My encounter with failure and the lessons it taught me.

Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it's the courage to continue that counts.

— Winston Churchill.

But, Failure hurts like hell & that’s true.😊

I recently attended a 24-hour offline designathon 23 organized by Lollypop Design Studio. And it was super cool! & Amazing. The theme for this designathon was to design a platform for expense tracking that gives people control over their spending habits.

The final presentations were judged by the jury members which included Aunindra Kumar Sinha & Pratik Mehta

In addition, the event also offered complimentary meals and snacks throughout the day, which was a pleasant bonus for me as I'm always satisfied with free coffee and chocolates.😍

And what did I learn? & where I Failed?

1. Get out of your comfort zone - You can’t design anything impactful alone. You need to learn how to work with a team. And that’s what I tried to learn. It was difficult, but it was important for my personal growth.

2. Understand your team- When working with individuals who are unfamiliar to you, it can be beneficial to encourage them to introduce themselves. By doing so, you can create a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, which can lead to improved teamwork and outcomes.

3. Strength of your team- Knowing the strength of your team is extremely important as it helps you understand the unique skills and expertise each team member brings to the table. This knowledge allows you to assign responsibilities and tasks that align with each team member's strengths, increasing the likelihood of successful project completion.

4. Start brainstorming early- Be proactive when you receive event prompts. Start thinking about potential problems and solutions right away, and encourage your team to do the same. Establish a problem statement before the event.

5. Choose a problem statement thoughtfully- Keep your problem statement brief, creative, and specific. Ensure that it meets the judging criteria for the event.

6. Effective communication is crucial- (I failed) As a designer, it's crucial to share innovative ideas, defend decisions, and question others, but intimidation can hinder this process. Developing the ability to communicate openly without fear of judgment is a vital skill.

7. Make Timeline- (I failed) Planning is crucial when working under tight deadlines. Allocate specific time slots for each task and stick to the schedule. Include buffer slots for unexpected events.

8. Research Properly- Don't fabricate facts. Instead, back up your ideas with data. Using numbers will make it easier to support your point. Keep in mind that the jury members may have more information than you.

9. Divide responsibilities- When working on a project, avoid having everyone work on the same thing. Divide responsibilities based on expertise and catch up periodically to monitor progress. This will help ensure timely completion.

10. Interact with others- Don't reject help when it's offered, especially from the jury or organizers.

11. View criticism as an opportunity to improve-(I failed) It's important to consider feedback from others, even if it's negative, as it may help you identify areas for improvement. However, it's equally important to stay true to your own vision and not completely change your idea based on someone else's opinion. Changing your idea multiple times can also be counterproductive, as it may prevent you from fully developing one idea and reaching your goal.

12. Highlight your product’s USP- To make your product stand out, it's crucial to identify and emphasize its unique selling point or distinguishing features. With so many products available in the market, it's essential to give users a compelling reason to choose yours over others. While everything may seem like a blend of pre-existing elements, it's crucial to differentiate your product to appeal to potential users.

13. UI and UX are two sides of the same coin- A product's success depends not only on its functionality but also on its user interface. Simply presenting your research or rough sketches may not be sufficient to impress your audience. It is important to put in the effort to create a visually appealing and user-friendly interface that complements the product's functionality.

14. Avoid being a perfectionist- Striving for perfection in a short timeframe can be counterproductive. Instead, focus on making your idea as comprehensive as possible, addressing any potential weaknesses or drawbacks along the way.

15. Blame game won’t get you anywhere- Maintain professional relationships with your teammates, even if you don't get along with them personally. Remember that effective teamwork is essential for achieving your goals.

16. Effective Presentation matters-(I failed) Crafting a compelling narrative around your solution can greatly enhance its impact. By creating a story that resonates with your audience, you can increase the chances of your idea being well-received and understood.

17. Document everything- Don't rely on your memory alone. Take the time to document everything, including ideas, solutions, and resources.

Writing things down can help you stay organized and remember important details. Keep a record of focus areas, problems, and tools to refer back to later.

18. Learn from others- Approaching a competition with a growth mindset of "learning and winning" rather than a fixed mindset of "defeating others" can be the best attitude to adopt. Observe others closely and learn from their design, presentation, communication, and behavior. This may not come naturally to everyone, but trying is always worth it.

I want to thank Lollypop Design Studio, Anil Reddy & the team who hosted this Wibin Ayinikat, Rishabh Bohra 👨🏻‍💻, Akriti Sharma, Siva Prasad K, Praneetha C, and many more who gave me the opportunity to participate among talented people from all over the states.

Also, grateful for my amazing team members- Ria Gupta, Surya Prakash Musunuri, Dr. Sharvani A, Varun Sudhakar, Vanshika kejriwal

In last,

Keep failing. Keep practicing. Someone is waiting on your world’s first. ✌️