Published on | Prototyping: From UX to Front End — Medium Reed Knecht

And why it’s important

The Issue

During my time in my school’s design program, I’ve learned a lot.

More importantly, I’ve also failed a lot.

I think one of my biggest failures has been my lack of insight to see what the seemingly ridiculous design rules in assignments were conditioning me for. From my perspective, it seemed as if professors were creating these rules and regulations just to torture us.

My thoughts emulated the thoughts of my peers.

We were being restricted and held back. Perfectly good ideas were being shot down into thin air.

Isn’t design supposed to be a free, creative process without boundaries? Why can’t we break these trivial rules? Why won’t they allow me to unlock my super-special design powers and full creative abilities?

I honestly just wanted to be told what to design and then just go do it without anyone enforcing these seemingly silly restrictions upon me.

However, what I’ve realized is that freedom in design demands boundaries.

The Story

It was August 14, 2017, when I walked into my first design internship, nervous, excited, and not at all prepared for the next few months. I was quickly told that the first hour of every morning would be spent working on a creative project for the company.

This project was something I would design from start to finish and present to a large group of members within the company by the end of my internship. Other than a small amount of guidance and critique from my co-op manager, I was entirely left to my own devices.

I suddenly had two options: sink or swim.

In an instant, I was researching, sketching, note-taking, and Pinterest-ing (this is now officially a verb). With little guidance, I was forced to create my own boundaries:

Time limits. Research.

Sketches. Sticky-note layouts.

Digital wireframes.

Critique from anyone who could spare a moment.

Re-working the design.

Trashing the design and re-working it again.

Narrowing down the color. Using consistently-sized type. Refining the layout.

Stir all steps until well combined, or until the project looks done.

The Lesson

It took me long enough, but the process of designing without forced restrictions ironically forced me to place those restrictions upon myself. I was given little guidance so I had to inevitably guide myself.

In the end, I honestly believe that setting those strict design rules for the project actually drove me to be more creative. It caused me to find ways within the rules that worked, both in the logical and the innovative sense, and I believe I’m now a better designer because of it.

The Prescription

Getting bad grades in design school? Frustrated because teachers who have been designers for over twenty years just don’t understand you and your creative process?

Then you might need to “set restrictions in your design process.”

This revolutionary new way of thinking will completely enhance your design process and gain the respect of all seasoned design professionals.

Ask your doctor if “setting restrictions” is right for you.

Side effects may include a better design process, added creativity to your life, and a brighter career future.

Thanks for reading! If you’re interested in getting to know or working with me, you can find me at reedknecht.com, reed_adventures on Instagram, or reedknecht on Twitter.

Restriction in Design was originally published in Prototypr on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Restriction in Design

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