Designers often dive deep into mastering tools — absorbing every Figma trick, perfecting auto-layouts, and now using AI to automate tasks and boost efficiency. But there’s one critical question we frequently overlook: are we solving the right problem?
I remember my early coding days, trying to build reusable frameworks to be more efficient. In the end, much of that effort was wasted because I hadn’t clearly defined the problem. I was efficient, but at the wrong thing.
It’s easy to mistake efficiency for effectiveness. We assume that better tools and flawless techniques lead to better outcomes. But without understanding the real problem, all that craftsmanship can be pointless.
Efficiency only matters when applied to the right work. Instead of asking, “What’s the best way to build this?” ask “Why?” or “What deeper problem does this solve?” As Abraham Lincoln wisely said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” The key to effective solutions is taking the time to understand the problem thoroughly.
Photo by ConvertKit (Soon to be KIt) on Unsplash
An earlier boss once told me to start with note-taking. I thought, “Seriously? Take notes?” But it turns out, he was right — sometimes the simplest habits make the biggest difference. Or maybe I’m just getting older and need notes to remember things!
Reflections from Playing with Vercel’s v0 and a reading recommendation
Designers, Stop Over-Specializing: The future belongs to generalists
Tools vs. Needs: A Lesson in Inefficiency
From Craftsmanship to Co-Generation: The New Era of Design with AI