Debbie Millman has an ongoing project at PRINT titled “What Matters.” This is an effort to understand the interior life of artists, designers, and creative thinkers. This facet of the project is a request of each invited respondent to answer ten identical questions and submit a nonprofessional photograph.
Sarah Moffat is the global chief creative officer at Turner Duckworth. Having worked at the world-class branding agency for more than twenty-five years, she knows the best ideas are either staring you in the face or hiding in the most unlikely of places – and she’s on a quest to uncover them all.
What is the thing you like doing most in the world?
Rituals. Little routines that ground me in the moment and help place focus on the here and now. It can be as simple as brewing a pot of tea, sharpening a pencil, lighting a candle, or wrapping a gift. When you spend so much time peering into the future, it’s important to honor the present.
What is the first memory you have of being creative?
Realizing I could bend rules without breaking them. It allowed me to get up to a lot of mischief yet never get into trouble. It took me a long time to realize that creativity wasn’t just about art. I was terrible at drawing but when it came to coloring just outside the lines, I was a natural.
What is your biggest regret?
Regret often stems from wishing things had turned out differently. I don’t have a crystal ball or a time machine, so I don’t tend to worry about it. I’m usually distracted by other emotions. Anxiety has surged in recent years, but I always try to make time for joy.
How have you gotten over heartbreak?
Time. Someone should bottle it up and sell it in a jar. It’s particularly powerful when used in conjunction with distance and perspective. However, the answer to ‘What do you hate most about yourself?’ makes it challenging to truly resolve this one.
What makes you cry?
Goodbyes.
How long does the pride and joy of accomplishing something last for you?
It’s directly proportional to the effort required to achieve the accomplishment.
Do you believe in an afterlife, and if so, what does that look like to you?
Not exactly. I think you live on in the hearts and minds of those whose lives you touched. It’s less of a “life” and more of a beautifully curated exhibit; some are privately owned collections, and others are open to the public.
What do you hate most about yourself?
My archival memory. I can forgive but it’s almost impossible to forget.
What do you love most about yourself?
My archival memory. It provides a deep well of emotional resilience (and useless facts). I am never not learning, which means I’m almost always hungry. Talking of which…
What is your absolute favorite meal?
One that is shared with friends and family. Good company can transform even questionable foods into a veritable feast.