Why we do it, why spend wayyy too much time thinking pixel by pixel.
In a word? Curiosity.
In many words, it’s taking a problem, any problem big or small and trying to solve it. And solving it simply.
Reaching a goal of solving your problem and nothing else.
And once you’ve done it, giving it enough verve and panache that gives it an aura of style without compromising the primary goal and representing a brand or voice.
It’s what seems silly to others, but within design circles we know that 10 pixel gutters or a sound hierarchal placement structure are the difference between comprehensive adoption or utter dissatisfaction.
Good designers crave the ability to serve our thoughtfulness to connect people to information or behavior
And it’s the ability to connect where designers don’t have to be passionate about the particular industry they are designing for to succeed. Who the hell has ever been truly passionate about giving directions? shipping items? taking notes?
The new horizon of augmented/virtual reality, wearables, and the internet of things are racing to be a part of our everyday routine and it excites me that we’re rapidly building the infrastructure to make that a reality, but it proves another monumental cluster of problems that need to be solved when we haven’t even solved all the problems of the current day.
That is the danger, but it’s also beautiful that the challenges are becoming larger, vast and having the relentless curiosity to find the answers is why I do it.