16 tips for effective work of designers Facebook, Google and other well-known companies

1. Write a short letter

Smelkov Sabrina (Sabrina Smelko) works as an illustrator and designer in Design * Sponge. She manages to maintain a balance between work and personal lives, being governed with several types of employment. Not all of us can be so.

The designer says that before answering emails only during work and were laid completely in each message. She tried to make the letter perfect in length and content, carefully answering all questions. Now, her viewpoint changed. Sabrina advises simply "shoot".

The short answer, and so, as you wish. "Yes, I received a letter and let you know when the article will be published."

The coolest feature, according Smelkov - is the signature "Sent from a smartphone, I'm sorry for the brevity." Thanks to her, she can relax and not worry that it will accept email somehow wrong.

2. Prefer real communication

Shaun Tollerton (Shaun Tollerton) works as a designer in Ustwo studio. He knows how difficult it is to communicate by e-mail. No matter how many letters you have already responded to clear the folder "Inbox" is not entirely possible.

"I like it when in the" Inbox "no letters, - says Tollerton. - I begin to twitch nervously already at ten members. I try to answer as soon as possible, but there are other ways to solve this problem.

Discuss issues via e-mail is not necessary if you prefer real communication. Another great option - Chat SlackSince it is possible to communicate with the team, and each separately. "

It seems that e-mail as the main channel of communication is no longer as relevant.

3. disconnect the Internet

Aaron Walter (Aarron Walter), vice-president of the department of education in the company that created the application for InVision designers chose a remote job. This type of employment requires a search for new ways to motivate yourself.

"When I need to focus and be really productive, I just unplug the Internet - Walter says. - This is probably the best method. I always want to Check email in the morning, but I found that I was losing the creativity and productivity, if I do this. So now I read the letter in the evenings. In the morning I have a clear conscience; if I start to bother with different things, to remain productive it will be difficult. "

4. Form the habit

Director of product design at Facebook Geoff Tegan (Geoff Teehan) believe that it is necessary to cultivate good habits, if you want to grow as a professional.

It is easy to feel comfortable and relaxed. It is at this point, you stop growing or to understand what you need to change something in their lives. I believe in the habit. That's how I fixed my attitude to health and made changes to the workflow. I promise myself to do something for 60 days until they develop the habit. That's how much time is needed so that it formed.

Geoff Tegan

Tegan also uses listsThat is, based on realistic expectations from himself.

"I do not write job listings, where all of the tasks prioritized. And do not create separate lists of personal questions. I just have a list in which all important. Call for an appointment, to hire staff, write a brief, drive away the car in the service - it's all there in the list. I'm just looking at it in the morning and decides what to do today. "

5. Learn to speak eloquently

Cassie McDaniel (Cassie McDaniel), Mozilla's Director of Design Foundation, believes that it is important to talk about their work and feel free to express their opinions.

"This is particularly important for women, who usually speak softly others, and repeating said they are shy. This also applies to men, too. We all formed a culture that listens to what someone says with a loud voice, not quiet and soft. "

Therefore, we must learn to talk about their work and to prove his point. And it is desirable to do so expressly and clearly.

6. Leave your personal problems at home

Sanya Chezhek (Sanja Čežek) - designer, art director and co-founder of Fuchs + Dachs, says: "Most of the good advice I received from my father. He always told me: "I came to work - close the door." We all have problems, but should be left to private outside the operating room. "

7. Keep things under control

Haash Emily (Emily Haasch), the chief designer of Electric Objects of the company, previously worked on the creation of the popular card game Cards Against Humanity. She found that such an important position requires multitasking skills and regular checks on how things are going in general.

"It is important to take short breaks in order to quickly bring things back in order. Usually in the morning I was a little distracted from work to walk again through the eyes of to-do list for today and the week ahead. I am trying to anticipate potential problems, to think about the letters to be sent, and the brief, which I will need more information. "

8. Start with a simple

Huda Idris (Huda Idrees) manages the department of product design at Wealthsimple. When the team gets to work on a new project, all its members together try to think the very first step to get closer to this goal.

"It can be a simple process or a product that is similar to what we need to develop. I'm trying to apply this formula to everything we do. If I'm not sure about anything, then just try to come up with at least a first step that needs to be done. "

9. Divide the day into blocks of time

Matt Quinn (Matt Quinn) - product designer and freelance photographer. When you are responsible for your own work schedule, we have to learn to effective planning. Only then will you succeed.

"Blocks of time - this is something that helps me keep a clear mind.

Each time period has a purpose. I usually start my day with a small block (10-60 minutes), which spend on checking e-mail and small workloads. Then, depending on the project, I'm working on, I select the next block in the 4-6 hours long, during which I write code or composing.

I try to be as focused on the task during the time block. While I was working, the phone is in front of me. If you receive an important message that really need to answer immediately, I interrupted. But in most cases I just need to remember that the letter came, and respond to it only after the time block.

Most of the time I manage all these processes in the head, because their logic and flow based on common sense and priorities. But, if it becomes difficult, I use google CalendarIt helps to keep afloat. Of course, this system is not perfect, and sometimes it gives failure. Then I just accept things as they are. "

10. Keep working

Sebastian Gabriel (Sebastien Gabriel) work at Google, in a team of designers Chrome browser, and adheres to the most simple and effective rules.

Get to the point. This advice applies to virtually all of what you are taking. At some point, you will simply need to optimize everything that you say or do to get to the goal. All that is around you - it's just noise. Do not think about what is beyond your target.

Sebastian Gabriel

11. Prokrastiniruyte productive

Dzhandard Chantal (Chantal Jandard) - UI / UX-designer. She believes that the best way to save time - is to use procrastination to perform useful tasks. Sometimes you need to take a break and relax from the project. But this time do not necessarily have to spend on mindless Internet surfing or watching tape to Facebook.

"Instead of a thousand times to check Instagram, I take my list and pick something out of it. So I'm doing the job and prokrastiniruyu the same time. "

The main thing - to spend time away from what you are normally employed. This will help to go further, if you suddenly get stuck and it's not coming. Feel guilty in this case, it is not necessary, just use the necessary breaks to perform other, equally important tasks.

12. Ask for help when you need it

Ken Wong (Ken Wong) - a leading designer and artist in Ustwo, the studio that created the legendary iOS-game Monument Valley. Wong knows very well that the design and development of video games require a permanent solution to many problems. It is therefore important to be able to ask for help of colleagues, especially when work begins on a new complex project.

Wong said: "It was especially hard in the past year. We worked on the VR-project Lands End. It was one big challenge: technical, personal, visual, design. We are all very tired, our team spirit has fallen to zero. We just tried to walk, moved the first one leg and then the other. In such cases, ask for help is very useful. "

If you do not know what to do, or know, but the problem seems to be unaffordable to you, ask a colleague for help. Sometimes a simple conversation - the best solution for even the most difficult tasks.

13. Get out of the comfort zone

Nathan Harvey (Nathan Garvie) - Designer to Facebook, whose career has been a very rapid growth. He now works as a product designer and lead designer of the company.

"I always try to focus on how to do things that scare me. When I went to the interview, there were companies in which I was scared, while others - not. This feeling - an important indicator that helps me to understand what to do next. "

If you are a little afraid of a new feature or function, it may mean that you really should try to achieve it. To go beyond your comfort zone sometimes useful.

14. Be optimistic

Darrin Heneyn (Darrin Henein), a leading designer in Mozilla Firefox, does not doubt the importance of optimism.

"I think one of the most valuable things I have learned over the past few years - this is what you need to be very optimistic.

I always try to look at a situation or problem and to understand what is good, we can derive from it. You can not have too many problems, all can be corrected - it is generally applicable, and in his personal life.

When we are young - giving up easily at the slightest difficulty. But I realized that the most valuable things earned the biggest difficulty. You just need to survive the difficult moments. "

15. Remember, the main thing - communication

Mace Alexander (Alexander Mayes), a designer in Instagram, believes that the most important skills - communication skills.

Many designers are focused on how to become a professional and achieve a high level of skill. But they forget how to communicate with others. If you want to be successful or become a leader, you need to learn how to influence people.

Alexander Mace

Communication skills can be obtained only after a long journey. Spend time listening to colleagues, let them feedback, discuss problems, be constructive and attentive.

16. Let the tips of productivity does not knock you out of the way

Veron designer Jamie (Jamie Veron) believes that sometimes the rules and tips can be psychologically pressure on the person, providing a devastating effect.

"On the one hand, I am sure that these tips are very useful. But sometimes they can be a cause of stress. After all, you can feel like not cope, while others become better and more professional. Do not let these tips to make yourself miserable. After all, they have to help you. If all recommendations are useless wait a little: they will still come in handy. "

Evaluate what advice can be most useful to you. Try to apply it in practice, but if it only spoils your mood, you need to stop. Not all tips are equally useful.