Weekly thoughts, 23rd January 2023

1. Going alone?

After a few exciting conversations, I’m considering going out independently. While freelancing as a consultant was always a backup plan, it might be worth exploring if I couldn’t find the right role for me. It would allow me to work with a diverse range of people and organisations and sample different ways of working on various problems. This is advice I give others when they’re stuck on what route to take. I should take some of my own advice and give it a go. It’s been a long time since I ventured out alone. The thought excites and terrifies me equally, but that’s reason enough to give it a go.

2. Podcast: Design Feeling

The Design Feeling podcast was recommended to me by my friend Jason Mesut. The host, @NirishShakya, explores the human behind the human-centred designer alongside guests. This episode with Kate Pincott resonated with me; Laid off? Look inside before you look outside.

3. Information Architecture

Early last week, the brilliant Abby Covert, author of Stuck? Diagrams Help and How to Make Sense of Any Mess, shared her thoughts on how authors can leverage information architecture skills to make writing easier. This excerpt will give you a flavour, but the whole post is worth a read. “Whether it is in the unique approach to language or tone, the physical layout and design, the ways the content is arranged, unique wayfinding mechanisms, or the core metaphors and frameworks that are used to hang other concepts off of – information architecture can be the difference between a book that reaches the intention of the author, and one that misses the mark entirely.”

4. Newsletters

I’ve been reading and enjoying many newsletters lately. Previously, while eating my morning porridge, I’d spend time browsing through my daily swath of RSS feeds via Feedly. I’d not pay much attention unless an article popped out—it had become a habit, which I wasn’t benefiting from. After discovering Substack via Jeffery Saddoris’ newsletter, I’ve found a new habit, and now my porridge time is educational. There are some great reads from creative people such as Austin Kleon (Author & Artist), Hannah Ritchie (Sustainability by numbers) and Jason Hunter (Two Hour Photo). It got me thinking, should I start a newsletter over these blog posts?

5. Getting outside

We’ve been treated to cold and frosty mornings here in southeast England this last week. Which look beautiful as I look out the window, but it doesn’t tempt me outside. However, Saturday morning, I forced myself to get out early and visit my local race circuit, Brands Hatch, for their season opener, the Winter Stage Rally. Wrapped up warm, I could enjoy the beautiful blue sky and frosty ground while trying to capture the racing with my camera. The best bit, though, was over the lunch break. I sat at the back of the pits enjoying the stillness and warmth of the sun on my face. Being outside revives me, and this was a great reminder that no matter how uninviting the weather looks, getting outside for a little while each day can be a positive thing. Go on, go outside, you’ll enjoy it.