Design More Despair Less

In this episode of the Design30 Podcast I discuss the complicated role of pressure in the development of creative and innovative ideas or technologies. For more on this topic, please subscribe to the Design30 Substack where my most recent post is available and serves as a nice companion to this episode. | Show Notes - Learn more about the discovery of the Neutron here: https://www.aps.org/publicat...

In this episode I provide one simple strategy to improve efficiency and reduce errors. What's the secret? You're duplicating information too often! Stop it! Duplicating information requires you to update multiple documents, videos, or files when that information changes, which it inevitably will. Change is constant at work just as it is in life. So, prepare for it and do not place the same informa...

Fake FAQs is a series within the Design30 Podcast where I answer fake frequently asked questions. Yes, the questions are fake but the answers are real. This week I answered the following questions: 1) Why did you start the Design30 Podcast? 2) What book has been the most impactful on you in your design career? 3) What is the next skill you are hoping to learn? 4) What is a critique you have never...

In this episode of the Design30 Podcast I discuss four lessons I learned from the Bell Labs "Idea Factory". If you want to understand how good ideas are developed and incentivized it is imperative that you study the habits, beliefs, and actions of successful companies. As the R&D department of AT&T, Bell Labs created more innovative and world changing technologies than any other company in...

In this episode, I follow up on last weeks episode to provide some design principles and takeaways from the Q-Collar. I discuss three primary takeaways: 1) Simple is Hard 2) Change Your Perspective 3) Good Design Improves Lives. This episode references the Design30 Substack, so become a free subscriber to access and read all of my Substack articles (subscribe here: https://design30.substack.com )....

In this episode I go through the website for the innovative new product called the Q-Collar. This simple yet effective device has been proven to reduce traumatic brain injury (TBI) in athletes as well as service members. It has been worn by NFL athletes (among others) to reduce the negative impacts of repetitive head impacts and concussions. In my opinion, this device is a perfect example of how d...

What is the tradeoff between flexibility and usability? When should you favor a flexible product over a usable product? How does flexibility impact efficiency in design? I answer all of those questions and more in this episode of the Design30 Podcast. Show Notes - Sources: Universal Principles of Design: https://a.co/d/67LZnbh "Design more. Despair Less." Trademark of Design30 LLC. Copyright 2022...

In this week's episode I present a Call to Criticism! Criticism of this podcast. I want to hear your thoughts. What do you like about Design30? What do you not like? What about the podcast interests you? What do you want to hear more of? I want to hear all of the criticisms. Letting me know what you like is fine, but I am mostly interested in what you think could be improved! Creating a good produ...

In this episode of the Design30 Podcast, I provide a description of Fitts's Law and how it is exemplified in the design of an emergency stop button. In addition, I provide several examples which show why Fitts's Law should not be ignored in your product design, no matter the context. Subscribe on YouTube and follow on Instagram! (@learndesign30) If you would like to support the podcast please cons...

Happy New Year and happy 2023! In this 23rd episode of the Design30 Podcast I discuss the 80/20 rule. First I provide a little background on the origin of the rule and then dive into some definitions and examples. Use the 80/20 rule to improve your design team efficiency, productivity, and quality. It is an incredibly useful heuristic to help make difficult design decisions and is a tool we all sh...

In this episode I discuss the Double Diamond Model and how it can be utilized to improve creativity in your design process. Through divergent and convergent thinking, the Double Diamond Model allows designers to ideate, explore, define, and deliver innovative solutions to complex problems. Show Notes: Huberman Lab Podcast: https://hubermanlab.com/the-science-of-creativity-and-how-to-enhance-creati...

Usability does not ensure a valuable product. To achieve Product-Market fit, you must design a product that is highly valued by the users in your target market. Developing a product that is also usable will help solidify your Product-Market fit and increase your potential for a disruptive innovation in your market segment. To drive this point home, I lean on the expertise of Dan Olsen in his book...

This episode describes what a factor of safety is and how you can implement it intelligently to improve your product design while reducing the likelihood of failure. References: Universal Principles of Design: https://a.co/d/67LZnbh Factors of Safety: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/factors-safety-fos-d_1624.html If you would like to support the podcast please like, share, and rate it! Or you c...

In this episode I discuss a new design concept that I just learned about, Entry Points! Although it may sound simple, designing effective entry points into your product will increase customer satisfaction, customer retention, and overall success. Listen to this episode to learn how to minimize barriers, implement points of prospect, and add progressive lures into your designs. Find out more about...

What is mapping in the context of design and how can you implement it in your products? Through examples and personal experiences I describe how to recognize both good and bad mappings in the products you interact with everyday. "Design more. Despair Less." Trademark of Design30 LLC. Music by Guidon from Pixabay. Copyright 2022 Design30 LLC.

In this final part of the Design More Despair Less mini-series I discuss the role of design. How can design and design thinking principles help understand the problems we have and provide insight into the best possible solutions? That and more will be discussed! Thank you to our sponsor Viper Outdoor Tools! ( https://viperoutdoortools.com/shop ) *Full disclosure, I am working with Viper Outdoor To...

This week I provide my solution to the despair I see in response to all of the problems we face in the modern world. I challenge people to reframe and to focus not he opportunity we all have to solve meaningful problems. How can we strive to be the hero in the adventure of our lives? Thank you to our sponsor Viper Outdoor Tools! ( https://viperoutdoortools.com/shop ) *Full disclosure, I am working...

In part 1 of this series on Design and Despair, I dive into the problem of despair being pushed in society via the news, coffee shop conversations, social media, and the media in general. Climate change, the end of democracy, gun violence, and nuclear war; just to name a few of the problems we are bombarded with daily. How can we expect to provide hope to the next generation when everything they s...

"In Review" is a series where I will be reviewing books, products, articles, or basically anything that is design related and interesting! In this episode I review The Practice By Seth Godin. This book is absolutely full of thought provoking ideas, unending positivity, and some good old fashioned helpful advice. I can't recommend it enough! Buy The Practice here ! (No affiliation) Music by Guidon...

There has been a lot of change in my life over the past few weeks! So, I decided to do an episode on change, primarily how to change efficiently and productively in a design or engineering environment. I've got tons of new ideas for this podcast and am so excited to be back! Thank you to our sponsor Viper Outdoor Tools! ( https://viperoutdoortools.com/shop ) *Full disclosure, I am working with Vip...

Big things are happening! I moved and am getting married this week! That being said, there is plenty of design content in the works but I'll be off for a bit longer while I enjoy this time in my life. I hope every one is enjoying their fall and stay tuned for some exciting design content coming out soon! Thank you to our sponsor Viper Outdoor Tools! ( https://viperoutdoortools.com/shop ) Full disc...

What Failing Fast is not and what Failing Fast is. Often Failing fast is used as an excuse to ship bad products or to implement unrealistic timelines, but what is the spirit behind the Failing Fast motto? Find out on todays episode! Thank you to our sponsor Viper Outdoor Tools! ( https://viperoutdoortools.com/shop ) Full disclosure, I am working with Viper Outdoor Tools to design many of their pro...

What is the Aesthetic-Usability Effect and why is it important for product design? Essentially, the Aesthetic-Usability Effect tells us people tend to give the benefit of the doubt to products that look good. Aesthetics matter! A huge thank you to our first podcast sponsor, Viper Outdoor Tools (VOT) . Check their product list out here: https://viperoutdoortools.com . (Full disclosure, I have worke...

"In Review" is a new series where I will be reviewing books, products, articles, or basically anything that is design related and interesting! In this first episode I read through and discuss a few quotes from one of my favorite books, Creative Confidence by Tom and David Kelley. I highly recommend Creative Confidence! Buy it here (no affiliation). Music by Guidon from Pixabay. Copyright 2022 Desi...

"Feel The Pain" - What does this mean and how can it improve your products, decision making, and even policy implementation? Find out in this episode of the Design30 Podcast. If you find this episode helpful, please share it with your friends and coworkers. Also, please rate and review the podcast! Music by Guidon from Pixabay. Copyright 2022 Design30 LLC.