Richardson presents a two-part series, each of which detailing "Ten Steps to Becoming the Designer You Want To Be". Normally, I'd expect a piece like this to be fluff, or at least removed from how I look at the world (and my work). But it's clear and cogent and precious.
Some highlights (bold are my emphases):
3. Choose a topic that fascinates you and learn it inside out
This is how you become an expert. Your topic might be as broad as sustainability, or as narrow as a specific method like body storming...
4. Write, blog, and speak on that topic
You’re an expert once you feel comfortable calling yourself an expert...
9. Choose variety over anything else
I turned down an offer that paid more to come work at frog. I’ve never regretted that decision. If anything, frog has made me crave variety in such a way that I doubt I’ll ever be able to commit to just one industry. I’ve done everything from cell phone interaction design to social networking strategy, and from the future of electric vehicles to emotional medical identification. I would recommend to anyone that when you stop learning, it’s time to move on.
At the end of her second post:
"P.S. One final, but important note: We are all designers. Without taking anything away from the design industry, we need more people in all industries to recognize the impact that comes from their “designs”—whether it’s a doctor’s diagnosis or a teacher’s curriculum or a government employee—every human is a designer. As a discipline, we are trained to creatively solve challenges, to consider the future implications, to consider those other than ourselves. Our world is by design and we need more designers than ever before to handle the evolving world. I ask one thing of you in closing—teach one child design thinking or empower an adult by telling them they are a designer. We can all make a difference."
**note: I'll be posting an interview I did with John Goyert, another frog, in the next few days, so stay tuned.
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