The World's Best Book Summaries
What can faucet design tell us about design thinking? What kinds of faucets are out there? Faucet design is part of our everyday life, and it can be frustrating to encounter a faucet that doesn’t work. There are many effective faucet designs, which also shows how varied effective design can be. Read more about faucet design and what it can tell us about design overall.
What is the illusion of transparency? How does it affect our interactions with people, in particular, strangers? The illusion of transparency is an assumption that people project their true self through their outward behavior and demeanor. However, people are far from transparent, which can make us misinterpret others’ intentions and fall prey to deceit, especially with strangers. Keep reading for more about the illusion of transparency.
What is “head knowledge” and how is it different from “knowledge of the world?” How do these two types of knowledge relate to design? Head knowledge refers to any information stored in your mind. This can range from phone numbers you’ve memorized to knowing how to complete a task, like sewing on a button. Keep reading to find out about head knowledge and how different types of knowledge affect how we process information.
How can art and technology come together for creative experimentation? How has Pixar used technology to innovate in its art? Creative experimentation is about pushing beyond your comfort zone and trying out new things. In this way, Pixar has been able to do more with its storytelling. Read more about creative experimentation and its benefits at Pixar.
What is the Pixar culture? How did these principles work in practice after Pixar was purchased by Disney? In 2005, Pixar was sold to Disney Animation Studios. The Pixar culture, which was critical to its success, was adapted for Disney. The result was a resuscitation of Disney’s struggling animation business. Read more about the five principles of Pixar culture, as applied to Disney Animation Studios.
How does knowledge of technology change how we experience the world? Should design take our knowledge into account? Knowledge of technology has a huge influence on the products we use and how we use them. When creating products, knowledge of technology often comes into play. Read more about knowledge of technology and how it factors into design.
What is the recommended type of guidance in Radical Candor? How can guidance between colleagues be good for an organization? In Radical Candor, guidance is an important part of the open communication process. Employees have to be able to speak to one another directly without a supervisor intervening or mediating. Keep reading for more about Radical Candor, guidance, and building a candid workplace.
What are the key principles of Radical Candor? Do you know how to apply Radical Candor principles to key managerial decisions? There are Radical Candor principles for each part of your role as a manager. Here, the principles apply to hiring, firing, and promoting. Keep reading for Radical Candor principles for hiring, firing, and promoting.
What is UX storytelling? How can you use it to create better designs? UX storytelling is a user experience ideology that recognizes that an object has to tell a cohesive story. The user doesn’t have to fully understand how it works, but they do need a sense of a cohesive story. Read more about UX storytelling and how it works.
What is a project postmortem? How can a project postmortem help you identify key lessons and improve future work? A project postmortem is an activity done after a project is completed. You discuss the whole project and identify what does and doesn’t work about the process. Read more about the project postmortem process and its value.