10 Lessons Designers Can Learn from Kids

The world works in strange ways at times. Great ideas sometimes come from the most unimaginable of places in unimaginable ways. Take Archimedes for example. He submerged himself in a bathtub and instantly come up with an idea that redefined physics, a phenomenon that is known to this day as the Eureka Effect. While Archimedes experienced this only once, graphic designers go through Eureka moments all the time and just like Archimedes, these moments can come from the most unexpected of places.

Today’s post is about one such source of inspiration and motivation – Children. More importantly this post is about what lessons graphic designers can learn from them.

• Lesson 1: Focus & Dedication

  http://www.logosnap.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/Focus Dedication.jpg&w=650&h=450&q=100&a=t

  Give any child a puzzle and then just sit back and watch the dedication and focus they exhibit. When kids set their mind on something, they really get into it. They are in the zone, thinking, analyzing, and evaluating things in their little minds to come up with a solution.

• Lesson 2: Fearless Risk Takers

  http://www.logosnap.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/Fearless Risk Takers.jpg&w=650&h=450&q=100&a=t

  Children are fearless by nature. Unless you scare them of something, they are not likely to step aside from taking a risk. They are risk takers! No matter how seemingly hard a task might be, the sheer fear of it cannot daunt them into giving up. Their level of fearlessness is unparalleled.

• Lesson 3: Never Give Up Attitude

  http://www.logosnap.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/Lesson 3 Never Give Up Attitude.jpg&w=650&h=450&q=100&a=t

  Sometimes designers have no choice but to give up on a project due to circumstances beyond their control. They should take a few pointers from kids who naturally have a ‘Never Give Up’ attitude from the start.

• Lesson 4: New Ways to Solve a Problem

  http://www.logosnap.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/Lesson 4 New Ways to Solve a Problem.jpg&w=650&h=450&q=100&a=t

  How many times have you put a parental lock on the satellite TV only to catch your kids watching UFC or Wrestlemania! Face it people, kids always manage to come up with a solution to a problem! You were perhaps one of those kids yourself once. Remember, nothing is impossible.

• Lesson 5: Staying Curious

  http://www.logosnap.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/Lesson 5 Staying Curious.jpg&w=650&h=450&q=100&a=t

  Children are genuinely interested in the world around them and they are forever curious. They would want to know why everything is the certain way it is and why we can’t do otherwise. Sometimes they can even baffle you with their questions, leaving you speechless. Bring curious has its benefits. For one, it helps you think outside the box and stay creative. We are all artists by birth; trouble is that most of us stop listening to that inner voice and cease being curious. Those of who do become true artists!

• Lesson 6: Good Memory

  http://www.logosnap.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/Good Memory.jpg&w=650&h=450&q=100&a=t

  If you are a parent, you would know what I mean. Kids always surprise people with their good memory. There are so many times when we think they are not listening while in fact they are, quite attentively. Having a good memory comes in very handy in the graphic design field especially in the long run as you go from one design project to the next.

• Lesson 7: Finishing Unfinished Business

  http://www.logosnap.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/Lesson 7 Finishing Unfinished Business.jpg&w=650&h=450&q=100&a=t

  Children will give every puzzle or activity its fair share of attention and devotion. They might lose interest if they fail once but they will always come back to it to try it again. This attitude is worth its weight in gold in this industry. Sure you might get bogged down with a design project or two but that doesn’t mean you have to give up completely. Walk away for a bit. Get some air. Work on something else and then come back to try again a second time.

• Lesson 8: Staying Positive

  http://www.logosnap.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/Staying Positive.jpg&w=650&h=450&q=100&a=t

  This is one attribute that I loved the most about children. The fact that they don’t know much about the real world actually works in their favor. Kids are always charged up and positive towards life. The excitement can be seen in their eyes. Staying positive is key to success.

• Lesson 9: Be Forgiving

  http://www.logosnap.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/Lesson 9 Be Forgiving.jpg&w=650&h=450&q=100&a=t

  Children don’t keep grudges. They might get mad at you for not letting them watch their favorite show on T.V but are likely to forget later. They move on and don’t stay angry for long. Graphic designers can learn from this trait and adapt it, especially when it comes to dealing with tough clients. Your clients might not know about graphic design much but don’t hold this against them. Remember, criticism is just another person’s opinion, so try and explain your point logically to them and they just might understand it. Be forgiving.

• Lesson 10: Having the Eye of the Tiger

  http://www.logosnap.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/Lesson 10 Having the Eye of the Tiger .jpg&w=650&h=450&q=100&a=t

  Remember the Rocky movies? This was no quote that someone made up on the whim. Having the eye of the Tiger is an actual skill that requires great attention to even the smallest of details and razor sharp precision in your work. Every graphic designer should strive to possess and perfect this ability. Many are born with it and gradually lose it over time. Designers have to learn to hang on to it.

• Conclusion :

  http://www.logosnap.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/Conclusion.jpg&w=650&h=450&q=100&a=t

  Well there you have it; 10 lessons graphic designers can learn from kids. Even though these habits are fairly straightforward and easy to adapt, however to keep practicing them over and over and make them a part of your design process requires time. Sometimes it’s the little ones in the family that become role models for adults. Take a few lessons from the kids. They know what they are doing.