Reading list — Chris Armstrong https://armstrong.is/reading/ Posts on reading. en The Messy Middle https://armstrong.is/reading/the-messy-middle/ https://armstrong.is/reading/the-messy-middle/ Notes from Scott Belsky's thesis on enduring the long middle of any project. Currently in the process of reading Scott Belsky’s thesis on enduring long-term projects. Enjoying it so far, here’s some ideas that have resonated:

  • The importance of internal narrative.
  • Create short-term wins.
  • Resourcefulness over resources.
  • Hire for initiative.
  • A mock-up turns the lights on.
]]> Wed, 12 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000 Creativity, Inc. https://armstrong.is/reading/creativity-inc/ https://armstrong.is/reading/creativity-inc/ Ed Catmull on building reliably creative teams — and the candour of a brain trust. Ed Catmull of Pixar codifies his theories on developing reliably creative teams.

One of the main ideas he promotes is having a ‘brain trust’: for Pixar this was a group of people who would meet together every few months to review and assess ongoing projects. The key ingredient is candour, honest feedback that cuts through politeness and gets to the heart of problems that need solved.

Related

Inside the Pixar Braintrust

]]> Sun, 02 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000 The Design of Everyday Things https://armstrong.is/reading/the-design-of-everyday-things/ https://armstrong.is/reading/the-design-of-everyday-things/ Don Norman's seminal work — where I met affordance, and started blaming designers, not myself. Don Norman’s seminal work introduced me to the concept of affordance, and changed how I think about design (and especially doors).

After reading this book I stopped blaming myself when I couldn’t understand how to use something, and started blaming the designers who created it.

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