Debbie Millman has an ongoing project at PRINT titled “What Matters.” This is an effort to understand the interior life of artists, designers, and creative thinkers. This facet of the project is a request of each invited respondent to answer ten identical questions and submit a nonprofessional photograph.
Anijo Mathew is the Dean, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Urban Technology, and Academy Director, at the Institute of Design.
What is the thing you like doing most in the world?
I used to be a voracious reader and read all the time. I seldom find time to read nowadays, but my new obsession is listening to podcasts. I find them to be almost as good as reading books. My favorite podcasts are Empire (the rise and fall of empires covered by two endearing historians. The stories are filled with leadership lessons), Planet Money (a quirky, playful podcast about economics), The Ezra Klein Show (Klein is a master of interviews and brings on fantastic guests), and 99% Invisible (Roman Mars and his amazing radio voice tackle pertinent design issues. The name of the podcast is derived from a quote by Buckminster Fuller, who taught at the Institute of Design).
What is the first memory you have of being creative?
Ever since I was a child, I loved storytelling. My first memory of being creative was when I drew Transformers and GI Joe comics in the 8th grade—story, pencil, ink, speech bubbles…it was a big deal! Since then, I have used my architecture, design, and computer science background to tell new stories—stories of design and technology. In 2014, I applied my love of storytelling to build my startup, an urban storytelling platform. Today, I engage visitors to the Institute of Design using our 87-year history, our beautiful new building, and compelling student and faculty projects as a storytelling medium!
What is your biggest regret?
Have you heard the quote, “An arrow can only be shot by being pulled backward?” I love that quote! I pull myself away as fast as possible whenever I feel regret or remorse. Every regret is a pullback to something greater and more powerful!
How have you gotten over heartbreak?
My one heartbreak led to the most amazing journey of my life. I left my high-paying job, got on a train to Mumbai, and started my first design firm with two of my best friends from college. While in Mumbai, I crossed paths with another one of my friends. At a time when I could not afford to buy a cup of chai, this woman became my pillar and inspiration. Today, she is my wife of 20 years. My experience of starting a design firm and the constant support of my wife led me to apply to the Harvard Graduate School of Design, become a professor, come to ID, and get to where I am today. There is not a day that goes by when I wonder what my life would have been if I hadn’t had that heartbreak!
What makes you cry?
Any departure, especially friends, colleagues, and family.
How long does the pride and joy of accomplishing something last for you?
A very long time! I love the adrenaline boost of accomplishing something and try to keep the positive energy going as long as possible. That said, I never sit and bask in the glory of an accomplishment…I am always on the lookout for something new. Every outcome is a prototype for the next one!
Do you believe in an afterlife, and if so, what does that look like to you?
I am an agnostic. I believe in science, so things like the afterlife don’t make sense to me. That said, I am startled by how much quantum physics and science are starting to look like the Vedic philosophies and theories. Perhaps time is pre-determined and cyclical. Perhaps there is rebirth. Perhaps our forefathers were scientists, but their science was covered in mysticism and spirituality over time. Will we ever know?
What do you hate most about yourself?
I am not detail-oriented. I am a futurist and tend to think in metrics big and far. This creates a problem. I am not very good at seeing and managing things small and near. But the good news is I am aware of this weakness. Therefore, I always try to surround myself with people who are good at details. My closest partner at ID is my Associate Dean, an amazing detail-oriented thinker. We make a good team because we complement each other; I think big…he brings me back to the ground.
What do you love most about yourself?
I am a quintessential optimist. I believe a preferred state always exists, and as designers, our job is to move the world there (calling from Herbert Simon). I try to separate myself from the negative thinkers and the cynics. There is much negativity around us, and we need more optimism. I love that I think this way, and in some very small ways, I can instill this optimism in others through my actions and words.
What is your absolute favorite meal?
Anyone who knows me knows I love to eat. My favorite meal is a chicken curry prepared with coconut milk and black pepper, served with flaky Kerala porotta bread. It’s my homage to my heritage. I come from the southwestern part of India; a state called Kerala. Many of the spices we use today, black pepper, vanilla, cardamom, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and turmeric, came to Europe from my home state. This dish is an explosion of spices, color, and texture; eating it would be my last wish before I die.
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