enjoy

overlay
Too many choices? Creativity stumped? You may not have enough contstraints. If so, add a challenge, goal or other requirement (we call it an overlay) to the project to make it your own and to help focus your vision.
by cpv17 3/09/11
overlay
Too many choices? Creativity stumped? You may not have enough contstraints. If so, add a challenge, goal or other requirement (we call it an overlay) to the project to make it your own and to help focus your vision.
cpv17 3/09/11
rescue
The infamous yet oh-so-handy secret "rescue me!" signal isn't just for blind dates anymore. Invent a signal with trusted coworkers so that you can help each other escape pointless meetings and interminable conference calls.
emilia 10/31/10
connector
Being a connector is a social annuity. By introducing people who wouldn't ordinarily meet, you will spark countless ideas, projects, and relationships. Enjoy watching the electricity flow and the events unfold. You are the conductor and the valued common link for all that ensues.
cpv17 2/24/11
schedule
You know that thing that you love to do that you don't ever do for yourself? Schedule it in your electronic to-do list, with a recurring reminder. Do it now. We'll wait. OK, now make a solemn promise to yourself that you'll actually act on the reminder. Don't you dare hit that dismiss or ignore button or there will be consequences!
emilia 7/12/10
snacks
Have you been putting off tedious but necessary tasks? Expense reports? Cold calls? Invoicing? Misery does love company - so gather the troops and throw a party to combat the ennui inherent in certain efforts. Snacks are essential, especially chocolate.
jv 8/18/10
buzzword
In the company of know-it-alls? Throw a fake buzzword or made-up acronym at them in a meeting and watch 'em squirm! The winner is the person who asks what it all means.
cpv17 5/31/10

create

car
Your desk is rarely the milieu for profoundly revolutionary ideas. Cure "desk paralysis" with untethered brainstorming. Mobilize! Pile the team into the car. Facilitator in back. Driver's vote counts twice. Let the ideas run a little wild. Generate as many ideas as possible without constraints or refinements.
by jv 3/2/10
car
Your desk is rarely the milieu for profoundly revolutionary ideas. Cure "desk paralysis" with untethered brainstorming. Mobilize! Pile the team into the car. Facilitator in back. Driver's vote counts twice. Let the ideas run a little wild. Generate as many ideas as possible without constraints or refinements.
jv 3/2/10
mix
Your computer has been known to stunt healthy creative growth during nascent stages of a process. Instead use crayons, colored paper, magazine cutouts, scissors, tape, glue - anything! Bring some dimension to your work before you flatten it in Photoshop!
cpv17 3/21/11
move
Have you been staring at your monitor for so long that your thought patterns have ossified? Reposition yourself. Go! Sit outside. Close your eyes for five minutes and immerse yourself in the orchestra of sound around you. Changing location and switching up your sensory input will get your creative circulation moving again.
jv 6/10/10
world
Seek out your customers' "clubhouse." Go where they hang out. Haunt their shopping hot spots, eat their favorite foods, pilfer their playlists, steal their magazines (but give them back).
cpv17 4/14/10
moodboard
Assemble an altar for your muse. Gather images and objects that inspire. Light a candle, burn some incense, pour a libation. Tempt her with irresistible treats and she will come.
jv 1/12/11
brief
Instead of referencing a single document to verify that your creative is on brand, slice and dice your final creative brief into bite-sized bits. Place each juicy nugget of info on a sticky. Then post the stickies all over your office - anywhere but at your desk where you might ignore them. Alternate option: Turn each tidbit into a computer calendar reminder and have them pop up at intervals as you work on the project.
wf 8/24/10

envision

3-year
It's time for annual re-assessment of your Company Vision. If you don't have a Vision start here, now. If you do have a Vision ask yourself these same questions: What would complete success look like in three years? Write a list of factors that define "complete success" to you. Next, for every success factor, write down at least one immediate action you could take to get there.
by cpv17 9/24/10
3-year
It's time for annual re-assessment of your Company Vision. If you don't have a Vision start here, now. If you do have a Vision ask yourself these same questions: What would complete success look like in three years? Write a list of factors that define "complete success" to you. Next, for every success factor, write down at least one immediate action you could take to get there.
cpv17 9/24/10
metaphors
Part 1: Invent a project lexicon. For every letter of the alphabet, select and write down one word (use sticky notes) that has some meaning or relevance to the project or brand. Part 2: Use the lexicon to label things around your workspace and/or office. Part 3: Use the lexicon to label things you encounter in the world at large. A simple metaphor provides the foundation for defining abstract concepts.
kec 1/24/11
remember
Learn from the "ghosts" of projects past. List 4-5 of your recent past project names, each on a separate sheet of paper or file. Pick one project, free associate for 5-10 minutes. List tiniest detail to biggest issue. Then file away that list. Repeat the exercise on different days for each project. On the final day examine all your project sheets. Look for patterns. What worked? What didn't? What should you address?
cpv17 12/24/10
sculpt
Designing for simplicity is often best approached as a subtractive process. At project inception imagine everything. Every idea, every feature is worth capturing. Even ideas outside of the initial scope might be incorporated later. Your master wish list is like the sculptor's unformed block of marble. Subtract elements from your block until your project emerges in its proper and most essential form.
wf 7/2/11
free-associate
Start with a rational approach to organizing and prioritizing project features: Create a spreadsheet, assign ratings and calculate scores for each item based on time, cost, usefulness etc... Next: Silence your "inner editor." Don't think. Just write all the words that come to mind. Even if your word list seems unrelated or fanciful, the associations may lead to visceral understanding that often goes unarticulated.
jv 2/2/10

collaborate

relevant
Do you know what makes your co-workers and clients tick? Ask people at least one seemingly irrelevant question per day. What films can they quote? Where have they lived/traveled? Milk chocolate or dark? It's easier and more fun to collaborate from a place of understanding. And details matter.
by jv 12/1/10
relevant
Do you know what makes your co-workers and clients tick? Ask people at least one seemingly irrelevant question per day. What films can they quote? Where have they lived/traveled? Milk chocolate or dark? It's easier and more fun to collaborate from a place of understanding. And details matter.
jv 12/1/10
quiet
When people are quiet they have the mental bandwidth to thoroughly observe. They can see the forest and the trees. Incidentally, we couldn't help noticing that YOU haven't said a word this whole time. Bet you're holding onto some good intel. So? Spill it!
bre 2/24/11
help
Self-sufficiency is sensible, but overrated. The next time you're scratching your head over something - stop and ask for help. Look around you now. Is there someone nearby doing some head scratching? You know what to do.
mr 1/17/11
decode
It can be tough to decode the room when you're the one leading the meeting. Bring someone observant to play anthropologist and gather any intel you might miss, especially body language and facial expressions that reveal what people are really thinking.
mr 7/13/10
failures
Success stories are definitely inspiring, but they're a dime a dozen. Maximize the value of your failures by revealing a debacle and trading war stories. Share each others' lessons and a cathartic laugh.
jv 4/30/11

humanize

simplify
Most of your site does nothing but obstruct users who are trying to complete one simple task. Start redesigning from nothing and fiercely resist additions. Simplicy is the way to usability Nirvana.
by kc 4/12/11
simplify
Most of your site does nothing but obstruct users who are trying to complete one simple task. Start redesigning from nothing and fiercely resist additions. Simplicy is the way to usability Nirvana.
kc 4/12/11
touchpoints
Before you try to revamp your brand experience, diagram all of the places your customer interacts with it. Document every detail: the significant and the seemingly insignificant, the good, the bad and the ugly. Only when you understand every facet of the customer's journey will you be able to make confident and constructive improvements.
kc 3/15/10
hobnob
When establishing and maintaining client relationships, make sure to hobnob at every c-level. You'll learn as much (if not more) from the CSR as you will from the CEO.
cpv17 11/04/10
anthropologist
The anthropologist observes her subject in its native habitat, scientifically gathering field data, making inferences and testing hypotheses.
kc 5/05/10
abilities
Nobody ever complains that a website is too easy to use. Underestimate your user's abilities and you'll set them (and your site) up for success every time.
jv 8/24/10
brianne
YOU, Mr. Client, are not a 53-year-old marketing manager. TODAY you are Brianne, a 9-year-old doll enthusiast. Now tell me Brianne, how do you feel about design concept #2?
cpv17 9/24/10
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