I read today Warren Berger post on “four things I’ve learned about designers” . I like it, although I’m pretty sure he means good designers and not just designers. Anyway earlier today I was asking a colleague some ‘basic’ questions about a new feature we are designing, so Berger post came right on time. It made me think about the different traits a good designer should have. This is not about knowledge or technical skills but more about personality. You may have these traits before you start your design career but it will usually develop and evolve with experience.

The first “thing” Berger is describing is the ability to ask “stupid questions” like- “why are we doing it?”.  He is sooo right. I do believe it is one of those things that can really make a difference. I would like to broaden it a little. It is not just about asking the questions it is also about the desire to review all options, being curious and think openly without a closure. The need for cognitive closure varies between people (and cultures), read more about it in this classical article or check yourself with this scale .

Many people are looking for answers as they start thinking about a feature. How will it work? What technology should we use? So many times I’ve seen requirements phrased as solutions; people even go as far as describing the interface details on a requirement “we need a button in screen XX that will do this and that” or just start prototyping. This is a basic mistake. Human but wrong. Obvious we are programmed to find solutions fast, it is basic survival, but designing is different. We need to begin by exploring the need: who needs it? Why? When? In what context, what are the circumstances? What are the options for implementation… only when we gather information and map these variables – hopefully using visual means (more on this in another post), we can start discussing optional solutions - always starting with more than one solution - still no closure...  For me it is the time to free my mind, satisfy my endless curiosity, ignore reality and restrictions, to avoid structure and order. All these will be part of the design process later (and an important part), but not yet.