Issue 24-002: Fearing the Sequel Flop, Building Pitch Decks, and a very well-designed kettle.
Eye-candy Florence Pugh for @Tiffanyandco
Doctor's note
My apologies for the slight delay in sending out this second issue. Between vacation and the looming specter of the "Sequel Flop," I find myself two weeks behind schedule already, even though this is only the second edition of our newsletter. But fear not, dear readers, for I come bearing a gift – the gift of knowledge. In this issue, I delve into my design philosophy, building upon the ideas from our inaugural newsletter. And for those who may already be weary of my philosophical musings, fret not; I have left some treats further down the page.
The Design of Everyday Life
Let's start with a fundamental truth: everything is designed. I want to show you how, in your day-to-day life, you are engaged in design, regardless of your profession. We all, in essence, create or design experiences, and these experiences typically fall into one of two categories:
Products: These are tangible, physical entities, or software that we create.
Services: These are intangible sets of rules that guide behavior, often involving interactions with other humans.
In the realm of our professions, we often find ourselves either as "Makers" of products or "Thinkers" of services. However, it's crucial to note that these roles aren't rigidly separate; there's often an overlap.
If you lean more towards being a Maker, you externalize your thoughts by transforming materials from our world into artifacts, drawings, or physical structures. For example, you might use a simple pencil to jot down your ideas on paper. This applies whether you work in construction, cooking, or engineering.
On the other hand, if you identify as a Thinker, you're constantly involved in design as well. Design, in its simplest form, is the intelligence behind creation. For instance, if you're a financial advisor preparing to meet a prospective client, you're designing your interaction with them, essentially performing service design. You consider which topics to discuss in what order and when to provide specific information. The flow of the entire conversation represents how you're designing the service you're offering. This applies to roles in sales, people management, healthcare, or any field that involves human behavior. Depending on your job title, you might need deep knowledge in strategy, operations, math, and communications.
If you find yourself thinking, "I do both," you're absolutely right. The boundaries between Maker and Thinker aren't fixed; they often blur. If you're a Maker, you need to understand human behavior to sell your creations, hone your communication skills to close deals, and have some math know-how to manage your finances.
Conversely, if you lean more towards being a Thinker, you might be tempted to say, "I'm not the creative type." However, what you're likely trying to express is, "I don't possess the skill to make things visually appealing." There's a significant distinction. You are creative, but your creativity may manifest differently. For instance, the design of a PowerPoint presentation isn't just about its aesthetics; it's primarily about the content it conveys, as Steve Jobs aptly put it, "Design is what it does, not what it looks like."
What to Watch
In this section, I've curated a selection of YouTube clips related to building a startup from my extensive playlist. These three videos have been instrumental in crafting our pitch deck for 3rd-brain.com. We've received overwhelmingly positive feedback on our pitch deck from numerous professionals, VCs, and investors.
What the Best Pitch Decks Have in Common with Mike Vernal (Sequoia Capital) - by NFX
How to Write an Investor Pitch Deck - Startups 101 - By Slidebean
Well-Designed
This week's well-designed item is the Fellow kettle. I personally own and use it almost every day, and no, it's not just because it's matte black (though that's what initially caught my eye). I confess, I did what my mother always warned against – judged a book by its cover. However, in this case, it paid off handsomely because this kettle is exceptionally well-designed. I say this not just because it's aesthetically pleasing but primarily because it reliably and swiftly performs its core function – boiling water. Aesthetics are subjective, and personal preferences vary widely, which is why I seldom recommend well-designed products solely based on their appearance. Instead, I focus on how effectively a product fulfills its intended purpose. In the case of the Fellow kettle, it excels in delivering hot water, quickly and consistently. I cannot recommend it enough. If you're interested, you can find it here: Fellow Corvo EKG Electric Tea Kettle - Pour Over Coffee and Tea Pot - Quick Heating Kettles for Boiling Water - Temperature Control and Built-In Brew Timer - Matte Black - 0.9 Liter.
Stay tuned for more insights and discoveries in our ongoing journey of design, startups, and the philosophy that 'everything is designed.'
Thank you for reading, this was the second edition of Everything is Designed, and perhaps the last. Only way to find out is to subscribe.
