The power of perspectives and how it changes our perceptions of problems
In our last article we talked about how hiring a graphic designer with a background in fashion designing helped us. It gave way to new ideas, new methods and new perspectives. Design at its core is about solving problem and finding answers. And if you don’t have one, you have to make one!
It is in these times when you need to be impromptu that your experience comes handy. And we don’t mean your design experience! Even your life experience plays a role in forming your perspective. Each one of us has lived a unique life story, having been exposed to a unique combination of situations. It also means we have faced unique challenges and have come out of it, for the better or worse. All of these parameters together help to form each person’s perspective. The theme behind their thinking pattern. This theme behind a designer’s mind is what makes them truly unique. Imagine the vast applications of perspective in solving design challenges! Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it?
“Design is just intelligence revealing itself.”
-Anonymous
Every designer in a team may have a different perspective. Their opinions on various subjects may change according to their previous circumstances. We always talk about how assumptions are bad in design, and this is exactly why a clash of ideologies in a design team is very healthy! The friction of perception keeps a design team in check from forming unilateral assumptions and building a one-dimensional narrative about users.
“Design is as much a matter of finding problems as it is solving them.”
— Bryan Lawson, Author, Architect and Scholar
Now, this could lead to some tension between the team, but that’s not always a bad thing! Healthy argument and criticism fosters dynamism. It creates a path for the team to come up with a solution that considers every possible angle of the challenge. None of the solutions may be ideal in isolation, but every solution has certain perks. In tandem, they can provide a comprehensive answer to the problem statement. To give an example from daily life, consider a client and therapist relationship. The therapist gently nudges the client toward a different perspective. A team can work in the same way. Using each other’s creativity and life experience, it can come closest to an ideal set of solutions. Like building blocks, the team members can complement each other, their strengths being multiplied and their weaknesses divided.
“Every great design begins with an even better story.”
- Lorinda Mamo, Designer, Blogger and Interior Stylist
This is why having a team with different perspectives and ideas will boost creativity and productivity in a workplace. The current stress on building a diverse team has more to it than just inclusivity. Including members with varied backgrounds can help to build a solid team with minimal blind spots. Imagine what would happen if every team member has been through the same grind in life! It would lead to a severe case of tunnel vision. The team is as strong as its collective experience as well as the individuality of each member. This is why at UP Studio, we do not prioritize educational qualifications, titles, prefixes, or even the number of years of professional experience! We like to look at what a creative designer can bring to the table in a holistic sense apart from their talent and technical skills!
Hope this article helped you realize the importance of “WE” instead of “ME” to solve problems. Too many cooks might spoil the broth, but too many designers will only spoil the client with choices! Stay tuned for more articles from UP Studio!
