Getting it right first time, every time
I've been thinking about proofs this week. I'm nearing the end of a project for the Natural History Museum so it's been on my mind. (I'll share more on that once it's out in the world but if you’re curious in the meantime, take a look at this exhibition I designed for them that ran for a couple of years).
Since I started out in design nearly 25 years ago, I've had plenty of time to understand the importance of proofs and why they're both wise and practical.
I’ve noticed that, when it comes to creativity, a lot of people give up after one or two attempts, believing that if they were talented enough they wouldn't have to try.
I'd like to suggest that we could all be more creatively successful if we ignore the siren call of talent and are much more practical. (Of course I’m addressing this to myself as much as to the rest of the internet.) I know that it will take an average of 3 to 5 proofs, or what could be more simply called ‘attempts’, to get a design working and to fulfil its function.
It's become so ingrained for me in fact, that I rarely believe things will work first time, creatively or otherwise. It's a really helpful framework if you're trying to fix something for example. I used it last weekend on an old solar lamp (I’m still on proof 2 there) but it’s just as helpful if you’re trying to sort out something digitally or online.
I've also come to understand that it works in the macro too, by which I mean across the months and years. These drawings of my Friday night classmates are a case in point. Each one took around 15 mins, but I've been going to art classes and doing timed exercises since 2017. I remember my first 5 min timed exercises and how maddeningly short they seemed. But, over time, having acquired more skill in both drawing slowly and adjusting my expectations as to what can be achieved in a few minutes, they've become a bit of a favourite. I still crash and burn on occasion but that’s also part of the thrill. Remember, failure too can be fun…
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