The document discusses the concept of a "fractal professional" and how it differs from traditional approaches. A fractal professional has T-shaped skills rather than vertical expertise and takes an iterative, observational approach to problem-solving and validation rather than definitive or survey-based. They communicate strategies through visual and multimedia scenarios instead of spreadsheets. Characteristics of becoming a fractal professional include reading widely, building a large network, having an elevator pitch ready, and fostering leadership skills.

1. The Fractal Profession
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein
Design
(The Fractal Profession)

2. The Fractal Profession
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein

3. The Fractal Profession
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein

4. The Fractal Profession
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein
Characteristics of the Fractal Professional

5. The Fractal Profession
Design, Innovation & Passion
Design Thinking
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein
Research / Inspiration:
(traditional approach) (design / fractal approach)
-Market Analysis -What Might Be

6. The Fractal Profession
Design, Innovation & Passion
Design Thinking
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein
Problem Solving:
(traditional approach) (design / fractal approach)
-Definitive -Iterative

7. The Fractal Profession
Design, Innovation & Passion
Design Thinking
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein
Validation:
(traditional approach) (design / fractal approach)
-Focus Groups/Surveys -Direct Observation

8. The Fractal Profession
Design, Innovation & Passion
Design Thinking
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein
Communicate Strategy Through:
(traditional approach) (design / fractal approach)
-Spreadsheets -Visual and Multimedia
Scenarios

9. The Fractal Profession
Design, Innovation & Passion
Design Thinking
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein
Professional Characteristics:
(traditional approach) (fractal approach)
-Vertical Expertise -T-shaped Skills

10. The Fractal Profession
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein
Both a Controller and Facilitator

11. The Fractal Profession
Design, Innovation & Passion
Design Thinking
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein
Becoming a Fractal Professional

12. The Future of Design
Design Thinking
Fractal Profession
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein
Be Your Own Trend Forecaster:
-Read Wide (WSJ, NYT, Financial Times,
Economist, etc.)
-Write Narrow (tweet, blog, etc.)
-Attend conferences of other disciplines
(you’ll be exotic; go early / stay late)

13. The Future of Design
Design Thinking
Fractal Profession
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein
Build Your Network:
-Meet 10 new people every week to
Find partners / clients
Recruit others to be your agents
Connect your nodes via salons, meals
Create a braintrust (own Board of Directors)

14. The Future of Design
Design Thinking
Fractal Profession
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein
Be Prepared:
-Cards
-Smartphone, etc. with your work on it
-Elevator pitch (your short story)
-Café pitch (longer version)
-Reciprocal altruism

15. The Future of Design
Design Thinking
Fractal Profession
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein
Tom Klinkowstein
Foster Leadership Skills:
-Learn to work with “people you don’t like”

16. The Future of Design
Design Thinking
Fractal Profession
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein
Have a Dialog:
-Its not just what you want, its what
the world wants of you.

17. The Future of Design
Design Thinking
Fractal Profession
Horizon Projects Workshop Tom Klinkowstein
Thank you.
klinkows@mediaa.com