I grew up in my parent’s grocery store as most of you know. Our playroom was right off of the kitchen. So when we got hungry, we didn’t have to go far. We got to watch my parents cook all sorts of stuff and this is where we learned how to cook our first meals. When I was in second grade, kids were bragging about making mac’n'cheese I was making pork pot roast with potatoes.

Now when I cook, I take a recipe I find online or that my parent’s gave me and I modify it with ingredients I know that will add to the dish. I feel confident adding these elements because I know how the flavors will enhance and better the dish. It evolves and becomes my creation. I was thinking last night while I was making homemade chicken noodle soup how I can take my cooking philosophy to my advertising job. I took this original recipe from my dad and added celery, bay leaves, crushed red pepper and few other things to make it taste better. It all made sense to me.

If you know the tools or elements you have as a designer or art director you can make your own recipe for whatever medium. Textures, font weights and sizes, colors, shapes, cropping of images, photography style and proportions proportions can all enhance the recipe of design.

- Brett Essman