Designosaur: A tale of timeless creativity

Once upon a time, in a land filled with colours and creativity called Designoville, there lived an old and wise designer known as Designosaur. The scales on his back were painted with patterns from all the eras he had designed through, and his eyes twinkled with the knowledge of countless projects that had come and gone.

Designosaur had crafted many wonders in Designoville. Yet, as new young designers buzzed through the streets with fresh ideas and digital gadgets, some forgot about the old master. 

The illustration for this story was created in collaboration with Midjourney—a nod to the digital gadgets mentioned in the tale.

They whispered that Designosaur might not understand the latest design programs or grasp the newest design trends, for his methods were as ancient as he was. This saddened Designosaur, for he had so much to offer—the wisdom of experience, the patience of age, and a heart full of stories that could inspire others. 

Yet, the words of doubt didn't roam free for long. A group of young designers soon realised something was missing from their creations. Their works were new and shiny, but they lacked the depth and soul that only comes from the blend of past and present. 

These wise young creators formed the Colours of Time Guild. They invited Designosaur to share his skills and stories, and in return, they would teach him about the latest design wonders. The guild promoted a world where all the designers, no matter their age, could learn from one another. Together, they made designs that danced with ancient tales and modern visions that flowed with waters of old and new knowledge. 

They found beauty in each other's work and grew wiser through their shared artistry. With every collaboration, the sparkle in Designosaur’s eyes grew brighter, and the young designers' styles gained depth and character. 

Through their joint efforts, they showed all of Designoville that innovation blossoms with the seeds of the past and that true mastery in design comes from a tapestry woven by many hands across the years. 

Designoville flourished more than ever, where the whispers of ageism faded away, replaced by laughter and learning, respect, and collaboration. The Colours of Time Guild led the way for everyone in the land to be valued for their contributions and the beauty they brought into the world, regardless of age. 

And so, Designosaur and the young designers worked paw in hand, etching a new design era into the history of their whimsical world, where every designer had a place to shine.

Why this story exists

This little story was first shared on LinkedIn, but it felt worth giving it a longer life here.

Ageism doesn’t always shout. Often, it whispers—in assumptions about relevance, speed, or “keeping up.” In creative industries, experience can be quietly mistaken for outdated thinking rather than recognised as a hard-earned perspective.

Designosaur is a children’s-style story, but it’s written for grown-ups. It’s a reminder that the strongest ideas don’t come from youth or experience alone, but from the meeting point between the two. When curiosity flows both ways, the work gets richer—and so do we.

At Cul-de-sac, we believe creativity deepens with time, collaboration, and respect. This story reflects that belief, simply told.

We hope it makes you smile. And maybe pause.

Marco Cicchianni, February 2026