A Guide To Defining Your Style.
A main topic of discussion from younger designers is asking mentors and peers how to develop their own style so that they can stand out or define themselves in there space. Thinking about this topic, got me brainstorming. I thought about how we as a society define someone’s style. Here is an oversimplified answer I came up with,
a style is one individual’s particular way of problem-solving.
The only way you begin to do this is to have experiences. By having experience you can explore how you operate and how you define, manifest, and execute each problem that comes to you. Therefore, I will examine four segments in creating one’s own problem-solving methodology and development of one's perception of style. The break-down:
1. Approaching a problem 2. Iteration of your ideas 3. What do you do after success 4. Share what you know
We experience opportunities in services and products everyday. It could be anything from the complexity of Comcast's customer service to the weird organizational functionality of Target's e-commerce features.
A great practice for each designer or anyone looking to expand there curiosity gene is to question things. Good starting questions could be:
"What is working? What is not working? How can I make this user's experience as compelling and straightforward as possible? What would make this design better? What would make this design better? "
With more and more practice doing this exercise, you will start to solve problems in a way that only you can, based on the entirety of your personal life experiences. Just like life, it will continue to evolve, change, and add to your skill set.
From here you will start to gather hypothesis and conclusions to your problems. Question all of your answers. You should be one of your toughest critics (but also your biggest fan!). This method helps tighten up any inconsistencies, you will gather more clear reasoning behind decisions, and to, of course, find new solutions to a problem. Asking yourself questions will also help you when presenting to a group. You’ll be able to guide the team through your process and follow your reasoning. Some questions I ask are:
“Why would this work? How could this be confusing? Is it clearly conveying the emotions the team has discussed? How does it align with everything else that’s created for this experience?”
Working with a team and always asking questions during the design process will help everyone give clear and concise feedback. Everyone will know why the decisions were made and where a possible disconnect could be and why. A workflow like this can be instrumental in building trust and collaboration on a project, as well as, sharpening your creative eye. Progression is always an underlying goal.
On the flip side to every project you engage in, you can become in love with the design. It becomes more of your masterpiece then a hypothesis to a problem of a design. However, if it doesn’t solve the user’s problem or it is too difficult to understand, then there is something that is missing. Attachment to any idea or solution can be the death of any designer and it is always a great lesson to learn. With that information one can begin to develop an eye for what will be a catalyst for the desired response. Do not be afraid to start over, even though it is daunting and discouraging at times. That is the best way to learn and your strategy will become more concise and stronger every time. Be patient with yourself.
So you made it. Another successful product or outcome. Now what do you know with that? For some, success is a poison. You stop focusing on your process, vision, values, and start focusing on the cause of the success. Or even the intensification of internal pressure to keep succeeding. If “success” is your primary objective, you probably won’t get it. Chasing success is like chasing happiness. You can’t pursue it directly. Both success and happiness ensue from something far more fundamental — who you are.
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
Abraham Lincoln
Lastly, and the most important step is sharing your experience. You will always grow by empowering others. Share what you know! Ask someone to go through their process, have them describe their current project to you. Find out what their aspirations are for their career/life. During these moments, you can often find that you will learn as well. You gain a different point of view. Set every member of your team up for success.
Till next time,
aa
