Turning broken glass into gold

Foreword

Today we're highlighting the Japanese art of Kintsugi, which shows how broken things can be made to shine again with gold. Warning: this article is a little more cheesy than you're used to from Wagemut #spreadlove. We are often the Kintsugi craftsmen for companies that have failed with others or doubted themselves. Let's pick up the pieces together and create something unique.

Broken, but more beautiful than ever? When it comes to the Japanese art of Kintsugi, that could be the motto. This fascinating technique, which repairs broken ceramics with gold thread, has a very special meaning for us at the creative studio Wagemut . Because just like kintsugi, our work is also about reassembling what was once damaged into a harmonious whole.

Kintsugi: Beauty in a stain

Kintsugi (or Kintsukuroi, if we want to be fancy) is not just any repair technique - it's a philosophy. Instead of hiding the cracks and breaks, they are brought to the fore. The broken piece is brought back to life with urushi lacquer and powdered gold. The result? A unique work of art that tells a story. This aesthetic of imperfection is not only beautiful, but also deeply human. It is a metaphor for our own lives - we all have our cracks and scars that make us stronger and more individual.

Let's build a bridge

Here at Wagemut , we are often the "Kintsugi handymen" for companies that have fallen flat on their faces with other agencies. Sometimes clients bring us their broken pieces of trust because they are unhappy with the work of a predecessor, were ripped off or simply didn't get what they needed. This can take the form of a website that is inappropriately designed, a brand identity that has faded into obscurity or financial and shitty to no communication at all. We all know these stories - those of frustration and disappointment.

Customer meetings: an act of trust

When our customers come to us, they are often unsure and skeptical... very, very skeptical. The first conversations are like the first cup of tea in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony - very careful and respectful. We listen, explore the breaking points and analyze what went wrong. But we wouldn't be Wagemut if we didn't speak plainly and point out what went wrong, how it went wrong and where big pieces have split off. We then pick up the pieces and show our customers how we can put them back together again. Our aim is to discover the beauty in the flaws and unleash the potential that is often overlooked. This often results in stronger and happier customer loyalty, a more stable bowl that appears repaired in a whole new splendour and you realize: there used to be problems here, we need to pay special attention to these things. Wonderful, isn't it?

Healing through creativity

The Kintsugi philosophy as a basic charge for this customer group shows that it is okay to have something broken and to ask for help. It encourages us not to hide the breakages but to boldly show, hey we fixed that thing and it looks nicer than ever (yikes what a kitsch... we know, we know). That's the Wagemut mentality, because even behind our snotty, tough exterior is an empathetic, soft core. Our work is the urushi varnish that holds the shards together and gives them a new shine (Ew, more kitsch). Whether it's a website relaunch or a comprehensive brand identity, we go to work with empathy and expertise. Every crack tells a story - and we want to turn these stories into something unique.

Kintsugi as inspiration for your company

So if your business feels like it's fallen apart at the seams, let's pick up the pieces together and create something new. We have the golden connection you need to heal the fractures and make your business shine. Because at the end of the day, it's not just about what we create, but how we create the journey to get there. Kintsugi teaches us that the scars of our past don't define us, they make us who we are: unique and unforgettable and that's what we want to bring to the world.

Conclusion: Broken, but not broken

In the world of design and creativity, it is quite normal to fall flat on your face from time to time. But just like Kintsugi, we can use these setbacks to take a few steps backwards and run even further ahead. Let's pick up the pieces and glue them together - with a touch of gold, a pinch of Wagemut and the certainty that true beauty lies in imperfection. Because just because it didn't work out once doesn't mean you should throw it all in the garbage can :).