Matthew Waldman is a New York based artist and designer most prominently known for creating NOOKA Inc. a lab dedicated to exploring universal communication via form, language and fashion.
My Definition Of Success | I have a fairly traditional view of success, one based on esteem and stature in one’s field or based on one’s work being validated financially. In this sense, and in the context of living in NYC, my success is elusive.
I Am Driven By | The promise of a more utopian world, one without geopolitical borders, without racism and hate is the goal that drives me to do all that i do.
My Highlights | Seeing former students and people I have mentored go on to do great things or work for great organizations and companies is incredibly fulfilling and validating. Having my work in the Greenwich museum collection as well as the Japanese industrial design association permanent collection were both high points to me.
The Difference Between good And Great | People who are good at what they do produce work that meets expectations. People who are great at what they do exceeds expectations or create new experiences and reactions.
A Key Talent | PERSEVERANCE and PASSION! You must believe in what you are doing enough to be your own advocate, to motivate yourself and to quite simply, get things done no matter what the obstacle or delay. This is not to say one should be insane to the point of obsession, but seeing a detour as a new road to learn more will help in growth while pursuing a dream.
Principles I Live By | learn from everyone and everything. You must respect everyone you meet and be open to learning from them. You can learn a lot from bad people – One learns how not to behave for example. So try everything, eat new foods, listen to strange experimental music, go to art shows, do not dismiss people and experiences – learn from everything and you’ll never be bored.
Dealing With Doubt | If you don’t have self doubt, how can you improve?
Resources I Use To Stay Inspired | I recommend reading these 3 books:
1. Outliers, stories of success by Malcolm Gladwell.
2. Hyperspace by Michio Kaku.
3. Teach us to overcome our madness by kenzaburooe.
My Future Dreams And Ambitions | I would like to have the resources to work on a synthetic world language to accomplish what Esperanto failed to do, unify the planet in a productive monoculture that cooperates for the health and advancement of the planet. Of course, I tell this story and share this message subliminally via my design projects, and there are many of those yet to be realized/produced.
The Meaning Of Life | The meaning of life is to appreciate and strive for oneness with the universe. This should translate to a respect for everything animate and inanimate, to view everything with intelligence.
The Best Advice I’ve Received | Many years ago when i was in my late 20s, i was given this advice from my friend Michael: “misery is easy, happiness is hard work” this is a very Buddhist concept often misinterpreted but it has an immense practical application. You see, if one wakes up in a bad mood, that mood will remain all on its own. in order to return to a happy state, one must actually decide to do things that make you happy – it requires some work, like reminding yourself that bicycle riding makes you happy and then going out for a ride. So if one takes adult responsibility for their life, they must also take responsibility to create one’s happiness. This advice has helped me out of more depressions than any psychologist I’ve seen!
Andy Fenner is the co founder of Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants which is responsible for starting a conversation that can now be heard at butchers, restaurants and dinner tables across the country. The meat merchants are getting in touch with the origins of our food, asking questions about the farmers and the animals, and eating […]
I first spotted Seth Hulley surfing as a ‘grom’ in Umhlanga Rocks in the 80’s and even way back then it wasn’t hard to see that this young man was going to go all the way. He was everything a surfer needs to be: blond, tanned, strong, athletic, fun, bad-assed, uber-confident and competitive. You name […]
Emily Bell is the first girl to kayak the length of Britain as the crew captain on Sean Conway’s record-breaking swim. Stand-up paddle boarded 1001 miles down the Missouri River as the writer on Dave Cornthwaite’s big swim. Back in London, she is Deputy Editor of new adventure magazine, Avaunt. With many other adventures up […]
Katie Spotz is an adventurer, acclaimed motivational speaker and a passionate safe water advocate. She became the youngest person to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean and was honoured as ‘Woman of the Year” in 2011 not only for her feat but for the inspiring example she sets to others. Katie Spotz Definition Of Success […]
Alasdair Harris is a marine ecologist with an unhealthy obsession for corals and has spent the past decade developing conservation initiatives in the Indian Ocean. Alasdair is recipient of the IUCN World Conservation Union’s Young Conservationists Award, winner of the Conde Nast Environment Award, an Ashoka Fellow, and a passionate ambassador of Australia’s penguins. His […]
Dee Poon is the creative force behind the bespoke men’s shirt brand PYE, creating the men’s equivalent to the little black dress: the perfectly tailored crisp white dress shirt. A frequent presence on best-dressed lists in Asia and around the world, Poon is Hong Kong fashion royalty, the daughter of Dickson Poon, the owner of […]
Passionate about international education and providing diverse academic options to committed learners, Angela Franklin (a native of Cincinnati, Oh) has worked in West Africa and the United Arab Emirates in the development and implementation of several international branch campuses. Franklin has extensive professional experience working with international partners to develop collaborative programs. As the Director […]
Nigel Saval was motivated by his love for surfing and the pivotal role that this sport played in his life, he started the 9 Miles Project in 2013 with the vision of improving the community. The project works with the youth of Strandfontein, Bayview, San Remo and surrounding informal settlements in the Western Cape and […]
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.
Our Mission
© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME
