Academic Literature Review
This academic literature review will delve into the key aspects and personal takeaways from three of the readings that I consider were the most relevant for me, done during the Professional orientation unit.
The New Yorker's article by Thomas Levenson (2020), professor at science at M.I.T “The truth about Isaac Newton’s productive plague”, reveals the reality behind the narrative of Isaac Newton's legendary productivity during the plague. Newton's seclusion in Woolsthorpe amid the bubonic plague outbreak in 1665 is often romanticized, with contemporary articles during the COVID-19 pandemic depicting his achievements as a standard for extreme productivity. The article reveals the idea that the plague unlocked Newton's brilliance, challenging the fairytale of genius associated with random bursts of inspiration during isolation. While Newton did make significant discoveries in Lincolnshire's solitude, his definitive biographer, Richard Westfall, revealed that his groundbreaking ideas had come up earlier, during college exams at Trinity College.
The article resonates with the resistance against blindly idealizing isolation productivity. The author's ideashighlight the danger of imposing an unattainable standard during times of crisis, as observed in the pandemic. The pressure to showcase productivity on social media creates unrealistic expectations and created guilt when individual goals don't align with perceived standards in society. The lesson I learned in with this article is that rather than succumbing to external pressure, individuals should reconnect with their own passions, being resilient regardless of external circumstances.
In the article “To pitch or not to pitch” Designer Paul Woods (2019), author of “How to do Great Work without being an Asshole” delves into the practice of free pitching, also known as "spec work," commonly known in freelancing and agency-client interactions. The article focuses on the controversy surrounding free pitching due to its nature of unpaid labor. It highlights the industry practice where creative teams, in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP), generate solutions within tight timelines to showcase their skills. The author questions the effectiveness of free pitching as an evaluation process, stating that it creates a false impression of creative work and devalues designers. The article highlights the dilemma faced by smaller agencies and freelancers, questioning between adhering to ethical standards and securing business opportunities.
The article resonates with the recent awareness of the ethical implications of free pitching. Labeling the exploitative nature of the practice makes a reconsideration of how work is showcased in the future. Mypersonal takeaway is to emphasize the need for a more aware decision-making, to align with the responsibility of designers and agencies to educate clients about the important impact of unpaid work on both creativity and business.
In the article “Is this the time to be productive?” Lufkin (2018) explores the main times for productivity based on information from a California-based project management platform, Redbooth. The data suggests that Mondays at 11 am are the peak productive time across various industries. This aligns with research by John Trougakos, an associate professor of organizational behavior at the University of Toronto, indicating that around 75% of individuals experience heightened mental alertness between 9 am and 11 am, which align with circadian rhythms. The article highlights the importance of aligning work schedules with these natural rhythms to enhance productivity and reduce fatigue.
Additionally, the discussion delves into the energy fluctuations throughout the day, noting a low point at 2-3 pm, reinforcing come cultural inclinations for afternoon naps. Seasonal variations are also considered, with autumn identified as a high-productivity period after summer holidays. The reflection on this information highlights the potential for companies to optimize productivity by encouraging creative tasks early in the week and morning, instead of scheduling demanding meetings during energy lows. The article reevaluates work scheduling practices, emphasizing the value of working smarter, not harder.
To conclude, I consider that these three readings contain relevant information to the design industry, given that they touch the subjects of productivity and ethical practices within the workplace and practices that a designer could implement in their personal life in order to improve and balance more positively these two areas.
References
Levenson, T. (2020, April 6). The Truth About Isaac Newton’s Productive Plague. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-truth-about-isaac-newtons-productive-plague
Lufkin (text), V. D. (charts) / B. (2018, January 3). Is this the best time to be productive? Www.bbc.com. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20180102-is-this-the-best-time-for-productivity
Woods, P. (2019, March 13). To pitch, or not to pitch. Creative Review. https://www.creativereview.co.uk/should-you-pitch-for-free/
