What is your product like?

One way to look at design: anything which produces a meaningful influence on human behavior. I am always keen to know about small things which change people's behavior. So recently, I came across this story from AirBnB: As part of the onboarding process at Airbnb, the company encourages new employees to ship new features on …

Think about it deeply, then forget it

Our mind can produce ideas when we step away from a problem. In the TV series 'Mad Men', the central character, a creative head at an advertising agency, gives this advice to his junior to get ideas: Just think about it deeply, then forget it. An idea will jump in your face.This was a common …

Maximalist careers

A few days back I shared some ideas on maximal and minimal product design. But these ideas are quite general and can be applied to visual design, interior design as well as to literature. They can also be applied to careers. A minimalist career is closer to a linear career - same domain, same function, …

Think first, Collaborate second

Collaboration is over-rated. It's important, but in today's networked world, it is drowning out the value of reflection. There is a pattern I see among some successful companies, as well as my own life. It is better to think over key ideas before discussing them. Unless you have clarity in your mind about what you …

The best ideas are out there

I recently read the book 'Steal like an Artist' by Austin Kleon, and applied some of its lessons in my life. It helped like, a lot. And then, just because, I made this formula to remind myself about how important it is to get ideas from outside. Most of the time, maybe due to high …