Debbie Millman’s ongoing project “What Matters,” an effort to understand the interior life of artists, designers, and creative thinkers, is now in its third year. Each respondent is invited to answer ten identical questions and submit a nonprofessional photograph.
Renan Monjon is a Brazilian from São Paulo. He is the co-founder and chief design officer of 404 Design & Innovation. He has an academic background in visual programming and design.
What is the thing you like doing most in the world?
These days, with everything moving so fast and the hustle of daily life, I really appreciate being able to do anything with time and at my own pace.
What is the first memory you have of being creative?
Drawing. Humanity has always communicated through images and figures. It precedes writing because it is the primordial form of human expression. In essence, it’s a universal language, an instinctive way of translating the visible world and emotions. I have a deep respect and admiration for those who dedicate themselves to the craft of drawing.
What is your biggest regret?
Not making the most of the time I had with people I now miss. It’s funny how we only realize the value of those moments after they’re gone.
How have you gotten over heartbreak?
By learning to respect the time and flow of things. It always hurts and will continue to hurt — it’s the price of living. I think it also helps to remember that every experience, no matter how painful, eventually passes and transforms into a lesson.
What makes you cry?
Grief. Because it’s a constant reminder of the finite nature of life and the importance of the connections we make.
How long does the pride and joy of accomplishing something last for you?
The joy of accomplishing something lasts just long enough to give me that initial boost, but then it turns into fuel for new challenges. It’s a cycle that renews itself, but always with a touch of nostalgia for what has been achieved.
Do you believe in an afterlife, and if so, what does that look like to you?
I believe in an uninterrupted flow of life, with the past, present, and future intersecting across different dimensions and various planes. For me, it’s not just an end, but a constant transformation.
What do you hate most about yourself?
Being too intense. Sometimes this intensity makes me live everything with an urgency that isn’t always healthy. While it makes me feel more present, it can also be exhausting, and I’ve been learning to find balance and respect the natural pace of things.
What do you love most about yourself?
I think I’m a “goodfella” and someone people can count on. I like to think that I’m present, whether for a deep conversation or a shared silence.
What is your absolute favorite meal?
Rice, beans, salad, braised beef, and potatoes. It’s that kind of meal that tastes like home.
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