Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

The Busy Creator Podcast with Prescott Perez-Fox


The Busy Creator Podcast is a discussion program where creative professionals from across the spectrum share tools, techniques, and habits they use in their practice. Listeners are introduced to strategies and pro tips to be their most creative, productive selves.

Full website available at http://busycreator.com and http://busycreator.com/podcast/ for the show specifically.

Feb 2, 2015

The Busy Creator 43 w/guest Bob Calvano

Bob Calvano (@bobcalvano) runs the digital media & design studio for A+E Networks, and oversees the development of mobile apps, websites, interfaces, and a variety of other design elements for A+E’s brands.

This conversation discusses his origins in digital and traditional design work, how he manages a diverse team of designers and programmers, and the challenges of working in the always-changing business of television and entertainment.

Show Notes & Links

Tools

Techniques

  • Use Agile framework for your design+development projects
  • Use Scrum framework to keep teams together
  • Kanban board to manage project stages
  • Mine your own data
  • Set up “teams of three”, where Art Directors work closely with a UX/UI designer and a developer
  • Turn your Project Managers into Scrum Masters on a Product Team (same thing but on a different model)
  • Use an all-digital workflow
  • Hire T-Shaped People and encourage them to grow
  • Present clickable prototypes rather than flat comps — it yields better results, even if it takes slightly longer
  • Use transit time to prepare for, and recover from, the working day. Meditate or at least mentally plan. 

Habits

  • Sketch during conversations; think out loud
  • Capture and measure all possible statistics; use data & metrics to inform decisions
  • Don’t base everything off data & metrics; trust your gut as designers 
  • Keep your finger on the pulse of design & digital media by going to conferences, taking classes, subscribing to magazines, take field trips
  • Wake up at 5:45
  • Eliminate Gluten & Dairy
  • Take the stairs! If you’re a commuter, they’re always right there.
  • On weekends, sleep as late as kids & dogs will allow

Try Audible.com Free for 30-Days

Visit BusyCreatorBook.com for your free trial
Audible.com trial from The Busy Creator

Get Scrum Essentials by Troy Dimes as a free audiobook
Scrum Essentials

Get The Episode

Subscribe in iTunes

Subscribe to The Busy Creator Podcast on iTunes

Something to add? Leave a comment below to participate in the conversation.