'Wabi-sabi: the beauty of imperfection' introduces the core tenants behind wabi-sabi, the Japanese concept of beauty in a transient world, and how it applies to your work flow.

1. wabi-sabi
the beauty of imperfection

2. Wikipedia says:
Wabi-sabi (侘寂) represents a
comprehensive Japanese world view
or aesthetic centered on the
acceptance of transience.

3. Wabi-sabi is to the Japanese what the Greek ideals of beauty
and perfection are to the West.

4. everything is
imperfect
incomplete
impermanent

5. the beauty of...
character
age
weathering
utility
...ugliness

6. Imperfection
The impossibility of ideals.

7. Plato knew
that absolute
perfection is
impossible.

8. The ideal horse.
the ideal horse

9. The closer
something is to
that invisible
ideal, the more
beautiful it
seems.

10. all things we create
have a degree of
imperfection

11. With time,
imperfections
only become
more
pronounced.

12. You can lose sight of your goals when
you bog down in perfectionism.

13. my friend Leigh
She makes awesome stuff like this.
You can find her at leighdragoon.com

14. it was an awesome
project
I mean, just look at it.

15. “Hey! These look great!
Why didn’t we finish this?”

16. “Perfection” changes

17. Perfection then and perfection now

18. Whose
perfection are
we talking
about?

19. Incompleteness
Work is never done.

20. When is a plant “complete?”

21. There is always something more you can add...

23. Projects are never truly complete.

24. Impermanence
Nothing you do or create now will last forever.

25. Inevitable.

26. We like to think that we can leave some
lasting mark in the Universe.

27. The Universe trudges ever onwards.

28. Everything changes.
Nothing stays the same.

29. You are not the same person
you were ten years ago

30. Don’t expect the solutions of today to work on the
problems of tomorrow.

31. Utility
“Don't make something unless it is both
necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary
and useful, don't hesitate to make it beautiful.”
—Shaker saying

32. It must be useful.

33. True beauty only becomes apparent with use.

34. The “reality”
of a room exists in
the empty space
within
the room.

35. simplicity,
but not
minimalism

36. Wabi-sabi in America
Simple beauty in a complex world

37. You can’t
buy wabi-sabi at
Pottery Barn.

38. an acceptance of the
natural order of things

39. Thank you for watching.

40. Many thanks to the following people for the use of their beautiful
photos (in order of appearance)...
Teahouse by Hirata Yasuyuki http://www.flickr.com/photos/hirata_yasuyuki/
Parthenon by BW Bray http://www.flickr.com/photos/82297261@N00/
Buddha by Jennifer Feuchter http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennerosity/
Kelly Teague http://www.flickr.com/photos/span112/
Statue of Plato by Stacy Lynn Baum http://www.flickr.com/photos/stacylynn/
Greek Horse Statue by Jared Zimmerman http://www.flickr.com/photos/spoinknet/
Arabian Horses by Jan Ingemansen http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomanson/
Dead Pixel by Simon Wicks http://www.flickr.com/photos/lonelycoo/
Chipped Mug by Jürgen Fauth http://www.flickr.com/photos/muckster/
Illustrations by Leigh Dragoon of www.leighdragoon.com/
Renaissance Erotica by Oliver Quillia http://www.flickr.com/photos/oliver62/
Lingerie Model by Guillermo http://www.flickr.com/photos/memoflores/
I'll do anything to look like them by bejealousofme http://www.flickr.com/photos/thexbeautyxofxlove/
Winchester Mystery House by Dalvenjah FoxFire http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalvenjah/
STOP! by Annie in Beziers http://www.flickr.com/photos/annieinbeziers/
Gravestones by Tim Duckett http://www.flickr.com/photos/tim_d/
My Egyptian Statue Has No Nose. by Jamie Carter http://www.flickr.com/photos/letsbook/
blossoms by rakka http://www.flickr.com/photos/rakka/
Sony Walkman CD Player by Robert Leverington http://www.flickr.com/photos/roberthl/
tadpole puberty 2 by Dave Campbell http://www.flickr.com/photos/limowreck666/
Stone Tiles by Chris Jackson http://www.flickr.com/photos/abundanceguy/
worn stairs by van Ort http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanort/
pitcher by Steve Mishos http://www.flickr.com/photos/flyzipper/
wabi sabi by fling93 http://www.flickr.com/photos/fling93/
wabi sabi by Sean Ganann http://www.flickr.com/photos/essgee/

41. find me on Twitter @crowchick