Years ago when I undertook a scuba diving course, one of the things that stuck and resonated with me was the instructor repeatedly saying to me before each dive, “Plan your dive, dive your plan”. What he meant by this was, to ensure I had correctly planned the course, depth, journey, buddy and resources (air) required to navigate the dive. Then put simply, execute or dive the plan and be sure not to stray from the path mid-dive This way you are sure you can assess the integrity of your plan when its been completed and you can review what’s happened.
An important here also to add is that if you change course (design) midway through the execution, it is difficult if not impossible to reflect on in the initial designs intent, both pros or cons, for future reflection. Maintaining the corelation between “design and execution” helps to build a visual bridge between design iterations for others to follow your thought processes.
I’ve coined a new phrase relating to my work as a designer: “Design what you do, do what you design”. Although this can be applied to anyone in any profession.
The phrase “design what you do, do what you design” suggests a close integration between the process of designing and the actual implementation or execution of those designs. It emphasizes a holistic approach where the act of designing something is not separate from the act of carrying out or realizing that design.
Here’s a breakdown of the meaning:
Design what you do: This part emphasizes the importance of thoughtful planning and intentional design in whatever actions or tasks you undertake. Before engaging in any activity, take the time to design or plan it with careful consideration. The word “design” could be replaced with “plan” or similar and the word “do” could be replaced with execute or similar.
Do what you design: This part stresses the need to follow through on the designed plan. Once you have created a thoughtful design, it is essential to implement or execute it as intended. In other words, align your actions with your initial design.
The overall message of the phrase is to encourage a cohesive and mindful approach to both the planning (design) and execution (doing) phases of any task, project, or activity. It implies that successful outcomes are more likely when there is a seamless connection between the design phase and the actual implementation of that design.
Remember, simplicity is the key to achieving your goals. Making them attainable, enjoyable and fun. These attributes build confidence and the likelihood of further continued adoption.
