New Year Resolutions are often a bit strange. As if you haven't done something correct this year and need to change for the better the next year. Well, maybe you didn't do anything wrong this year. But I'd like to put some thoughts forward for 2015.
In my previous post I was already raving about Design Principles. Next year I will try implement those more often. Sometimes projects were so small this year that I simply couldn't sell Design Principles as part of the project. Next year I will always set Design Principles for every project - even if we can't charge it to anyone. They should be a part of the project.
When you've been working in the business for 16 years there's the danger of routines. In the past I've seen people get stuck into a routine that worked and I have always vowed to move out when that happens. I'd feel like you put a coin in me for me to dance. Dance monkey! As I do every year I vow to remain critical of my own work, as of others by the way. If you want quality never say "That's good enough for me."
Deadlines are part of the industry and will never go away. Some people need deadlines and do their best work in those final hours before delivery. Hey, in this profession there is no 9-to-5 mentality. The thing to remember though is that deadlines are never that final. There is always some space, but you need to negotiate. Any deadline can be met, but sometimes to meet the deadline we need to give in on point 2 - Quality. So for next year I think I'll have to negotiate better to make sure I deliver on number two.
Often a briefing is pretty clear. Just as often you have better ideas running through your head for the project or even for the clients' roadmap. Instead of putting those ideas in the fridge - work them out. Deliver what is requested, but put some effort into a mindblowing alternative and dare to present it to the client. Next year I will work out more alternative ideas for clients. Ideas worth presenting to my clients. Ideas that may push them to another level. Dare to dream.
Photoshop has been my friend since 1997 when I was introduced to version 3.0 of the tool. And there you have it already - its a tool. Over the years many webdesigners have been using Photoshop as the base for all their work. Last year I have tried some alternatives, such as Macaw and The Grid, but I wasn't that impressed yet. Actually what I have done more in 2014 is sketching. Photoshop is not, nor has it ever been, the truth. The amount of poor design Front-End Developers have been solving for designers is impressive. I found that sketching is brilliant. It doesn't take a lot of time and its ideal to use in discussions with for instance Front-End Developers. In 2015 I hope to be sketching more, because is simply offers so much more than just Photoshop. Sorry Adobe...
I am critical of my work. Very critical. I have been known to work overtime just to work out the details if I am not happy. I am always critical of myself, but also of colleagues and even my employer. I want to give my best in the best possible environment. Sometimes this is seen as a negative look on things. It isn't. I want us to reach a new level and that is what I am fighting for - always. I can also be extremely enthousiastic when I see brilliance and I will praise it too. In 2015 I want to maintain this. Both the critical view and the praise.
As always I'm not only looking at things from my own perspective. There are some things I'd like to address to clients too.
Clients often think a pitch is a great solution to their wishes. Unfortunately that is not true. A pitch to me is a bit of a short-term vision. You need a solution quickly and preferably for a nice price. Often you're impessed by the creativity that is presented during pitches. What you need though, is a long term vision. You need someone to deliver a roadmap. Where are we now and where will we be in three years time because of you dear agency. Don't take the quick succes, because it runs out just as quickly.
In order for me to succeed on point 4 above I need clients to be open-minded too. Luckily most are. If you are hiring someone to build your website (or anything else) you need to trust them. After all, you hired them because of their knowledge, skill or any other positive reason. So please bare with me when I am presenting both the requested approach and the dream.
Don't read my number 3 above. Creative people need some guidance. In order for them not to spend time on the web, at the foosball table or any other distraction - set deadlines. Simply because they are needed.
Don't just accept everything. If I'd tell you I think a green button works better than the purple one - put me to the test. User testing is brilliant. It just is. User testing will provide you with so much insight - if done correctly - and will lead to amazing results. If you're not sure about something, challenge your team and find out why it was done in this way and if there are ways to find out why you are doubting. Yes, they are sharing their knowledge with you, but its okay to challenge them sometimes.
What do Steve Jobs, Aristotle, John Lasseter and Henry Ford have in common? They demand quality: Steve Jobs ("Quality is more important than quantity"), Aristotle ("Quality is not an act, its a habit"), John Lasseter ("Quality is the best business plan") and Henry Ford ("Quality means doing it right when no-one is looking"). Its okay to demand quality from your supplier. Take a look at my own number two - its also quality. The thing to do is define what both parties are expecting when they talk about quality.
These are my thoughts as we close the 2014 chapter. There is much more going through my mind, but I've tried to compose two lists to stir things up. I am looking forward to 2015 myself. The past year has been a bit dodgy professionally. It had some great highs and bitter lows. But I believe everything happens for a reason and you will only get stronger through these experiences.
Wishing you all the very best for 2015.
Corné.
1. Think first, act after
In my previous post I was already raving about Design Principles. Next year I will try implement those more often. Sometimes projects were so small this year that I simply couldn't sell Design Principles as part of the project. Next year I will always set Design Principles for every project - even if we can't charge it to anyone. They should be a part of the project.
2. Quality
When you've been working in the business for 16 years there's the danger of routines. In the past I've seen people get stuck into a routine that worked and I have always vowed to move out when that happens. I'd feel like you put a coin in me for me to dance. Dance monkey! As I do every year I vow to remain critical of my own work, as of others by the way. If you want quality never say "That's good enough for me."
3. Deadlines
Deadlines are part of the industry and will never go away. Some people need deadlines and do their best work in those final hours before delivery. Hey, in this profession there is no 9-to-5 mentality. The thing to remember though is that deadlines are never that final. There is always some space, but you need to negotiate. Any deadline can be met, but sometimes to meet the deadline we need to give in on point 2 - Quality. So for next year I think I'll have to negotiate better to make sure I deliver on number two.
4. Dream!
Often a briefing is pretty clear. Just as often you have better ideas running through your head for the project or even for the clients' roadmap. Instead of putting those ideas in the fridge - work them out. Deliver what is requested, but put some effort into a mindblowing alternative and dare to present it to the client. Next year I will work out more alternative ideas for clients. Ideas worth presenting to my clients. Ideas that may push them to another level. Dare to dream.
5. Less Photoshop
Photoshop has been my friend since 1997 when I was introduced to version 3.0 of the tool. And there you have it already - its a tool. Over the years many webdesigners have been using Photoshop as the base for all their work. Last year I have tried some alternatives, such as Macaw and The Grid, but I wasn't that impressed yet. Actually what I have done more in 2014 is sketching. Photoshop is not, nor has it ever been, the truth. The amount of poor design Front-End Developers have been solving for designers is impressive. I found that sketching is brilliant. It doesn't take a lot of time and its ideal to use in discussions with for instance Front-End Developers. In 2015 I hope to be sketching more, because is simply offers so much more than just Photoshop. Sorry Adobe...
6. Remain critical of my work
I am critical of my work. Very critical. I have been known to work overtime just to work out the details if I am not happy. I am always critical of myself, but also of colleagues and even my employer. I want to give my best in the best possible environment. Sometimes this is seen as a negative look on things. It isn't. I want us to reach a new level and that is what I am fighting for - always. I can also be extremely enthousiastic when I see brilliance and I will praise it too. In 2015 I want to maintain this. Both the critical view and the praise.
Clients
As always I'm not only looking at things from my own perspective. There are some things I'd like to address to clients too.
1. Don't Pitch
Clients often think a pitch is a great solution to their wishes. Unfortunately that is not true. A pitch to me is a bit of a short-term vision. You need a solution quickly and preferably for a nice price. Often you're impessed by the creativity that is presented during pitches. What you need though, is a long term vision. You need someone to deliver a roadmap. Where are we now and where will we be in three years time because of you dear agency. Don't take the quick succes, because it runs out just as quickly.
2. Try to be open-minded
In order for me to succeed on point 4 above I need clients to be open-minded too. Luckily most are. If you are hiring someone to build your website (or anything else) you need to trust them. After all, you hired them because of their knowledge, skill or any other positive reason. So please bare with me when I am presenting both the requested approach and the dream.
3. Set deadlines
Don't read my number 3 above. Creative people need some guidance. In order for them not to spend time on the web, at the foosball table or any other distraction - set deadlines. Simply because they are needed.
4. Challenge your team
Don't just accept everything. If I'd tell you I think a green button works better than the purple one - put me to the test. User testing is brilliant. It just is. User testing will provide you with so much insight - if done correctly - and will lead to amazing results. If you're not sure about something, challenge your team and find out why it was done in this way and if there are ways to find out why you are doubting. Yes, they are sharing their knowledge with you, but its okay to challenge them sometimes.
5. Quality
What do Steve Jobs, Aristotle, John Lasseter and Henry Ford have in common? They demand quality: Steve Jobs ("Quality is more important than quantity"), Aristotle ("Quality is not an act, its a habit"), John Lasseter ("Quality is the best business plan") and Henry Ford ("Quality means doing it right when no-one is looking"). Its okay to demand quality from your supplier. Take a look at my own number two - its also quality. The thing to do is define what both parties are expecting when they talk about quality.
There you have it...
These are my thoughts as we close the 2014 chapter. There is much more going through my mind, but I've tried to compose two lists to stir things up. I am looking forward to 2015 myself. The past year has been a bit dodgy professionally. It had some great highs and bitter lows. But I believe everything happens for a reason and you will only get stronger through these experiences.
Wishing you all the very best for 2015.
Corné.
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