Watching Abstract: The Art of Design and learning about Es Devlin’s work reminded me why curiosity is such an important part of being a designer. Around the same time, while I was doing research for my thesis, I discovered products on the market that were quite similar to my idea. I remember feeling a bit discouraged when I first saw them. It made me question whether I was too late or if my idea was still worth developing. For a moment, I felt stuck between continuing and starting over again.
The documentary helped me change my perspective. Es Devlin speaks a lot about exploration, experimentation, and following questions instead of trying to be the first person to create something. That idea stayed with me. It made me realize that design is not only about originality. It is about how you interpret an idea, why you build it, and what kind of experience you create for people. Many ideas already exist in some form, but every designer brings their own story, values, and way of thinking into a project. That realization helped me calm down and look at my project in a healthier way.
Around this time, I also had a meeting with Ursula Lagger, and that conversation was very motivating for me. She spoke about the importance of keeping your mind open and staying curious even when things feel uncertain. She reminded me about the 7W method and encouraged me to keep practicing it. Using questions like who, what, when, where, why, in which way, and with whom helped me step back and look at my project from different angles. Instead of focusing only on the fear that similar products already exist, I started focusing on what I could still discover and improve.
This approach helped me shift my mindset. Instead of thinking that I had to create something completely new that nobody has ever thought about before, I started thinking about contribution. I began asking myself better and more specific questions. What is missing in the products that already exist? What emotional value can I add to the experience? How can I make the interaction feel more playful and more human? How can I connect digital and physical memories in a way that feels natural and meaningful for people?
I also realized that finding similar products is not always a negative thing. Sometimes it means that the problem is real and important enough that multiple people are trying to solve it. It can also be a chance to learn. I started analyzing these products more carefully. I looked at what they do well and where they might be lacking. This helped me see opportunities instead of limitations.
Another important part for me was accepting that the design process is not a straight line. Sometimes you feel confident and clear about your direction. Other times you feel lost or unsure. But both phases are part of creating something meaningful. Staying curious helps you move through both phases without giving up too early.
Right now, I try to remind myself that my goal is not to compete with existing products but to add my own perspective and value. I want to create something that reflects my interests in UX, physical interaction, and emotional connection between people. I want to build something that feels warm, playful, and meaningful instead of just functional.
Looking back, the combination of watching the documentary and having the conversation with Ursula helped me continue moving forward. They reminded me that curiosity is a tool that helps you grow, learn, and discover new possibilities. And for me, that is something I want to keep practicing throughout my thesis and beyond.
List with links:
1. Asking The 7 Whys To Get To Your Truth: https://medium.com/@athirahsyamimi/asking-the-7-whys-to-get-to-your-truth-2707d743a818
2. Abstract: The Art of Design: https://youtu.be/jo4aAVjuh2o?si=IX4p7OdNJe2PW68H
3. One of the competitors: https://e-inkify.com/
I used ChatGPT to check the spelling and grammar of this text
