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I work with a gent named Jon. He is smart. He is methodical. And Jon gets things done. Currently, he’s managing multi-million dollar construction and facilities-related projects. He interacts with the client and with a multitude of subcontractors. Wouldn’t it be ridiculous if he wanted to be the architect, too? And install the electrical lines? And paint the walls? And make sure the equipment on site had enough diesel fuel? And manage all the deadlines? And do all the things on the punchlist? I wonder if one of the reasons Jon gets things done is because he doesn’t do all of it himself.
I do web design. And print design. And layout work. And creative/art direction. And copywriting. And strategy. And more and more I’m realizing I need to take cues from the way people like Jon get things done, or I’ll never get anything done. (At least nothing exceptional and universe-denting.)
What pieces can you let go so the whole is better?
I really just needed to hear someone else say that.
So, thanks for saying that.
said Luke
at 1:52pm on Thursday
Hmm, very interesting point. I would have to say that I graciously disagree with your statement. All the things you list are associated with being a good/great designer. You talk of creating exceptional work, and I don’t think its possible to reach that plateau without being involved with the design, writing and strategy. I am sure we as designers have countless examples when we do one little part of greater design, and it turns out mediocre at best.
I think if anything, and this is merely my opinion, but if you want the whole to be better, the only thing you can let go of, is not stretching yourself too thin by having multiple projects each seeking the mantle of greatness at the same time.
Just my two cents.
said Isuru
at 2:05pm on Thursday
I would like the ability to make that choice.
said Casey
at 2:19pm on Thursday
It’s definitely a hard balance to get down. I guess it depends on the size and capability of your team to find where you fall and the lines between each. It’s also nice if the lines aren’t too hard and you can do different things sometimes, but not be stuck ALWAYS with a certain set of responsibilities. Sometimes though, as you said, things require an expert that does it - and only that.
said Travis Schmeisser
at 2:20pm on Thursday
But that doesn’t mean I can or should do all of them, especially not at once. Given an infinite amount of time, resources and skill I would love to be the guy that can do it all, but I have deadlines, clients and projects and the scale of all of those is only increasing. I can keep doing everything and get little accomplished, or I can let go, manage well, put together a good team (both in-house and on contract) and get huge things done. I suppose it’s a matter of what path you want to choose.
It’s a journey to get there, though I would point out that you can get a lot of work done by professionals for less money than you think if you do the work on the front-end to make their job and your expectations clear and you communicate well in the process. Be encouraged; it doesn’t all happen at once, but it can happen.
said Joshua
There is nothing I needed to hear more today. Thank you. h
said Heather
at 10:25pm on Thursday
Same boat as Casey… I’d love to be able to make that choice. The reality is, however, that I cannot due to budgetary and personnel reasons. In an ideal world, everything works the way it should. May I introduce you to the real world?
said Larry
at 9:15am on Friday
Larry, do you think I live in a land of Care Bears and endless rainbows? If you think it’s impossible to let certain things go, then I’m fairly convinced it’ll never happen. But if you think it is possible, even if it’s a long way down the road, you can take steps towards those goals.
said Joshua
I’ve been designing and building for the web for well over a decade and let me tell you, I have tried to be the guy that does everything. I much prefer a team of open minded people doing one thing (respectively) to the best of their ability.
said M.A.T.
at 1:25pm on Friday