FIND CLARITY WITH FORM AND FUNCTION

Everything I create is built on two things: form and function. It’s the foundation that has shaped my work since undergrad. It’s helped me make decisions with clarity, ones that are intentional, thoughtful, and grounded in purpose. These two elements aren’t just design principles to me; they’re a way of thinking, a lens I look through when creating anything, from branding to life choices.

Function is always first, even though I call it form and function instead of function and form. The former just sounds better, so we roll with it. What’s the purpose? But the question that guides everything is simple: what’s the purpose? What is this thing supposed to do?

Getting to that answer isn’t passive. It takes effort. You have to dig in, ask the right questions, gather insights, and really listen. You can’t design for someone unless you truly understand them. That’s why our discovery phase at DK.Design is so important, it's where we dive deep and resonate with those we work with.

Once the function is clear, you can develop the form. And to do that effectively, you’ve got to let go of any preconceived ideas or visuals you might have already been holding onto. That flexibility is what allows me to let my creative thoughts and curiosity flow freely. It’s how form becomes a true reflection of function and not a trendy aesthetic.

Take the Viva Law Firm, for example. We led their rebrand, new logo, and developed their full visual identity. Their goal was clear: they wanted a logo that felt professional, had personality, and didn’t look like every other traditional law firm out there. To bring that to life, we created a custom typeface tailored specifically to those values. The final result? A logo with personality and polish, standing out without trying too hard.  Click Here to View this Project.

If we had ignored form and function, we would’ve either ended up with something generic or worse, something that looked great but didn’t reflect who they are or speak to their audience. That balance between purpose and presentation is everything. There’s no one-size-fits-all in design, especially not in branding. Every project deserves something custom, something earned.

And I constantly remind myself of that. It’s easy to get attached to your ideas—especially the ones you’ve sketched a dozen times, lost sleep over, or poured hours of research into. But no matter how much time I’ve spent, I’ve learned to pause and ask: “Am I doing this for me, or for the project?” And more importantly: “Is this what the client or their audience actually needs?” If the answer doesn’t include the client or the audience, I know I’ve veered off course. Time to pivot.

That mindset doesn’t just apply to work; it spills into my personal life, too. Because, truthfully, very few things in life will check every single box. Form and function won’t magically solve everything, but this principle give you something sturdy to stand on. A foundation.

For years, I was anti-gym. I preferred working out at home; it was convenient, comfortable, and I convinced myself it was enough. And it did serve the function: I was moving my body, staying active. But the form? The environment? That wasn’t really working. I’d get distracted, skip reps, and hit plateaus.

A few months ago, I finally started going to the gym. Same function, new form, and everything shifted. I’m more focused, I’m challenged, and I’ve seen more progress than ever. That change taught me something I already knew professionally, but needed to feel personally: when form and function align, things move.

A lot of us miss out on great things because they don’t look like how we pictured them. We get stuck on how it should appear, and anything outside of that vision gets dismissed, especially if it’s taking longer to come together than we desire. But the real question is: does it serve the function? If it does, it might be time to check in with yourself. Is this thing working for you? If the answer is yes, then embrace it. Even if it's not perfect, because that alignment matters more than a flawless form.