Soon after the start of my past career as an environmental educator, I learned the following about teaching, and the approach one takes to the practice.
![graph-teaching-goals graph](http://sproutreach.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/graph-teaching-goals.gif)
Nearly a dozen years later, at the start of my career as a graphic designer, I discovered that a similar principle holds true for graphic design.
![Graphic Design goals graph](http://sproutreach.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/graph-design-goals.gif)
Around that same time, I came upon a bit of self-understanding regarding my work and the topics I was addressing. While the following surely doesn’t apply to all designers, I have found the principle is holds up in my case, and perhaps even grows stronger over time.
![graph-engagement graph](http://sproutreach.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/graph-engagement.gif)