Over-optimizing the creative process and designing your way out of the Valley of Sh*t

Everyone creative person has been in the Valley, the miserable stretch in a project where nothing works. In this episode, we talk about some of the tricks we use to get to the other side: sleep, sneak attacks, talking it out, word-association games. But we also ask: are we optimizing creativity out of the design process? We weigh efficiency against good work, the value of the Valley, and whether it's a phase that you can skip or just have to work through. Plus handwritten type experiments, ballot design across counties, and why voting needs a big red button. David McGillivray is a designer and creative director in upstate New York, designing for early stage tech companies through his own practice . He also co-founded Offhours and runs Corners , an art and design store in the Catskills. Jacob Heftmann is a Los Angeles-based surfer and graphic designer . He is currently the Design Director at Grilli Type . Previously he was on the faculty at Parsons and founded XXIX and Index in New York City. Artwork by Pablo Delcan Music by Mondo Boys Artwork typeface; GT Standard Mono by Grilli Type www.worksbutmakesnoises.com