10 Design Principles, Musings, and Contrarian Takes We Can Get Behind
Halli Thorleifsson can muse with the best of them. He’s usually right, too. Image courtesy of Halli Thorleifsson.
It’s already been a busy year for Halli Thorleifsson. In January, he sold his 50-person design agency, Ueno, to Twitter and joined that company as part of the acqui-hire. Twitter then set up a corporate entity in Iceland so Thorleifsson could stay in his native country. Since then, Thorleifsson decided to open a coffee shop in Reykjavik, convinced the President of Iceland and the Mayor of Reykjavik to build 100 wheelchair ramps in Reykjavik, and plans to create an artist residency, music studio and gallery outside the city. And he’s Tweeted a lot. Like, a lot a lot. Here are 10 of his principles, musings, and contrarian takes that we can get behind.
No. 1
It’s possible to teach someone how to fish AND give them some fish. It’s not a radio button.
No. 2
Org design 101: It doesn't really matter that much who does what. The important part is that everyone knows who does what.
No. 3
If you don’t blow your own horn, don’t be surprised if nobody hears you.
No. 4
Don’t join a meeting that has no agenda.
No. 5
When does a joke become a dad joke? When the punchline is a parent.
No. 6
We used to send letters. They took weeks or months to arrive. It could be a year before we got a reply. So, just chill on the follow up emails. I’ll reply when I feel like it.
No. 7
How to become a better designer: Be a better person.
No. 8
Twitter is content written by people on the toilet for people on the toilet.
No. 9
Most people will tell you they want honest feedback. Most people don't really want honest feedback.
No. 10
Creativity is not some elusive thing. It comes with focused dedication and hard work.
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