Certainly, I face the multi-task project issue all the time at my current workplace. Though per week there is usually one "focus" project, overall I do find myself juggling 2-3 big projects (and managing a few smaller ones) at any given time.
(If it helps in comparison purposes to contractors or design agencies, I work on a team of designers in an in-house corporate environment) I'd say that multitasking, even in interaction design where there is supposed to be more focus, is becoming the norm these days. On some projects I may still be working on the conceptualization stage, while others will be in a final design and layout stage. The problems I struggle with in a multitasking environment are: - Burnout: it's hard to come up with novel ideas, or stay in tune with the big picture, when you're concerned about staying on schedule with X project, Y project and Z project at the same time - Concentration: Because each project will involve its own set of meetings, as well as people randomly stepping into my office, it can be hard to get more than a few hour's focus on a design problem. - Longer time to get things done: It's a mental hardship to switch between different types of tasks, and I do less in a day if I split it between icon design interaction design than I would if I just spent the day on interaction design. However, I will counter the above with some of the benefits I've found in a multitasking environment: - More epiphanies: Because you get to see multiple projects at once, a task or problem in one project may enlighten you as to a solution in another. - You stay fresh: If I had to do just one project at a time, I honestly think I would be bored or feel "claustrophobic" after a while. Now, perhaps this is because I've been conditioned to be a multitasker, but I honestly feel like working on multiple types of things at once keeps me more current with my skillset and problem-solving abilities. Cheers! Hope that helps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=47087 ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [email protected] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
