Christian Schaaf's Blog + Portfolio

Tag: blog

  • Lessons From the Peaks: What I Learned Creating a Passion Project

    Lessons From the Peaks: What I Learned Creating a Passion Project

    Getting the chance to do a passion project is a privilege. You get to dive into research on a topic you care about, create work in a medium you choose, and let your creativity lead the way. Your canvas is entirely your own.

    For me, that meant merging two things I care deeply about: national parks and preservation with my love for design. That’s how my campaign, Preserve the Peaks, an educational project about Rocky Mountain National Park that encourages visitors to enjoy the park responsibly, came to life. It has been an exciting journey, and I learned some lessons while working on this project worth sharing.

    Creating Content Takes Time

    If I had to pick one key lesson, it’s this: creating content takes time. More time than you expect. To truly meet your goals, you have to dedicate enough time for every phase: research, planning, production, and post-production.

    If you think something will take five hours, give yourself ten. Projects always demand more than you think. But here’s the good news: when you’re invested in the process, the time doesn’t feel wasted. Even though the work was time-consuming, I enjoyed every step because I believed in the project.

    Keep Track of Everything

    This project was my first time using a project management system, and I chose Trello. It completely changed the way I worked. I tracked every step, from the tasks I completed to the time each one took.

    Not only did this help me stay on schedule, but it also gave me insight into my workflow. Now I know how long it really takes me to research, draft, design, and polish content. That’s knowledge I’ll carry into every future project.

    Be Flexible: Things Will Change

    No matter how well you plan, your final project will almost never look exactly like the idea you started with. And that’s okay.

    At the beginning of Preserve the Peaks, I thought I was going to create only an interactive posters in Genially. Once I explored the platform, I realized I could build something bigger and more interactive: a game where visitors test their knowledge of responsible park practices. That change made the project more fun and more impactful.

    The lesson? Be open to change. Don’t shut down an idea before you’ve explored it. Sometimes those unexpected turns make your project stronger.

    Planning is Your Best Friend

    When life gets busy, it’s hard to carve out big chunks of time for creative work. That’s why planning is so important.

    I broke my project into small, actionable tasks that I could check off, even if I only had fifteen minutes to spare. Over time, those little steps added up to big progress. Trello made this process smooth, but any system that works for you will do the job. The key is having a plan and sticking to it.

    Have Fun

    At the end of the day, the most important part of a passion project is the joy it brings. You have the opportunity to explore an idea that excites you, so lean into it. Embrace each step, let yourself get lost in the creative process, and enjoy the ride.

    To see the full process behind Preserve the Peaks, check out my case study here.

    Final Thoughts

    Whatever project you choose to embark on, embrace it fully. Be open to change, manage your time wisely, plan your steps, and most importantly, have fun with it. Your passion deserves the time and care it takes to bring it to life.

  • Writing for Yourself: The Power of Simplicity and Authenticity

    Writing for Yourself: The Power of Simplicity and Authenticity

    The Audience: How Well Do We Really Know Them?
    When we write, design, or create videos, we often focus on tailoring the message to our audience. But how well can we truly define them? Sure, research can help us get closer to understanding their interests and needs, but is it ever possible to know them fully? If we can’t pinpoint every detail, how do we ensure our work will resonate with our audience?

    This week, as I read On Writing Well by William Zinsser, I encountered a thought-provoking paradox:

    You must write for yourself.

    This idea felt counterintuitive at first, even contradictory to everything I have been taught. But as I considered it, I began to understand Zinsser’s statement.

    How Can Writing for Yourself Engage an Audience?
    You might wonder, “If I only write for myself, how will my audience connect with it?” Zinsser’s answer is simple: you can’t control whether your readers will resonate with your writing style or humor. Writing for yourself doesn’t mean ignoring the audience – it means trusting that your authentic voice will attract those who appreciate it.

    In “The Source of Bad Writing,” Steven Pinker argues that confusing prose often results from writers intentionally choosing unclear language. I know this firsthand: when I come across an article packed with complex jargon, I lose interest quickly. Writers sometimes forget that their readers aren’t experts on the subject and fail to clarify concepts or terminology. As a reader, I value simplicity and clarity – qualities that bring readers in rather than push them away.

    Write Like You’re Speaking to a Friend
    One piece of advice from Zinsser particularly resonated with me:

    Never say anything in writing that you wouldn’t comfortably say in conversation.

    In college, and even high school, I used large, complex words in my writing to sound more “academic.” I thought complexity meant quality. My goal was to impress teachers and professors with my vocabulary, but I often sacrificed meaning and clarity. Did my readers fully understand? When I re-read my work, did I even understand it?

    Simplicity is Key
    If readers struggle to grasp your message, they’re likely to stop engaging with your work. Crafting simple, clear sentences is an art that takes years to perfect, but it’s well worth the effort. Zinsser reminded me that if I lose my authentic voice and can’t make sense of my own words, I lose my purpose as a writer.

    I’ll leave you with this thought: great writing isn’t about being complicated or overly polished. It’s about connecting with readers in a way that feels honest and easy to understand. So, write for yourself, stay true to your voice, and simplicity is often the most powerful choice.