Friday focus (#1): Lessons on design, influence, and craft that apply anywhere

It’s Friday. I’m sat outside, sun on my face, ice-cold drink in hand, and somewhere between productivity and pre-weekend bliss. Seems like the perfect moment to kick off something new: Friday Focus - my regular weekly drop of thoughts, lessons, and reflections from the design trenches.

Each Friday, I’ll share takeaways on a theme. Think of it as a creative wind-down: insights to mull over while you sip, scroll, or stare peacefully into the distance.

Let’s kick off with something close to the heart: design, influence, and craft.

1. Build for excellence, not just speed.
   In a rush to launch, it's easy to settle for an MVP. But long-term success often comes from building something truly excellent, even if it takes longer. A great product earns trust and loyalty; a rushed one risks losing both.

2. Storytelling is your secret weapon.
   The most effective designers are also great storytellers. Whether presenting work to teammates or stakeholders, telling a compelling story helps people understand your thinking, connect emotionally, and remember your ideas.

3. Influence through communication, not just design.
   You can design the perfect experience, but if you can’t communicate it clearly and passionately, it may never see the light of day. Strong communication moves ideas forward, earns buy-in, and creates momentum.

4. Focus on transformative ideas, not just quick fixes.
   It's easy to get bogged down in minor improvements, but high-impact work often comes from thinking bigger, exploring bold, long-term ideas that can shift the trajectory of a product or experience.

5. Rely on your expertise when data isn’t available.
   Not every decision can be backed by user testing or metrics, especially in early or sensitive phases. In those cases, trust your design judgment, lean on peer reviews, and articulate the reasoning behind your choices.

6. Deep craft is a competitive advantage.
   Great design is in the details, how things look, feel, behave, and scale. Focused time on craft and execution leads to experiences that feel thoughtful and refined. The polish shows, and it pays off.

7. Leave room for bold, extra ideas.
   Even when you're solving a defined problem, there's value in going a step beyond. Explore adjacent opportunities, stretch goals, or entirely new directions. Presenting these ideas can spark bigger thinking and inspire teams.

8. Simplicity is hard, but worth it.
   Designing simple solutions takes far more effort than it seems. But when you strip away the unnecessary and get to the essence of a product or feature, the result is powerful, clear, and deeply satisfying.

9. Protect your focus by saying "no."
   Time and energy are finite. Saying no, even to good opportunities, creates space to go deep and deliver great results. Prioritize what matters most, and don’t spread yourself too thin.

10. Leadership alignment accelerates progress.
    In any team environment, decision-making clarity can make or break momentum. A clear decision-maker, thoughtful feedback loops, and a shared commitment to quality help teams move faster and more confidently.

That’s a wrap.

Catch you next week. Similar time, same vibes.

Enjoy your weekend.