sarahdoody’s posterous

Recently I’ve been wresting with this idea that “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should”. In Product Development, I like to think that we’re always trying to make it simpler, without taking away from the experience … or are we?

When I look at technology today, it seems like we rampantly subscribe to the idea that “if you build it, they will come”. Today I read that Facebook has over 350 million users. So I guess in this case, Mark built it, and the people came. But the real question is “do they need it”?

One thing that I find fascinating about technology, is the speed of its evolution and the rapid rate at which it allows us to innovate and iterate. We can sketch an idea on a napkin at cocktails after work, and then in 48 hours have a live prototype and get feedback from people. But, with this new found freedom of development, comes a certain accountability for the creators.

Our culture has a serious affinity to what could be called an “urge for excess”. When you survey all the problems that we are facing today, it really comes down to our inability as a society, to exude some self control, restraint, and .... continue reading this post at my blog: http://www.sarahdoody.com/Blog/urge-for-excess

What would happen if we all consciously chose to do things that matter, that are authentic, and though not always easy, represent what we stand for?

I can't remember what site this is from (I found it years ago), but this is an excerpt of an interview with Dave Eggers:

"The thing is, I really like saying yes. I like new things, projects, plans, getting people together and doing something, trying something, even when it's corny or stupid. I am not good at saying no. And I do not get along with people who say no. When you die, and it really could be this afternoon, under the same bus wheels I'll stick my head if need be, you will not be happy about having said no. You will be kicking your ass about all the no's you've said. No to that opportunity, or no to that trip to Nova Scotia or no to that night out, or no to that project or no to that person who wants to be naked with you but you worry about what your friends will say.
 
No is to live small and embittered, cherishing the opportunities you missed because they might have sent the wrong message.
 
There is a point in one's life when one cares about selling out and not selling out. One worries whether or not wearing a certain shirt means that they are behind the curve or ahead of it, or that having certain music in one's collection means that they are impressive, or unimpressive.
 
Thankfully, for some, this all passes. I am here to tell you that I have, a few years ago, found my way out of that thicket of comparison and relentless suspicion and judgment. And it is a nice feeling. Because, in the end, no one will ever give a shit who has kept shit 'real' except the two or three people, sitting in their apartments, bitter and self-devouring, who take it upon themselves to wonder about such things. The keeping real of shit matters to some people, but it does not matter to me. It's fashion, and I don't like fashion, because fashion does not matter.
 
What matters is that you do good work. What matters is that you produce things that are true and will stand. What matters is that the Flaming Lips's new album is ravishing and I've listened to it a thousand times already, sometimes for days on end, and it enriches me and makes me want to save people. What matters is that it will stand forever, long after any narrow-hearted curmudgeons have forgotten their appearance on goddamn 90210. What matters is not the perception, nor the fashion, not who's up and who's down, but what someone has done and if they meant it. What matters is that you want to see and make and do, on as grand a scale as you want, regardless of what the tiny voices of tiny people say. Do not be critics, you people, I beg you. I was a critic and I wish I could take it all back because it came from a smelly and ignorant place in me, and spoke with a voice that was all rage and envy. Do not dismiss a book until you have written one, and do not dismiss a movie until you have made one, and do not dismiss a person until you have met them. It is a fuckload of work to be open-minded and generous and understanding and forgiving and accepting, but Christ, that is what matters. What matters is saying yes."

Over the weekend, I saw This Is It (the Michael Jackson movie). A lot of my friends had mixed reactions, but I loved it - mainly becase of how it represented Michael and his creative process in such a raw form. I'm always fascinated with creative partnerships, and trying to understand how creative people work together. What was most interesting about Michael Jackson was the balance between give and take. He seemed to understand when to take leadership - and take his creative team down a certain path to help them understand his vision. But, he also understood when to listen to his team, and consider their ideas and suggestions. Who knows what it was like day to day, but the film really seemed to caputre someone who was passionately in tune with their vision - and had figured out a way to communicate that to a team - and have the team be able to carry out that vision.

What was also captivating about the film - was the seamless communication between Michael and his creative inner circle. By humming two bars of music or waving his hands a certain way - the team understood exactly what he meant.

I've been working on some pretty amazing designs for the past week. They are definitely a challenge, but today, I just wasn't feeling it. Then, just when I thought I couldn't spend another hour looking at Photoshop, priting out designs, and then scribbling all over them . . . one of my creative partners said "just make it sexy". Most people would go crazy because what kind of direction or feedback is that? But, I knew exactly what he meant. He didn't have to say what color or shape or size, I just knew.

When you are lucky enough to find those partnerships - hold them close, treat them like gold, and do whatever it takes to never let them go. It is people like these who can push you, protect you, and provoke you to be someone and do something that you never thought you could.

What creative partnerships or teams inspire you?

Last night I was watching Top Chef and one of the chef's said something to the effect of "you have to smile and be happy when you make the food ... because if you're not happy when you make it, people won't feel happy when they eat it".

One way I deal with stress it to make cupcakes and take them to friends. I guess its more of a distraction. By no means am I a professional baker ... I have no idea what the difference is between cake flour and regular flower, and I make up my recipe for frosting every time. But you know what, I really looooove making cupcakes. And honestly, everyone who has tasted my cupcakes says they're the best they've ever tasted (not trying to brag, but that's what they say!). At first, I just thought people were being nice. But after the 50th person or so, I'm just going to go with it :o)

When you love doing something, you want to put every ounce of attention, thought, and beauty into it because you care that much about it. When you love it, you want the best for it and so you give everything within you to do the best job possible. When you love it, you want the people who interact with it to feel the love that you put into it.

If you love it, people are going to feel it. But, if you hate it, people are going to feel that too.

Its all about loving whatever you do and approaching it with love.

Nearly ten years ago I was starting my career . . . I had no idea what I was doing. Actually, I didn't even know I was starting my career (it was intended to be a year long break between high school and university where I was going to study neuroscience).

On my first day, someone handed me copies of Photoshop 5 and Dreamweaver 4 and told me to install them (probably the first time I had installed software - let alone on a PC) and learn them, and then make a website about something I'm interested in. I made a brochure site about my favorite ski resort - and I realllllllllly wish I had saved it.

The most valuable thing anyone told me as I was starting out was "dont be afraid to ask stupid questions" and so I did - and I just kept asking. Eventually, as I learned little by little those questions turned into ideas. And the idea, turned into the passion that is now my career. I remember someone said to me "when I think of you, I think of two things": questions and ideas . . . that's what I'm about.

So, that's what I want this to be about. I want to keep asking questions, discuss new ideas, and see what we can learn along the way.