• by Sophie Kleber , February 12, 2010

Here's a trans formative story. A couple of years ago, Marian, after 10 years in graphic design changed the way she was working. Instead of following strategy and rational directions, she decided to do what she wanted to do. She followed her heart, her guts and her ego - and became amazingly popular.

Her drives are to bring joy and fun, following her heart and being able to pursue what she desires. Marian has worked in sugar, pasta, tin foil, she's produced puzzles, patterns, valentines and poetry. She wonders why visual wealth is hardly used in adult literature and information. Being here at TED is difficult, because it is hard for designers to accept that they are producing something more than pretty pictures when surrounded by rocket scientists. But Marian has come to understand that a purely visual contribution is pure inspiration. And only because it cannot be measured doesn't make it worth less.

Marian is not shy about her genius, because she is brilliant.