When people talk about design, they often think of artistic work -- unbridled, unguided. But if you look deeper, you'll find that as designers, we often face many technical limitations. These constraints, from ergonomics and screen resolutions to user interactions, can tear down our creativity. But what if you approach them differently? Can these limitations help to produce better designs instead of stifling creativity? In this article, we'll explore how technical constraints can catalyze innovative design and share some tips on navigating them like a pro.
Knowing the technical constraints is essential as they significantly impact the design projects. In automotive, we frequently face constraints such as screen dimensions, viewing angles, or reaction speed versus accuracy. Acknowledging and working with these limitations is crucial, as disregarding them could make the design dysfunctional or even jeopardize users' safety.
They provide boundaries within which we can push our creative limits. But rather than seeing them as roadblocks, these constraints can act as powerful cues, guiding us toward the best design choices. From our experience, we can unlock new levels of innovation and purpose in our designs by embracing and working within these limitations.
To illustrate with an example, one of Google's main principles guiding their innovation efforts is "creativity loves constraints." Examples of imposed constraints include strict deadlines for developing prototypes or ambitious requirements like usability across different devices regardless of screen resolution. [1]
"Researchers reviewed 145 empirical studies on the effects of constraints on creativity and innovation and found that individuals, teams, and organizations alike benefit from a healthy dose of constraints. Only when the constraints become too high do they stifle creativity and innovation." [2] [3]
Designers aren't there just to make something look pretty, and developers aren't there just to make it work. Here in Kontrolka, we engage in an iterative partnership with developers to tackle technical constraints without compromising the creative process. When designers and developers are in sync, they can truly make great things.
Already at the start, when designers explore high-level ideas, developers should participate in the early conversations. Considering technical implications from the beginning helps to uncover potential challenges in later stages. The productivity of companies that engaged in collaboration increased by an average of 54% [4]
As Kontrolka, we often mediate conversations between different stakeholder groups and involved parties or communicate directly with other suppliers. It allows us to work more efficiently and deliver better results.
Design is about validating ideas and ensuring usability. Designers are in the front line, going back and forth with all stakeholders, considering multiple iterations of one problem with various solutions. Proactively addressing technical considerations early on in the workflow helps designers streamline the process for everyone. Creative teams don't have to invest time and effort in ideas that can't be implemented in the end. At the same time, our designers are able to minimize a lot of back-and-forth in the later stage of development.
In one of our previous projects, we encountered a similar challenge that tested our abilities. The client wanted a top-notch, market-specific design in a very tight time limit. We designed the art solution. Unfortunately, the developer failed to communicate effectively concerning their capabilities and technical constraints, making the design unfeasible. Following this setback, we promptly initiated a constructive dialogue, determined to solve it. Despite the time pressure, we managed to find a solution that worked for everybody and was still in time for the Start-of-Car-Production in three months, leaving the client very happy.
In a perfect world, designers have a basic grasp of technical concepts, and technical experts understand design principles. While finding individuals with a deep understanding of both fields can be challenging, fostering a culture of learning and collaboration helps to bridge the gap.
A developer's input can help improve a design, and on the opposite, code can be better written with a little bit of designing. When designers and developers speak the same language and understand their partner's perspectives, it becomes easier to work together seamlessly and achieve cohesive and successful design outcomes.
Here in Kontrolka, we nurture an environment where innovation thrives by fostering open communication and a shared understanding of design principles and technical requirements.
Rather than seeing technical constraints as creativity killers, we embrace them as opportunities to think outside the box. Recognizing their potential, collaborating effectively with developers, streamlining our processes, and fostering mutual understanding help us unleash our creative potential. By integrating this mindset into our company culture, we strive to make better designs that will help to transform the world into a better place.
[1] Creativity Loves Constraints, Marissa Ann Mayer https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2006-02-12/creativity-loves-constraints
[2] Why Constraints Are Good for Innovation, Oguz A. Acar, Murat Tarakci, and Daan van Knippenberg https://hbr.org/2019/11/why-constraints-are-good-for-innovation
[3] Innovate in Resource-constrained Environment https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/innovate-resource-constrained-environment
[4] The contribution of collaboration to the development of sustainable innovation in high-tech companies https://innovation-entrepreneurship.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13731-022-00259-8
