Killer Innovations: reblog

A big hat tip to Wayne Hall of the Idea Festival weblog, who points to a list from architect Michael McDonough of the Top 10 things they don't teach you in design school. Many of the ideas on the list are as relevant to mid-level managers as they are to designers, artists and other creatives. Point #10 is particularly instructive: "If you hope to accomplish anything, you will inevitably need all of the people you hated in high school... A suit does not make you a genius. No matter how good your design is, somebody has to construct or manufacture it. Somebody has to insure it. Somebody has to buy it. Respect those people. You need them. Big time." So, without further ado, here's the Top 10 list:

1. Talent is one-third of the success equation.

2. 95% of any creative profession is boring and aggravating work.

3. If everything is equally important, then nothing is very important.

4. Don’t over-think a problem.

5. Start with what you know; then remove the unknowns.

6. Don’t forget your goal.

7. When you throw your weight around, you usually fall off balance.

8. The road to **** is paved with good intentions; or, no good deed goes unpunished.

9. It all comes down to output.

10. The rest of the world counts.

Tags: design design thinking design school

[image: Denmark's Design School]