Who is Alan Moore?
Alan Moore is a writer, designer, and business innovator known for his compelling vision of how beauty, creativity, and purpose can transform individuals and organizations. With a career spanning multiple continents, Moore has authored several books that explore the intersection of design, culture, and business, including “Do Design: Why Beauty is the Key to Everything.” He is passionate about bringing beauty into everyday life and believes that businesses can be a force for good by integrating meaning and authenticity into their work.
Alan Moore has partnered with global companies, governments, and educational institutions to reimagine leadership, culture, and innovation. Through writing, speaking, and teaching, he advocates using beauty and creativity to drive positive change. Moore’s insights have resonated with a global audience, inspiring leaders to rethink how they approach innovation and the role of beauty in shaping a better world.
Do Design: why beauty is key to everything - Alan Moore
Alan Moore, in his book “Do Design: Why Beauty is the Key to Everything,” invites us to strive for a world that is more beautiful, meaningful, and joyful. He challenges us to rethink and reinvent our roles as human beings, urging us to embrace creativity, purpose, and an appreciation for beauty in everything we do. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about finding truth and creating a life filled with restorative and regenerative actions that bring happiness.
In a recent conversation with Aidan McCullen, Alan Moore delves deeper into the themes of his book, “Do Design: Why Beauty is the Key to Everything.” Moore invites us to strive for a more beautiful, meaningful, and joyful world. He challenges us to rethink and reinvent our roles as human beings, urging us to embrace creativity, purpose, and an appreciation for beauty in everything we do.
Moore discusses a shift among younger generations searching for companies with purpose. They aren’t content to simply collect a paycheck—they want work that aligns with their values and contributes positively to the world. As one CEO he interviewed said, “People don’t come here for a paycheck; they come here to work on a project.” This shift reflects a desire for impact that is a ripple, not a splash, showing that meaningful change is gradual and often unmeasured. As Albert Einstein said, “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”
Moore critiques how organizations approach innovation, pointing out that “innovation inside organizations is an oxymoron.” Companies often focus on risk mitigation, deadlines, and revenue, while true innovation requires a creative approach that asks, “What is the best outcome I can create?” This vision-driven mindset is often embodied by the maverick or change-maker who starts with the end in mind and doesn’t worry about the challenges. As Moore says, “The greatest risk is not taking one.”
Moore encourages us to see beauty, creativity, and purpose essential to a meaningful life. He reminds us that we should strive for a world that is not only productive but also joyful and beautiful. Focusing on what we can create and how it can bring happiness, we tap into our unique potential and connect more deeply with the world around us.
Ultimately, Moore believes that hope is a fundamental part of our identity. It pushes us to invest our unlimited resources—our creativity, passion, and vision—into achieving meaningful outcomes, even when they seem elusive. By keeping the shimmering coast of utopia in our sights, we can live in a way that reflects our highest values and aspirations.
Moore’s vision is clear: to build a world where beauty, creativity, and purpose guide our choices. In doing so, we make space for a truly worthwhile life filled with joy, meaning, and a sense of belonging.
Damn you, Alan Moore
Tim Galles, Chief Idea Officer at Barkley Kansas, shares his experience participating in one of Moore's programs, highlighting the benefits of integrating beauty and purpose into business practice.