A message to the future

Better done than perfect.

Anonymous

Understand that when you make things you have the power to make the world around you a better place, do it kindly, with love and enjoy it.

Anonymous

Learn from the past, look forward to the future, live in the present.

Bryn

Healing is not linear

Anonymous

Stay true to your roots.

Anonymous

Never underestimate kindness! An act of kindness, no matter how big or small, is seldom wasted. Kindness takes many forms: a word, a gesture, a small act, an offer of your time or talent...none of which cost you anything, but the rewards of which are many, both for the giver and receiver.

Anonymous

One thing my husband always tells me and I never remember. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Anonymous

Try everything, it is ok if some pieces don't work. It is all a learning curve!

Anonymous

Reach out and connect with your local creative community, whether in person or online, and be a cheerleader for others—it’ll make its way back to you.

Jen

The future is community, if we forge strong connections we can create something wonderful for the world.

Anonymous

Create
Keep fit and healthy
Be interested in everything
Be kind to people juggling work, family commitments and social life
Donate
Volunteer

Anonymous

Love is all there is

Anonymous

Tomorrow is never promised - live love laugh and be kind to others - respect the world

Anonymous

Keep an open mind regarding your art, be versatile and try a range of styles which helps to keep you focused and do your own thing.

Thomas Henry Green
Artist

The past was challenging, bringing life lessons for the future. Keep going. Never give up no matter what happens! The Coronavirus pandemic and other issues will pass. Stay positive! Together we will overcome anything facing our way. Miracles and blessings happen.

Anonymous

Keep calm and carry on

Ian Dixon
Eyebrid Ltd

I am an Ex-Offender. I'm an Artist who having served 20 years as an inmate, I now create content for Prisons and Schools. I'm dyslexic and target this and other issues I've overcome. I'm 15 years as a reformed criminal. I'm 11 years sober and use art to educate. It's my Voice and my Pen.

Anonymous

Don't be too tough on yourself. Take one day at a time. The answers you need, you have already, you've got to trust yourself.

REJOICE IYE ALOM
Royal Brompton And Harefield NHS Foundation Trust

Remember not to forget that:
'All for one and one for all' means we need to act together, acting to control change.
Change for the sake of it is counter productive, because resources that are available to us now are limited and are not replaceable.
Change for the better or not at all.
Oh! And, be a friend, be very a friend.

Chris Radcliffe
Maber

This year living within a pandemic has allowed me to really get to know my wife and kids that I am normally separated from during the normal hustle and bustle of making a living. #makingalivingisnotliving #livetowork #notworktolive
In short I realised I performed more efficiently without the added pressures. To be pushed and to press are different ways of applying force
All im saying is to be careful to induce the right #balance.
To be Balanced I do believe is to be Blessed.
Peace N Love

Curtis Brooks
CBKSEVEN7

The pandemic has shown just how quickly the comfortable structure of our lives can break down, and that we should take nothing for granted. Therefore it’s so important to enjoy the little things, celebrate small victories and value the support of others. Take inspiration from the perseverance of others, emulate those that have turned adversity into innovation, and keep creating even when everything seems a bit grey.

Tom Guy
Guy Piper Architects

My message would be 'be yourself, always'. Be a 100% part of everything and go with your gut instinct. Once you become bored in a job, move on. Never undersell yourself.

Always buy the Tiles that make your soul 'zing!'

Peter Kane
Peter The Personal Stylist

Dear Carl, if you are going into business solely to make a fortune.... no one will remember your name when you are dead. You have invented something special and to leave a legacy should mean more than any fortune, if you can make a difference to at least one person then you can look at yourself in the mirror and be proud of what you've achieved. Good luck, be strong and always keep your integrity.

Carl Randle
Raw Brick Innovations Ltd

Once settled into a new uncertain time in the spring of 2020 I began to notice how loud the birds sounded. Focused on a daily morning scooter ride around the block with my son to give us both a sense of routine.
Now I try and remember to stop and listen out for the birds, take time out to do those small things that make forever memories and cost our environment and our pockets nothing.
If you ever feel it`s getting all a bit much... go find a big hill and roley poley down it.

Emma Lacey
DL Design Studio

Count your blessings.

Oscar Wokowu
Studio CF

The pandemic showed that we can change everything to keep each other safe. Now we just have to do the same in face of the climate crisis. It also showed that while we are all in the same sea, we are far from in the same boat. We need a fair transition to a circular economy and while that can feel daunting; from sewing scrubs to shopping for our neighbours and filling our windows with rainbows, magical things happen when we all do our bit. My message to my future self is to keep doing mine.

Katie Treggiden
Craft and Sustainability Writer

Take time to reflect and be inspired by nature. Always design for the planet and people, making lives better by utilising better the resources and materials we have available, creating heirlooms of tomorrow.

Nicola Cummins
Interiors by NC

Remember to breathe. Remember to take time to reflect on achievements and failures. Remember to be mindful of others. Remember it’s not all on you. Remember to go and explore. Remember to always read the plaque. Remember to look for the good in the bad, everyone is trying. Remember others will know more than you. Remember there’s always opportunities to learn. Remember to respect others with different views. Most of all, remember to always enjoy life.

Chris Campion
Shed KM

You did it! Whatever we have; accomplished, achieved, gained - you did it! We did it. Whatever we have; let go of, lost, survived - you did that too! We got through it and we're still going. Forward is the only direction there is and whether we're moving fast or slow, we keep moving. You are stronger than you will ever believe and the world will test you and your strength again and again. So listen, learn, adapt - always be grateful for what you have but never apologise for your ambition.

Carrie Cavanagh
shedkm

The pandemic has reminded me to appreciate what we often take for granted - family, friends and the green spaces around us. Nature has always been an inspiration to me with its breadth of colour, pattern and texture. I realise more than ever how important it is to cherish the natural environment and in turn look after our future.

Ali Munro
Ali Munro Design

People will always be our most important ingredient.
I am certain everyone has had some bleak days, but I think it has been genuinely amazing to watch people pull together and overcome a long list of challenges. In many instances, we are coming out of this considerably stronger.
Be forever grateful for what you have, be kind to other people (and yourself) and please enjoy every day you have on our amazing home we call Earth. I’ll always be smiling, and soon back to hugging and high fiving! :) x

Rich Kelsall
Johnson Tiles

The pandemic has brought to the fore just how important community is and why the 'giving back' aspect is as much a part of being a responsible business as addressing planetary concerns. A sustainable business is one that puts best practise at the heart of everything - carefully managing the economic, environmental and social impact its operations have on us all.

James Woollard
Polythene UK

You can not rush a home. Things take time and people take time to adjust to change. Go with the creative flow and don't be afraid to push boundaries! Be happy in your space and get from it what you desire. Make it a happy yet functional space for you to enjoy.

Charlotte Jarega
Jarega Interior & Designs

To my future self; appreciate every day the school is open, treasure special family moments, visit family as much as you can, having a home you love is more important than fancy holidays, work hard but don’t let it be more important than living and last but not least… don’t park under a big tree when birds are nesting!

Mia Horton
Mia Horton Interiors and Design

Don’t ever forget the value of your work colleagues, friends and family. Meet and chat regularly as you never know what is round that corner.

Stephen Dixon
Johnson Tiles

I’d tell myself to take a step back, reflect on what you have been doing, where you need to be and what you can do differently to get there. That might mean taking a more individual approach and, rather than playing safe and following trends, to start setting new trends for your brand – like the bespoke tile range we’re designing with Johnson Tiles. And finally, always focus on what the customer wants – not what’s easiest for you

Alysha Alli
Redrow Homes Limited

It was great to spend extra time with my close family, but I missed the interaction with work colleagues, wider family, and friends. It’s fascinating how world events influence interior trends. Being at home, all the uncertainty brought focus for interiors towards calmness, with neutral colours and nature inspired influences providing a safe atmosphere. Now we are introducing opulence to the interior with luxurious materials and vibrant colours to create a positive engaging aesthetic – as we look forward to better things!

Mel Holland
Johnson Tiles

I believe that considering the circularity of materials is shifting from a ‘nice to have’ to being a primary requirement of contemporary design reality. The foundation of The Good Plastic Company’s work is the realisation of sustainable surface materials based on an unbreakable bond between circularity and aesthetics.

Viktoriia Siedova
Strategic Programme Manager at The Good Plastic Company

I would tell myself to trust my instincts and stay focused on who and what gives me energy and makes me feel good. I would remind myself of just how interconnected we all are and how when we work together we can make great things happen.

Malin Cunningham
Hattrick

I would tell myself to think more broadly about what our society needs right now and how we, as designers, can lift and support the next generation to create a more accessible industry which will serve all our communities equally.

Kirsty Thomas
Tom Pigeon

To my future self: I hope that the pieces I’ve been creating over the last few years truly are the timeless classic collectables of tomorrow. It would mean that the passion for beautiful ceramics endures and continues to plot the timeline of human development and creativity.

Malini Pashley
Marketing Director of Camal Enterprises Ltd

The pandemic forced us all to adopt new ways of living and working. I would remind myself of how much I missed human interaction with friends, family and colleagues during lockdown and to value those relationships even more going forward. From a workplace perspective, whilst trends in product and interior design will always evolve, we appreciate more than ever, the importance of creating products and spaces that are human centric. We are fundamentally social animals who need inspirational places to build thriving communities.

Marcie Incarico
MD, Mix Interiors

Be thankful for being so busy in life, but also make some time occasionally to slow down and reflect on what you have achieved; not only is it important for sanity, you also realise how much you have learnt, where the gaps are, and how to take that knowledge into future projects... also; wear sunscreen.

Ben Elliott
elliottarchitectsLtd

This past year has been crazy to say the least, sometimes frustrating and stressful, but for the most part amazing. You did start a new creative business in a global pandemic after all.

This past year set many challenges, made you strong, resilient and to reflect on what’s important! Keep doing all of these things.

Surround yourself with people and places that keep you inspired and do the same for others.

Claire Gallagher
Owner, Design Social North

I was fortunate to spend a lot of time outdoors in the Lake District. Being back in nature I was able to get back to basics and recharge - lots of cooking outdoors, gardening and swimming.

Now I am back in the hustle and bustle of London, I would tell my future self to be in the moment more so that you are more conscious of the little changes, of what we consume and waste.

Jade Armstrong
Material Lab

I would tell myself to never stop learning about materials, their value and impact. I think if we are to shape a less materialistic world - one that doesn't exploit resources and reduces consumerism - we need to consider the resources we have already at our disposal and how we use them.

Taranpreet Kaur
Studio Manager at Material Lab