My mom is probably the world’s most dedicated bookkeeper. As a kid, I spent most weekends with her at the office, sitting on the floor by her desk, toying around with the things I found in the supply closet: paper clips, rubber bands, sticky notes, grid paper, twist-ties, toothpicks, etc.
It was awesome, and I was having fun because I was solving problems — working with limitations, making sense, and finding meaning. It’s one of my favorite memories, and it’s part of the path that led me to where I am today.
Design
I’m not a designer because I love design. I’m a designer because I love problem-solving.
But the business of design is complicated, and so the reality of design is often far-removed from its potential. Problem-solving for me is entirely about finding ideal solutions — about reaching that potential — which means most days I’m pretty disappointed by design.
And that’s OK, because this realization gives me an opportunity to do what I’ve always wanted: find a way to solve problems professionally — conceptually, purely, and without compromise.
So, May 31st is my last day at Oxide — and my last as a full-time designer.
Problem-solving
This is a positive decision. I’m leaving design because I love problem-solving.
It’s a skill that can help people make better decisions and be more satisfied with the ones they’ve made. It can give them the capacity to be less selfish by being more thoughtful. It can help them to be more compassionate by opening their minds to new ideas. It can make them happier by embracing creativity. And it can empower them with the ability to make sense of their world and find meaning in their lives.
This is really important stuff, and I believe it so fundamentally that I’m committed to teaching these things and finding ways to explore all the ways they’re true. Teaching is my future. And through my Concept Development class at MCC and College for Teens class this summer, I’ve already started doing the thing that I hope to never stop doing.
I’m confident that this is a Great™ decision. And for the first time in years, I feel like that kid sitting on the floor, excited to build something out of what’s in front of me — a love of problem-solving, a desire to teach, and an awareness that this might be the most important decision of my life.
24 May 2012
Congratulations on finding what you love to do. I knew from the last times I spoke with you that teaching was what you wanted. You will do well.
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Unbelievable! It’s hard to imagine a Sparano-less Oxide- but from the first moment that I heard you were going to teach at Metro I thought: “That guy would be a FANTASTIC teacher!” Super excited about this next chapter!
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as a former student of yours, i am absolutely thrilled that you will be sharing your awesome teaching talent with more people! congrats joe!
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Congrats Joe!
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Congrats! I can’t wait to see what you get done with all of that. Best of luck!
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Congratulations on discovering what you feel you’re meant to do, and having the courage to act on it, Joe. You’ll make a tremendous teacher, I’m certain of it.
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Man, thats super exciting! How does the Sparano Scale translate into GPA?
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Congrats, Joe! Best of luck on this new journey.
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And then the floodgates of résumés to Drew’s inbox were opened…
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Wow. Congratulations, Joe! Finding what makes you tick at your core is all that matters in this life. You are absolutely correct about “solving problems.” So with that in mind, best of luck on continuing to live a well-designed life, my friend.
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High five, good job.
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Yesssss! Good on you.
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Good for you, Joe. Do what you love!
25 May 2012
Congratulations Joe!
Welcome to academia. I too left designing full-time to teach and haven’t looked back. That was over 10 years ago. The classroom needs more dedicated, passionate and talented teachers. I know you will make a lasting impression on all of your students. Yell if you ever need anything.
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Way to go, Joe. You’ll never go wrong following your heart.
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Joe. This is amazing. I salute you!
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Go Joe!!! Greatest American Hero (G.I.) Joe is there! (you have to read this with the theme song in mind)
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I am very Jealous of the next crop of students that get to have Joe as a teacher. I learned so much in my short time as an intern at Oxide. I can only imagine how much your class rocks
26 May 2012
This makes me want to go back to school. The teaching world needs more Joe Sparano’s. That being said, so does the design world, and the world at large.
5 Jul 2012
What you limn here is something I’ve been saying for years about the educational system in America–students are not taught how to think and learn for themselves, which is the most important thing that a school actually needs to instill in its pupils. Instead, the children are ushered in, made to remember isolated facts, then escorted out upon receiving a barely passing grade for barfing all they remember out onto the page.
I think Frank Zappa said it best, “If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library.”
I commend your decision and your work. We’re all expecting great things; how could we not?