Last week, book artist Phil Zimmermann, who also happens to be my teacher, presented our Artists’ Books class with a list of rules created by leading furniture designer Wendell Castle. I think these ideas are totally useful, especially when a human is presented with the task of evaluating her own work.

Voltaire Table designed by Wendell Castle, that I think would go nicely in my imaginary future house.

Here are Castle’s rules for life and art.

1. If you are in love with an idea, you are no judge of it’s beauty or value.
2. It is difficult to see the whole picture when you are inside the frame.
3. After learning the tricks of the trade, don’t think you know the trade.
4. We hear and apprehend what we already know.
5. The dog that stays on the porch will find no bones.
6. Never state a problem to yourself in the same terms that is was brought to you.
7. If it’s surprising or offbeat it’s probably useful.
8. If you don’t expect the unexpected, you will not find it.
9. Don’t get too serious.
10. If you hit the bulls-eye everytime, the target is too near.

Castle’s thoughts put me in mind of designer Bruce Mau’s Incomplete Manifesto, which seems to be pleasantly growing and changing, as a manifesto should.

Rise to the challenge from ASUF Admin designed by Bruce Mau.

My favorite Mau-ian truths (re-numbered) are these:

1. Allow events to change you.
2. Forget about good.
3. Process is more important than outcome.
4. Love your experiments (as you would an ugly child).
7. Study.
8. Drift.
9. ____________________.
10. Make new words.