in a time filled with replays, wraps and look-backs, i’m taking a few moments to reflect on 2024 and the lovely experiences it brought my way.

### **design**

starting with the work at sketch – in 2024 i got the opportunity to work on some fun projects. on the mac app we included [scroll areas](https://www.sketch.com/updates/scroll-areas-in-prototypes/), [additional prototype triggers](https://www.sketch.com/updates/hover-press-and-toggle-triggers/), [new sharing options](https://www.sketch.com/updates/new-sharing-options-for-prototypes/), and contributed to [translating sketch to spanish](https://www.sketch.com/updates/spanish/).

over at the web app we [improved notifications view](https://www.sketch.com/updates/notifications-view/), [exporting design tokens](https://www.sketch.com/updates/design-tokens/), [inspecting in the full canvas](https://www.sketch.com/updates/inspect-from-full-canvas-view/), [exporting any assets](https://www.sketch.com/updates/export-any-asset/) from the web – and all of that on a [completely new UI](https://www.sketch.com/updates/web-app-ui/).

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FIKRxC6PXMmAN9ld7RES1%2F9ca50e6b-e5ca-4a6d-84d4-e677ab70a987.jpg?alt=media&token=51ef4289-4fb8-4220-bbe1-b588f92d0e57","id":"9ca50e6b-e5ca-4a6d-84d4-e677ab70a987","width":3402,"height":1914,"filename":"GVlm7aqXkAAU-bJ.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Showing the new UI of the web app in Sketch","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FIKRxC6PXMmAN9ld7RES1%2F71813369-a218-43b2-9306-b7ea13ec7521.jpg?alt=media&token=141a61c2-e42e-4886-8b4a-dd8aec330444","id":"71813369-a218-43b2-9306-b7ea13ec7521","width":1366,"height":2048,"filename":"GRrcPH6bMAI73wV.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Updated portfolio on ramses.work","border":false}]}
```

there's something very satisfying in being able to bring useful features to people using sketch and to refresh some of the existing features to make them a tiny bit nicer to use.

to showcase some of my work, in july, i took a day to make a simpler, easier to maintain [portfolio](http://ramses.work), heavily featuring a time line of projects and previews.

### **write**

although I didn’t write as much as I wanted, in 2024 that changed. i started writing regularly on my online journal, [ramses.cv/writing](http://ramses.cv/writing), where I shared personal experiences, notes about work, and other ideas. *[the sound of summer](https://read.cv/rmsc/the-sound-of-summer)* is probably the entry that'd define best the tone of the journal.

writing in spanish and talking about video games have always been a pending item on my to-do list – and this year i finally found a way to match both things. i published [cualquier botón ↓](https://cualquierboton.wordpress.com/about/): *a journal about slowly playing and writing about video games*.

### **play**

around october i had an idea for a tiny game and although it took some time to figure things out I published: *[no empty half heart](https://gehlwaz.itch.io/no-empty-half-heart)* on itch.io. the game is a personal sokoban where i could write openly about my feelings mixed with a simple gameplay through 10 short levels. the majority of the ideas and design came while running in the mornings.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FIKRxC6PXMmAN9ld7RES1%2F116cac29-130b-4e3e-bbc4-cb310b73c660.jpg?alt=media&token=67e78032-bd71-4712-b3d1-c0eb6a44aba6","id":"116cac29-130b-4e3e-bbc4-cb310b73c660","width":2248,"height":3374,"filename":"IMG_x0ws.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"The loop where I run in the mornings.","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FIKRxC6PXMmAN9ld7RES1%2F40ed6496-2fad-4c44-a6c9-d04ef8b51810.jpg?alt=media&token=eb50499e-24c2-480c-81e9-7d8a20e728de","id":"40ed6496-2fad-4c44-a6c9-d04ef8b51810","width":2672,"height":4010,"filename":"GdD0dbpagAMEH6P.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Testing and programming with PuzzleScript","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FIKRxC6PXMmAN9ld7RES1%2Fc0757d44-5fb0-4d07-ac22-807474b782cf.gif?alt=media&token=4018ac5e-c887-4eaa-9806-ce2a440378f1","id":"c0757d44-5fb0-4d07-ac22-807474b782cf","width":800,"height":640,"filename":"cf24aab1-b499-422f-a312-c47015e3f961 (1).gif","type":"image/gif","caption":"A level of ’No Empty Half Heart'","border":false}]}
```

### **connect**

a few times this year i had the opportunity to connect with people during live events in *tokyo* and *copenhagen*. it was lovely listening to and sharing time with other creatives. it is always a refreshing perspective about the world, specially when i work fully remote.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FIKRxC6PXMmAN9ld7RES1%2F858912a1-0854-48df-bff1-43e9f200acd7.jpg?alt=media&token=5f88aa57-b6cb-40c6-b990-c2bd581fd047","id":"858912a1-0854-48df-bff1-43e9f200acd7","width":2048,"height":1152,"filename":"Gatv9qDW0AAxjDT.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Design Matters 2024 · Photo by Ale C","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FIKRxC6PXMmAN9ld7RES1%2F6c65558b-24b0-4008-a4ee-d4beabbc83f6.jpg?alt=media&token=38064664-0681-4c10-aeec-638de4ede004","id":"6c65558b-24b0-4008-a4ee-d4beabbc83f6","width":2048,"height":1151,"filename":"Gatv9qDXYAAzsMF.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Design Matters 2024 · Photo by Ale C","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FIKRxC6PXMmAN9ld7RES1%2F23609df1-653f-4ffc-8da3-6bd7c40884fa.jpg?alt=media&token=caacf4b4-1451-41a5-a0c8-a3a5682f11f2","id":"23609df1-653f-4ffc-8da3-6bd7c40884fa","width":1365,"height":768,"filename":"Gatv9qCXAAAahUb.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Design Matters 2024 · Photo by Ale C","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FIKRxC6PXMmAN9ld7RES1%2F89e0b020-204f-4eef-99d5-429fb5a193aa.jpg?alt=media&token=96fb4157-68d4-4fb8-a505-ece1889218d7","id":"89e0b020-204f-4eef-99d5-429fb5a193aa","width":1363,"height":767,"filename":"Gatv9qCW0AAbJjw.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Design Matters 2024 · Photo by Ale C","border":false}]}
```

on a more digital note – i had the pleasure of being interviewed on [feed.me](https://www.feedme.design/from-the-canary-islands-to-copenhagen-ramses-cabello-on-creativity-collaboration-and-culture/) design magazine where I could share thoughts on creativity, collaboration, and culture.

later this year i moved my microblogging activities to [bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/ramses.work) – feel free to connect with me there if you're also using it.

thank you for 2024.

*/ rc*

\-

01 [sketch](http://sketch.com)\
02 [portfolio](http://ramses.work)\
03 [no empty half heart](https://gehlwaz.itch.io/no-empty-half-heart)\
04 [cualquier botón ↓](http://cualquierboton.wordpress.com) \
05 [design matters](https://designmatters.io/)\
06 [alejandra cubero](https://www.instagram.com/alejandra.cubero/)\
07 [feed.me](https://www.feedme.design/from-the-canary-islands-to-copenhagen-ramses-cabello-on-creativity-collaboration-and-culture/)\
08 [bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/ramses.work)

2024

> 2024 @ copenhagen

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FJpYOEsoKElnqsDzc46Un%2Fba78dbd6-05af-4b1b-ae82-c16805788ad2.mov?alt=media&token=1a54861a-60e6-4fd9-b35d-4cdbdf1f2c53","id":"ba78dbd6-05af-4b1b-ae82-c16805788ad2","width":1080,"height":1920,"filename":"E020463B-19A6-45A3-BD08-75BC76C1BD4F (1) (1).mov","type":"video/quicktime","caption":"川越 · 23 Jul 2024 · 15:43 · iPhone 13 Pro Max","border":false}]}
```

working remote has always been a natural state in my life. i might have started designing seriously around 2009, but i did not think much about being in an office or going somewhere to do the job. i used to travel quite a lot, and working on the go was all i knew.

beyond the output of the work i've done throughout all those years, there are countless memories of the places where i sat in front of my notebook or computer and created something from nothing.

the last three months were a perfect balance of life and work while visiting japan – sitting in cafes, meeting with friends, concerts, going to design matters, and spending quality time with the people i love have greatly influenced my most recent work.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FJpYOEsoKElnqsDzc46Un%2F48306d3e-7dd8-454b-aa71-701e4804360a.jpg?alt=media&token=90edcfa6-af78-41e0-b83d-e19cdab24429","id":"48306d3e-7dd8-454b-aa71-701e4804360a","width":1322,"height":1984,"filename":"IMG_4692.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"仙台 · 7 Jul 2024 · 13:02 · iPhone 13 Pro Max","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FJpYOEsoKElnqsDzc46Un%2Fa6efebe1-a802-4332-82b0-053a9f67cd5b.jpg?alt=media&token=29c9d71a-1bdb-47f9-9b55-241fb313a486","id":"a6efebe1-a802-4332-82b0-053a9f67cd5b","width":1344,"height":2016,"filename":"IMG_4693.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"仙台 · 7 Jul 2024 · 13:48 · iPhone 13 Pro Max","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FJpYOEsoKElnqsDzc46Un%2F349c537e-a602-43f3-be7d-ac0a9f898ffd.jpg?alt=media&token=02667f70-3c91-420a-baf1-b266289998e4","id":"349c537e-a602-43f3-be7d-ac0a9f898ffd","width":1134,"height":1701,"filename":"IMG_4697.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"松島 · 8 Jul 2024 · 17:25 · iPhone 13 Pro Max","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FJpYOEsoKElnqsDzc46Un%2Fec14aa32-d54e-4514-b52a-4afe70827ce4.jpg?alt=media&token=89a45f8e-5aad-48bd-b24b-b79e8890c064","id":"ec14aa32-d54e-4514-b52a-4afe70827ce4","width":1150,"height":1726,"filename":"IMG_4696.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"山中湖 · 20 Jul 2024 · 08:40 · iPhone 13 Pro Max","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FJpYOEsoKElnqsDzc46Un%2F52321a99-d092-4c1e-a8dd-ce8a28b7494a.jpg?alt=media&token=e6430b29-d05e-49f5-8645-314901252a87","id":"52321a99-d092-4c1e-a8dd-ce8a28b7494a","width":1134,"height":1702,"filename":"IMG_4694.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"山中湖 · 21 Jul 2024 · 07:50 · iPhone 13 Pro Max","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FJpYOEsoKElnqsDzc46Un%2F64213108-471e-4120-9c8e-68f0e96dfe1d.jpg?alt=media&token=86c1cbab-a0cc-428f-b6fd-8ad3d25cfc70","id":"64213108-471e-4120-9c8e-68f0e96dfe1d","width":2448,"height":1632,"filename":"IMG_4690.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"六本木 · 6 Jun 2024 · 17:39 · iPhone 13 Pro Max","border":false}]}
```

the unbearable heat of summer in japan, the white noise of cicadas, the tingling sound of furin in the streets of kawagoe, snacks and the busy streets of sendai are all attached to the memories of the design work this year.

out of the obvious — what are some influences of your work?

i hope the sounds of your summer inspire you. 

thanks for reading

/ rc

–

*inspired by*\
\
01 [GIV株式会社](https://www.giv.co.jp/)\
02 [design matters tokyo](https://designmatters.jp/)\
03 [verve roppongi](https://vervecoffee.jp/pages/roppongi)\
04 [珈巣多夢](https://custom-kashiwagi.com/)\
05 [powered\_papa](https://x.com/2332papa)

the sound of summer

> 2024 @ azabudai hills

as industrial design students, we would often go and study figures related to art, architecture and design. anybody who would inspire us and spark ideas would be part of our curriculum. our teachers, ranging from engineers to architects would play a major role as sherpas in cultivating our passion for exploration.

in the second year, as part of a group task i discovered the mobiles and stabiles of alexander calder. what struck me from calder's work was the ability of his pieces to shape the space around us with abstract forms and modernist colors. in essence i could sense a very strong direction in his work although he would keep experimenting with materials, scales and formats.

this year i attended a curated exhibition in the new **[azabudai gallery](https://www.azabudai-hills.com/azabudaihillsgallery/)** in tokyo. trying to scape the morning rush hour on the weekend, i got to roppongi area early in the morning – around 08:00 – the gallery opens at 10:00. i visited one of my favorite coffee spaces and wandered around before heading to see calder's work.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2Falexander-calder-2024%2F843b8194-0843-45ae-b9c3-5a8cc48097ca.jpg?alt=media&token=1934e70a-04de-44ed-9b6f-6fafcf7cf8c8","id":"843b8194-0843-45ae-b9c3-5a8cc48097ca","width":2202,"height":3304,"filename":"IMG_2500.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Tokyo Tower from Roppongi. Saturday · 20 Jul 2024 · 8:30 AM · iPhone 13 Pro Max","border":false}]}
```

it is not the first time i see some of his work, there are a few installations in **[louisiana](https://louisiana.dk/en/)** art museum in denmark. however, the curated collection is cohesive and includes pieces throughout his entire career; giving a sense of progress and evolution. particularly, the details of the larger pieces are easy to appreciate with the beautiful lights of the gallery.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FZaHqeCT5Au2ykWwJ4nW0%2F31da3253-a78e-4443-a19c-5c0eb702a01b.jpg?alt=media&token=a854180f-1bcc-470e-9ea5-985bffa9b686","id":"31da3253-a78e-4443-a19c-5c0eb702a01b","width":2048,"height":1364,"filename":"GS5UlGXasActSbk.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Yucca , 1941. Sheet metal, wire, and paint. 103.5 x 38.1 x 27.9 cm. Calder Foundation, New York. Photograph by Tom Powel Imaging © Calder Foundation, New York","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FZaHqeCT5Au2ykWwJ4nW0%2F5cab3eeb-d36f-43a0-9a8f-896705a38e1f.jpg?alt=media&token=36043fd2-202a-47e5-9c7f-644c0888bfdd","id":"5cab3eeb-d36f-43a0-9a8f-896705a38e1f","width":2048,"height":1366,"filename":"GS5UlGWasAQ3iqJ.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Fafnir, 1968. Sheet metal, rod, and paint. 284.5 x 467.4 x 116.8 cm. Calder Foundation, New York","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FZaHqeCT5Au2ykWwJ4nW0%2F4799014a-2c22-4d66-9da7-880af3d52583.jpg?alt=media&token=e68885ff-492c-43dd-8a16-0933d4337e0a","id":"4799014a-2c22-4d66-9da7-880af3d52583","width":2268,"height":1512,"filename":"IMG_2638.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Mont Saint-Michel, 1967. Sheet metal, rod, wire, and paint. 235.6 x 216.5 x 83.8 cm. Calder Foundation, New York","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FZaHqeCT5Au2ykWwJ4nW0%2F594acb32-789d-45da-8db8-80aabfea08ba.jpg?alt=media&token=73407537-e325-4c66-ad3c-8e2df8698c02","id":"594acb32-789d-45da-8db8-80aabfea08ba","width":2048,"height":1366,"filename":"GS5UlGZasAAYiFo.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Fafnir, 1968. Sheet metal, rod, and paint. 284.5 x 467.4 x 116.8 cm. Calder Foundation, New York","border":false}]}
```

calder's work is dreamy – i spent a good amount of time studying the shadows and how they'd change through the flow of time. even when sculptures seemed to be standing still, something was actually moving.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2Falexander-calder-2024%2F18c56b73-8d92-4075-a158-ef9e50682d3e.mov?alt=media&token=de848223-e858-42e7-9f2f-07371873b968","id":"18c56b73-8d92-4075-a158-ef9e50682d3e","width":1080,"height":1920,"filename":"copy_F7145A0D-8EAE-4097-8821-1C1AFC4EDFA4 (1).mov","type":"video/quicktime","caption":"Short clips taken at Azabudai Hills Gallery · 20 Jul 2024 · iPhone 13 Pro Max","border":false}]}
```

i'll continue to follow calder's work wherever I go and seek opportunities to explore more of his work.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FZaHqeCT5Au2ykWwJ4nW0%2F3569f4a5-41b6-4030-9e6b-d525b810bd7f.jpg?alt=media&token=6b2bb98d-cd50-4042-9f05-46cc8d64783f","id":"3569f4a5-41b6-4030-9e6b-d525b810bd7f","width":1936,"height":2904,"filename":"IMG_2668.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Shadow of Guava , 1955. Sheet metal, rod, wire, and paint. 181 x 372.1 x 118.1 cm. Private Collection. Photograph by Tom Powel Imaging © Calder Foundation, New York","border":false}]}
```

–

this is the beginning of my **[blog](https://rmsc.read.cv/writing)** in read.cv – i'd like to write in a soft and casual way about tangential experiences to my professional career. something that inspires me, makes me feel excited or curious.

thanks for reading

/ rc

–

*resources*\
\
01 [calder foundation](https://calder.org/)\
02 [azabudai hills gallery](https://www.azabudai-hills.com/azabudaihillsgallery/)\
03 [un effect du japonais site](https://www.azabudai-hills.com/azabudaihillsgallery/sp/calder-ex/)\
04 [american masters: alexander calder](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE46m1bBzLw)\
05 [louisiana dk](https://louisiana.dk/)

alexander calder: un effet du japonais

> written in 2022 @ kawagoe – reviewed in 2024

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2F8b0cc73d-66b4-44dd-9738-bf5ca180a0ea.png?alt=media&token=0b7dbe9b-cb76-4819-9b75-8aaff8837553","id":"8b0cc73d-66b4-44dd-9738-bf5ca180a0ea","width":1620,"height":2160,"filename":"download.png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2F1a5f359c-7d53-4056-bf5e-b29f96dcf2cc.png?alt=media&token=4b9ff2f3-c545-48d9-83ce-c949499378f8","id":"1a5f359c-7d53-4056-bf5e-b29f96dcf2cc","width":1620,"height":2160,"filename":"download (1).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false}]}
```

before covid hit us and left us all stranded for a couple of years, i started connecting with designers and creatives in japan. full of curiosity for the culture, the practice, and the current state of the field, i made a call on twitter to meet local designers and creatives.

that’s how i met nori iijima and his company **[GIV](http://giv.co.jp)**. from the heart of kawagoe, **[GIV](http://giv.co.jp)** is bringing web and graphic design plus marketing services to local businesses. since the moment we connected on twitter we’ve been supporting each other and cheering each other through the pandemic.

this writing is a memory of the meet up in kawagoe – for myself, for the people at **[GIV](http://giv.co.jp)** and for anyone interested in japan and design. i will sum up the experience in three different parts: immersion, past meets future and a break from the noise.

### immersion

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2F9edec033-17da-4db1-80f2-5d740a854c0c.png?alt=media&token=74c4d686-c92e-421f-a1d0-2f2acc0fea4d","id":"9edec033-17da-4db1-80f2-5d740a854c0c","width":1920,"height":2560,"filename":"download (2).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false}]}
```

blue skies and a perfect temperature were the start to a business meeting in kawagoe. when i was waiting for nori and the team, i had a moment to adjust to the pace and feel the peace of kawagoe. slow, calm and quiet life; combined with the warm light and temperature, i felt welcomed.

nori planned an entire day of local activities that would allow us to experience kawagoe through the concepts and key ideas which influence the everyday approach to business.

the first stop was a traditional kimono shop, the sensei in this shop has been responsible for dressing celebrities and figures from japanese pop culture. every pattern and design of the elements of a kimono have a meaning — picking up what to wear is a mix of taste and identity.

my first choice was purely based on taste and the pattern is used to “express hope and gratitude for a newborn.” the sensei suggested to change and we ended up picking a more neutral and simple pattern.

the experience of getting dressed was unique; while wearing a kimono, i felt like the sense of what i knew was rebooted and all of a sudden found myself experiencing things from a new point of view.

walking through kawagoe in a group dressed in kimono gave me a sense of immersion that otherwise i would not have been able to achieve.

this moment was designed to prepare us for the rest of the experience, immersing ourselves in the culture wearing traditional japanese clothing and learning more about the identity, importance and meaning of kimono.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2F34e11a68-d3fc-4ba5-932d-b3611111bd6e.png?alt=media&token=39148864-13bd-4b60-8578-fd0b167f3d99","id":"34e11a68-d3fc-4ba5-932d-b3611111bd6e","width":2874,"height":2160,"filename":"download (3).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2Fa7d92652-03e6-44c4-a888-ccc04e54e04a.png?alt=media&token=31e4414e-4992-48af-8992-4d199aee6c66","id":"a7d92652-03e6-44c4-a888-ccc04e54e04a","width":2874,"height":2160,"filename":"download (4).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false}]}
```

### past meets present

kawagoe is a short commute from tokyo, and only a quick twenty-minute ride from my accommodation during the trip. riding the train is like traveling back in time to edo, a past period of japanese history.

in kimono dress, we strolled the streets of kawagoe and talked about the architecture and stories of this city. one thing that stood out is how most of the buildings use black walls; this was an invention from kawagoe constructors to protect the buildings from fires. builders could achieve the distinguished dark color using imported pigments from india. as with kimonos, this black was not purely functional; it also expressed an identity of status and symbolism.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2Fe294dcfa-c168-4d08-9dbd-b8df5ddbb235.png?alt=media&token=3d437168-bbf8-40d8-9214-43d6705c994f","id":"e294dcfa-c168-4d08-9dbd-b8df5ddbb235","width":1620,"height":2160,"filename":"download (5).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2Fefe3ceb3-d0bb-4028-b746-39cf65f48c11.png?alt=media&token=8159320f-8a31-4e09-9a07-a3a11791b7b4","id":"efe3ceb3-d0bb-4028-b746-39cf65f48c11","width":1620,"height":2160,"filename":"download (6).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false}]}
```

during our meeting in kawagoe, we experienced a japanese tea ceremony — a very delicate and specific procedure where a ceremony master prepares tea through a harmonious, delicate, and carefully studied process. in the words of our coordinator:

> *“Even if a ceremony master has been doing this for decades, they feel like they’re never ready nor perfect. There’s always ways to learn, improve and get better. But, they are thankful for doing their best each time, and are grateful for the imperfections of the process”.*

this is not far from how i feel about design. we are never done learning nor designing — however, there’s a sense of gratefulness for doing our best every time, improving and learning with each iteration. improving our processes, systems, and knowledge.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2F2c251d17-bff9-4821-ac76-ebace658833b.png?alt=media&token=f05d0527-42e0-479c-b3a3-d5cd4939fb2e","id":"2c251d17-bff9-4821-ac76-ebace658833b","width":1620,"height":2160,"filename":"download (7).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2Ff20d6244-b8da-4edd-8493-344b10e6a44a.png?alt=media&token=fd381e61-a895-44cd-8ee5-7c8ee140f1e1","id":"f20d6244-b8da-4edd-8493-344b10e6a44a","width":2874,"height":2160,"filename":"download (8).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2F7a46066d-12ce-4d65-86ba-35ae0acae7b3.png?alt=media&token=0d4b8f2b-ea04-45f2-b747-190c407b2ff1","id":"7a46066d-12ce-4d65-86ba-35ae0acae7b3","width":2874,"height":2160,"filename":"download (9).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2F8bf5ed08-eafa-4916-8d22-209c97685830.png?alt=media&token=2cdde202-fd64-454b-a6cb-29164ee1259b","id":"8bf5ed08-eafa-4916-8d22-209c97685830","width":1620,"height":2160,"filename":"download (10).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false}]}
```

although kawagoe is full of pride in its own history and past heritage, there are many buildings being restored to make space for newer and modern experiences. we had the chance to meet one of the people making a big effort in this transformation. we received a nice tour of one of the recently restored cafés and talked about what it takes to achieve this.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2F72490626-dd20-49fb-8cb7-064e486e170b.png?alt=media&token=afc8841d-53ce-46ed-a89f-31860cc67bc2","id":"72490626-dd20-49fb-8cb7-064e486e170b","width":2874,"height":2160,"filename":"download (11).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2F245c8801-a04c-4e2b-a704-bf49a1a51f41.png?alt=media&token=80ae86b1-3d0d-4156-8264-e4a40100c2ac","id":"245c8801-a04c-4e2b-a704-bf49a1a51f41","width":2874,"height":2160,"filename":"download (12).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2F18a1a40e-9e5f-474a-a384-edbdfc9b949d.png?alt=media&token=67c8cbc0-f6f2-423d-a7c1-55bfe24d643b","id":"18a1a40e-9e5f-474a-a384-edbdfc9b949d","width":1620,"height":2160,"filename":"download (13).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2F17d3abdc-ba56-46e1-85a6-dae8fc8f8198.png?alt=media&token=c7d13f13-6a7c-407e-9158-265c223e7522","id":"17d3abdc-ba56-46e1-85a6-dae8fc8f8198","width":2874,"height":2160,"filename":"download (14).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false}]}
```

### a break from the noise

the trip ended with a short pause from the noise of busy life, as we experienced zazen for the first time. the priest guided us through the origins of zazen, explaining the details of the practice and its rituals.

for 30 minutes, we meditated and reminded ourselves that not everything in life needs to revolve around work. we were invited to sit down, look ahead, and clear our minds — and as simple as it sounds, it was probably the most difficult thing to do. it’s easy to stay in the loop of productivity, but challenging to take a break and look inside ourselves.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2F9ef74dc6-6e55-44e3-9bad-e95d4016b0ee.png?alt=media&token=25f31a42-2747-4ec2-ad3b-14db6b774486","id":"9ef74dc6-6e55-44e3-9bad-e95d4016b0ee","width":2874,"height":2160,"filename":"download (15).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2F6c00d297-5ed2-468a-84d2-39ee5f34fa58.png?alt=media&token=15106150-636d-41ee-95ef-6fa5aeac31e3","id":"6c00d297-5ed2-468a-84d2-39ee5f34fa58","width":2874,"height":2160,"filename":"download (16).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false}]}
```

sharing experiences was the closure to this perfect journey — although the meditation space was the same, our minds and thoughts wandered somewhere different. hearing from the rest of the group was healing and reassuring: there is simply no right or wrong way to take a break, and everything is welcomed.

the physical space is very important. creating the perfect atmosphere for meditation involved handpicking objects full of history, having a very aesthetic and pleasant room free of distractions — and carefully choosing the essences and sounds to set the right mood for the practice. it felt as if the priest intentionally designed this space, much like we as designers curate experiences for our projects.

### afterword

half a day in kawagoe gave me new tools and ideas to navigate both my professional and personal life. having the perfect guide and company helped me discover this city, and i'm glad to capture these insights in this writing.

there are three takeaways from my time with the guide and the wonderful people from **[GIV](http://giv.co.jp)**.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FjYrKm50dOMeOO1gz85sZVwBFg2U2%2FqZjBAl6S0XAWSd1f9KQM%2Fb991fbf7-a77c-41b3-9a52-3dcee2ab33b7.png?alt=media&token=06425d39-b1a4-4b99-adae-d189db50a8f7","id":"b991fbf7-a77c-41b3-9a52-3dcee2ab33b7","width":1100,"height":826,"filename":"download (17).png","type":"image/png","caption":"川越 · 24 May 2022","border":false}]}
```

**01**

experiencing and observing from the outside is helpful — but putting yourself in the shoes of the locals gives you a new level of immersion. how can we do this in our digital products to design better systems?

**02**

most of the people i met during this trip hold tradition in a very special place — they look for ways to blend the new ways of doing things without forgetting where they come from. how can we keep moving forward while learning from past experiences?

**03**

moving ahead and being productive is not the only path. pausing to reflect on ourselves is just as important as being ambitious. i want to find moments of silence more often and create a physical space that is inviting for that. how can we bring breaks from noise into our daily lives?

thank you so much for reading, and thanks to nori iijima from **[GIV](http://giv.co.jp)** and everyone on the team for this great experience and for some of the photographs i am using in this article.

special thanks to ariya for guiding us and preparing this very special day in kawagoe.

/ rc

–

01 [GIV株式会社](https://www.giv.co.jp/)\
02 photography: [@GIV\_Tama](https://x.com/GIV_Tama)\
03 [@nori\_iijima](https://x.com/nori_iijima)

川越

Product Design @ Sketch

Inside Sketch: An introduction to semantic design

A designer’s journey to collaboration beyond the canvas

9 Months as a Design Lead

川越 – Kawagoe

Three mindsets to level up your design portfolio game

A year in Dribbble

Cultivating Creative Collaboration

Foundations in Creative Leadership

Storytelling for Influence

UX Research: From Methods to Practice

Leading for Creativity

3 Weeks Program including: Programming for Designers, Service Design and Designing Connected Products

Entrevista a Ramsés Cabello

Dead Simple Sites

Apple necesita darle una vuelta a las Preferencias del sistema en Mac, y ya hay propuestas circulando en las redes

What is collaborative design?

Fan Creates Incredible Concept for a Nintendo Switch Music Application

History of ULPGC's website

2023 Graphic Design Trends: Insiders Reveal Future Game-Changers

ニューノーマルワーカーズ Vol.1 (Book)

A friendler website

Our favorite features from 2024 — and what’s next

Cross Team Collaboration

Product Tribes AMA #1 — Ramsés Cabello

Read.cv Digest #90

2020 Design Trends (Video)

#H4G HackForGood LPGC / Mentores de diseño: Ramses Cabello

From the Canary Islands to Copenhagen: Ramsés Cabello on Creativity, Collaboration, and Culture

Space to play: How Ramsés Cabello uses Sketch to relax and unwind

2020 Design Trends (Book)

Ask Me Anything (AMA)

WFH時代の働き方診断テスト『Skuap Remote』

7Reads

Corporate Site

Collections

Discover

Export in Web app

design–mind edu

Dark Mode, Share, Sort & Filter

’24 Web app UI

Enterprise Design System

minimal html+css project introducing an interactive breathing exercise for mobile and desktop

breath exercise

Graphic design for an open-source COVID-19 Decontamination Toolkit using UV-C light, with readily available parts, clear building instructions, and a protocol to run the setup.

COVID-19 Dec. Toolkit

Links, articles, videos and other useful bits organised by topics.

Design Resources – on Hiatus

no empty half heart is a personal sokoban game where you push pieces of a broken hear to make it whole again. take it easy, go through it and rebuild the strength of a broken heart with every level.

no empty half heart

[boop](https://ramsesc.gumroad.com/l/boop) is a personal project font that I began designing in March 2023. this font is perfect for conveying kind, loving, and beautiful messages in a bold and playful manner. it features a total of 140 glyphs, including both uppercase and lowercase letters, along with some delightful and decorative characters.

boop display font

a writing project – in spanish – covering videogames. short term, "cualquier botón" (any button) is a scrapbook where I collect notes and ideas about the games that interest me. long term, this project becomes a detailed record of the titles I'm playing. 

cualquier botón ↓

7Reads is a minimal mindful reading list for Google Chrome. It helps you keep an uncluttered read list of articles. Save up to 7 articles to read later and read an article from your list before adding a new one.

Collaboration is an essential part of a designer’s workflow. Doing that on canvas introduces brand new levels of efficiency. But what happens when a designer moves beyond the canvas? Sketch’s Product Designer Ramsés Cabello will explore collaboration on a cross-functional level to shed more light on what it means to share — be it sharing your work, your knowledge, or your opinions.

Virtual spaces can welcome different voices who are more comfortable communicating on that platform. However, it can also create barriers of communication and engagement for those less familiar with it. In this workshop we discuss online communities and its future.

Workshop: How we create connecting experiences in a virtual world?

As designers we’re constantly trying to create a space where we showcase our work. We face many struggles along the way while putting together a design portfolio: there isn’t enough time, we’re under pressure, there isn’t enough to showcase, or we don’t know even know where to start…

The Designer in the Mirror: A look behind the process of publishing a design portfolio

Guest Lecture at Universidad Internacional de La Rioja – sharing my design experience with participants and discussing tools, collaboration and documentation. This lecture was part of the Prototyping Tools subject with David G. and Yusef H.

Guest Lecture: Tools, Docs & Collaboration (and what's in between)

Collaborating with the Teaching Team from IDEO U to support learners during the Story For Influence and Creative Leadership online courses. Offering feedback through the learning platform, supporting during the weekly Community Conversations, and assisting learners and teachers along their learning journey.