The Importance of Whiskey While Working (and Other Work Flow Tips, Too!) Big Spaceship is a place where pushing the limits meets extreme deadlines on a regular basis. The keys to success? A philosophy that affords close collaboration and communication, coupled with a couple of clever solutions to common problems... and some really ugly placeholder art. Join Jamie as he details the way the Spaceship ticks and how you can apply these fundamentals to your own process.

1. November6,2010
TheImportanceofWhiskeyWhileWorking
FITC 2010
Jamie Kosoy
Associate Technical Director
j.kosoy@bigspaceship.com
@jkosoy
#fitcwhiskey

2. Hello
Welcome to an inside look into the zen of the Spaceship.

3. BeforeIbegin,aquickpoll.

4. Okay, here’s the Situation
Your parents went away on a week’s vacation...

11. FiveKeyGoals

12. FiveKeyGoals
1. We’re proud of our work.

13. FiveKeyGoals
1. We’re proud of our work.
2. The client is proud of it, too.

14. FiveKeyGoals
1. We’re proud of our work.
2. The client is proud of it, too.
3. When people use what we make, it’s a positive experience.

15. FiveKeyGoals
1. We’re proud of our work.
2. The client is proud of it, too.
3. When people use what we make, it’s a positive experience.
4. We get out of work on time (most of the time).

16. FiveKeyGoals
1. We’re proud of our work.
2. The client is proud of it, too.
3. When people use what we make, it’s a positive experience.
4. We get out of work on time (most of the time).
5. We learn along the way.

17. So how do we do it?
I’ll give you one guess...

19. The Basics of our Process
Practical, philosophical, and otherwise nonsensical
insight into our day-to-day operations.

20. TreateveryonelikeanExpert
From the CEO to the newest intern, everyone’s say here is important.

21. Strategy
Production
Design
Development

22. the waterfall approach produces mediocrity.
Strategy
Production
Design
Development

23. everyone is involved the whole way through the project. much better.
Strategy
Production
Design
Development

24. DrinkLotsofWhiskey
It’s the only way to put up with asshole co-workers.

25. Better Idea
Don’t hire assholes in the first place.

26. DreamBig

27. RomanticComedyMovieWebsites

28. RomanticComedyMovieWebsites
RomanticComedyMovieANDHorrorMovieWebsites

29. RomanticComedyMovieWebsites
RomanticComedyMovieANDHorrorMovieWebsites
MovieWebsites

30. RomanticComedyMovieWebsites
RomanticComedyMovieANDHorrorMovieWebsites
MovieWebsites
FlashWebsites

31. We are not a Flash shop.
We are a creative agency.
Making things is just a part of what we do.

32. BetheUser
Build things for people, not just yourself (or the industry).

33. Thanksgiving@theKosoyhousehold

36. We had a healthy debate.
(We yelled a lot.)

37. Sowhowasright?

39. SoFlashisgoingtodie?!F**k.

41. Sowe’reallscrewed.
Super.Awesome.

42. Actually,someonehaditREALLYright.

43. He didn’t care. He just wanted us to STFU.
Dad

44. ThinkSimple
Work smarter, not harder.

45. Mise En Place
Everything in place. Everything in order.

46. Howdoesmiseenplaceapply?

47. Howdoesmiseenplaceapply?
• Name your layers and keep them organized.

48. Howdoesmiseenplaceapply?
• Name your layers and keep them organized.
• Version files. Ideally adopt Git or SVN.

49. Howdoesmiseenplaceapply?
• Name your layers and keep them organized.
• Version files. Ideally adopt Git or SVN.
• Simplify schedules and deadlines.

50. Howdoesmiseenplaceapply?
• Name your layers and keep them organized.
• Version files. Ideally adopt Git or SVN.
• Simplify schedules and deadlines.
• Make sure the scope of work is clearly understood.

51. Howdoesmiseenplaceapply?
• Name your layers and keep them organized.
• Version files. Ideally adopt Git or SVN.
• Simplify schedules and deadlines.
• Make sure the scope of work is clearly understood.
• Write the easiest, most important code first.

52. Howdoesmiseenplaceapply?
• Name your layers and keep them organized.
• Version files. Ideally adopt Git or SVN.
• Simplify schedules and deadlines.
• Make sure the scope of work is clearly understood.
• Write the easiest, most important code first.
• Have an agenda before you schedule the meeting.

53. Howdoesmiseenplaceapply?
• Name your layers and keep them organized.
• Version files. Ideally adopt Git or SVN.
• Simplify schedules and deadlines.
• Make sure the scope of work is clearly understood.
• Write the easiest, most important code first.
• Have an agenda before you schedule the meeting.
• Speak the same language.

54. Frameworks Aren’t [Always] the Answer
Starting from scratch is good for the soul.

55. StayInspired
Don’t wait for the right opportunity to do something you love. Just do it.

56. Big Spaceship End Tag

71. Adobe Max 2008
An iceberg wonderland made out of construction paper.
www.bit.ly/bss_adobe_max_2008

72. Staff Visualization

74. Hope vs. Despair

76. Despair for your Dock
http://bit.ly/hvd_icon

77. Inspirationisn’tlimitedtodesigners... orclientwork.

78. Inspirationisn’tlimitedtodesigners... orclientwork.
• Weekly dev meetings and dev “challenges”

79. Inspirationisn’tlimitedtodesigners... orclientwork.
• Weekly dev meetings and dev “challenges”
• Monthly budget per discipline for ANY purpose

80. Inspirationisn’tlimitedtodesigners... orclientwork.
• Weekly dev meetings and dev “challenges”
• Monthly budget per discipline for ANY purpose
• Friday show & tell

81. Inspirationisn’tlimitedtodesigners... orclientwork.
• Weekly dev meetings and dev “challenges”
• Monthly budget per discipline for ANY purpose
• Friday show & tell
• Internal Projects actively encouraged

82. Inspirationisn’tlimitedtodesigners... orclientwork.
• Weekly dev meetings and dev “challenges”
• Monthly budget per discipline for ANY purpose
• Friday show & tell
• Internal Projects actively encouraged
• BSS University

83. Inspirationisn’tlimitedtodesigners... orclientwork.
• Weekly dev meetings and dev “challenges”
• Monthly budget per discipline for ANY purpose
• Friday show & tell
• Internal Projects actively encouraged
• BSS University
• An EXTREMELY active internal blog

84. Inspirationisn’tlimitedtodesigners... orclientwork.
• Weekly dev meetings and dev “challenges”
• Monthly budget per discipline for ANY purpose
• Friday show & tell
• Internal Projects actively encouraged
• BSS University
• An EXTREMELY active internal blog
• Book binding, screen printing, etc

85. WhiskeywhileyouWork
ESPECIALLY during regular office hours.

86. The best smell in the world is that man that you love.
Jennifer Aniston

87. 10AM 12PM 2PM 4PM 6PM 7PM
WhiskeyConsumed
Productivity
Normal Ideal
Less than Ideal

88. FAQ

89. FAQ
• Yes, quality of whiskey makes a difference.
(Sorry Canada, Bourbon is better)

90. FAQ
• Yes, quality of whiskey makes a difference.
(Sorry Canada, Bourbon is better)
• Other spirits are effective, but not ideal.

91. FAQ
• Yes, quality of whiskey makes a difference.
(Sorry Canada, Bourbon is better)
• Other spirits are effective, but not ideal.
• Beer works, too... but in reverse quality.
(Miller High Life FTW)

92. BuildUgly

93. FPO:The Beast Behind the Beauty
WARNING
The following “comps” may be morally offensive to designers.
Prepare your eyeballs.

99. Clever point goes here.

103. KeepanOpenMind
Innovation isn’t the latest technology or fad.

104. Let’stakethatpollagain.

105. Ever heard of a Photoshop Designer?
No. Photoshop is a tool, not a way of life.
Developers need to learn to think of themselves this way.

109. Excellence≠Perfection

115. BeaPositiveForce

116. November6,2010
Thanks
Disclaimer: I do not condone alcoholism of any sort.
Beyond that, any questions?