Es Devlin, the celebrated artist and stage designer, has a simple but profound insight: the most compelling work emerges when you ignore the rules and embrace the unknown. In an interview with Art Basel, she shared, “I’ve learned that I make my most interesting work when I don’t know the rules and I don’t know what I’m doing.”

This statement challenges the conventional wisdom that creativity thrives in a controlled, familiar environment. For Devlin, each project is a prototype, a bold experiment that may or may not succeed, but each one pushes the boundaries of what’s possible.

Her approach is not just a personal philosophy but a way of life. Devlin has even created a dedicated space in her home, a room without a brief or commission, where she can explore and make a mess without being in control. This space is a reminder that the initial panic and uncertainty are not necessarily bad; they can be the source of innovation.

The retrospective of her career, Es Devlin: Other Worlds, opening at London's Design Museum, serves as a testament to the value of this approach. It brings together her work across sculpture, stage design, music, language, and light, showcasing how her willingness to take risks and embrace the unknown has defined her 30-year career. Devlin’s message is clear: sometimes, the discomfort at the beginning is a sign that you’re doing something new and exciting.

What can we all learn from Devlin? That the uncomfortable bit at the beginning isn’t the problem, it might be the point of it all.