Proof of Concept - Iterate. Iterate. Iterate.
This weekend I caught up with a founder to check in on the progress of her startup. It's been a few months since I caught up with her last and the product has come a long way in the detail and polish. It wasn’t like that when we first met. The product was rough on the design side and needed some love. However, it was real, functional, and allowed a conversation to improve. It was clear the team has been iterating on a new feature but a lot of polish and iteration—super impressive. Iteration is the repetition of a process in order to generate a sequence of outcomes. This can be confused with divergent design, but it’s different. Iteration focuses on repetition which evolves in the final solution.
Iteration sparks movement, which builds momentum. It's like pedaling a bicycle on a lower gear instead of the highest. The lower gear won't get you as far but it requires less effort to get moving. My co-worker and friend Izzy once said, "The number one way to be productive is to reduce the iteration cycle." This is true. If you struggle with getting something creative done, reduce the iteration. Write the outline instead of the final draft, and come back to it later. Sketch out scribbles of the app design instead of trying to do it all in one sitting in Figma. Creative work requires stepping away from the work to gain perspective and reflection. In springs of product development teams, this is why they do retros at the end of the sprint—to continuously improve on the work. Give time to complete the iteration cycle. When you commit to an iteration cycle, see it all the way through. Being disruptive in the iteration process can result in flailing and thrash. Give the iteration time to complete to analyze and evaluate.
We as creatives and designers can get caught in the myth of our own genius. I love the quote from Austin Kleon's book "Keep going":
Design is not magic. It's a method—a rigorous process of exploration, iteration, and validation until you reach your outcome. There are more days I feel stuck than experiencing a breakthrough, but it's important to show up every day to iterate because each one might result in the breakthrough I was looking for. Ok the good days when you get a good result in the first iteration, imagine how the next iterations can make it great. Tweet of the week
Enjoy this newsletter? Please consider sharing it with friends, or subscribing if you haven’t already. I appreciate it! Sincerely, DH © 2021 David Hoang Unsubscribe
|
Older messages
Sunday, December 5, 2021
Issue 69: A curation of various creative tools (nice)
Self-learning and the power of autodidacticism
Sunday, November 28, 2021
Issue 68: Learning in an unstructured environment
Breaking mediums in storytelling
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Issue 67: How starting with the story allows creative exploration in how you tell it
Applying growth design and prototyping to yourself
Sunday, November 14, 2021
Issue 66: How tiny experiments can guide you in your career
So it's come to this: a Proof of Concept clip show
Sunday, November 7, 2021
Issue 65: A look back at some of my favorite things to write
Modsy Shutters Design Services, Atelier Vime Opens Shop, & More News
Friday, July 1, 2022
Plus, 19 of the design world's favorite travel destinations View in your browser | Update your preferences Architectural Digest AD PRO Logo Orior showroom MODSY SHUTTERS DESIGN SERVICES, ATELIER
9 Design Collabs We’re Loving Right Now
Friday, July 1, 2022
Plus, more sourcing inspiration. View in your browser | Update your preferences Architectural Digest AD PRO logo image Welcome to the PROcurement, our weekly roundup of the best designs to source and
And the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize 2022 Winner Is...
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Plus, 6 business apps that designers actually use View in your browser | Update your preferences Architectural Digest AD PRO Logo Designers Monet Masters and Tavia Forbes 6 BUSINESS APPS THAT DESIGNERS
119 / Interview warmup, free icons, curated motion design gallery, social podcasting and more…
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Product Disrupt Logo Product Disrupt Half-Monthly Jun 2022 • Part 2 View in browser Image Interview Warmup by Grow with Google Google's new tool to help you prepare for job interviews. It asks you
HTML5Rocks, Meteor, Immersive Design, Core77 Awards, Animation Library
Thursday, June 30, 2022
The 5 best design links, every day. Curated by a selection of great editors. Email not displaying properly? View browser version. Sidebar June 30 2022 Farewell to HTML5Rocks web.dev So long HTML5Rocks,
Improve working across time zones in product development
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Reduce that “did this need a meeting?” or remote FOMO feeling
The 3 Beliefs That Could Be Holding Back Your Business (and How to Avoid Them)
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Plus, here's how to get your big idea funded View in your browser | Update your preferences Architectural Digest AD PRO Logo home decor brand 5 STEPS TO GETTING YOUR HOME DECOR BRAND FUNDED Design
Should Product Managers Wireframe? Here's Balsamiq's take on it
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
When is it appropriate for PMs (but also founders, developers, marketers) to create wireframes? The latest news from Balsamiq: When is it appropriate for PMs (but also founders, developers, marketers)
Your PR questions answered - edition #2
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Advice from Nora Wolf Welcome to the second edition of PR Questions with Nora. This new monthly newsletter feature was inspired by you! If you've attended one of our recent PR workshops, you likely
UX Writing, Making Rectangles, CSS Mistakes, Number Input, Figma Presentations
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
The 5 best design links, every day. Curated by a selection of great editors. Email not displaying properly? View browser version. Sidebar June 29 2022 UX Writing: Study Guide nngroup.com Unsure where