think like a designer

this post has some terrific presentation design tips based on designer-like thinking…

But what, if anything, can regular people — teachers, students, business people of all types — learn from designers and from thinking like a designer? And what of more specialized professions? Can medical doctors, scientists, researchers, and engineers, and other specialists in technical fields benefit in anyway by learning how a graphic designer or interaction designer thinks? Is there something designers, either through their training or experience, know that we don’t?

garr reynolds (he blogs about issues related to professional presentation design) thinks there is. i’ll summarize the 11 lessons here, but you really should read the full post for the rationale behind each of them.

1. embrace constraints

2. practice restraint

3. adopt the beginner’s mind

4. leave your ego at the door

5.  focus on the experience of the design

6. become a master storyteller (LOVE this one! and totally agree)

7. think communication, not decoration

8. obsess about ideas, not tools

9. clarify your intention

10. sharpen your vision and curiosity and learn from the lessons around you

11. learn all the rules and when and why to break them