Things you should know before working with me [ maadmob.net ]
I have often thought about how I work with people, and how people work with me. My work is a bit odd, and I’m a bit odd and people don’t always know what to expect.
So here’s a guide to what you need to know before working with me (in the context of me doing interface design and information architecture work for a project):
I may spend a long time seeming to do very little. Don’t panic – I’m thinking. Exactly what you pay me to do.
I spend a lot of time with earphones in. That means I’m trying to think and concentrate amongst the chatter of an office, not that I’m anti-social.
If you give me a gantt chart all arranged in linear order, I’ll nod and get to the end on time and budget, but not by the path you set.
I spend a long time gathering information and thinking, and little time producing towards the end. Once I have nailed an idea, all else is straightforward and fast. So if you think I’m going to miss a deadline because I haven’t produced much, stop worrying.
Outputs need inputs – I have experience, but I can’t design a good system out of nothing. I need to base it on something. Don’t stick me in a corner and not let me research and talk to people.
Teams are good – I have lots of experience at what I do. But so do you and the team. Let’s work together to create something great. Don’t make me work by myself and expect me to produce miracles.
I’ll occasionally rant and get passionate. That means I care.
Give me challenging work, give me time to work through it and we’ll get there. Don’t expect me to to hard work in the same time I do easy work. That’s just dumb.
If there isn’t enough work, I’d genuinely prefer to be at home. I’m not hanging around to chase dollars.
I hate banging my head against a political brick wall. I’d prefer to be anywhere else – that’s just a waste of time.
So, that’s me. Let’s go!
[Note: I wrote this over many months and will continue to tweak it, so it is not aimed at any previous client.]
