At some stage, all collectors are confronted with a choice: is what you have amassed merely a hobby collection, or has it matured into a system? A system isn’t differentiated from a collection by the amount or worth of its contents: it differs in that it is purposeful, organized and consistent.
From random purchases to deliberate curation
It often happens that the formation of a collection is a natural occurrence, with a thing or two catching your eye and you buy it, but over a period, items just accumulate. Without a clear direction, the process stays haphazard. A curated collection starts to develop when you start to make conscious choices instead of acting impulsively.
This is no complicated matter, a purpose. It is a theme, it is a narrative, or it could be a guideline of your own such as “items must be from a particular time period” or “only items with a similar stylistic approach.” What’s essential is that each new item is in line with that guiding concept, and the collection should remain consistent in its direction.
Organizing your collection into a system
The second stage is to give structure to the collection after the intent is defined. This is when your collection is more akin to a system than a pile of objects. Documentation is important: make a note of the pieces, their origin, and why you like it.
Even the most basic systems, such as folders, spreadsheets or an online database can transform the way you engage with your collection. It can then be accessed, searched and analyzed.
Organizing your collection by themes and not items
You don’t just collect items: you collect the interrelationships of these items. Organizing items according to groups enables you to visualize themes and holes and direction.
It is a change in the way of thinking: instead of “Is this thing nice?”, the question changes to “How does this thing fit in with my system?”
Updating your collection with time
It should be understood that it is equally important to exclude items from one’s own collection. A curated collection is constantly changing and, therefore, some things won’t be in line with what the collection intends to be about, and thus can be taken out of the collection.
Removing doesn’t mean a setback: it means a process of improvement. Regular review of the contents of your collection allows you to stay focused on your original purpose.
Consistency builds value
The difference in a hobby collection and system is in its consistency, over time. When you approach each decision with the same philosophy, the collection becomes more defined, better defined, and more valuable.
It starts to feel less like collecting and more like creating something meaningful.
Summary
A collection turns into a system when the mindset is changed. Rather than collecting everything that is appealing, the focus is instead on the creation of a structured, intentional and developing body of work. In time, the form that is created becomes the main asset of the collection: not just its contents.