Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Songwriters, for example, often get ideas in their sleep and when they wake have to get them
down as soon as possible. Hence they have a notebook by the bed. Do you think Van Gogh
or Constable were devoid of their sketch pad? You should think of yourself at their level; you
are the Van Gogh of medical device design, hence you will use your “engineer's notepad” and
keep it in hand at all times.
I would like to share an anecdote as an example. I was at an annual meeting recently with a
colleague of mine, when we met someone we'd met the year before. I was amazed when she
enquired after his wife and children by name. When I asked how on earth she remembered
their names, she let slip the trick of all professional “net-workers.” After a party, meeting, or
soirée they write down the names of any interesting people (with notes) in a notebook. This
way, if they meet again, it looks like they remember every detail about them. In this case she
was expecting to meet him at the meeting so looked back in her notebook. Apparently this
is commonplace in PR, etc. So why not use this trick in design? If you have an idea note it
down, but you need something to note it in.
As you meet different people you will pick up little tips, little rules of thumb. It is hard to
remember them all, so have a little notebook in your pocket and write them down. Sometimes
you will be relaxing in a bar and something, out of the corner of your eye, gives you an
idea - out pops the notebook. If you don't get the idea down as soon as possible it will be
lost and you will never recall it. You will even get ideas in the shower, in the bath, and on the
toilet. You will soon learn how invaluable your little notebook comes to be. Nowadays we
have lovely electronic toys such as smartphones, laptops, and iPads, all of which can be your
“notebook.” Personally, I still prefer my little pocketbook and pencil.
6.3 Creative Space
There is little doubt that the best creative thoughts are created when the environment is
applicable. Note I said applicable, not best, not ideal, not stupendous, just applicable. In this
section we shall try to determine what “applicable” means. I would love to point you to some
research that helps you create a space but we will soon start to move into feng shui. However,
there are lessons to be learned from feng shui as it is all about designing your room to create
energy…that is what this section is all about.
6.3.1 The White Room
If you do a Google search for “white room” you will have pages upon pages of design
agencies called white room design or white room agents . This is because the white room
concept is drummed into every design student while at university. A white room signifies the
 
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