It’s Design Lobster #38. This week we’re getting design tips from a celebrated Black American architect. Plus, what the history of screws reveals to us about over-optimising a design. 🔩 ✨Enjoying Design Lobster? Please share it with a friend, colleague or fellow designer.
Your design takeaways are always very thought provoking!
Design takeaway: Are you over-optimising your design? This prompted two very different trains of thought.
(1) Reminds me of my writing, sometimes. When I'm very sloppy and unintentional, it's not very engaging. But when I try too hard (to sound a certain way or use a certain style that is not mine), it can come across as unauthentic. There is something right in the middle which is my authentic voice (albeit well written) which I think ends up sticking most with readers.
(2) Reminds me of the idea of introducing useful friction in products. At Thumbtack we could have made discovery of local professionals very easy (here's a directory listing, go hire). But there was value in adding a bit of friction for both sides (filling out a detailed request form). It helped us find the most relevant professional to serve the customer's needs, and the time invested by the customer to fill out his/her request gave professionals confidence that they were serious about getting the work done.
Here from the Substack Bridge program! Congrats on getting in. Really love your content.
Your design takeaways are always very thought provoking!
Design takeaway: Are you over-optimising your design? This prompted two very different trains of thought.
(1) Reminds me of my writing, sometimes. When I'm very sloppy and unintentional, it's not very engaging. But when I try too hard (to sound a certain way or use a certain style that is not mine), it can come across as unauthentic. There is something right in the middle which is my authentic voice (albeit well written) which I think ends up sticking most with readers.
(2) Reminds me of the idea of introducing useful friction in products. At Thumbtack we could have made discovery of local professionals very easy (here's a directory listing, go hire). But there was value in adding a bit of friction for both sides (filling out a detailed request form). It helped us find the most relevant professional to serve the customer's needs, and the time invested by the customer to fill out his/her request gave professionals confidence that they were serious about getting the work done.