The nature of designing as well as the professional characteristics of many designers leave them vulnerable to the delay of tasks and decisions, known as procrastination, which is not addressed in research literature.
Procrastination is defined as the voluntary delay or inability to complete a task or make a decision that will knowingly lead to a detrimental outcome.
Two key activities to reduce the effects of procrastination suggested are:
- prioritise tasks; and ,
- Reduce complexity of each task.
Additional advice includes:
- Development of professional self-confidence;
- Realistic goal planning;
- Minimising external stimulus;
- Working in study groups;
- Developing virtuous routines at optimal times during the day; and,
- Use of technology to optimise self-regulation.
Useful links:
Procrastination Poster
Procrastination Video: YouTube
Procrastination video: TikTok
Torrens, G., E., Swalwell, J., M., R., Downs, S.,D., Asghar, S., Wang, Y., 2023. Academic procrastination by design. A survey of 155 students and staff of a United Kingdom School of design and creative arts. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, In Press.