156. Creative Communication: How Our Design Choices Illustrate Our Values

21 Aug 2024 (26 days ago)

Design and Its Impact

Design is a broad term that encompasses bringing an idea into the world with intention, ranging from tangible products to large-scale systems and services. (00:01:23)
The design process focuses on desirability, aiming to create things that are not only usable and aesthetically pleasing but also desired and beneficial in the world.
Communication is integral to design, influencing how people use, understand, and perceive designs, and is embedded in various aspects, including product marketing, team collaboration, and even the design of physical spaces.

Runaway design, a phenomenon driven by rapidly changing materials and technologies like AI and synthetic biology, requires adaptation and curiosity rather than perfect solutions.
Leaders should embrace curiosity and a willingness to adjust, moving away from the expectation of unwavering confidence.

Designers use the concept of "actionables" to reveal hidden "intangibles" such as feelings and interconnections. An example of an actionable is "lose the object," which involves removing technology and objects from a situation to better observe the intangibles at play.
James Baldwin stated, "the purpose of art is to lay be the questions that have been hidden by the answers." This quote highlights how solutions and customs can obscure the underlying reasons behind actions and processes.

Short stories, similar in structure to jokes, can be effective tools for exploring future scenarios. By forcing writers to consider specific details and consequences, short stories help to envision how design choices might shape the future. (00:15:23)
The beginning and end of a story are related, with a good beginning setting up the ending and a good ending depending on a good beginning.

Feelings are important in innovation, design, and communication because they motivate, focus intention, and help with decision-making.
Regularly assessing one's emotions, especially in conflict, negotiation, and media consumption, is crucial because emotional choices impact not only the individual but also others in an interconnected world driven by algorithms.

Scott is developing a communication strategy based on the cookbook "Salt Fat Acid Heat" by Samin Nosrat. He aims to identify the essential elements of effective communication, similar to how the cookbook breaks down the core components of flavor. (00:21:51)
He believes metaphors are underutilized tools for thinking and communication, highlighting their ability to provide fresh perspectives and make the process enjoyable.
Scott outlines three key ingredients for successful communication: clarity of message ("essence"), establishing trust, and acknowledging and connecting with people's emotions.