Today, Core 77 launched their annual Hack 2 Work series, essential tips and articles for the design professional. You should consider stopping what you’re doing right now, and going to check out posts from Michael Bierut on How to Make Your Client’s Logo Bigger Without Making Their Logo Bigger, Alissa Walker on How to Shower People With Gifts, Andy Polaine on 19 Books Every Design Professional Should Own, Steve Portigal on 5 Keys to Successful Design Research, Steve Heller on Beat the Clock, and many others—those are just a few.
I’m honored to have been asked to participate in the series, and had two posts to contribute:
Check Please: How to Learn About Your Clients From Their Table Manners
“There are a few dozen Emily Post rules about what the client should or should not have done with the napkin and his or her elbows before the food comes, but none is as important as what the client does with another two objects: the salt and pepper shakers. When the food arrives, does your client salt and pepper the food before he or she tastes it? If so, this is a clear sign that your client is potentially closed-minded, not open to new ideas, or set in his or her ways. If your client first tastes the food, and then adds salt or pepper, tremendous. This suggests your client has opinions, and is not afraid to exercise them—but only after the voice of the “creator” (in this case the chef) has been fairly given a chance first.” Read full article
5 Simple Ways to Let Go and Give in to New Digital Routines
“At this point, you’re web-sophisticated. You most likely engage some combination of online and desktop apps to Get Things Done, Get Real, strive toward a Four Day Work Week, or generally Life Hack. If you are prone to efficiency shortcuts, chances are fair to excellent that you’re routinely looking for ways to improve the way you manage your business. But we all get attached to routines—sometimes so much so that we miss the opportunity to streamline. If you run a small business in particular, you need to be a bit of everything. Being process-aerodynamic is crucial. The way to be a jack-of-all-trades is to have the right tools in place so you can spend more time on the things you’re good at.” Read full article
