This article was penned years ago, in a time before the war began, during my tenure as a creative director at iD EAST. Originally published in Russian on vc.ru, I'm now sharing a translated version here. Reflecting on those days and the content, it's a reminder of how much has changed and yet how certain insights remain timeless.
The World is a Vast Place
You can't learn everything about the world, but starting with foreign languages is a good first step
Among the best to learn are the complex Asian languages: Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. Distinctly different from languages of the Indo-European family, they not only forge new neural connections in the brain but also significantly enhance imaginative thinking. This is particularly true due to the use of three alphabets, especially kanji—characters that can have between two to fourteen different readings and meanings, depending on their placement in a sentence and the narrative context. Isn't that fascinating (god no)?
Another critical aspect is exposure to foreign cultures, a stride towards globalism, especially towards Asia—a cradle of innovation and rapid IT product development. Learning these languages opens up rewarding experiences for broadening one's horizons and uncovering new career opportunities.
And, of course, the katakana alphabet is a genuine aesthetic pleasure.
Read more! Not Jjust Norman, Cooper, and Ruskin
It's impressive when designers venture beyond the programmatic literature found on lists like '10 books every designer should read' and broaden their horizons with often unexpected reads. This can range from science pop to science fiction based on the principles of string theory or linguistic relativity, thereby acquiring richer cultural references. I want to highlight books from other humanities fields that are closely linked to design for various reasons.
At the forefront is James Frazer's The Golden Bough (1890). The complete edition spans 12 volumes (!), but I recommend starting with the abridged version (which is about a thousand pages, give or take, depending on the edition). Don't be daunted by its size; The Golden Bough is written in relatively straightforward language and is organized into short chapters that explore the origins of various rituals and their manifestations across different cultures. This extensive study of religion and mythology methodically examines how humans have historically perceived the world, natural phenomena, and the connections between them, transitioning from "magical" thinking to polytheism and eventually to monotheism.
Why read it? It's one of the most illustrative examples of how people construct mental models to understand their surroundings. The concept of a "mental model" is also prevalent in product design, representing a user's accumulated experience with similar systems.
For instance, long-term use of a particular application builds a mental model of how that application functions. This model is often the focus of our investigations. As we grow accustomed to one app, we expect similar functionalities from others. Popular examples include expecting swipes in dating apps and Instagram-like filters in photo apps. A product designer's task is to identify these patterns and integrate them into new products, making apps intuitive and user-friendly.
But that's a tangent. The bottom line about reading is clear: the more you read—both fiction and specialized literature—the more comprehensive your worldview becomes.
Over the past few months, I've delved deep into a collection of books from Lars Mueller Publishing. Beyond these, I'd like to recommend the top 5 non-design books that offer invaluable insights to designers and planners. Here they are:
- "The Russian Model of Management" by A. Prokhorov: This book is a comprehensive exploration of managerial culture's evolution in contemporary Russia. It provides a detailed historical context, revealing how the peoples of modern Russia adapted to living under dual regimes: one measured and lazy, the other frantic. The behaviors and organizational achievements, despite challenging circumstances, have been passed down through generations. Though the analysis concludes in the early 2000s, the insights remain relevant, highlighting the enduring nature of cultural formation.
- "The Art of Speech in Court" by P. Porokhovshchikov: Esteemed among legal professionals, this guide to rhetoric and oratory skills, especially in court, is invaluable. Its techniques are equally applicable to enhancing public speaking skills during conferences, client presentations, defenses, and teaching.
- "100 Years of Forensic Science" by J. Thorwald: The most engaging book on this list reads like a collection of detective stories, each based on true events. It chronicles the development of criminology and illustrates unconventional problem-solving approaches. For designers, it encourages a unique perspective on everyday items, the importance of questioning and verifying solutions, and, humorously, the need for drafting a detailed will.
- "The Goal" by E. Goldratt: This business novel, well-regarded by a broader audience, is a compelling read on optimizing work processes, identifying and expanding bottlenecks, and maximizing efficient production. It's particularly relevant when considering the redundancy of preparing layouts or projects well in advance, only to have requirements change. A quick read but worth revisiting every six months, especially if you're looking to apply its methodologies to your workflows.
- "The Language of Patterns" by K. Alexander: As monumental as "The Golden Bough," this book significantly influences architecture, urbanism, and design. It instructs on creating spaces—from cities to neighborhoods—centered around human needs and behavioral patterns. It's essential for those designing complex systems, such as CRMs or ETPs, offering a fresh perspective on information architecture. Though challenging, it's incredibly rewarding.
Drive... an Airplane
Seriously, the cockpit of an airplane is one of the most intricate interfaces you'll ever encounter, with the safety of hundreds hanging in the balance. Analyzing an aircraft's instrument panel teaches valuable lessons in layout optimization, where every button's unique shape and texture are designed for tactile distinction. This serves as an excellent lesson in affordance, where the design intuitively indicates functionality.
If piloting an actual aircraft isn't in the cards (maybe due to a fear of heights or aerophobia), specialized flight simulators offer a close second. They provide an experience computer games simply can't match.
Collect
Collect anything: stamps, banknotes, maps. Engaging in a collection hobby sharpens systematic thinking. Collectors don't just amass items; they categorize and organize, enriching their knowledge and neural connections. This activity broadens your understanding of the world, from learning about the artists behind stamp designs to the history of the items collected.
Drawing from my experience with perfumery over two decades, my collection has expanded my knowledge far beyond fragrances to include bottle design, packaging, the artists and sculptors behind these miniature artworks, as well as marketing, trend-setting, briefing perfumers, organic chemistry, and obscure technologies.
Business experience and entrepreneurship
Whether past or present, understanding business operations provides designers with insights into the economic landscape, government policies, and the challenges and costs of running a business. This awareness fosters a responsible approach to resource management, enhancing the designer's ability to make cost-effective decisions without compromising user experience.
This background equips employees for more effective communication with employers, ensuring value for money while keeping user needs in focus. For the ambitiously inclined, it also paves the way to management and entrepreneurship.
Understanding People
Volunteering for people with disabilities
By the start of 2020, Russia's population included around 12 million people with disabilities, nearly 10% of the population. The unique needs of this significant demographic cannot be overlooked. Volunteering offers designers firsthand insight into the daily lives of people with disabilities, how they interact with their devices, and what needs digital products can fulfill for them. I want to highlight the importance of this experience in hopes of seeing fewer interfaces featuring grey text on a pale grey background.
Teaching computer literacy to the elderly
This initiative aligns with the empathy-driven approach of the previous point. The elderly population, potential users of online banking, investment apps, and other IT products, faces challenges as digitalization advances. Without essential digital skills, they can feel lost and uncomfortable in an increasingly online world.
Educating the elderly on computer literacy not only enhances a designer's ability to craft more user-friendly products but also improves their skill in explaining complex concepts in simple terms. Designers can either join existing initiatives or take the initiative to organize such classes, which, though demanding, offer invaluable rewards in terms of personal fulfillment and positive impact.
And finally
Rugby
As the saying goes, "Rugby builds character." Why rugby, specifically? Because it's that very game with the real, proper ball where the concept of "Scrum" originates. In rugby, thanks to the collective effort of players with different specialties, the team works toward the goal of getting the ball into the opponent's in-goal area. The game's unique challenge is that while advancing towards the opponent's field, the ball can only be passed backwards, not forwards. This fosters both reactive and proactive thinking—anticipating the opponent's moves, leveraging your team's potential, and deciding whether to intercept or pass the ball.
From personal experience, once you overcome the initial fear of tackling a larger opponent to retrieve the ball, you discover a newfound capacity for courage and quick decision-making. Although rugby may not be the most popular sport in our country, for those interested, social platforms like VK often feature local clubs welcoming new players of all levels.
Knitting
First off, it might just earn you some points with your computer class from the earlier section. :) But on a serious note, knitting is not only about enhancing fine motor skills and engaging both brain hemispheres; it also lowers stress levels, boosts spatial reasoning, and sharpens focus. Navigating through complex patterns and loops can be as meditative as it is challenging, offering a peaceful retreat into tranquility.
This category includes any form of manual labor like pottery or basket weaving—accessible activities for detaching from work-related stress and fostering relaxation. Interestingly, tasks like knitting were traditionally male-dominated, tracing back to crafting fishing nets and intricate knots in both housebuilding and sailing.
This list is by no means exhaustive. I've skipped over well-known practices like meditation, mathematics, music-making, or model shipbuilding, assuming you're likely familiar with these alternative methods for gaining fresh perspectives on work.
I'd love to hear how you manage stress, what boosts your productivity at work, and any unique hobbies you engage in (after my knitting revelation, there's no room for embarrassment here).
