Find the Magic
In Design and Leadership
Welcome
Epigraph
"It's still magic, even though you know how it's done."
- Terry Pratchet
Hark and welcome, noble traveler, to the final tome of my journey—crafted not merely to exhibit my growth as a designer and leader, but to immerse thee in an epic quest through realms of creativity, challenge, and transformation. This is no ordinary chronicle of projects; nay, it is an enchanted grimoire, a tapestry of trials and triumphs woven through magic, mystery, and might. Each chapter is a scroll of lore, every choice a rune, and the tale of my evolution as a design sorcerer and emerging steward awaits thy discovery.
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I chose to forge this portfolio in the likeness of a legendary quest, not out of whimsy, but to reflect the winding, wondrous path that marked my journey. Like adventurers decoding arcane riddles or seeking truths hidden beneath ancient ruins, designers and leaders must probe deeper, connect unseen threads, and embrace the unknown. Whether navigating the labyrinth of user needs, forging alliances within teams, or adapting to unforeseen omens, I’ve learned that great design—like the greatest sagas—rarely follows a straight path.
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This enchanted structure echoes the kind of leadership I aspire to: one that beckons companions to join the quest, chart their own path through the tale, and glean wisdom in their own way. Through fire and fog, I have grown into a leader who leads with empathy, wields uncertainty as a blade, and dares to cast spells of innovation where others see only shadows.
Ultimately, this is more than a ledger of deeds—it is a living legend. I invite thee to explore its secrets, uncover its hidden knowledge, and walk beside me on this fantastical journey. The scrolls lie open, the runes await translation, and the tale of my design and leadership odyssey is thine to unfold.
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Brave seekers of truth; your wisdom and valor are needed now more than ever.
The Curious Convergence of Noble Design and True Leadership remains an unsolved enigma. The enigmatic figure—known in whispered legends only as The Unlikely Architect—has vanished, leaving behind a trail of arcane relics scattered throughout the realm of their training.
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Your quest is thus:
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Trace their footsteps through fog and flame.
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Study the relics left behind.
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Unravel the ancient riddle: By what magic did design and leadership entwine in this champion’s tale? Was it fate? Fortune? Foresight? Or a conjuration of all three?
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Within these digital halls lie tomes of knowledge and enchanted scrolls—beginning with the sacred “Leadership Manifesto,” sealed with runes and hidden in eerily perfect order.
The quest begins now. May your insight be sharp, your heart be bold, and your mind ever curious.
The fate of the story lies in your hands. Good fortune, wayfinder.
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Leadership Manifesto
McClelland and Sir Archer, Keepers of the Realm
Honored Seekers,
If thine eyes gaze upon this parchment, then the seal hath been broken and the trail still lingers with warmth.
For many moons, thou hast traced ancient symbols—quiet acts of valor, wise craftsmanship, and curious signs of leadership etched across scrolls, tomes, and relics.
Thy suspicions were just. Something stirred in the shadows.
So now, I step forth and offer this: my truth.
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I pledge fealty to a kind of leadership that listens ere it speaks.
To crafting not with thunder, but with understanding.
To guiding through the fog, even when the road is wild and twisted.
To asking noble questions—not merely holding the answers.
To doing the sacred work—silently, steadily, and with courage in my heart.
I am no warhorn-bearer seeking the highest tower.
Nay—I map escape routes in hidden corridors when the castle burns.
I lead by the art of design, where souls feel seen, heard, and emboldened.
No jeweled throne shall ye find here. Only a winding path, a web of wonders, and relics of intention—each a choice forged in purpose.
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But do not place thy faith in mere words.
The true proof lies in the archives.
The scribbled margins of old manuscripts.
The wounds of revision.
The sparks struck in the halls of learning.
A map that reveals a saga even I knew not I was crafting.
Your charge is noble and clear: gather the fragments.
Heed the signs.
Reweave the legend.
Seek the truth buried beneath ink and inspiration.
And when thou dost reach the tale’s end, ask thyself:
What is true leadership? And what is design, done righteously?
May wisdom be your compass, and curiosity your blade.
Signed in truth and twilight,
Gigi Albers
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Revisions
Description
On my hike through the food production industry, I realized I had forgotten to bring one of the most important tools: my metaphorical map. Without it, I wandered through fields of information—processing plants, factory farms, ethical concerns—without a clear sense of direction. After reflecting, I decided to make the map part of my revision. I sketched out pathways showing the connections between labor practices, environmental impacts, and consumer awareness, making it easier to navigate the complex terrain. Adding the map didn’t just help me find my way; it helped me understand the journey itself with sharper focus and deeper intention.
Description
During my first hike, I realized my "mover" design felt too stiff and generic—it didn’t really reflect the creativity or thoughtfulness I wanted to bring to the project. It functioned well enough, but visually and emotionally, it was missing something. For my revision, I decided to go back into CAD and give the design more personality and refinement. I focused on smoothing out the rough, mechanical edges and reshaping the form to feel more fluid and organic. The small rotating item case, which at first looked bulky and rigid, now has a sleeker and almost weightless look, as if it could glide effortlessly through the landscape I imagined. By adding curves, polishing the surfaces, and rethinking how the parts fit together, I was able to transform the mover into something that not only worked better but also captured the spirit of innovation and movement that the hike was meant to represent. This change made me realize how much design isn't just about function—it's also about making the experience feel more alive.
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Final Chronicle:
The Bond Between Craft and Command
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Lo, the journey nears its end—and in looking back upon the trail I’ve walked, a great truth reveals itself: the arts of design and leadership are not two separate paths, but twin forces bound by a single thread of purpose. Leadership, I’ve learned, is no mere act of command—it is a practice of intention, of quiet reflection, and of a heart ever open to growth. So too is great design.
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Through the enchanted lens of design, I was taught to wield leadership with wonder—to approach each task not as duty alone, but as a chance to uncover fresh wisdom, to see with new eyes, and to forge with imagination. Through the noble mantle of leadership, I learned to carry my ideas with conviction, to join forces with fellow questers in meaningful fellowship, and to make choices aligned with my truest values.
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The ten ancient tenets of this fellowship—character, collaboration, crafting, and the forging of lasting value—called me forth into trials that shaped my very soul. Whether through humble scrollwork (prep assignments), fireside councils (guest speakers), improvisational duels, mystical hikes through thought and reflection, or hands-on forging within the workshop of class time, I was tested. And I grew. I learned to speak with clarity, to see through the eyes of others, and to lead not with ego—but with honor.
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This tome—my portfolio—is no mere record. It is a mirror of transformation. Each artifact, each revelation, is proof of how I’ve grown—not only in what I make, but in how I guide others and shape the world around me. In the end, both design and leadership are ancient magicks: they shape experiences, carve new realities, and leave lasting impressions upon the lands we walk. When woven together, they awaken true power. And so, I do not leave this hall with only tools—but with a deeper knowledge of who I am, and how I shall lead in the days to come. But now, the question is: where do we go next?
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