Infinite Possibilities - FrontEnd Conf CH 2016

Possibilities Infinite

Denise R. Jacobs Front End Conf CH | Zurich, Switzerland 2 September 2016

@denisejacobs #FEC16 @FrontEndConfCH

#infinitepossible

Get the slides, y’all! Creativedo.se/FEC16-ip

Grüezi Y’all! Photo: Denise Jacobs

In case you didn’t know

Photo: Denise Jacobs

Photo by Derek Kearney

From Front-end Dev à Creativity Evangelist?!

Clients can be…special http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairity/154640125/

Projects started feeling like this http://www.flickr.com/photos/44085287@N05/4052943367/

And then there’s these people

My true love: speaking/training/teaching

à Founder + CEO/Chief Creativity Evangelist http://TheCreativeDose.com/

So frontend devs/designers, much respect! https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/bow_down1.gif

1,1,2,3…https://www.flickr.com/photos/bdunnette/143567420

It’s the new Black http://www.flickr.com/photos/designandtechnologydepartment/4771136128/

IBM CEO Study, 2010 https://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/31670.wss

Time Magazine Creativity Poll, 2013

http://business.time.com/2013/04/26/the-time-creativity-poll/

Survey of 684 Developers https://www.flickr.com/photos/ter-burg/8812567121

“The web can and should be a vibrant medium for creative expression.” – Andy Clarke, “Art Directing Web Design”, FrontEnd Conf CH 2016

https://twitter.com/purzlbaum/status/771263711373688836

We have it. Then we lose it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/3135103537/

This is Water. https://www.flickr.com/photos/seotaro/2101165162

Whether you are a designer or a developer


You are powerfully creative http://www.designyourway.net/diverse/4/ux/brainy.jpg?e8a293

Masters of strategic simplificationCan translate complex

information & data into accessible visualsEvoke emotion & provoke thought

Make the mundane beautiful

Gifts of Designers

Passion for accuracy Analytical

Learn quicklyProblem-solvers

CuriousThinking critically

Gifts of Frontend Developers

You design + build + guide the web… http://www.flickr.com/photos/spyndle/474122586/

Now’s the time to value yourself

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mcgraths/3277839203

“The new scarcity: the time, energy, and brainpower of bright, creative people.”- Mary Poppendieck, “Think For Yourself”

How to move forward?

It starts with One http://www.flickr.com/photos/33498942@N04/6009639079/

(Thanks, Andy!) Photo: Denise Jacobs

The pattern of nature

We are part of this pattern

https://www.flickr.com/photos/124263610@N08/14201837570/

The Golden Ratio https://www.flickr.com/photos/gdvan/14910785913

Everything comes from this divine unfolding

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rammorrison/2718543921

The Dark or the Light

What direction should you go?

Making one solid choice is the beginning

The paradox of choice

http://www.flickr.com/photos/x1brett/2279939232/

Let’s take a look at how this can work https://twitter.com/sbruggm4nn/status/771304309795332096

CHOOSEhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/buttersponge/4955768144

Non-Creative or Creative?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/barretthall/3036598475/ & http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/3135103537/

Who here is creative?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kosmotesto/3794445313/

“Creativity is all about making connections and seeing patterns.” Bruce Nussbaum, Creative Intelligence

Child, please. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahalie/276780530/

My response:

Internal fears = Inner Critic Photo: Denise Jacobs

Creativity Denial https://www.flickr.com/photos/42186300@N07/3891508982/

In Tibetan, creative = natural

https://www.flickr.com/photos/norte_it/2340805781

Creativity ≠ Trying to be Creative http://www.theprofessionalcreative.com/take-the-first-step-to-become-creative/

Trying ≠ Practicing

http://www.wallpaper4me.com/images/wallpapers/do_or_do_not_w1.jpeg

“Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda

“If I try to be creative, rather than just accepting that I am creative, I fail.” Andrew J. Epstein

Not about effort

More like breathing http://www.flickr.com/photos/guiniveretoo/1573049301/

Like breathing, you can build http://www.flickr.com/photos/miguel77/2728104156/

Get in tune with the process https://www.flickr.com/photos/flavijus/566174947

What’s your creative frequency? http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sine_waves_different_frequencies.svg

Listen/tune in

Filter out the background noise https://www.flickr.com/photos/alt_design_summit/6724420849/

Frequency: Occurrence https://www.flickr.com/photos/joelanman/367425390

Frequency: Practice https://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks/275200051/

Become an idea machine

Challenge/Homework: Ten Ideas a day https://www.flickr.com/photos/evaekeblad/15294401442

“Deciding for creativity does not guarantee that creativity will emerge, but without the decision, it certainly will not.” – Robert Sternberg

Decide upon Creativity. Choose it.

Then, amplify your creative frequency.

Fixed or Growth Mindset?

Mindset, by Carol Dweck

http://mindsetonline.com

Which looks more familiar?

Fixed mindset https://www.flickr.com/photos/bethscupham/7328405210

PerfectionTalentAbility

AccomplishmentComparison

Fixed Mindset focused on

“Maybe I don’t have enough talent.” “What if I fail?” “If I don’t try, I can protect my dignity.” “It’s not my fault. It’s something/someone else’s.”

(Sounds an awful lot like the Inner Critic, no?)

Perfectionist much?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/diepuppenstubensammlerin/7648792510/

Growth Mindset http://www.flickr.com/photos/argonne/4441693270/

LearningWillingness to fail

CuriosityExpansion

Being self-referential

Growth Mindset focused on

Embrace and enjoy learning

How do you change from Fixed to Growth? http://www.flickr.com/photos/f-oxymoron/5005673112/

1) Listen for your Fixed Mindset voice http://www.flickr.com/photos/theory/3193684632/

2) Recognize that you have a choice https://www.flickr.com/photos/cjsmithphotography/6804513809

3) Talk back to it with a growth mindset voice

“I can learn to do this with time & effort.” “Most successful people have had failure along the way.” “If I don’t try, I automatically fail.” “If I don’t take responsibility, I can’t fix it.”

4) Take growth mindset action

Growth Mindset Actions http://www.flickr.com/photos/onegiantleap/4124211492/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/959867550/ &http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/959864706/

Adopt a beginner’s mind

Release the Tyranny of the Expert

https://www.flickr.com/photos/64540855@N07/5878418781

Rediscover the familiar

https://www.flickr.com/photos/77654185@N07/8428225936

Re-learn something from a friend https://www.flickr.com/photos/ribbitvoice/2339351666

Learn something entirely new http://www.flickr.com/photos/13723940@N04/2648317554/

In my own life: learning Improv Photo: Denise Jacobs

Learning from experience is key

“I don’t divide the world into the weak and the strong, or the successes and the failures…I divide the world into the learners and nonlearners.” – Benjamin Barber, Sociologist

Approach everything with openness and eagerness.

Continue to increase your knowledge and expand

yourself.

Blocked or in Flow?

Creative blocks?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/99301367@N00/8497106802/

Fears https://www.flickr.com/photos/tom_lin/3193080175/

“[We have] An unwillingness to take risks, for fear of criticism or failure.” – Andy Clarke, “Art Directing Web Design”, FrontEnd Conf CH 2016

https://twitter.com/frontendconfch/status/771257405464195078

Creative Flow http://www.flickr.com/photos/7730492@N03/4958540694/

Is @ the Sweet Spot

Enjoy + Good at + Feeling Empowered http://www.flickr.com/photos/h-k-d/3310336516/

= Empowered Play http://www.flickr.com/photos/anieto2k/8216666102/

Your brain on Flow https://www.flickr.com/photos/arselectronica/13994747444

Flow banishes the Inner Critic!

The Flow “Afterglow” http://www.flickr.com/photos/fuzzylittlemanpeach/4633972431/

How do you reach Flow?

“You can’t force yourself to get into (creative) flow, but you can set the conditions for it.”– Ted Neward, “Managers are from Mars, Developers are from Venus”

1) Get in touch with your brilliance http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathan_hamner/3386076488/

Embrace your super-power http://www.flickr.com/photos/89927155@N00/2144275209/

“I realized that I was more of a writer than a designer.” – Heydon Pickering, “Test-Driven,HTML”, FrontEnd Conf CH 2016


2) Have clear goals

3) Uninterrupted, focused time

“How to ruin (developer) productivity”

My Father built airplanes in his spare time

Photo: Deloria Jacobs

(Instill the Headphones Rule) https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/9824922293

Helps create space for ideas

https://www.flickr.com/photos/creativedc/2939649520

4) Balance of risk & challenge http://www.flickr.com/photos/librarianavengers/2495352933/

The Flow Channel exits between the two

5) Immediate feedback http://www.flickr.com/photos/anieto2k/8124124586/

Find your Flow to dispel fears and experience

continuous creative growth.

Taker or Maker?

…Has little regard for their potential to

shape the future or ability to take action

on issues that truly motivate them.

A Taker…

…A maker’s work is characterized by morality, creativity, craftsmanship, and purposed problem solving. They view their work through the lens of service.

A Maker…

“….Makers choose their work based on impact and happiness.” Jason Cavnar, "Why developers should start choosing conscience over profit"

http://venturebeat.com/2013/02/18/developers-choosing-conscience-over-profit/

Up-level your Makership-ness

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fragmented/2734290118/

1) Stay a passionate problem-solver

http://www.flickr.com/photos/argonne/4435608143/

2) Make “Bug” Lists https://www.flickr.com/photos/acerriteno/3484407240/

3) Cultivate a healthy disregard for the impossible

4) Be clear on your “Why” http://www.flickr.com/photos/zlz212/198759134/

“When your ‘whys’ don’t line up, the project will go horribly wrong.” – Rob Farr, The Last Responsible Moment, DPM Summit 2015

Infuse meaning https://www.flickr.com/photos/stuckincustoms/5932362950

What are your objectives? https://twitter.com/marclounis/status/771331407029338112

Whom are you aiming to help? http://www.codefevermiami.com/

5) Choose bigger, more creative problems to solve

6) Spur creative thinking at scale http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsters,_Inc.

By using this:

Like folks at Pixar

Make things that matter – to both you and others.

PROGRESS

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harryharris/381154280/

What do you get? http://www.flickr.com/photos/dlaughland/3475448568/

Life is complex and so are decisions

Two tracks

CREATIVITY GROWTH MIND

FIND FLOW BE A MAKER

Guidelines; stars to navigate by http://www.flickr.com/photos/anieto2k/9255191990/

“Clarity brings about purpose, purpose brings about action, action brings about change.” – Joel Yeo

CREATE LEARN

FLOW CONTRIBUTE

Mobilize a dormant creative confidence

http://www.flickr.com/photos/badastronomy/4179773749/

While we can’t predict the future http://fusible.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/crystal-ball.jpg

Because of the unknown

http://hub.salford.ac.uk/energymonitoring/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2012/01/known-knowns1.jpg

Instead, we have an alternative

“We are the creators of the future.” Umair Haque, “How to Have a Year That Matters”

You are Master Creators

Remember how powerful you are https://www.flickr.com/photos/dingatx/4794442002/

“[We] can create the magic of what the web can be.” – Una Kravits, “Practical Blend Modes”, FrontEnd Conf CH 2016

https://twitter.com/frontendconfch/status/771279224292466688

Making them should be easier

http://www.cdmdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Choices.jpg

Critical

Not creative Fixed mindset

BlockedTaking what you can get

We’re all too familiar with these

“The decisions that most designers make are based entirely on guesswork.” – Andy Clarke, “Art Directing Web Design”, FrontEnd Conf CH 2016

CREATIVITY GROWTH MIND

FIND FLOW BE A MAKER

Release your inner Intrepreneur

https://twitter.com/KilianSSL/status/771623377198919680

ProactiveCommitted

IntegrityOpen-mindedCourageous

ResilientAdaptive

Emotionally Intelligent

Authentic

Encourages Intrapreneur qualities

Respect yourself (and recognize)

“We all are both Designers and Developers.” – Heydon Pickering


This is your compass

Creativity is your True North

Work that is more creatively satisfying http://www.flickr.com/photos/anieto2k/8127201319/

All of space-time started with a singularity

1,1,2,3…

Just as the Universe is expanding, so are we

An reiterative process


Our choices should flow out from each other https://twitter.com/ChristinaWeibel/status/771311547368943617

Now you have a framework

“Art direction is the gravity that pulls atoms together.” – Andy Clarke, “Art Directing Web Design”, FrontEnd Conf CH 2016

Creativity is the “gravity” of your work https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeronimooo/9640105244/

The choice is clear https://www.flickr.com/photos/matias3000/253871344/

“You need to trust yourself and your creativity and make a leap.” – Eva-Lotte Lamme

https://twitter.com/blueforce1/status/771306174935281665

Choose

http://www.flickr.com/photos/designandtechnologydepartment/4771136128/

Get the slides, y’all! Creativedo.se/FEC16-ip

THE CREATIVE DOSE A Creativity + Innovation Collective

Work Better. Create More. Create Betterness.

Creative Thinking & Problem-solving Applying an Innovation Mindset

Creative Collaboration Team Communication & Cohesion

TheCreativeDose.com@thecreativedose

Banish Your Inner Critic

Get on the list! DeniseJacobs.com/InnerCritic

Identify and Eliminate Mental Blocks to Unleash Creativity

My upcoming book!

DeniseJacobs.com à Sign up on my mailing list here!

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Photo used with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aarronwalter/4629078087/

Thank You! http://www.flickr.com/photos/qqjawe/6511141237/

Infinite Possibilities - FrontEnd Conf CH 2016

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Transcript of Infinite Possibilities - FrontEnd Conf CH 2016