Derek Torsani

About

I'm a multidisciplinary designer and multi-instrumentalist creating work that focuses on diverse inclusion, social impact, and explores the boundaries of art, language, and communication.

Currently, I live in Washington, DC and work remotely designing digital products and managing a design system for Oracle.

"Let's change the way we eat, the change the way live, and let's change the way we treat each other."

—Tupac Shakur, 1992

Current Music Inspiration

Principles

Communication

Communicating honestly and transparently helps me to understand others and allows me to better be understood. Listening to someone speaking takes precedence over checking the latest notification received, so I keep my phone on 'Do Not Disturb' to ensure I am fully engaged in the present moment and giving the human or task at hand the attention it deserves.

Tangibility

Instead of being very active on social media, I value in-person interactions which provide a more welcoming space for emotion, clarity, and appropriate silence. This is difficult as an introvert, but I've found that staying connected with the world beyond the screen improves the wealth of my mind and the health of my heart.

Altruism

Giving back of my resources and gifts is worth more to me than receiving clout or money. Monetization is never the first goal of any project I create. It is important to me to be present among marginalized communities and educate myself on the way others experience the world. The more empathy we gain for others, the more harmonious we can live among each other and help give of what we each have to benefit the greater good of humanity.

Recognition

Creative inspiration and spiritual growth occur most when I listen to people who are different than myself share their stories. Recognition of privilege by way of race, class, and access to resources is necessary for me to acknowledge differing perspectives. I typically find this in music, podcasts, books, film, and most of all, through engagement with others.

Studiousness

I believe that practice makes progress. Striving for perfection limits my ability to connect to my purpose. Design and music are both forms of communication I use that can transcend barriers of culture, language, and emotion.

Projects

Halfdollar

A free spreadsheet budgeting template built for collaboration. It enables you to manually log transactions of varying frequencies, then calculates leftover amounts, plan to actual comparisons, and predict monthly and annual forecasts.

Visit Halfdollar

Weiigh

A spreadsheet assisting in determining the weight of personal options and preferences, and deciding between two or more choices. (please understand that to have an option of choice in the first place is to be privileged)

Visit Weiigh