When we talk about design, it’s easy to imagine sleek products, eye-catching posters, or beautifully designed spaces. But design is much more than that—especially in today’s world. It’s about solving real problems, making things work for everyone, and constantly improving. The same goes for our personal and professional development. Just like design, life requires us to keep learning, adapting, and refining what we do to reach our full potential.
So, whether you’re a design student or a professional, here’s how some key ideas like inclusive design, goal setting, and time management can help you grow both as a designer and in your everyday life.
Inclusive and Universal Design: Design for All
Ever used a product that just didn’t seem to be made for you? Maybe it was hard to understand or just didn’t fit your needs. That’s where inclusive design comes in. Inclusive design makes sure that whatever we create works for everyone—regardless of their background, age, or ability. It’s about thinking of all users, not just a select few.
In design education, learning about inclusivity teaches us to go beyond the obvious. It encourages empathy and pushes us to create solutions that serve a wide audience. professionally, adopting an inclusive mindset can be a game-changer. By being open to diverse perspectives and working with people from different walks of life, we create richer and more meaningful work.
Then there’s universal design, which takes inclusivity to the next level by aiming to make products usable by everyone without needing adjustments. Think of a public park that’s equally enjoyable for kids, adults, and people with disabilities. In your career, developing universally valuable skills—like problem-solving or communication—ensures you can thrive in any situation, regardless of the job or industry.
Proactive and Reactive Kaizen: Improving Every Day
In Japan, there’s a philosophy called Kaizen, which translates to “continuous improvement.” The idea is to make small changes that lead to better results over time. There are two types: proactive and reactive kaizen.
- Proactive Kaizen is about preventing problems before they happen. It’s like staying on top of your workload to avoid burnout.
- Reactive Kaizen happens when you solve issues as they come up—like adjusting a design based on user feedback.
In both cases, Kaizen encourages us to keep improving, whether we’re anticipating challenges or fixing them after the fact. It’s a valuable mindset to adopt in both your professional and personal life.
Continuous and Incremental Improvement: Small Steps, Big Gains
Design, like life, is all about getting better over time. The idea of continuous improvement is central to both fields. Whether you’re designing a product or building your career, it’s crucial to always keep learning, experimenting, and tweaking your approach. This ensures you’re always one step ahead, staying relevant in a fast-moving world.
At the same time, incremental improvement reminds us that big successes don’t happen overnight. Instead, they come from making small, steady improvements. Think about it: if you make a tiny adjustment to your process every day, by the end of the year, you’ve made a massive leap. Whether you’re learning a new design tool or enhancing your work-life balance, those small steps will eventually add up to something remarkable.
Hourly Time Management: Making the Most of Your Day
We all get the same 24 hours, but how we use them can make a world of difference. Hourly time management is an excellent way to stay organized, and one of the best tools for that is something most of us already have—our phones.
Using a phone calendar can help you map out your day, set reminders, and create deadlines. It keeps you on track and ensures you’re making the most of every hour. For example, you can schedule specific time slots for tasks like “research for a project” or “skill-building,” and get a reminder before it’s time to switch gears. This simple habit can drastically improve productivity and help balance work, learning, and personal time.
Precision Thinking and the PDCA Cycle: A Formula for Growth
Now, let’s talk about getting things right. As designers, we know the importance of details. Precision-level thinking is all about that—the meticulous, laser-focused mindset where even the smallest elements matter. Whether it’s picking the perfect color palette or aligning elements just right, attention to detail can make or break a design. The same applies to personal growth. The more carefully we plan and execute our goals, the more likely we are to succeed.
Speaking of planning, there’s a powerful tool called the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) cycle, which is a simple yet effective method for making sure you’re always improving. Here’s how it works:
- Plan: Before you dive into a project, take the time to research, brainstorm, and map out your steps. It’s like plotting a route before a road trip.
- Do: Now, it’s time to take action! Whether you’re executing a design or working on a personal goal, this is where the magic happens.
- Check: Once you’ve completed your task, pause and reflect. Did things turn out as expected? What worked, and what didn’t?
- Act: Based on your reflections, make adjustments. Fine-tune the process, and then start again with a better plan.
This cycle keeps you from getting stuck in one approach, ensuring you’re always learning and adapting, both in your work and personal life.
KPIs, KRAs, and SMART Goals: Tools to Keep You on Track
Now, we all know it’s important to set goals—but setting the right goals is where the real power lies. This is where KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and KRAs (Key Responsibility Areas) come in. KPIs are basically your yardsticks for measuring success. In design, they could be how many people interact with your app or how long they spend using it. In your career, KPIs might be things like how many projects you’ve completed or client satisfaction.
KRAs, on the other hand, are the specific areas of your job that matter most. Think of them as your focus points—the things you should excel at to ensure you’re on the right track.
And then we have SMART goals. These are goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, instead of saying, “I want to get better at design,” you could say, “I’ll complete two online design courses by the end of the month.” That’s much clearer and gives you a concrete target to aim for.
Ultimately, excellence is a journey. Becoming a great designer and professional isn’t about one big achievement—it’s about the journey of continuous improvement. By embracing concepts like inclusive design, precision thinking, goal setting, and time management, you can keep growing both in your craft and in your personal life. It’s not always easy, but the small, steady steps you take today will add up to something big tomorrow. Remember, success is not a destination—it’s a process. And with the right mindset, you’ll be well on your way.
At ARCH College of Design & Business, we empower aspiring designers to embrace the journey of continuous improvement and inclusive design. Join us to equip yourself with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in your career and make a lasting impact in the world of design.