Everyone seems to be fascinated by how people work together. One of my least favourite questions after a talk by two or more collaborators is "Who does the work?" or "How do you work together?" or "Are you a couple?" The last one is actually really rude and none of your business. People work together in many different ways and many people don't actually want to tell you "I do this bit and she does that bit".
Stop asking these inane questions.
Now I've got that out of my system, onto...Working Together.
Interaction Design is, in essence, a collaborative pursuit. None of us can have all the skills to take a product or service from concept to manufacture. We work with researchers, analysts, other interaction designers, product people, engineers, marketers and many more. We are part of a much bigger effort. Things get done (we hope) and the talents of the individuals come together to do much more than one person could do.
Many students are used to working alone, and this can lead them to consider their own ideas so important that no-one can criticise them. One thing that working in collaborations can teach you is to be much more free with your ideas and be able to accept input and criticism.
These days I think any designer who thinks they are going to be the boss and be the only one to have any creative vision is naive. It might work if you are styling products, but if you are creating any kind of interactive or innovative products you need to work with others.
Who to work with? You need to find willing collaborators. If you are really hard to work with, then that reputation will follow you and no-one will want to work with you. People like this are usually the ones who are very inflexible about ideas and not real team players (loosen up, lose your ego!). I usually find small groups to be best, two or three people working closely is ideal. (I'm talking about student projects here.) Once it gets bigger than that the group can be in danger of splitting. This can be avoided if the tasks in the project are divided up, and people feel they have a role to do and feel appreciated.
Rory Hamilton 2005
While I was drawing this illustration I had a weird flashback to my childhood, I’d drawn it before and in just the same way. Filling it in with pen I thought: ”It’s a wonder we didn’t all have RSI.”
Click the image to see my efforts in full.
Working in twos and threes means that there is always someone to bounce your ideas off. And because someone is relying on you, you can't be as lazy as you might be on your own.
What about collaborating with specialists in other fields? There can be some great collaborations across disciplines. E.g. Science and design or fashion and product design fields can create some really interesting work together. What you have to do is interest those people in your ideas and listen to theirs. If you go in demanding help and make it clear they are only there to service your idea you won't get far. You need to get them on your side. How can what you want to do advance their work as well as yours? How can it get their work to new audiences or make them money and vice versa?
Disputes will always arise in a group and when that happens it is a real problem. The answer is to talk it through, or take some time out by going on a research trip together (just a day at the zoo, museum etc can help.) Alternatively find some work that can be done without dispute and each get to your own tasks. Then come back with the results and maybe you'll have got over your disagreements. You have to work at relationships, even with colleagues.
Respect your collaborators, take an interest in their subject areas, and share the glory.
