Learning Through Mistakes

Mistakes are an inevitable part of any creative journey. When I first started running my studio and developing my own designs, I worried a lot about getting everything right. Over time, I’ve come to see mistakes not as failures but as opportunities to learn and grow. Each misstep teaches something new — whether it’s a technique, a way to solve a problem, or a fresh perspective on a project.

I have learned so many new things and discovered different approaches simply by making mistakes repeatedly in design, printing, and carving. A print that didn’t come out as expected, a carving that went too deep, or a design that didn’t translate well from idea to material has often forced me to rethink, experiment, and find better methods. Even when mistakes happened during workshops, such as a misaligned stitch or unexpected material behaviour, they became small teaching moments, and sometimes sparked creative solutions I hadn’t considered.

Over the years, I’ve noticed that students experience the same thing. They become more confident, resourceful, and creative when they allow themselves to learn from errors. I often remind them, and myself, that mistakes are not setbacks. They are part of the journey, shaping skill, insight, and resilience. Embracing them has made my work richer, my teaching stronger, and my understanding of the creative process deeper.

Until next time,

Moji x