CF #17: How to be "original" (using inspiration)

3 useful tools

1) Nngroup

More of a resource than a tool, but it's simply too valuable not to share.

I use nngroup to balance out my creative thinking with evidence-based knowledge.

Example of how I use it:

Let's say I want to explain to a web design client why automatic carousels may be a bad choice for their website.

I can use the studies, tests and explanations from this nngroup article to back me up.

​2) Coda

Basically Notion but more powerful. Coda brings it all together – your words, data, tasks, and teamwork. All in one place.

3) Kapwing

The easiest, most user-friendly, and effective video editing tool I've ever used. I've been using it since 2018 and nothing has convinced me to switch (And I have the entire Adobe suite). Try it.​

3 effective tips & techniques

1) 3 specific and actionable ways of making money as a designer/creator

1. ​ProductHunt is where a lot of new companies and exciting startups launch their products. Many of them are hiring or recently funded and looking for all sorts of help (Web design, content creation, etc). See a cool project? Reach out to them!
2. Create and sell templates (Infographics, web design, posters, simple illustrations, social media posts). Sell them through your own website/social channels using Gumroad or through marketplaces like Creative Market, Design Cuts, and Etsy.​
3. Let the opportunities come to you: Start a Youtube channel (or a written blog if you're not comfortable on camera) and share your work, process or any tips & tricks that have helped you. Take your Youtube videos (or blog posts) and adapt them for Instagram, Tiktok, and Linkedin. Be everywhere and the opportunities will pour in, I promise.

2) How to be "original"

3) One question to renew your interest in anything

From Amy Shearn's Medium article:

Ross McCammon writes in Forge about a time when his children were bored, and he presented them with a mental challenge: “Pretend this is the first time you’ve ever been to this house. This is an Airbnb now, and you just walked in the door. What would you do if it was your first day here?”

Now, you do the same thing but for whatever it is that you're finding dull in your life (Job, relationship, hobby etc).

What would it feel like if you were brand new to this?

Sometimes a little shift in perspective can be enough to turn something mundane into a new-to-you space filled with possibilities.

Via Amy Shearn​

3 ideas to think about

1) "Even the wrong goal leads to the right place”

Via Marquett Burton

2) You’ll Find Happiness When You Stop Trying To Prove Yourself:

To eliminate the tendency to prove myself, I regularly ask:

If I could never tell a single person about my achievements, would I still pursue them?

Via Anthony J. Yeung (Read more here)

3) Detachment isn’t about not caring. It’s about caring from an objective standpoint, for the greater good of your work, your audience and your growth.

Via Shannel Wheeler (Read more here)

Shower thoughts

1) There’s a good chance that your calculator history is more embarrassing than your browser history.

2) Maybe cats purposely break stuff off of shelves so that when the owner buys a replacement, they can play in the boxes.

3) You could cosplay as Winnie the Pooh with just a red shirt and confidence.

Via Reddit