ISSUE 030. Why I started my practice and how you can too
A practice is the evidence of our identity as creative people
A practice is your design process. It is how you can bring about positive changes in your craft, and impact communities. It irons out the details, and establishes the where, when and how we can slow down, observe moments and define how best to show up and be our best selves.
Photo by Giancarlo Corti; A group of horses
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Design Process & Accessibility
When I started out as a product designer, I was obsessed with what the ‘design process’ was and how that applied to not just my craft but also how to unpack it for myself. The more I discovered what it was, the sooner I realized how subjective it is, and that accessibility is at the core of it all.
The Interaction Design foundation defines accessibility this way ‘the concept of whether a product or service can be used by everyone—however they encounter it’ Accessibility isn’t just about craft but also being there for others; it is not just about artistic expression but the value we bring to our communities. It is a mindful approach to unlocking greatness for every project we take on.
A practice is simply the sum of our ideologies and values, that which drives decision making in craft and lifestyle. The Diamond Design approach which is embraced by creators world wide is one example of an established design process, it is efficient in how it uncovers user needs towards building usable delightful products, but that alone won’t cut it for every single project; or the Jobs To Be Done (JTBD) approach, another technique that can guide one to innovate, develop & take products to market. But none of these covers the lifestyle aspects of becoming a creative professional.
A practice creates a platform for methods, techniques and the creator to come together and create a unique approach as to how to be intentional in approaching everyday requirements that then lays a solid foundation to a sustainable creative practice.
How I Started My Practice
For how to create a platform from which I can be creative everyday this was my approach.
1. Start small, start where you are.
It’s no secret that we need healthy habits to be consistent, to create a reality for ourselves where we can be our whole-selves. The mistake I made early on in my career was putting one of work/life over the other. Now I know I’ll feel better in the morning after a quick gym session or when I prioritise a house chore that’s been on my mind for a little while; like folding the laundry or doing the dishes before an important activity. Getting these things done has a way of getting me fired up knowing that I’ve coped a win. But In as much as I like going to the gym, I know it takes a lot of effort on some days to muster the energy for it and to not hold myself hostage I tend to use some at home fitness equipment to get my groove on.
Another thing I’ve done is to define my personal approach to design. principles and how I’ll like to approach work, not just the established design methodologies. One of my favourites principles is to do more with less, which then frees me up to focus on my most important todos first, I’ve noticed it works wonders to relive any cognitive load, and I can then follow up with the less important tasks in later moments. Your personal approach doesn’t need to be grande and revolutionary, it just has to work for you everyday.
2. Do You.
Whatever you do needs to be authentic and reflect who you are at your core. If you’re looking to buy a new pair of shoes, whether you buy a New Balance pair even when you already have six pair of those or you chose to go with a new brand a friend recommended should be your decision at the end of the day. In deciding what should be top priority, don’t get bogged down by what anyone else says or does but focus on how the decision resonates with you at the time of making the decision.
How you perceive the new pair of shoes will make you feel is more important than what anyone else says or does. At the end of the day you get to wear the shoes and live with your decision. Same for a practice. It matters little if you read the 4 hour work week and follow it to the ‘T’ or if you incorporate bits and pieces of the ideas gleaned from it into the sum of your routines, habits and systems; what matters is your output.
3. Organize.
To accomplish in work/life without burnout is an art. Jim Rohn, the American entrepreneur and author in one of his lecture tells the story of how in his youth, he’d be at the beach and be thinking about work and while at work he couldn’t stop thinking about the beach. I believe this is a metaphor for finding the time and place to put things in their proper place and focus on what’s first place for the day.
Once upon a time I was obsessed with getting things done, I’d always carry my backpack, my laptop in tow even to places where I knew the chances were slim to be productive and get work done. At a seminar, a workshop, in church, visiting with friends, here comes Silas with his backpack; in reality all I had to show for stretching that thin was the stress of packing more than necessary.
Understanding what works for you best, when to pull back or push hard with my goals to accomplish was all I needed to discover. It is essential to organise when building your practice, you want it to serve you and not the other way around. I like the idea of Slow productivity which is a phrase that was coined by Cal Newport, the bestselling author of Deep Work and Digital Minimalism. In his new book Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout, he argues the case for managing your energy according to the season, to identifying which projects to pursue and which to set aside, in building a schedule that yields maximum output with minimum stress.
4. Stay consistent.
Distraction is the enemy of consistent self development/improvement. It is in consistency that you find the courage to trust your rhythm and make progress in becoming one percent better. While being consistent you discover and unlock new habits to replace old unhelpful one which aren’t serving you anymore, you then can find better was to manage your energy and keep moving forward while keep ego work at a distance.
One underrated aspect of consistency is Self-care which is one hallmark of self discipline. Discipline for one person might be going to the gym and working out while for another it might be scheduling time to go bowling, playing videos games with mates or even a weekend get away. It is what refuels our energy systems and puts us in a place to be more productive, resilient and energised.
We hear this often that, when enjoy what you do you never work for a day in your life, and when you add healthy habits to the mix the sky could be your starting point.
Until next time, remember we can all be more mindful✌🏾
Are you a busy professional and can’t find time to always visit the gym? then our collection of at home fitness equipment might just be what you need to get your fit on from the comfort of your living space.