Start fresh 🍳 #98

By Ross Chapman • Issue #98 • View online

Welcome back! I hope you had a good break.

This week we’ve been running two design sprints here at Etch, for partners in the tech and financial space.

While I don’t believe in resolutions, I do start thinking about long-term goals this time of year. Reverse engineering success. Gary Vaynerchuk notes in an article on BI:

But if I had to pick one habit that has really changed everything for me, I would have to say it is this: being able to reverse-engineer the finish line of my career in real time.
When I say reverse-engineer, I’m talking going back, step by step, from that big dream you have to this very moment in time. Figure out what the steps are. How do you get there? What do you need to do?

The design sprint does this too, but in a short space of time. Monday starts with starting at the end and agreeing to a long-term goal.

What success are you looking for and how can you reverse engineer that?

Thank you for supporting this issue,

- Ross

Design back in full-swing first week back.

Digital product design 👨‍💻

There comes a point in every designer’s life when it’s time to look for a new gig

I’m helping students on Careerfoundry with the Become a UX designer course and specifically helping them in understanding what gigs are out there and what’s suitable for them. Jennifer Aldrich from InVision also shares some good pointers.

medium.com • Share

PRODUCT BREAKFAST CLUB PODCAST #1: THE INNOVATION FETISH

If you’re into UX and product design - you need to subscribe to all content coming out of AJ&Smart. They’ve recently launched a podcast which you can just bang on today while finishing your week’s work.

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You can’t start with an iteration, you can only start with an idea

Looking at architecture, the best designs start with a strong idea. Then iterate to evolve and keep relevant. The same can be applied to digital design.

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Business 📈

David Harbour of 'Stranger Things' Shares His Best Advice for Entrepreneurs

If taking candy from strangers is frowned upon, why do we take their opinions as fact? That’s what Inc leads with featuring David Harbour from Stranger Things. I only just finished the second series last week - loved it!

www.inc.com • Share

How To Tell If An Industry Is Ripe For Disruption

Whether it’s a 15-seed running deep into your March Madness bracket, or an NFL quarterback who’s working at a grocery store to keep his dream alive, we’re all eager to see the little guy win.

Todd Belveal shares 4 top tips on how to see whether an industry is ripe for disruption. TL:DR: research breeds confidence.

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Why side projects are so damn important

Trello, Craigslist, Unsplash, AppSumo, Twitter, Gmail… what do all these successful companies have in common? Yes, they can all trace their humble beginnings back to being something we might call a side project.

Side-projects are really initiated to solve a problem that you have, or fulfilling a need that you’re aware isn’t being fulfilled. Given enough time and direction, they can become million-pound companies.

medium.freecodecamp.org • Share

Cycling 🚴

Festive 500 2017

My write-up from my #festive500 attempt. Did I complete it?

skysoclear.com • Share

Advertising in cycling: The how and why of avoiding sexist ad blunders

The way women are represented in cycling advertising is one of those issues we have seen crop up again and again. What’s the deal?

cyclingtips.com • Share

'Our playground': London cyclists find utopia in Regent's Park

Every morning groups of cyclists gather to ride the park’s Outer Circle. As cycling gains momentum in the city, more circuits might flourish

Maybe something I should start doing in Southampton?

www.theguardian.com • Share

Coolness 😎

Cryptocurrencies for Dummies: The Basics

Some people I know are getting into this. Might be useful for you too.

medium.com • Share

Crack + Cider: Pop-up Store to help the homeless

It’s important to help out where you can. Crack + Cider have recently launched their pop-up store to help the homeless - those that are really struggling at this time of the year

www.the-locals.net • Share

Here's to having a year to start over and reverse engineer success!

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By Ross Chapman

A weekly collection of product design, user research, cycling and coolness from @rosschapman of @etchuk

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