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Talking Points

What is Design by Committee?

  • Something that everyone likes is typically something no one loves.
  • Compromise leads to bad design. A camel is a horse designed by a committee.
  • Think of a recipe. If you try to accommodate everyone’s preference you end up with catsup and peanut butter on ice cream.

How do you get feedback while avoiding mediocrity?

  • Only ask experts and people within your target market.
  • Explain the target market and the goals of the project before sharing the design.
  • Ask “why” a several times in a row.
  • Ask for problems not solutions. “My engine is clicking can you change my oil?”
  • Don’t Incorporate everyones advice.
  • Ask what kind of emotions it causes in them. How does it make you feel?

How do you give feedback to your designer?

  • Consolidate Feedback
  • Sleep on it.
  • Ask questions of your design professional instead of giving orders.  He or she is the professional. Don’t squander that expertise by taking over design yourself.
  • Pick Your Battles and be willing to defer.
  • Offer problems and suggest (not demand) solutions

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