A reflection on how life’s journeys—across countries, challenges, and dreams—shape creative work, inspired by the stories of Cervantes, baseball pitcher Chris Martin, and my own career in landscape architecture.
Every landscape has a story.
When I wrote my very first blog post, that was the core belief I shared: every place we design carries a story shaped by history, nature, and human spirit. Over time, I realized the same truth applies to people. Every person’s path is a story—a series of twists, challenges, and dreams—that shapes not just who they are, but also the work they create. In fact, I believe the journey someone takes deeply influences their design thinking, their artistic background, or at least the spirit and will they bring into their creative life.
Life rarely moves in a straight line, especially for those who dare to dream beyond borders. When I look back on history, literature, and even modern sports, I see a surprising pattern: greatness is often forged not in comfort, but through constant movement, hardship, and resilience.
Take Miguel de Cervantes, the Spanish author best known for Don Quixote, widely regarded as the first modern novel. Cervantes lived a life marked by incredible hardship—imprisoned multiple times, wounded in battle, even enslaved in Algiers. Financial struggles and political troubles dogged him across Spain and beyond. Yet despite these ordeals, or perhaps because of them, he created a timeless masterpiece. Don Quixote is a story that captures both the absurdity and nobility of chasing impossible dreams—a mirror, in some ways, of Cervantes' own life.
In a very different world, but with a strangely parallel spirit, stands Chris Martin, the Texas-born MLB pitcher. His path was anything but typical. After injuries stalled his career early on, Martin found himself working warehouse jobs and nearly giving up on baseball. Instead of quitting, he ventured to Japan, playing in the NPB with the Nippon-Ham Fighters, rebuilding both his skills and his confidence. His willingness to adapt and embrace the unknown paid off when he returned to Major League Baseball, crafting an outstanding career marked by calm under pressure and near-flawless control.
Designers often follow similar journeys—moving between cultures, adjusting to unfamiliar contexts, and adapting to new ways of thinking. Each environment adds a new layer of perspective. We learn to listen differently, see more clearly, and find creative value in the detours. These experiences don’t just shape a portfolio; they shape a philosophy. Along the way, there are many people who help carry that story forward.
Many thanks to all the employers, mentors, and colleagues met across different countries—each one offered insight, support, and inspiration. Those connections form the true foundation of any creative path. As we continue designing, collaborating, and growing, one thing remains clear: the process itself is the reward.
We are still learning. Still evolving. And still enjoying the journey of making meaningful work.
