4 things a designer can teach you about iterative processes

As an Administrative Professional, there’s no telling when you’ll need to acquire a new skill or adapt to a sudden change. Staying flexible as projects and demands evolve means being able to gather insights wherever they can be found. We talked to textile designer Luci Kandler to find out how she stays focused throughout the course of an iterative process, where new ideas can change the entire course of a project.

When you don’t have the tools you need it hurts—but it can often lead to a better solution. When Luci found herself screen printing without an assistant, she was forced to rig up a system using exercise weights to keep the fabric stable. Her creative solve wound up working better than an extra set of hands, and now it’s an integrated part of her process. Download Tip No. 1 Desktop Wallpaper (1920x1080)

Starting out, Luci was entirely focused on presenting exactly what she thought her clients were looking for. The work was getting done, but it didn’t feel like a big win on either side. She began working more collaboratively with clients, investigating their personal goals for each project. The result was a deeper level of communication that improved both the process and the final product.

“Your brain and your hand are so connected,” says Luci, that simply using new materials—a notebook vs. a legal pad, a highlighter vs. a marker—can get your mind thinking differently.” Switching between boards filled with Post-it® Super Sticky Notesto a book labeled with Post-it® Tabsallowed her team to work with their ideas in a new way and improved their creative process. “Think of your office supplies as art materials.”

Luci often gets to the point when the client is done, and she’s not. “The best thing to do is to speak up, and get your colleagues to consider a new option.” Nobody will fault you for your enthusiasm, and whether it leads to a change or not, your project will benefit from being tested against as many ideas as possible.

The iterations of design projects keep Luci on her toes, as any day she may be called to learn a new skill or completely rethink her approach. She and her colleagues use Post-it® Products to stay on the same page as they translate abstract ideas into tangible products.