Know anyone who's a bit fond of the sound of their own voice? It's still amazing to me how often I come across people with a one way transmission, and we design people can be the worst culprits. Sorry about that.
The other day out at an event with Mick, a bloke approached us and asked questions. As we tried answering, he cut us off with his answer to his questions. Honestly. It makes my eyes want to pop out of my bored skull.
Sadly, Monologue Man and Woman hit so often, these days it just makes me shut down. I hate being monologued by people. I truly hate it. Don't you?
Reflecting on all this, I always try to remember that any chats we have about design are always better for being a conversation. I have come to know how valuable it is to be quiet and listen. It's not rocket science is it, but like all the best wisdom, it bears repeating.
I get this with Sharon and Sonja at Valuable Content a lot. We often sit around the table and explore perspectives around a problem. We've both helped each other see things we didn't really get before, and what we have after a few years of working together is a truly mutual way of working. We also have a wealth of gorgeous, emotive and genuinely useful resources, not just for them but for the people they want to help in the world.
And it's not just a backstage chat about design, but the whole approach to sharing your messages with the world. Clearly a lot of online space is heavily weighted to 'transmit', but it's always more fun if it other people join in too.
The richness of other people's experience, insight and expertise is always great to soak in and it goes both ways.
We design people would love to be part of the conversation. Sorry for all the times we've shouted you down without listening, but maybe that comes from being dumbed down as "glorified artworkers". (Yes, I have been called this recently. We don't work together now.)
With patience and commitment, our shared insights often make for good ideas bubbling up over time, and I think my most rewarding projects are ones that emerge from true two-way conversations.
Whichever side you're on, design conversations are exactly that — CONVERSATIONS.
Let's come to the table with open minds, patience and genuine curiosity, full of respect for the expertise each other brings. The best ideas ever have a hope of being born this way.