Design For Life
@skylarkcreative skylark_creative skylarkcreative.co.uk
by Arthur Irving
The Year 2000
This was me…
Equipment
Power Mac G3 (beige) Nokia 7110
Software
Mac OS 9 Photoshop 6
Web
Google Black Planet
Print Design
IT Support
• WHAT you should work on to maintain focus and clarity
• HOW your setup can lead to a better lifestyle • How running has helped me re-evaluate WHY I
am working in design
Uncertainty
Calling
Career
Job
The Problem
Design What You Do
What is a Digital Designer?
• 60%-65% are an employee of a company • 40%-50% are self-employed or freelance • On average a web designer will work 40-45
hours per week • 65% are satisfied by the job
*Collated from coders-survey.com, heartinternet.uk, freelancejam.com, howdesign.com, aneventapart.com
The Power of Time Off
Stefan Sagmeister uses sabbaticals: ‘…to pursue some little experiments, things that are
always difficult to accomplish during the working year’
• Freelancers may divide their working month into work for clients and their own projects
• Permanent staff may want to negotiate time off during the week
Passion Projects
Movie Posters by Mat Weller: ‘…I set aside a few hours in the week to work on my posters. It is important to schedule the time
and sit down at my desk no matter what’
• Set a goal for the project • Schedule the time each week in which you act
on your project • Set a deadline for the project • Get it done
Other Training
Design How You Work
HomeShared Space
Large Agency
Corporate Office
Small Studio
Freelance In-housePermalance One man band Cooperatives
1. Routine
• 29% take a regular lunch break • 28% don’t take a lunch break at all • 45% do not leave the office • 31% eat at their desk • 42% respond to work calls / emails • 46% seldom do something relaxing or rejuvenating
*Source: bupa.com
The Experiment
Arthur, Creative Director
8,166 - average steps per day 8.7 hours - average daily sitting
29 - ‘inactivity’ stamps
“I was shocked by the sheer amount of time I spent in a seated position each day”
Clare, Head of Production
8,208 - average steps per day 99 mins - average daily activity 82% - average movement goal
“I found I could easily add that all important extra movement each day by walking an extra few tube stops”
’
Nick, Designer
17,931 - average steps per day 165 mins - average daily activity
29,264 - most steps achieved in one day
“The device acted as a personal reminder to move by telling me exactly how lazy I am. It has made me rethink my lifestyle”
Mat, Designer
5,917 - average steps per day 7 hours - average time spent sitting
4 ‘Good Posture’ hours goal hit each day
“Standing at work was a real benefit here as the 3 or so hours I’d spend standing per day would be at ‘outstanding’ posture
according to the device” ’
Jocelyn, Production Assistant
12,127 - average steps per day 10 hours - average time spent sitting
“I was able to see how little I actually do when I decide not to walk to work”
’
• 80% take a regular lunch break • 10% don’t take a lunch break at all • 10% do not leave the office • 40% eat at their desk • 40% respond to work calls / emails • 20% seldom do something relaxing or rejuvenating
*Source: Skylark Creative
• 3 out of 5 of the participants regularly failed to attain the 10,000 steps required for a ‘good’ level of activity
• More senior team members spent on average 9 hours sitting each day
• Choosing to walk to work or an earlier tube stop doubled the active time recorded
• The more ‘active’ users were those who made regular breaks and chose walking over train or bus
• We all rethought our lifestyle choices
2. Setup
Eye StrainMigrainesNeck Pain
Back PainCarpal TunnelRSI
Keyboard & Mouse
Screen
Chair
Topography
Get Up Stand Up
We are the most sedentary humans in history
Food Glucose Blood
Healthy Heart
over the course of a year, is the equivalent of running 10 marathons.
results in blood glucose levels falling back to normal levels after a meal more quickly.
burns more calories than sitting.
Standing for around 3 hours a day
Standup Solutions
Basic Desk (£250) Electronic Desk (£550+)
Standing whilst talking on the phone
Taking the stairs as an alternative to the lift
Going over to talk to colleagues rather than IM or email
The Creative Difference
• Improved health, and sense of well-being • Increased focus and concentration • Improved endurance for longer projects • Created a bit of a ‘buzz’ and a talking point
“I’d read that sitting is better for creativity whilst standing for admin-type work. I did notice this to be true, although that might
just be the article getting in my head.”
“I feel a noticeable difference in how productive and reactive I am, particularly on fast-paced days. When I have lots of small jobs to get
done, I find that I am more able to complete them when I’m using the standing desk.”
“Standing periodically is great when I feel like I’m in a rut creatively - it restarts the motor. The same can be said for sitting back down
too. Standing up is like a sprint - sitting down you feel more settled in. When I don’t stand I certainly feel lazy.”
(Re)Design why you are working
Running
Sorry
Motivated by Time
Why Running is like Design
1.Talent
2.Focus
3.Endurance
Acquiring Talent
Bringing it back to why
Leo, Designer
‘My motorbike unleashes a freedom and an endurance that I try to use in my creative practice’
Simon & James, Print Designers
‘Being able to create both music and design as a team means that we have a unique way of communicating and
compromising. It keeps our work fresh’ ’
Dan, Product Designer
‘Triathlon training keeps me sane and focused whilst also being a great escape from the office’
Troy, Illustrator
Troy has created a successful pop-up ‘Wingman’ in Dalston
Designing Your Profession
Overcoming Resistance
The Digital Battleground
Subverting the environment
Fall in love again
The Bottom Line
Design For Life