A recap post (to go with my precap from two weeks ago) about FITC Toronto 2015 – highlighting the best quotes from the sessions I attended (in chronological order). And once again, I’ve decided to use the great James White as my post feature photo – and he definitely inspired once again this year! (Note: links should open new windows/tabs and go to FITC presentation details)
Day One
- We compare our behind the scenes with other people’s highlight reels (Gavin Strange, quoting Steve Furtick)
- Don’t worry about being original, be honest (Gavin Strange)
- Don’t sink resources into an idea you don’t know will work (Steve Tam)
- Learn to say no (Shawn Pucknell)
- Set goals and be specific (Shawn Pucknell)
- Expect change and be adaptable (Shawn Pucknell)
- Make a list of things that make you happy. Make a list of things you do everyday. Compare them and adjust accordingly (Shawn Pucknell)
- Failure is not a negative, it is part of the journey (Shawn Pucknell)
- You are responsible for leading the way (Jason White)
- You can’t always get what you want (Jason White) although this might originally have been the Rolling Stones…
- Don’t wait for inspiration, create a framework (Ash Thorp)
- Keep your work at a certain quality level, have good communication skills and be on time (Ash Thorp)
- To make things happen, you need to get your work out (GMUNK)
- Make personal work that you love and turn it into work that pays (GMUNK)
Day Two
Cool Story: I was the HOST/MC of Toronto 2 All day on Monday – yay 🙂
- The hardest thing in software development is building teams that work together (Nick Van Weerdenburg) – I’d say it’s the hardest thing for all teams!
- Define the roles of your team and what is expected of each role (Daniel Schutzsmith)
- Technology is slower than imagination (Alexander Blom – FYI he prefers “Alex”)
- Don’t build something beautiful to trick yourself into thinking you built it well (Alex Blom)
- Try. Fail. Try Again. Fail Better (Chip Kidd)
Day Three
- If you can do it, doesn’t mean you should (Jarrett Sherman)
- A prototype is worth a thousand meetings (Mark Rigley)
- Good product design is a battle against the bewitchment of our creativity by means of our technology (Mark Rigley)
- Do good to be great (Jason Theodor)
- You shouldn’t be scared of protecting yourself; don’t work for companies who don’t agree with that (Panel with Sheena, Jessica and Shantell)
- Never overlook a silly idea (James White)
- Love what you love (James White)
- Know your worth (James White)
- Be careful what you bite off (James White)
I did go to more presentations, but I only included the quotes that I thought were most original/applicable to other industries. Obviously I learned some great resources… but that’s not always fun for everyone to read! So if you’re a speaker and you’re all like “oh hey why didn’t you use my totally awesome quote, I saw you there” – then I’ll be all like “O-M-G I’M FAMOUS ‘CAUSE A TOTALLY AWESOME SPEAKER FROM FITC KNOWS WHO I AM” or something along those lines…
All in all it was another inspiring few days, interspersed with lots of laughs, parties and friends… can’t wait until 2016!
PS: I’ve also determined that I would like to aspire to become an FITC Ambassador, so I am adding that to my list of life goals on the side bar 🙂