“Designers are, by definition, problem-solvers. And the world has never been so blessedly full of problems. Our infrastructure is rotting, the economy is crap, Wall Street is awash with criminals and millions of people can’t get basic medical care, food and water. We don’t need another app to rate your sandwich. We don’t need to know when we go to sleep and get up. We do not need digital farms. We need real ones. We need fresh water. We need solutions for the apocalypse.” — Mike Monteiro - http://www.netmagazine.com/features/10-new-year-s-resolutions-designers
“You can’t improve a design when you’re emotionally attached to previous decisions. Improvements come from flexibility and openness.” — Ryan Singer - http://twitter.com/#!/rjs/status/636760371503104
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if you understand that your client’s lousy design suggestion is really the mirror image of a problem he’s trying to diagnose, all you have to do is find the twin sumo. Take the proposed solution and turn it into the problem you think it was designed to solve. Then shoot it back at your client. Hmmmm…bigger logo…what could he be talking about?
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Now you can work to refine your understanding of the problem the client is trying to diagnose. And your client? Not an idiot. Not a deadbeat. Just a guy with a brain trying to tell you something’s wrong. So listen up. You just might learn something.
” — Angel David Lindes - http://northtemple.com/2011/10/14/find-the-twin-sumo-or-n“It seems to me that people often confuse caring with being difficult. A number of people I’ve worked with (and for) would lump my actions into the latter category. The perverse aspect of this is found in how inaccurate such beliefs are. Those who “give a shit” are willing to make things uncomfortable, in order to help others recognize the points that matter and, subsequently, learn from them.” — Eric Karjaluoto - http://www.ideasonideas.com/2011/09/difficult-people/
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No, we don’t take clients like that.
No, that’s not part of what we offer.
No, that market is too hard for us to service properly.
No, I won’t bend on this principle.
No, I’m sorry, I won’t be able to have lunch with you.
No, that’s not good enough. Will you please do it again?
No, I’m not willing to lose my focus, and no, I’m not willing to compromise.
” — http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/11/no.html“Designers: never, ever be a pair of hands. If a client says ‘just do it this way’. It’s your duty to ask why. If no response, then walk away.” — http://twitter.com/#!/markboulton/status/103792001975193600
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” — http://www.thecoolhunter.net/article/detail/1919/if-its-important-youll-find-a-way.-if-it-isnt-youll-find-an-excuse
The Holstee manifesto – http://shop.holstee.com/pages/about
“It’s so repellent to me, this constant mantra about how some people have this special thing. Well, they don’t. They’re just willing to make sacrifices you’re not willing to make yet (or are not able to make yet).” — by Merlin Mann, via http://helloform.com/blog/2011/07/that-special-thing-in-people/
“If you really want outstanding creative performance, you need people to focus on intrinsic motivations - factors inherent in the work itself. Things like challenge, interest, learning, meaning, freedom, and creative flow. They are what really motivates creative people.” — http://the99percent.com/tips/7053/Why-You-Cant-Buy-Creativity