Photo by Thomas Hawk
In this fast paced world of design how do we keep our focus on quality and not quantity? For the past month I’ve taken some time to evaluate, rethink and regroup. I’m going to try to do a few things differently in order to bring this quality back into my design world.
Freelance projects
I’m going to be much more selective with the freelance projects I take on. No more last minute, oh no I needed it yesterday jobs! Not worth my time! I freelance in the spare time (currently employed full time) so this is valuable time that I could be spending doing something else (like washing my cat). I want to work with clients that respect and trust me as a designer and can trust that my design decisions are well founded. Good design takes time – and I’m willing to put that time in. I’m lucky to have a few of these clients right now. Interested in working with me? Fill out my quote request form. 
Writing, thinking, and sharing knowledge
I want to spend more time writing and thinking about design. When I first started this blog it was really just a collection of cool designy things I found on the internets and has since then morphed into something else – what this is I’m not quite sure, but I’m ok with that. I enjoy writing and thinking about design and sharing my thoughts and getting feedback from you guys! As this blog continues to morph and change this will be more of a focus – with a dash of my patented smart ass humorTM of course
Attention to detail
My recent re-entry into the print world (new posts on work to come!) has made me realize the importance of focusing on details – no matter how big or small. Will this tiny little detail work when the logo is 1 inch wide? Will it work when the logo is huge (*cue make the logo bigger song*) I’d like to transfer this focus on details into my writing, my personal projects and the web design projects that I take on. Hopefully this will mean more focus on typography, coding, usability and readability.
Reading and discussion
I’m also going to focus on reading things that are more in depth. Right now this means reading more design books and magazines. I plan on writing my thoughts and responses to my reading material and generating discussion. As designers I think we tend to shy away from reading… or skim and only look at the pictures *im soooo guilty on this one*
I also want to generating more thoughtful discussions around design, process and learning on this blog. Interacting with readers, learning and sharing knowledge are the best parts of blogging.
Summing it all up
To sum up this entire article in just a few words: I’m going to be doing less, but its going to be better.
How about you?
Have you made any design resolutions? What do you plan to do differently this year? Leave a comment and let me know!
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9 Responses to “Quality Not Quantity”
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January 21st, 2010 at 6:34 amFocus on Quality Not Quantity…
In this fast paced world of design how we we keep our focus on quality and not quantity? For the past month I’ve taken some time to evaluate, rethink and regroup. I’m going to try to do a few things differently in order to bring this quality back into …
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January 23rd, 2010 at 8:00 am[...] Quality Not Quantity [...]
Alma says:
Could not agree with you more Niki! I receive lots of RSS's and I go through so many 25 lists of this and that.. and I get into thinking is this all we have to offer as designers and professionals? When I started my blog (inspired by you) I wanted my blog to be about quality and not quantity… but it is a painful reality that most people are into quantity and how to's. I want to write about things that matter, theoretical approaches to design, about how life and design interconnect,etc. Kudos to you Niki!
Loved the logo song!! I am going to send that to my students!
PS. In case you need a list of books, I have a library full of design books if you ever need some recommendations.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:44 pm
@topleftdesign says:
Thanks – I think this is good advice for all of us! Even though I have a team to support me (and to support), this business of design is a demanding one – time scarcity is a 21st Century bug that is going around and can be transmitted via email and social media (hmm – will be tweeting this thought too!) – I will be carefully considering each of your points in terms of what can apply to my business.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:32 pm
@cmdshiftdesign says:
amen to this sister! A while back I decided to A. price what i am REALLY worth, B. Express to clients my process and not take on those who werent INTO working the process – and since then I am busy busy busy — but only with really amazing inspiring clients!
January 21st, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Dan Holt says:
Absolutely. As a designer you need to take each project and really concept it out and find the best solution for that current communication problem. Too many kitchy, ornamental, trendy and fad style work being tossed around. It's OK, in my opinion, to search around the internet and find random works of this kind of stuff and enjoy it but when it comes down to actually problem solving a visual problem out, theres nothing better than really puzzling through it and finding the solution that best fits the situation rather than piecing together styles or elements you find out on the net. Keep up the good work and Change, reinvention or rebirth, whatever you want to call it, is good to keep the brain stimulated and the passion flowing through your veins. Good luck.
My recent post More Illustrator Tools and Techniques
January 22nd, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Chris Thurman says:
In the world of more, more, more for cheap, cheap, cheap I applaud your decision. While there are successful methods to quantity and quality, I feel quality will keep you sane longer. Thanks for the challenge!
My recent post Redesign Vs. Tweaked Design: What’s Best for Your Website
January 22nd, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Eko Setiawan says:
For I am with the quality we will give the best for the client or our blog readers, thank you for this advice.:)
January 23rd, 2010 at 12:15 am
@AaronAsbury says:
Another thing I like to remind myself when trying to balance quality and quantity in the creative field is how lacking so many people are in both. When things are getting a little hectic and you have to make the decision between quality and quantity, instead of being anxious about it, remind yourself that there are plenty of people who lack the skills you've been gifted with, or the clients you have asking for your work. Remember that this is a 'quality' problem to have, excuse my pun
January 26th, 2010 at 2:34 am