The curious increment of the blog at the right time

My gateway to the user experience was editing. In 20 years working on the internet, even as a designer I still think like an editor: I use my curiosity to make new connections.

Editors soak up inspiration indiscriminately, like a sponge. You can see this in sly headlines and pop-culture quotations. One day the musical “Hamilton” struts beyond the theater page. The next day, look for random references to Pokémon Go.

Our ability to connect seemingly unrelated element is a factor in our success, whatever we fall into. Maybe a critical factor: While few of us can stay in journalism, we keep searching for the next new thing. In my case, I haven't strayed far from publishing: I develop an association website, and start every weekday morning sending subscribers its news headlines.

Fans of the Mark Haddon novel shouldn’t read too much into this notion. Editors still have a fairly conventional view of the world. In this case, my wife was reading "The Curious Incident," and that started me thinking: What is it about editing that makes me at least incrementally better doing other things? Service designer Richard Verne brought a few of us writer-designers together for an IxDA Chicago panel this fall.

Writers who fall into design and development fall back on many relatable skills. Working up my talking points, I thought back on the curious increment to my design portfolio.

10 Questions: Halloween trick bag

Talk amongst yourselves. I'll give you a topic:

  1. What's your favorite fall activity?
  2. What's your costume for Halloween this year?
  3. What's your favorite horror movie?
  4. What scared you as a child?
  5. We're holding a seance. Who would you call from the great beyond?
  6. How do you face your fears?
  7. Share a trick-or-treat memory.
  8. Do you believe in ghosts?
  9. You're a fortune teller. Give your prediction about the future.
  10. Is your house haunted?
🦄