🔥 Campfire 11
Why I write, stop worrying and just do it, 4 ways to give better feedback, and how to fuck-up as a designer?
Why I write
I started writing because I wanted to deepen my knowledge of the language. But I ended up rewiring my brain in the new ways of thinking.
Think about it in a minute: your thoughts are simple electricity impulses between neurons in your brain. They're damn fast and hard to catch. Writing allows you to slow down and clarify your thoughts.
When you start writing your thoughts down, the process slows down, and you're capable of transforming those impulses into physical matter.
The process of writing is roundabout, clunky, and halting. The lopsided nature of the input (the grueling exertion) versus the output (the delicate page) is comically unjust.
In his article "Why I write," Tom White talks about his relationship with writing, which is complicated.
Writing offers a channel by which and through which I express chaotic thoughts through smooth prose and supple paragraphs. The written word gives me the ability to articulate clearly, proudly, cogently sans any unwelcome grunt or unwanted vocal intrusion.
Stop worrying and just do it
When we are about to do something, we get discouraged, and the obstacles seem too big. The task seems impossible to complete.
However, when you do the thing, you realize that the difficulty level isn't as high as before.
It always seems impossible until it's done. — Nelson Mandela
This visual by Junhan explains this concept well.
4 ways to give better feedback
This week's thread by Kaz Tamai is about giving feedback based on Netflix's culture. Their philosophy is based on four feedback guidelines - "The 4A's".
Check out the thread below to dive deeper into it.
People suck at giving feedback.
I examined @netflix's culture.
Here are the 4 ways to give better feedback.— Kaz Tamai (@kazsatamai) February 10, 2022
How to succeed as a designer?
Students ask me this question all the time. Even though I don't complain about my career, I can't tell exactly what you should be doing to become a successful designer. There are so many details to the process: your background, skillset, ability to negotiate, communicate, present yourself, and more.
But I can tell you what you can do to fuck up as a designer. If you do any of these things, you're in trouble. Read carefully.
How to fuck-up as a designer?
Oversell, under-deliver
Most of your work will come from referrals or people who saw your previous work if you're a freelancer. When this happens, this is a soft sell. But you still need to close the client to get the project going.
Sometimes to close the deal, we say things that we don't want, just to get that other project. But my advice to you: don't promise what you can't deliver.
It's great if you learn fast and can figure things out on the go. But it's better to make that an extra mile, an out-of-scope item, so that the client will be impressed rather than disappointed.
Don't take payments upfront
Unless it's an ongoing project, always take 50% upfront. It doesn't matter how much you trust the client or believe in your skills and abilities. Tell your client, "I'd like to have 50% upfront and 50% before we take the product live." and this is the only way you work.
First, it will give the client some accountability to not disappear or ghost you. Second, you'll be more eager to complete the project successfully to get the other 50%.
It's important to note that you shouldn't give the finished product to the client before you get the final payment. Otherwise, you might never receive the other half.
Work to get "future exposure"
Some clients will try to step out from the "pay 50% upfront" request by promising you the "new exciting projects," "more references," or "exposure" they will generate for you.
Don't be naive and always charge what you are worth. If you ever hear something like this from your client – listen to me, who got fired like this a few times – run.
You better watch out for those tricky bastards who promise you a pot of gold. They're probably just trying to get the work done cheaper.
Complete 80% of the projects and say it's done
The last 20% of any project are the hardest ones. It feels like the last 5 kilometers in the marathon.
It takes real commitment to complete those last 20%. Look, you've already done 80% of the work, so don't be discouraged.
What helps me is making a checklist of the things that need to be finalized, prioritizing it, looping the client in, and executing it one by one.
Conclusion
So these are a few points that you shouldn't be doing if you want to become a successful designer. I hope you'll find them helpful.