Most people think that I am a polite guy of not-too-controversial opinions. They are wrong, as I will demonstrate here.

My advice to all design students is: learn the skills you need to make a real difference.

Being a T-Shaped person is not about branching out into other, equally vague disciplines like anthropology. Sorry, Tim.

To me, a T-Shaped person is someone who has supporting skills that will enable her to make a real change, in the real world. A person who is able to realize his dreams so that other people, too, profit.

Before you can make a change, you will nearly always need resources and permission.

To get resources and permission, you have to develop skills in disciplines like negotiating, marketing, sales and stakeholder management.

Go and get these skills. Once you have acquired some, they are great fun. Quit talking about what ‘design’ is and start your own company, for example, to speed up the process.

Make a real difference. In the real world. Be part of the solution.

Thank you.