Designers Are Not Machines.
We all have a process, whether we realize it or not. It’s our own way of getting there. A finished product doesn’t just appear out of thin air — no matter how much we might’ve wished it could. Good design takes time. Take it from a revolutionary innovator like the late Steve Jobs, Co-Founder and former CEO of Apple Inc., who said,
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”
Well, our process is how we work.
Things are flawed
Let’s face it. Not everything works — well, at least not in the way we’d like it to. But guess what? We are all designers. Yes! We are problem-solvers, thinkers, innovators, and for whatever reason, we do things with intent every day.
“From the way that we arrange our desks to the way we use a window to catch our reflection.” — Pete Smart, Head of UX and Strategy at Fi
That’s why it’s hardly any surprise to me that we as human beings continue to reinvent both ourselves and the world around us as technology advances. But you may ask, how does this process work for someone who’s designing full-time? I got to talking with a few of my fellow creatives to learn more about their processes.
Ideas are cheap
It’s true. Even the greatest ideas are worth little to nothing without execution. That’s one of the reasons why our very own Yasmine El Garhi suggested the 100 Days of UI Challenge. Very simply, it has gotten us to stop ideating and start doing. “My process is pretty much simple and to the point,” says Yasmine. “I make sure I have all of the tools that I need — both technical and non-techincal — along with good inspiration.” For Yasmine, those tools might be Sketch, Sip, a good cup of coffee, and an indie pop playlist on Spotify. I’d have to agree with her, though. There’s something to say about knowing that you have everything you need to complete a task. It puts your mind at ease which can really allow you to get “in the zone.”
Ann F. Novelli says, “My process is different depending on the challenge. There are some where I know exactly what I want to make and just jump right in.” Let me say that there is almost no better feeling than that. For me, starting is often the hardest part. You ask yourself over and over, “What angle can I take to tackle this problem?” Well, the possibilities are endless for a person who likes to think. Yet, sometimes it’s best just to forget about a problem altogether. “There are times where forgetting about [a challenge] is super important for me,” says Ann. “That’s usually when I’ll suddenly have a brain blast in the car or the next time I’m at the computer.” To me, that’s fascinating. There’s so much that we don’t know about the human brain, but just think, we might actually be better problem-solvers when we take our minds off of things.
“Better to have, and not need, than to need, and not have.” — Franz Kafka, writer
That being said, it doesn’t hurt to have too much information. Theresa Hans says, “I like to do a lot of research at the very start, so that when I get to brainstorming ideas, I have plenty to work with.” That’s a great strategy, because I’ve found research as not only a great way to come up with new ideas, but also a good way to discredit bad ones. Theresa also told me that she keeps a running list of ideas and inspiration in a note on her phone. I find lists especially useful because there is so much going on in the world around us — affecting our thoughts and opinions — that we can’t possibly keep track of all of it. Now, I may be getting a little quote-happy but take a look below.
“Learning is the precursor to thinking, because you can’t think about what you don’t know.” — Rashid Davis, Founding Principal of P-TECH
It’s quite a profound statement. Learning allows a person to grow in so many ways. By learning, we can then understand, analyze, and share knowledge that we otherwise wouldn’t have had. It allows us to form opinions, make decisions, and find out who we are. Well, I’m about to tell you something.
You are unique
Guess what? Everyone’s process a little different because everyone is a little different. Own yours! Don’t simply be open to thinking differently, embrace it and encourage it. And remember, whether it’s list-writing, conceptualizing, or using a window to catch your reflection, you are a designer!
We want to know what it is that makes you unique. Comment on this post or share with us on twitter with the hashtag #DesignPOK100
As always, our challenge submissions are all fictional and represent only our own, awesome views!
