100% compled, 20% detailed

About Progressive JPEG time-management for iterative design

Oct 2, 2024

Design

There's a simple time-management method called Progressive JPEG. This approach is characterized by every project being 100% complete at any given moment, even if it's only 4% detailed.

Here's how it works on example of designer’s show case:

  1. Outline the Structure (4% detailed) Gather the case structure in text form.

  2. Create Ultra Low-Fid Graphics (14% detailed) Translate that text into figma frames.

  3. Layout Components (25% detailed) Sketch approximate layouts on your graphics.

  4. Add Visual Rhythm (40% detailed) Play with the order and flow to enhance readability.

  5. Insert Work Results (57% detailed) Populate your screens with actual content.

  6. Format Additional Info (70% detailed) Present supplementary details attractively.

  7. Add Mockups (79% detailed) Include mockups where they enhance understanding.

  8. Introduce Animations (85% detailed) Add animations for dynamics if needed.

Better to stop here, but...

  1. Refine Details (89% detailed) Polish the finer points.

  2. Refine Even Further (92% detailed) Dive deeper, it could be dangerous.

Key Takes:

A: At each stage, you can gather feedback

B: If resources run low, you can publish at any point

C: The Pareto Principle applies perfectly here: 80% of the development takes 20% of the time, while the remaining 20% consumes 80% of the time.

D: Works well any kind of designs

Kudos ALS for describing this method: https://www.artlebedev.com/mandership/167/