The document provides tips for recognizing and getting out of a design rut. It begins by defining a design rut as apathy and lack of challenge in one's work. Potential causes of a rut include low stimulation, lack of mentorship, and working with low-expectation clients. The document then offers both in-the-moment techniques and general approaches for breaking out of a rut. In-the-moment tips include imposing constraints, changing constraints, doing something unexpected, getting outside critique, and taking inspiration from others. General tips include adding structure, practicing and playing, changing one's routine periodically, and taking on side projects.

1. Heather O’Neill!
@hlrjo

2. Image © heartbreakhypnotist.com

3. What’s on tap for today:
• Welcome to my rut – a guide to knowing
when you have a problem.
• How did we get here? – a brief history of
what’s wrong with you.
• Get me out! – techniques for getting
uncomfortable enough to save yourself.

4. Life is too short
to keep cranking out
mediocre crap.
—Curt Cloninger

6. The enemy:

8. Or maybe:

10. How can you tell when you’re in a
design rut?

12. There is nothing new under the sun.

14. You tell your junior designers, “I know it
sucks, but we’re just going to do it the way
the client wants this time.”
Every time.

16. You are apathetic.

17. Congratulations!
You’re in a rut.

19. TIME

20. There are probably other,
more specific things going on:

21. You’re running low on outside stimuli.

23. You don’t have a boss or mentor
to challenge you.

24. You don’t have students or interns
to challenge you.

25. You tend to work with clients/stakeholders
who have low expectations.

29. What to do “in the moment”

30. 1. Impose Extra Constraints

32. 2. Change One Key Constraint,
then Design Your Solution

33. How would we design a retirement
application for an 8 year old?
I just want to play
with sharks when
I get old.

34. 3. Do the Unexpected
to Break through a Wall

35. The Anti-Problem Game
Problem: Design a landing page to get
sign-ups for a free trial.
To Play: Describe the solutions that would
solve the anti-problem (the current
problem’s opposite).

36. 4. Get Critique on Your Work

38. 5. Get Inspired by Others

40. What to do as a general approach

41. 1. Add Some Structure

43. 2. Practice & Play

45. 3. Periodically Change Your Routine

47. 4. Recharge with Side Projects

52. In the moment:
1. Impose extra constraints
2. Change a key constraint
3. Do something unexpected
4. Get outside critique
5. Use others for inspiration

53. In general:
1. Add some structure
2. Practice & Play
3. Periodically change your routine
4. Take on side projects

54. Questions?

55. Thanks for attending!
Have more questions? Reach out:
heather@pixelsforhumans.com
@hlrjo