FAQ about Why Design Is Hard: What is this book? Who is it for?

A big update on goals and our promises

Hi folks. Thanks for following this project these last few months. We know it’s been hard to see exactly where this project is headed. As a collaboration, it’s taken us some time to sort that out ourselves! The good news is we’ve figured it out. And here it is.

What is this book about?

Have you been frustrated in your design career? Been in too many meetings where your ideas were ignored? Or where someone with no design training made all the decisions? We have too, which is the reason this book is called Why Design Is Hard. We’re focusing on the hard parts of this kind of work that get forgotten in most books and courses and are the hardest to overcome (something we’ve learned from decades of experience).

It’s a provocative, opinionated, funny, but an ultimately loving book. We want all designers to be happier, healthier and to do more good work for the world.

Who is this book for?

Designers who have been in their careers long enough to see the real challenges and want a new, effective playbook. It’s also for design leaders and managers who need fresh inspiration and a new lens for thinking about their role and what’s possible.

It has been a long time since a design book sparked conversations and renewed thinking about how we should do what we do. It is a book Bryan and I wish someone would have given us earlier in our careers.

We’ve been inspired by books like UX Team of One by Leah Buley, Articulating Design Decisions by Tom Greever, Ruined by Design by Mike Montiero, Communicating the UX Vision: 13 Anti-Patterns That Block Good Ideas by James O'Brien and Martina Schell, How to Make Sense of Any Mess, by Abby Covert and Orbiting The Giant Hairball, by Gordon MacKenzie. This project is meant as a sequel of sorts to my last book, How Design Makes The World, but written just for designers.

Does it offer solutions?

Yes, in two powerful ways. Feel the power!

First, there is an entire chapter of specific real-world situations and how to apply our advice to them. These situations are rooted in an eyes-open view of what really happens in organizations and what truly works.

Second, we answer the question "Why is design hard?” based on true stories from real designers in the workplace, including surprising stories from design legends. Our advice is rooted in a tough, but practical view of the real factors that help designers succeed and have the kinds of careers they dream of.

Is it dark and depressing? No!

We don’t think so. But then again, we are big fans of movies like The Seventh Seal and Magnolia so maybe we’re not the best judge on what is dark or not? Hmmmm.

Jokes aside, this book is provocative and has strong opinions. We don’t expect you to agree with them all, but we do think it may be what you need to shake things up and see design and your career in a better and more fruitful way.

When can we get it?

We’re well into our second draft of the book and we’re still targeting late spring or early summer. As the second draft progresses we’ll update you all when we have news and a firmer schedule. We plan to share parts of the book here to get your feedback on them soon.

That’s all for now. Have questions? Ask away. If you want to help us, please spread the word about this project. Thanks.

Why Design Is Hard