Design is not just for Designers

I came across a very interesting article on how art generally and design specifically helps in one’s daily life. This goes for people who don’t deal with art on a daily basis too.

A few pointers caught my attention. Enumerating them as follows:

1. Any package, brouchure or website which had some design thoughts on it never comes across as a ‘designed accident’. Even if the content inside does not interest you, the overall design stimulates your brain.

2. Learn to doodle, draw or paint. Learn how to talk when you are producing this art. Helps a lot in whiteboard presentations.

3. Learn to take good photos. Understand what makes one photo better than another one.

4. Watch TED videos related to design and creativity.

5. Take walks alone in the nature or or in your neighbourhood when traffic is not at its peak. Helps not to have your phone with you when you do this.

6. Take walks alone with your phone along (better in the airline mode) and record your thoughts on the way. Put it up online either in your blog or as a “not for public” entry. This could be a seperate blog or a tumblr account.

After all there is design in everything we do. Do we not design strategies or financial projections?