Today’s Tip: Reducing Noise

Here is where today’s tip and shortcuts go!

Especially in these days when we are overwhelmed by mountains of data, emails, news, and the fast velocity of change, things can get extraordinarily noisy and distracting. So we have to find ways to calm the chaos, which allows us to be creative and innovative in ways that are focused and effective. Otherwise what can begin as creativity can end in scattered effort, unless you take time to declutter and eliminate those things pulling you away from the main thing you are working on.

Design Thinking shortcut for today:

Today’s Design Thinking shortcut:

In design, specifically the interior design and design of the environment around you, there are techniques to bring calm and peace and steadiness. One of those is to greatly reduce the color palette and tilt towards soothing, more neutral colors. And also to reduce the use of patterns in fabrics, and eliminate clutter. Because the “busier” a pattern is, and the more there are a lot of little knickknacks and small items everywhere, the higher the frequency it is. So for instance if you are working on an entryway in a home, where keys, phones, and other things tend to land. Then adding a tray to contain all those items will bring a calming effect, because the mind reads it as 1 large item, instead of 10 small ones. Thus less clutter and lower frequency. And the same is true for other things such as website or application UX/UI (User experience/User Interface). You can generously use white space and choose a more neutral color pallet, to bring a calming effect when a person is using the website or application.

Innovation shortcut for today:

Today’s Innovation shortcut:

This is going to sound weird, but sometimes with intense innovation, you just need a nap. By bringing a calming effect that almost completely reduces noise, it allows the brain to relax and process everything you’ve been working on. Almost like a giant exhale that relaxes your whole body. And then your mind can refocus on what you’re working on, as well as allowing all that you are learning to develop deep neural pathways in your brain. That’s also why naps are so important to toddlers. Because they are learning and being stimulated at an extraordinary pace, and need that time for their brains to process and store the things they are learning.