作者：柯雷斯顿 (Bruce Claxton，http://blog.sina.com.cn/u/5098454281)
翻译：葛卫华 (Weihua Ge)
Achieving a Masterpiece Design
By Bruce Claxton
Translated by Weihua Ge
Masterpieces of great art resonate in some way at the base level of our emotions. The connection has been made between the artist and the viewer or participant. Great music works the same way. Work that is inspired and truly world class connects with us in a way that is memorable. Add architecture and design to the list. Feelings we have connect us to a person, another time and perhaps another place.
What is it that sets this apart from the ordinary? How is it that Da Vinci, Monet and Van Gogh could connect with their contemporaries as doing outstanding work? How does it sustain itself over the centuries as outstanding? What is it that takes our breath away when we experience art of this kind, or a great symphony?
It’s about having passion! This is a deep-seated emotional feeling that is transferred into the work and sets it apart from any work where this element was missing. It’s about a love for one’s work. It’s also about a deep commitment where the artist or designer in this case, totally immerses into the process of creativity and experiences a creative flow driving for excellence.
The result is a unique emotional connection that gets established between the artist and the recipient, the viewer. It will take the viewer to someplace in their memory that resonates with their life’s experience or feelings. The energy becomes transferred from the creative individual to the recipient. This is a rare attribute that results from that unbelievable energy field of the creative contribution.
As art and design go, there is a large volume of work created that is somewhat mundane. Unfortunately there is no connection made, or energy transferred. With a lack of passion and a driving creative energy, the result is lackluster. It will just sit there unnoticed.
Stores are full of products that don’t sell. Should we ask why?
That connection hasn’t been made between the designer in this case and the end user or customer. Flow was not achieved. Passion didn’t exist. Another me too product or service was created just to fill a space. The ultimate ‘aha’ was never achieved.
Achieving this masterpiece level of quality isn’t easy. It’s rare. Pursuing it is a life’s work. It takes commitment and passion in every moment. Everyone involved needs to be excited.
With everything equal across global markets and designers with similar skill sets, then having a high degree of passion for your outcomes differentiate the masterpiece from the ordinary. Assume there are world class skills everywhere. What goes beyond that? What makes an end result different? Better? Memorable? Sustaining interest over time?
Having passion and a drive to world class quality is unlocking the key to this success. If you’re not wildly enthusiastic as a designer developing the next product or service, then why bother?
If you’re not excited about your outcome, who will be? No one.
Imagine a world full of designers just as good as you. Maybe better. At every minute there may be several designers addressing the exact same project assignment you are. Settling for average will assure that there will be many other solutions just like yours fighting for attention at the same time in the world market. In what way will your solution or piece of work stand out?
For the most part, successfully transferring an energy, a passion from the creator to the recipient can make the difference. You will know when you are there with results. First you will love the direction! When others come back to you with a “Wow”, you know you are on the right track.
Unless you feel it, you’re not there.
Go for it. You can’t lose.
Some ways to get there:
1. Immerse yourself into the task. Get excited.
2. Eliminate distractions. Forget what is going on around you.
3. Go deep into the creative moment. Enjoy it.
4. Generate a number of variations and ideas.
5. Make it unique. Fresh. Highly novel.
6. Defer judgment.
7. Allow yourself to get excited. Don’t stop until you are excited.
8. You’re not done until you sit back, take a deep breath and say, “Now I’m excited!” and “That’s awesome!”
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