I was thrilled at a new pair of sneakers because they were new. I could care less what store they came from or what label they brandished. I ate food because it tasted good.

Calories per serving, food coloring, saturated fat, polysorbate-80 went over my head like an unheard, invisible fly that no one could catch. I drank my blueberry-cherry slurpee and marveled that my tongue was the same color as my frozen drink of choice.

When you are a child you try things just because you can. You can turn anything around you into a passionate, new game that you want to win. You’re inspired by new sounds, emotions and life in general.

Fast forward to the present. My very adult resume says I am a graduate from an expensive New York art school, worked for some of the top companies in my field, and art directed beautiful campaigns with some very brilliant colleagues. And after 15 years of art directing, the basics from my childhood still very much apply to my being fulfilled and happy in the work that I do.

1. Here are my top 5 basic childhood things that I apply to design:
   1. Be fearless.
   2. If it does not look good it’s not.
   3. Use complimenting colors from the crayon box when you color.
   4. If you have a bad attitude no one will want to play with you.
   5. Collect things that you like and hang them up.

My inner child waves her hand frantically every time I begin a new assignment or discover a different way to communicate using art direction and design. She always challenges me to new games with new rules and cheers when I make mistakes that turn into good ideas. I like having her around.