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
GET UNCOMFORTABLE:BREAKING OUT OFA CREATIVE RUT
Heather O’Neill@hlrjo
RUT HAPPENS
Image © heartbreakhypnotist.com
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
Life is too short to keep cranking out
mediocre crap.
—Curt Cloninger
GET UNCOMFORTABLE
WELCOME TO MY RUT
The enemy:
WELCOME TO MY RUT
WELCOME TO MY RUT
Or maybe:
WELCOME TO MY RUT
WELCOME TO MY RUT
How can you tell when you’re in a design rut?
WELCOME TO MY RUT
WELCOME TO MY RUT
There is nothing new under the sun.
WELCOME TO MY RUT
WELCOME TO MY RUT
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
WELCOME TO MY RUT
You are apathetic.
WELCOME TO MY RUT
Congratulations!
You’re in a rut.
WELCOME TO MY RUT
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
TIME
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
There are probably other, more specific things going on:
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
You’re running low on outside stimuli.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
You don’t have a boss or mentor to challenge you.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
You don’t have students or interns to challenge you.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
You tend to work with clients/stakeholders who have low
expectations.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
GET ME OUT!
What to do “in the moment”
GET ME OUT!
1. Impose Extra Constraints
GET ME OUT!
GET ME OUT!
2. Change One Key Constraint,then Design Your Solution
GET ME OUT!
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.
3. Do the Unexpected to Break through a Wall
GET ME OUT!
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!
4. Get Critique on Your Work
GET ME OUT!
GET ME OUT!
5. Get Inspired by Others
GET ME OUT!
GET ME OUT!
What to do as a general approach
GET ME OUT!
1. Add Some Structure
GET ME OUT!
GET ME OUT!
2. Practice & Play
GET ME OUT!
GET ME OUT!
3. Periodically Change Your Routine
GET ME OUT!
GET ME OUT!
4. Recharge with Side Projects
GET ME OUT!
GET ME OUT!
WRAPPING THINGS UP
WRAP UP
WRAP UP
WRAP UP
In the moment:1. Impose extra constraints2. Change a key constraint3. Do something unexpected4. Get outside critique5. Use others for inspiration
WRAP UP
In general:1. Add some structure2. Practice & Play3. Periodically change your routine4. Take on side projects
Questions?