Playing House
When does planning and preparation get in the way of actual production? When I have a big project, even one that I am excited to start, I have to have things just right.? In school it was having my space perfectly arranged, having just the right Copic markers, new pens…designers, you get it. (look up “Knolling”)? Later, it was about obsessing over the brief, making project planning charts, and getting business cards printed.
While these are all important at some level, they are all bullsh*t.? They are reasons not to start doing.? Reasons not to jump into the uncomfortable gray space of creation where the path is unknown and the stakes are high.? Wading into the water where you can’t see your feet is unnerving.? Which is an irrational fear of mine. But that makes it no less important to move forward.
There is comfort in preparation.? It feels proactive. It allows you to check things off the list.? But let’s not mistake activity for productivity.? Most of all, it's safe. No one was ever wrong be being prepared right?
The best way to start is to, well, start.? The rest is just playing house.
If you think about it in terms of value, how would you assign value to the activity you are doing?? If you have ever been in consulting, consider it billable time. Can you bill for making 30 versions of a business card when you have no one to give it to? Can you bill for your time picking out desk organizers?
No, but you can bill for spending that time on research and learning.? You can bill for time spent calling 10 people to pitch.? And you can definitely bill for an hour of really rough concepts.? Even if it is with the “wrong” pen.
Ultimately the other stuff will sort itself out and your clients, internal or external, will forgive a messy house if the work coming out of it is amazing.? Go start.
“We must only begin. Believe me and you will see.”
Epictetus Discourses 2.19.29-34
#designthinking #designeducation
Great thoughts on getting started with design thinking! - Start with the end user in mind, and remember the journey is just as important as the destination. ?? #innovation #growth
Automotive OEM Industrial Designer 2 at Garmin
4 个月You're on the nose, especially in open ended projects that don't have clear constraints or guardrails at the outset. That said having rituals/processes that signal that starting line can be really helpful, especially for neurodivergent folks. Tyson's "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth" hold true, but it still helps to have your pre-fight routine.
VP, Design Director at J-2 Creative
4 个月Gotta hold your nose and jump in the deep end!
I love this. Starting is the hardest part. Perhaps it’s fear based? But then….once you pick up that pen…things just start to flow. Thanks Dave! There are a couple ideas I have on the back burner. I’m gonna get started!!