Matt Owens: Athletics co-founder on keeping your creative fire lit

Matt Owens, co-founder of the design studio Athletics, traces his career from his roots in the punk rock and skateboarding scenes to his influential work in early web design. The conversation centers on the necessity of "rebel optimism"—a mindset of fearlessness and adaptability—when navigating technological shifts like the transition from Flash to modern responsive design and the current integration of AI. Owens emphasizes that design is fundamentally about human connection, creativity, and problem-solving rather than just technical mastery. He highlights the importance of maintaining a "most capable intern" mentality to keep skills sharp and advocates for building collaborative, transparent agency cultures. His recent book, *A Visible Distance*, serves as a manual for this approach, encouraging designers to embrace the struggle of the creative process while remaining open to new tools and collaborative opportunities.