get uncomfortable: breaking out of a creative rut (heather o'neill)
Post on 18-Oct-2014
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UXPA 2014 presentation from Heather O'Neill - Get Uncomfortable: Breaking out of a Creative RutTRANSCRIPT
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GET UNCOMFORTABLE:BREAKING OUT OFA CREATIVE RUT
Heather O’Neill@hlrjo
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RUT HAPPENS
Image © heartbreakhypnotist.com
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What’s on tap for today:
• Welcome to my rut – a guide to knowing when you have a problem.
• How did we get here? – a brief history of what’s wrong with you.
• Get me out! – techniques for getting uncomfortable enough to save yourself.
GET UNCOMFORTABLE
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Life is too short to keep cranking out
mediocre crap.
—Curt Cloninger
GET UNCOMFORTABLE
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WELCOME TO MY RUT
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The enemy:
WELCOME TO MY RUT
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WELCOME TO MY RUT
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Or maybe:
WELCOME TO MY RUT
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WELCOME TO MY RUT
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How can you tell when you’re in a design rut?
WELCOME TO MY RUT
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WELCOME TO MY RUT
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There is nothing new under the sun.
WELCOME TO MY RUT
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WELCOME TO MY RUT
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You tell your junior designers, “I know it sucks, but we’re just going to do it the way the client wants this time.”
Every time.
WELCOME TO MY RUT
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WELCOME TO MY RUT
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You are apathetic.
WELCOME TO MY RUT
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Congratulations!
You’re in a rut.
WELCOME TO MY RUT
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HOW DID WE GET HERE?
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TIME
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
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There are probably other, more specific things going on:
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
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You’re running low on outside stimuli.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
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HOW DID WE GET HERE?
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You don’t have a boss or mentor to challenge you.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
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You don’t have students or interns to challenge you.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
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You tend to work with clients/stakeholders who have low
expectations.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
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HOW DID WE GET HERE?
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HOW DID WE GET HERE?
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GET ME OUT!
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What to do “in the moment”
GET ME OUT!
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1. Impose Extra Constraints
GET ME OUT!
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GET ME OUT!
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2. Change One Key Constraint,then Design Your Solution
GET ME OUT!
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How would we design a retirement application for an 8 year old?
GET ME OUT!
I just want to play with sharks when
I get old.
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3. Do the Unexpected to Break through a Wall
GET ME OUT!
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The Anti-Problem Game
Problem: Design a landing page to get sign-ups for a free trial.
To Play: Describe the solutions that would solve the anti-problem (the current problem’s opposite).
GET ME OUT!
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4. Get Critique on Your Work
GET ME OUT!
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GET ME OUT!
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5. Get Inspired by Others
GET ME OUT!
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GET ME OUT!
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What to do as a general approach
GET ME OUT!
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1. Add Some Structure
GET ME OUT!
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GET ME OUT!
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2. Practice & Play
GET ME OUT!
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GET ME OUT!
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3. Periodically Change Your Routine
GET ME OUT!
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GET ME OUT!
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4. Recharge with Side Projects
GET ME OUT!
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GET ME OUT!
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WRAPPING THINGS UP
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WRAP UP
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WRAP UP
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WRAP UP
In the moment:1. Impose extra constraints2. Change a key constraint3. Do something unexpected4. Get outside critique5. Use others for inspiration
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WRAP UP
In general:1. Add some structure2. Practice & Play3. Periodically change your routine4. Take on side projects
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Questions?