Surviving Design Projects

Know what it takes to bring out your best design work.

For some designers, the trigger is a relatively low bar: simply putting a design challenge in front of them is enough to start the creative process. For others, they need to reach a tipping point. The higher that point, the more energy it will take to get to get the best design work.

One high bar is total project failure. In this case, the designer needs to confront the ultimate brink — the risk of the project going away — before bringing out top-shelf design skills. 

Triggers can be people (working with your favorite colleagues), situations (working on certain types of products), activities (incorporating user research).

Know how comfortable you are with open and honest communications.

Know what situations, circumstances, tasks, or activities prevent you from optimal performance.

Sometimes you’re asked to do thing that fall outside your sweet spot. More frequently, you’re confronted with an unusual combination of circumstances that makes it difficult for you to see your priorities. There are some personality types (unnecessarily abrasive, purposefully ambiguous) that raise my hackles. When dealing with these people, I find it difficult to make sound decisions about my work.

Know what kind of environment you thrive in. Understand what it takes for circumstances to bring out your best.