PRESENT is a magazine about making and self-reflection. It’s about concentrating vs. letting go, and exploring the bliss and struggle of creating. We speak to makers around the world about their path and philosophies in order to demystify the creative process. This is a space for honest conversations about discipline, fear, career paths and confidence.
We believe that our journey reveals who we really are — perhaps even more so than our chosen destination. Sharing that rocky, unromanticized process with others is bold, and has the power to inspire and encourage. Because no matter our backgrounds, we all face similar challenges when we create something new in this world.
PRESENT is for all makers and dreamers. For all dreamers who make. For anyone creating something and challenging themselves on purpose. We share ways of overcoming procrastination and self-doubts that might hold us back from being truly present and tackle our favorite unrealized project.
Energy
What are the most effective and fun methodologies for PHYSICAL and MENTAL fitness?
We are exploring tools and tactics to keep a CLEAR HEAD.
Examining the challenges and benefits of meditation and BEING PRESENT, and how to get there. (And why it's worth trying.)
Work
The PSYCHOLOGY of how to get our most important work done — despite the beautiful mess around us.
IMPORTANT vs. URGENT.
Why prioritization is key and ‘being busy’ often a form of laziness.
A journey into the RITUALS, habits, strategies of professional humans of all kind.
Awareness
WHY are we actually doing what we are doing? How can we CREATE new ideas today's world?
How do we FILTER these days? And how to deal better with the overload of information and options around us?
An ode on the importance of REFLECTION and the cultivation of brutally honest SELF-AWARENESS .
Culture
This is a supportive platform to PRESENT the work and lives of creative talent around the world.
What MOVES us to do our best? And what helps us if we are getting lost on the way?
Architect, accountant, actress or athlete — together we explore the struggles, the bliss, lessons, and motivations of EVERY SOUL .
Self-battles on glossy magazine spreads
We publish the struggles, successes and battles proudly, with outstanding editorial design and fresh photography, confidently pushing everyone who is making towards execution and delivery. This is hi-definition self-help. Our aim is to make being present more interesting. Visually and intellectually.
HYPER–TRANSPARENCY
This magazine is its own example of an unrealized project that came true. Therefore, the making of the magazine, the victories and challenges we face, are shared with the readers. A making-of voice is hidden in the spine of each page and we feed a daily online public tracker with process of the project. We believe that sharing is the best form of support.
A SUPPORTIVE NETWORK
Present is both a publication and a continuous discourse on creating, chasing and actualizing our dreams. In this increasingly individualistic era, we see Present as platform for social engagement – a place where we can share solutions to the problems faced by all of us, whatever we make or create. This project is operating on the intersection of work psychology, mindfulness, creativity, fashion, self-help and culture.
I started getting deeper into the psychology of work, the creative process and the power of habits while I was still studying — and on the edge of burning out . I always had big ambitions with a hundred projects and interests at once.
How can we balance it all without driving ourselves crazy? How can we live life to the fullest — and at the same time be present to do our best work — despite the turbulent times and a million distractions around us? This question drives me.
The challenges and tragedies in my own life helped me grow. I’m not a guru or an expert, but what I’ve learned in my life so far I want to share. I’m just grateful, want to make positivity louder and build things.
My journey to become better in my craft as a designer took me around the globe and I was lucky to meet many fascinating characters who became friends and mentors along the way. I want to build on those relationships.
So now — next to running my independent design studio — I aim to build this platform and community to collaborate with great people, and to explore together these topics and many more.
