Anger – beautiful, constructive & a force for good
A series of conversations and moments which have led me to see anger differently and essential in creating change.
Written by Becky
Co-Creative director
“Whoever doesn’t like foxes is a monster!!” is just one of my 8 year old daughter Robyn’s fierce opinions which seemingly came from nowhere.
I was talking to my partner about Robyn’s newly formed opinions, to which he replied; ‘Oh yeah, she probably gets her opinionatedness from you’.
But why was I left feeling a little insulted?
Am I really opinionated?
I never wanted to be that opinionated troll who inflicts their strong opinions, then prods and pokes just for entertainment.
Why had I associated expressing an opinion with annoyance, aggression, stubbornness, close minded-ness and ego?
Why did I see Robyn’s anger sparkle, whilst ugly for myself? A dirty word I found uncomfortable to say.
Channeling it through creativity
Wading through years of parent brain fog, I travelled way back to when I began living my beliefs and values through my work. I always wanted to use design for good, not wanting to work for those ego-driven consumer corporates when I graduated.
Throughout my career I’ve worked on some exciting projects and provocative campaigns for the likes of ActionAid, WWF, Global Justice Now and 38 degrees. United by a shared vision and determination to create a better world, I was able to channel my anger through my work. Unknowingly, righteous anger had become such a big part of my life, career and identity.
Who would I be without it?
We’ve recently started working on a visual identity for podcast Do Good & Do Well, hosted by business coach Sarah Fox who helps people find their purpose and turn it into something real.
Before getting started on the design, brand strategist Emmie Spencer evolved Sarah’s new brand proposition and messaging.
Listening to a brand coach and a business coach talk about meaning, got me questioning my own purpose, identity and what it is I admire about other purpose-driven founders.
Fire in the belly
My inquisitiveness was again reignited when reconnecting with Keith, a past client.
Working with Keith and Natalie Schmitt on the WildTech brand 6 or so years ago, has been one of my favourite projects to date. I distinctly remember seeing the fire within Natalie’s belly glow.
Natalie’s love and compassion combined with self awareness and determination helped build her career as a marine ecologist, conservation geneticist, and successful documentary presenter. All in the pursuit of addressing the biodiversity crisis that threatens our very existence.
Was the fire I first saw in Natalie fueled by anger? What would be achieved without it?
How much of what motivates you in life is based on a sense of inadequacy, or resentment, or fear, or anger?
Natalie Schmitt
Seeing it sparkle
‘Hope is ignorance. Optimism is deceitful’ was Activist Busayo Twins’ opening line at this year’s TedX conference.
Busayo Twins reminded us that passive revolutions are not possible and we are not owed a just world, we have to create it.
Her bold and realist energy was mesmerising, she appeared to completely own the stage and Tedx’s theme of ‘Planet Hope’. It brought me back to first seeing the anger sparkle in my daughter.
I was in awe of Busayo Twins’ perceptiveness and courage. It allowed me to celebrate the righteous anger within myself and wish for more of it in our world.
A force for good
Inspiration, nostalgia, admiration and an onslaught of questions have helped change my relationship with anger. Without it no one could spot injustice, speak up or discover solutions for change.
Let’s embrace anger and let it fuel an individual or organisation’s purpose and to inspire more meaningful brands. Let it guide us in doing business differently and more of what we love ❤️
We hope you enjoyed this article – it was written by the real (and dyslexic) human Becky Alford, co-founder of MakeGood, a brand and digital agency for people and planet.
