I am a designer who writes about design, user experience, and general stuff that inspires me in my everyday life.
I’ve started running a few months ago and I’ve gone through these phases so far:
1. Running is really boring! Will I ever be able to do this?
2. Running is boring, but the feeling afterwards is amazing. I’ll go again and see how it goes.
3. Running is addictive. I just need to go for a run!
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TweetBy Sean Blanda on “Is it possible to work less than 40 hours a week and still build something great”, at 99%#
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on “Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention”#
Last weekend Sophie and I went to the Kinetica Art Fair 2013, by the Kinetica Museum. It was brilliant, genius things there!
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Tweet“How can I let the introvert in my life know that I support him and respect his choice?
First, recognize that it’s not a choice. It’s not a lifestyle. It’s an orientation.
Second, when you see an introvert lost in thought, don’t say “What’s the matter?” or “Are you all right?”
Third, don’t say anything else, either.”
Jonathan Rauch. Caring for Your Introvert, article at The Atlantic.
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The MAD museum in Stratford-upon-Avon is awesome. I don’t think I ever seen so many kinetic machines in one place.
It is very inspiring and fun. It’s worth a look.
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TweetYesterday my friend Sophie and I watched “A life of Galileo”a play by Bertolt Brecht staring Ian Mcdiarmid, at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The play was mind blowing. Outstanding acting, great text, minimalist set design (how we like it) and very witty. A pleasure to watch from start to finish. Totally recommend it.
Earlier in that day, we watched The winter’s tale, by Shakespeare, also at the RSC. This one was a bit of a disappointment. I didn’t really enjoyed it, to be honest. I felt it was very plain, nothing special about it. It’s rare for me to say that but I wouldn’t recommend this one.
By the way, if you haven’t done this before, I recommend going to Stratford-upon-avon for a day or two to watch a play at the RSC. The building is spectacular, their productions are usually really great and the town is lovely.
PS:
For a more detailed (and interesting) review of these plays, check the blog post by Sophie.
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TweetLast weekend, I attended a hack day for the first time. Although I had many opportunities to attend one before, I never did. Hack days are usually referred as an event for developers or “geeks” so I always thought designers wouldn’t be very useful there. Just when my colleague, a developer, (thanks, Kevin) told me that they really could do with some designers there, I considered going to one.
The hack day I attended was the NHS Hack Day Oxford. It was really well organised and I had much fun. In fact, the day was much more fun and relaxing than I thought a hack day would be.
So I’ll list here why I liked it and why I think other designers will like it too:
It’s a relaxing atmosphere
Basically, you do what you like. If you want to do design, you do it. If you want to explore some tools and techniques you never have time to, this is the time you can do it. If you want to improve some development skills, you’ll have lots of people who can help you out. Different from your day-to-day job, there is no pressure. It’s all up to you and how far you want to go.
Passionate (and happy) developers
Developers who love what they do means they will do their best to make an idea they believe in work. It’s always a pleasure to work with people like that.
You’ll work closely and collaboratively with developers
It’s been said more and more how important it is to get designers and developers working together since the beginning of a web project. At hack days, you’ll have this opportunity. You’ll understand technical restrictions, discuss alternative solutions and, together, come up with a viable creative solution.
At the end, your project works!
This is the most exciting part. You end up with a product that actually works and that you can share and people can use. The results of a hack day usually mean you’ll be helping the community.
Plus, a nice free lunch!
Hack days organisers and sponsors treat attendees very well. There is usually a nice lunch, cakes and coffee.
I’ll definitely attend a hack day again (White October, where I work, hosts a few) and I recommend designers having a go. You’ll enjoy it!
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TweetBrook, Peter. The Empty Space: A Book About the Theatre: Deadly, Holy, Rough, Immediate. (p.15)#
Exhibition “La maison tombée du ciel” by Jean-François Fourtou at Lille Fantastic 2012
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I'm an interaction designer based in Oxford.
Co-organiser of UX Oxford, help run Digital Oxford. Designer White October.
I'm passionate about design, traveling and books.