Design, this exercise of faith

Design is done by people and people are driven by reason and emotion. This is my emotional cycle while going through a typical UX/innovation project:

1. Hope: I want this project really badly. It’s a dream project, different from all others in my whole career. It can make people’s lives better, maybe change the world a little.
2. Euphoria: We won it, the project is ours. Beers all around!
3. Angst: Down to reality – time, budget, resources – how to change the world with these mean constraints? Two sleepless nights later…
4. Sense of regaining control: We got a plan and some promising ideas and solutions to work with. Phew…
5. Faith: Our ideas need A LOT of work. Sad to see some being trashed, but lovey to see the best ones mushroom into even better ones. Many ups and downs, an exercise of patience and self-belief.
6. Relief: We’ve found the solution – it’s groundbreaking and beautiful! Beers all around!
7. Angst: Late hurdles and limitations invariably come. How far can sacrifices go so the main idea can survive? Am I being objective or precious?
8. Surprise/joy: We made it and it’s beautiful (not a classic beauty, but what they call an interesting beauty). Beers all around!