A Design Thinker’s Reading List

I have read three books in the last few months that I think provide ample inspiration and thought-provoking fodder for any design thinker:

• The Creative Habit, by Twyla Tharp: In this “how-to” guide, Tharp suggests that being creatively inclined is not some pre-ordained gift, but rather a skill that can be acquired and honed by anyone with the right outlook and set of tools. Using anecdotes from her own life and career as a professional choreographer, Tharp discusses both the theory and psychology behind harnessing creativity, and the practical steps that can help. Her straightforward and no-nonsense writing style lends credibility to her credo – you feel as if you have just had a stern but productive talk with an experienced mentor.

• Design Thinking, by Tim Brown: Brown is the CEO of IDEO, the well-known Palo Alto based design consultancy. In this book he shares the secrets behind IDEO's success and discusses how design thinking can transform organizations and societies. To paraphrase, Brown describes the concept of ‘design thinking’ as the act of intensely and intelligently observing human activity and interaction, with the goal of uncovering a need and turning it into demand. The idea that design thinking is a business and management strategy and not just a designer’s tool has been gaining traction – as evidenced by this recent NY Times article discussing the ways in which Business Schools are incorporating it into their curriculum. As a businessperson, this book excites me – too often in the business world we approach problems from a staid and wholly left-brained perspective; design thinking teaches us to question assumptions and address the ‘why’ before we jump to the ‘how’.

• Beautiful Evidence, by Edward Tufte: This is the first in a series of four volumes by Tufte that seek to explore how the components of an image, be it a scientific diagram or an artistic masterpiece, can either enlighten or subvert the intended meaning of the visual. For example, in the first chapter Tufte explains how any image whose purpose is direct visual evidence must contain a scale or map, in order to inform the viewer of the image’s context within its broader environment. The subject matter may sound uninspiring and the tone egregiously academic (Tufte is a Professor Emeritus at Yale University), but trust me, you will never look at a PowerPoint deck or a scatter plot the same way again. Tufte’s insights and observations will inspire you to consider the elements of style and design with every visual you create or encounter.

Tharp, Brown, and Tufte have inspired me to foster a creative habit everyday, look for design-centric solutions to business challenges, and be intensely aware of the role design plays in everything we create. Not a bad starting set of principles.

Twyla Tharp: twlatharp.org

Tim Brown: designthinking.ideo.com

Edward Tufte: edwardtufte.com

SF Moma: 75th Anniversary

Attention SF Readers!

This weekend the SF Moma celebrates its 75th Anniversary - admission is free! There are also a host of activities to enjoy, from gallery talks, to evening performances, to snacks from SF's top local food vendors (yes there will be Blue Bottle Coffee).

The Gap has also gotten in on the fun and partnered with Moma to create eight limited-addition T-shirts designed by local artists. Despite representing all things lame and mass marketed, Gap does a good job supporting non-profits and the local SF community - these shirts are a great way to raise awareness for the Moma, the arts, and the artists. My favorite is this abstract landscape design from artist Leslie Shows:

You can buy the Gap t-shirts here: http://sfmoma.stores.yahoo.net/gaptshirts.html

Stripe Design Group

I just got back from a day in Santa Cruz, where I discovered an adorable home and clothing store called Stripe. The store is owned by The Stripe Design Group, a "creative collective" company that, in addition to owning the retail store, does residential and commercial interior design. The store is more like a gallery than a shop, with works by local artists adorning the walls and fun design objects strewn about to play with and admire. The handmade cards, antique jewelry, old cameras, and delicate glassware were some of my favorite things. I walked out with this harmonica necklace by Garrett Jewelry.

The owner changes the decor of the store for every season - all the more reason to visit every couple of months. They also hold frequent events with local designers and artists. However if you can't make it down to Santa Cruz, an online store is coming soon to their website, www.stripedesigngroup.com.

Great Outdoors

Over the holidays I had the opportunity to spend some time outdoors (thank you, California!). I went on walks along the beach, went for a hike on the bluffs of Palos Verdes, and went camping on the central coast of California. Although I am decidedly a city lover, it was nice to slow down, quiet down, and get out and enjoy the small and large wonders of the natural world. I was reminded of how much inspiration can be drawn from the outdoors – not only because of the beauty of the landscapes and seascapes, but also because of the focus and clarity it brings. When you are hiking or merely ‘being’ outdoors, distractions are gone and all that’s left to focus on is the environment. You become increasingly aware of the noises, smells, colors, and textures. As an artist, I immediately begin to wonder, how might I paint that hillside, or that tide pool? What colors would I use, what kind of brushstrokes? Other thoughts fade away and I am content to simply contemplate my surroundings. Its no wonder that the Transcendentalists and Impressionists turned out such inspired work. And then there is of course the wonderful sense of peace that the outdoors brings – a reminder of the larger forces at work, and the pure miracle that is such an abundance of life. The ‘natural high’ one gets from being outside is a powerful, visceral force, when one really sinks into it.

And yet – it is tragically fleeting. We get back in our cars, back to our homes, our comforts and conveniences, and the spiritedness and revelations we experienced, the gratitude we felt simply for being alive, are soon forgotten. Of course it would be nice to simply abscond from our modern lives and amenities. Some do just that - this couple, recently highlighted in the New York Times, live full-time with their baby in a yurt out in the Alaskan wilderness:

And this is certainly admirable – but for those of us who want to balance a host of interests and goals requiring contact with modern society, it is necessary to find a way to integrate nature with urban life. One approach is to bring the outdoors in – creating homes and spaces that celebrate nature. John Carson of Margaretville, New York, embraced this idea when he decided to build his home around a 250-ton boulder:

Although perhaps a bit extreme, I love the idea of co-habitating with something so massive and raw – there is no way to avoid contemplating the natural building blocks of our earth when you have a eight-foot tall rock in your living room.

However you integrate nature into your life, whether it is with regular walks, camping trips, living in a yurt, or building your home around a giant boulder, it is important to make an effort to connect with the outdoors on a regular basis. It reminds us of our history, our unity, and our mortality as human beings.

Palos Verdes, California