Positive psychology has revealed a total of 40% of our happiness is comprised of intentional behavior, thoughts, and actions, and this is how 0.4 Magazine came about—it's about the 40%. We chat with founder, Clio Dill, about the stuff that you can control and implement into your life and her new interview series ‘Periodical Perspectives'; plus she shares some inspiring advice for living your best and happiest life!
How did you name your practice and what does the name represent to you?
Positive psychology has revealed that while 50% of our happiness is due to genetics and 10% to life circumstances—such as our age, occupation, and marital status—a total of 40% of it is comprised of intentional behavior, thoughts, and actions. In other words, a large percentage of our happiness is ours to take, if we know how to.
0.4 Magazine is about the 40%: the stuff that you can control and implement into your life.
What are your three must-read design books, blogs or podcasts and why?
These books aren’t exactly design-focused but they will change your design practice (and life) for the better:
1. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg.
2. TLDR: change your habits and change your life. I read this book every time I fall off the bandwagon and need to reset. I’m always really motivated after reading it to get my sh*t together again because of the really inspirational studies and stories shared.
3. Mindfulness by Ellen Langer. There’s a really interesting section on how mindfulness affects creativity and work. It’s pretty insane how you can rewire your brain too by changing thought patterns.
4. The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner. This is such a rad book about traveling and really makes you think about how everyone has such a different perspective on life. Being able to empathize and understand different perspectives is critical when working with clients, understanding a brief, presenting design directions, etc. The best design is accessible to everyone!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Since I’ve been doing a lot of interviews for 0.4 Magazine, I feel like I keep receiving such good advice on a daily basis.
A few of my faves:
1. Figure out what you care most about and direct most of your energy towards that.
2. Be better, not bitter.
3. At the end of the day, your happiness is the most important thing.
4. The only legacy you can leave is the way you make others feel.
5. Your body is your home; take care of it physically and mentally.
Any passion projects/collabs you would like to share?
Last time I had the opportunity to do this interview for Clio Dill Design, I shared that 0.4 Magazine was a passion project that I was excited about. Now, I’m thrilled to share that I’m actually releasing Issue 01 in Seattle, LA, and New York at select stores. You can also order Issue 01 online here.
In addition to the print issue, I’ve also been working on developing content for the website and Instagram platform. Each channel and medium lends itself to showcase what 0.4 means as a brand in a different way.
One of the 0.4 projects I’m most excited about is the interview series I started called ‘Periodical Perspectives’. The series includes creatives (like Ngaio Parr -- one of my favorite designers) in addition to people I’ve grown up with who inspire me on a daily basis.
PSA: If you’re interested in writing or collaborating with 0.4 for our next issue or online, reach out!
Go after what you want because nobody will be as big a champion for you than you.
What do you think the design community could do more to give back?
My whole M.O. right now is you have to take care of yourself if you want to take care of others.
I think as a community we should be taking better care of ourselves so that we can be a more unified force. Setting work/life boundaries and getting off our devices and out into the real world is critical for wellness and creativity. I actually find that I am most inspired when I’m not on my computer and take time to explore my neighborhood, travel, read, etc.
I also think that we also need to reflect on why we create and what our intentions are with the work we do; the design is a powerful medium that changes the world, either positively or negatively.
2019 for you in a sentence.
Go after what you want because nobody will be as big for a champion for you that you.
(TY @ Jacqueline Pifer, my “cool mom.”)
Where to find 0.4 Magazine online.
Website: pointfourmag.com
Instagram: @pointfourmag
