Essays & Articles
“The universe is made of stories, not atoms”
EssaysA quote from the poet Muriel Rukeyzer’s book “The speed of darkness.” Why stories? Because they combine history and context, critical events and results, both good and bad, expected and unexpected all linked through causal...
March 19, 2020
1 minute read
If you can think of a clever solution in a few hours, assume many others have already done so.
DesignIf you can think of a clever new concept or solution to an existing problem in a few minutes or hours, then you should recognize that many people all over the world, many who have...
November 26, 2018
1 minute read
Failures? No — Learning Experiences
EssaysWe scientists (and designers) learn from our failures. In fact, scientists seldom fail. Instead, they say “that didn’t work. Time to try something new.” I prefer never to talk of failure. Instead, I say “that...
November 11, 2018
1 minute read
I learn more by being wrong than by being right
EssaysWhen people praise my ideas it is nice to hear, but I don’t learn anything. If peopledisagree, I learn. If they convince me, I am thankful and I change. If I believe I was correct,...
November 11, 2018
1 minute read
Design for real people
EssaysWe must design for people the way they are, not the way we wish them to be. Also see
November 11, 2018
1 minute read
Don’t be logical
EssaysI frequently must explain to designers that their designs are too logical. “The problem with your design,” I explain, “is that it is too logical. Logic is an artifical way of thinking, invented by philosophers...
October 25, 2018
1 minute read