22 important lessons from this talk:
Designers have broad interests. Your strength is solving the problem that other people haven’t solved. Therefore designers are drawn to new problems.
The idea of solving the same problems over and over again and benefiting from repeated observation and repeated application and building expertise terrifies you.
The world does not need another full service marketing communications agency. Expertise is the only meaningful differentiator of a design firm.
Interrogating clients is an essential part of being a designer. If we don’t learn to ask questions, we run the risk of never getting to the heart of what good design can be. No question is ever too dumb to ask, and if we are frightened of exposing our ignorance we will never understand anything.
There’s a rough magic in the word ‘no’. Clients often react badly at first, but they usually end up respecting the designer who says ‘no’ to unpaid pitching more than the one who says ‘yes’.
How designers design mundane stuff is one of the best measures of their ability.
Great designers seldom make great advertising men, because they get overcome by the beauty of the picture – and forget that merchandise must be sold.
James Randolph Adams, American Advertising Federation Hall of Famer
43. Matt Marrocco, Author and Lead Designer
Lead Industrial Designer for Streng and author of two successfully launched Kickstarter projects, Matt Marrocco has +6 years experience assisting in the creation of meaningful products, systems, and experiences that have a lasting impact with the end-user both domestically and globally. Continue reading “43. Matt Marrocco, Author and Lead Designer”
41. John Foland, Web Developer
Web developer and Owner of Epurétoile, John Foland has +12 experience designing, building, and developing websites and creating new tools and applications that work together to project a brand’s congruent and specialized message and allow everyone to communicate easier. Continue reading “41. John Foland, Web Developer”