Open meow
Introducing Open Meow, a collection of hand-drawn cat illustrations inspired by internet memes and the cute kitten in my neighborhood.
CLIENT
personal project
PROJECT TYPE
website, illustration, product, open source
What is Open Meow?
It is a hand-drawn illustration collection for the public. Open Meow hope to bring joy, fun and love into the daily life of everyone.
It is a hand-drawn illustration collection for the public. Open Meow aims to bring joy, fun, and love into everyone's daily life.
Why did I start this project?
Target auditors
Why did i do this design
First of all, I wanted to be part of a product where I had skin in the game. Observing the startups I've worked with and successful individuals I've met, I noticed that they often put their name on a company, brand, or product, leading them to accomplish their goals. Being accountable for a product encourages me to be proactive and disciplined.
Secondly, I truly appreciate the practice of user experience. I've always been fascinated by conducting user interviews to uncover the truth behind users' thoughts. It's one of the best ways to evaluate a product in an unbiased manner. Conversations with individuals provide a deeper understanding than simply analyzing cold, hard data from tools like Google Analytics. While data serves as a metric to measure input, it can only classify results as good or bad. It never suggests how to improve or achieve better outcomes in the future. I am passionate about to apply my user experience skill in business practice, instead of for research purpose.
Lastly, I'm tired of creating cookie-cutter case studies. The reality of working as a product designer is that the process is never smooth and linear; it's often messy and cyclical. There are endless meetings and discussions with marketing teams, development teams, product owners, and executives. Each individual expresses their vision for the product and their work style through collaboration. Software product development largely involves collaborating with a group of people and engaging in extensive communication. I feel it's more beneficial for me to start my personal project rather than create another generic case study. It serves as my journal to document the ups and downs throughout the creative process.
First of all, I wanted to be part of a product where I had skin in the game. Observing the startups I've worked with and successful individuals I've met, I noticed that they often put their name on a company, brand, or product, leading them to accomplish their goals. Being accountable for a product encourages me to be proactive and disciplined.
Secondly, I truly appreciate the practice of user experience. I've always been fascinated by conducting user interviews to uncover the truth behind users' thoughts. It's one of the best ways to evaluate a product in an unbiased manner. Conversations with individuals provide a deeper understanding than simply analyzing cold, hard data from tools like Google Analytics. While data serves as a metric to measure input, it can only classify results as good or bad. It never suggests how to improve or achieve better outcomes in the future. I am passionate about to apply my user experience skill in business practice, instead of for research purpose.
Lastly, I'm tired of creating cookie-cutter case studies. The reality of working as a product designer is that the process is never smooth and linear; it's often messy and cyclical. There are endless meetings and discussions with marketing teams, development teams, product owners, and executives. Each individual expresses their vision for the product and their work style through collaboration. Software product development largely involves collaborating with a group of people and engaging in extensive communication. I feel it's more beneficial for me to start my personal project rather than create another generic case study. It serves as my journal to document the ups and downs throughout the creative process.
First of all, I wanted to be part of a product where I had skin in the game. Observing the startups I've worked with and successful individuals I've met, I noticed that they often put their name on a company, brand, or product, leading them to accomplish their goals. Being accountable for a product encourages me to be proactive and disciplined.
Secondly, I truly appreciate the practice of user experience. I've always been fascinated by conducting user interviews to uncover the truth behind users' thoughts. It's one of the best ways to evaluate a product in an unbiased manner. Conversations with individuals provide a deeper understanding than simply analyzing cold, hard data from tools like Google Analytics. While data serves as a metric to measure input, it can only classify results as good or bad. It never suggests how to improve or achieve better outcomes in the future. I am passionate about to apply my user experience skill in business practice, instead of for research purpose.
Lastly, I'm tired of creating cookie-cutter case studies. The reality of working as a product designer is that the process is never smooth and linear; it's often messy and cyclical. There are endless meetings and discussions with marketing teams, development teams, product owners, and executives. Each individual expresses their vision for the product and their work style through collaboration. Software product development largely involves collaborating with a group of people and engaging in extensive communication. I feel it's more beneficial for me to start my personal project rather than create another generic case study. It serves as my journal to document the ups and downs throughout the creative process.
Challenges
Time
Time is a scarce resource. There's never enough time, especially while juggling a full-time job, family responsibilities, and weekly errands. It is the most common struggle for everyone, including myself.
Time
Time is a scarce resource. There's never enough time, especially while juggling a full-time job, family responsibilities, and weekly errands. It is the most common struggle for everyone, including myself.
Time
Time is a scarce resource. There's never enough time, especially while juggling a full-time job, family responsibilities, and weekly errands. It is the most common struggle for everyone, including myself.
Learning Curve
There's a learning curve when adopting new tools and technologies. Trying out new graphic tools and picking up skills to accelerate the creative process can be intimidating but essential for improvement.
Learning Curve
There's a learning curve when adopting new tools and technologies. Trying out new graphic tools and picking up skills to accelerate the creative process can be intimidating but essential for improvement.
Learning Curve
There's a learning curve when adopting new tools and technologies. Trying out new graphic tools and picking up skills to accelerate the creative process can be intimidating but essential for improvement.
Wearing Multiple Hats
An outstanding business often requires individuals to fulfill multiple roles, such as Entrepreneur, Manager, and Technician. Balancing all these positions is crucial to delivering a good product sustainably. However, it can feel overwhelming to manage everything simultaneously.
Wearing Multiple Hats
An outstanding business often requires individuals to fulfill multiple roles, such as Entrepreneur, Manager, and Technician. Balancing all these positions is crucial to delivering a good product sustainably. However, it can feel overwhelming to manage everything simultaneously.
Wearing Multiple Hats
An outstanding business often requires individuals to fulfill multiple roles, such as Entrepreneur, Manager, and Technician. Balancing all these positions is crucial to delivering a good product sustainably. However, it can feel overwhelming to manage everything simultaneously.
Overcome
Overcome
Time Management oF FBR
Find a model of FBR, which stands for Fast, Bad, and Wrong. In this framework, I prioritize action over thinking and research (70% Action, 30% Planning).
Fast - Concentrate more on taking action. Act quickly, regroup my thoughts while struggling without a clear direction.
Bad - Embrace imperfection. To be honest, when it comes to design, I often feel only about 60% satisfied with the minimum viable product (MVP). I always sense there's something more to polish. Wabi Sabi, the Japanese art of impermanence, has inspired me to appreciate the beauty found within imperfection, such as hand-drawn outlines that impart a sense of quirkiness and authenticity. This appreciation extends beyond visuals; it's also about the message and context behind creations, which is perhaps why memes have become so popular.
Wrong - Expect there to always be pivot points in the future. Embrace errors and changes as part of the learning process. This process involves continual testing with users and the market, collecting feedback, and analyzing the results to inform decision-making.
Time Management oF FBR
Find a model of FBR, which stands for Fast, Bad, and Wrong. In this framework, I prioritize action over thinking and research (70% Action, 30% Planning).
Fast - Concentrate more on taking action. Act quickly, regroup my thoughts while struggling without a clear direction.
Bad - Embrace imperfection. To be honest, when it comes to design, I often feel only about 60% satisfied with the minimum viable product (MVP). I always sense there's something more to polish. Wabi Sabi, the Japanese art of impermanence, has inspired me to appreciate the beauty found within imperfection, such as hand-drawn outlines that impart a sense of quirkiness and authenticity. This appreciation extends beyond visuals; it's also about the message and context behind creations, which is perhaps why memes have become so popular.
Wrong - Expect there to always be pivot points in the future. Embrace errors and changes as part of the learning process. This process involves continual testing with users and the market, collecting feedback, and analyzing the results to inform decision-making.
Time Management oF FBR
Find a model of FBR, which stands for Fast, Bad, and Wrong. In this framework, I prioritize action over thinking and research (70% Action, 30% Planning).
Fast - Concentrate more on taking action. Act quickly, regroup my thoughts while struggling without a clear direction.
Bad - Embrace imperfection. To be honest, when it comes to design, I often feel only about 60% satisfied with the minimum viable product (MVP). I always sense there's something more to polish. Wabi Sabi, the Japanese art of impermanence, has inspired me to appreciate the beauty found within imperfection, such as hand-drawn outlines that impart a sense of quirkiness and authenticity. This appreciation extends beyond visuals; it's also about the message and context behind creations, which is perhaps why memes have become so popular.
Wrong - Expect there to always be pivot points in the future. Embrace errors and changes as part of the learning process. This process involves continual testing with users and the market, collecting feedback, and analyzing the results to inform decision-making.
Important vs Urgent
Use my own judgment to rearrange priorities in the 4 quadrants matrix of important versus urgent. Eliminate non-essential items for the MVP. Break everything down into phases of development.
Important vs Urgent
Use my own judgment to rearrange priorities in the 4 quadrants matrix of important versus urgent. Eliminate non-essential items for the MVP. Break everything down into phases of development.
Important vs Urgent
Use my own judgment to rearrange priorities in the 4 quadrants matrix of important versus urgent. Eliminate non-essential items for the MVP. Break everything down into phases of development.
Compounding
Apply my work experience to this project. Work in sprint cycles, creating a list of tasks to manage in a time management matrix. Plan weekly sprints and review them on weekends. Focus on execution during weekdays after my full-time job. Break down the project into phases. Continuously work on the project in small increments and allow time to compound these small tasks into significant achievements.
Compounding
Apply my work experience to this project. Work in sprint cycles, creating a list of tasks to manage in a time management matrix. Plan weekly sprints and review them on weekends. Focus on execution during weekdays after my full-time job. Break down the project into phases. Continuously work on the project in small increments and allow time to compound these small tasks into significant achievements.
Compounding
Apply my work experience to this project. Work in sprint cycles, creating a list of tasks to manage in a time management matrix. Plan weekly sprints and review them on weekends. Focus on execution during weekdays after my full-time job. Break down the project into phases. Continuously work on the project in small increments and allow time to compound these small tasks into significant achievements.
Learning Curve
Spend a good amount of time each weekend studying new tools and applying them to the project. My approach is simple: solidify the fundamentals of new tools. For example, I spend 80% of my time in Photoshop or Figma using the most fundamental tools to build projects at work. New tools enhance my existing workflow; they don't replace my entire toolset or workflow. Stay focused on the original goal for this project.
Learning Curve
Spend a good amount of time each weekend studying new tools and applying them to the project. My approach is simple: solidify the fundamentals of new tools. For example, I spend 80% of my time in Photoshop or Figma using the most fundamental tools to build projects at work. New tools enhance my existing workflow; they don't replace my entire toolset or workflow. Stay focused on the original goal for this project.
Learning Curve
Spend a good amount of time each weekend studying new tools and applying them to the project. My approach is simple: solidify the fundamentals of new tools. For example, I spend 80% of my time in Photoshop or Figma using the most fundamental tools to build projects at work. New tools enhance my existing workflow; they don't replace my entire toolset or workflow. Stay focused on the original goal for this project.
Entrepreneur, Manager, Technician
As a product designer, I love craftsmanship in all its aspects. However, I must change perspectives to review this project. Constantly ask myself questions: For vision, why do I want to undertake this project? For system, how can I make this project scalable in the future? For creation, what can I do to improve and accelerate the process? This mentality helps me avoid getting stuck in a singular aspect of the project.
Entrepreneur, Manager, Technician
As a product designer, I love craftsmanship in all its aspects. However, I must change perspectives to review this project. Constantly ask myself questions: For vision, why do I want to undertake this project? For system, how can I make this project scalable in the future? For creation, what can I do to improve and accelerate the process? This mentality helps me avoid getting stuck in a singular aspect of the project.
Entrepreneur, Manager, Technician
As a product designer, I love craftsmanship in all its aspects. However, I must change perspectives to review this project. Constantly ask myself questions: For vision, why do I want to undertake this project? For system, how can I make this project scalable in the future? For creation, what can I do to improve and accelerate the process? This mentality helps me avoid getting stuck in a singular aspect of the project.
What's Next
What's Next
Phase Completion and Transition
Completion of Phase 1 marks a significant milestone in the project's journey. It signifies the achievement of initial goals and sets the stage for the next phase. Transitioning to Phase 2 involves shifting focus to establishing and expanding core project elements. The project now enters a new stage of development and growth. This involves adding new items to the collection and promoting creation on social media. Through open-source principles and community involvement, the project seeks to create a dynamic and inclusive community for users
Phase Completion and Transition
Completion of Phase 1 marks a significant milestone in the project's journey. It signifies the achievement of initial goals and sets the stage for the next phase. Transitioning to Phase 2 involves shifting focus to establishing and expanding core project elements. The project now enters a new stage of development and growth. This involves adding new items to the collection and promoting creation on social media. Through open-source principles and community involvement, the project seeks to create a dynamic and inclusive community for users
Phase Completion and Transition
Completion of Phase 1 marks a significant milestone in the project's journey. It signifies the achievement of initial goals and sets the stage for the next phase. Transitioning to Phase 2 involves shifting focus to establishing and expanding core project elements. The project now enters a new stage of development and growth. This involves adding new items to the collection and promoting creation on social media. Through open-source principles and community involvement, the project seeks to create a dynamic and inclusive community for users
Measuring Progress and Performance
Monitoring progress and performance is essential for assessing the project's impact. Key metrics such as website traffic, download statistics, and community engagement provide valuable insights. These metrics help track the project's reach, engagement, and effectiveness. By analyzing these indicators, the project can make informed decisions and adjustments.
Measuring Progress and Performance
Monitoring progress and performance is essential for assessing the project's impact. Key metrics such as website traffic, download statistics, and community engagement provide valuable insights. These metrics help track the project's reach, engagement, and effectiveness. By analyzing these indicators, the project can make informed decisions and adjustments.
Measuring Progress and Performance
Monitoring progress and performance is essential for assessing the project's impact. Key metrics such as website traffic, download statistics, and community engagement provide valuable insights. These metrics help track the project's reach, engagement, and effectiveness. By analyzing these indicators, the project can make informed decisions and adjustments.
Collecting and integrating Feedback
Feedback plays a crucial role in shaping the project's direction and improvement. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter provide channels for gathering input from users. Actively listening to the community's feedback enables the project to adapt and evolve. By integrating user feedback, the project can better meet the needs and preferences of its audience.
Collecting and integrating Feedback
Feedback plays a crucial role in shaping the project's direction and improvement. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter provide channels for gathering input from users. Actively listening to the community's feedback enables the project to adapt and evolve. By integrating user feedback, the project can better meet the needs and preferences of its audience.
Collecting and integrating Feedback
Feedback plays a crucial role in shaping the project's direction and improvement. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter provide channels for gathering input from users. Actively listening to the community's feedback enables the project to adapt and evolve. By integrating user feedback, the project can better meet the needs and preferences of its audience.
Takeaway
Takeaway
Being Authentic
I realized that copying successful businesses won’t lead to success; it invites competition. You will find yourself comparing apples to apples, which doesn't set you apart. Being authentic can make you stand out from the rest. Just like Joe Rogue and Oprah Winfrey, there is only one of each, and they are successful and brilliant in their own unique ways, making comparisons irrelevant. Authenticity is the way to go.
Being Authentic
I realized that copying successful businesses won’t lead to success; it invites competition. You will find yourself comparing apples to apples, which doesn't set you apart. Being authentic can make you stand out from the rest. Just like Joe Rogue and Oprah Winfrey, there is only one of each, and they are successful and brilliant in their own unique ways, making comparisons irrelevant. Authenticity is the way to go.
Being Authentic
I realized that copying successful businesses won’t lead to success; it invites competition. You will find yourself comparing apples to apples, which doesn't set you apart. Being authentic can make you stand out from the rest. Just like Joe Rogue and Oprah Winfrey, there is only one of each, and they are successful and brilliant in their own unique ways, making comparisons irrelevant. Authenticity is the way to go.
Respecting Solitude
It is hard to find solitude in today's world. We are all constantly connected to the internet, with messages, emails, and phone calls interrupting our thoughts every second. I frequently feel overwhelmed by everything on my to-do list. Solitude is one of the best ways to declutter tasks and errands. Even just one hour of daily solitude may not seem like much, but it helps me straighten out my messy thoughts and prioritize my to-do list.
Respecting Solitude
It is hard to find solitude in today's world. We are all constantly connected to the internet, with messages, emails, and phone calls interrupting our thoughts every second. I frequently feel overwhelmed by everything on my to-do list. Solitude is one of the best ways to declutter tasks and errands. Even just one hour of daily solitude may not seem like much, but it helps me straighten out my messy thoughts and prioritize my to-do list.
Respecting Solitude
It is hard to find solitude in today's world. We are all constantly connected to the internet, with messages, emails, and phone calls interrupting our thoughts every second. I frequently feel overwhelmed by everything on my to-do list. Solitude is one of the best ways to declutter tasks and errands. Even just one hour of daily solitude may not seem like much, but it helps me straighten out my messy thoughts and prioritize my to-do list.
Time Management
Organize all tasks into the four quadrants matrix (Important vs Urgent). What is quite profound for me is that most life-changing events fall into the second quadrant (Important and not Urgent). These are milestones in everyone’s life, such as earning a college degree, making the down payment on your first house, and maintaining good health through diet and exercise. They all take time to accomplish.
Time Management
Organize all tasks into the four quadrants matrix (Important vs Urgent). What is quite profound for me is that most life-changing events fall into the second quadrant (Important and not Urgent). These are milestones in everyone’s life, such as earning a college degree, making the down payment on your first house, and maintaining good health through diet and exercise. They all take time to accomplish.
Time Management
Organize all tasks into the four quadrants matrix (Important vs Urgent). What is quite profound for me is that most life-changing events fall into the second quadrant (Important and not Urgent). These are milestones in everyone’s life, such as earning a college degree, making the down payment on your first house, and maintaining good health through diet and exercise. They all take time to accomplish.
Balancing Act
Be pessimistic in the short term but optimistic for the future. Don’t lean too far to either extreme of the spectrum. Balance is key for consistency. This project is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t get burnt out easily. Always revise after receiving feedback from the community and the market. Always be prepared to pivot when necessary. Focus primarily on long-term goals. Be disciplined every day. Building and improving myself in small increments is essential. Success doesn’t happen overnight. Behind every successful story we hear on the internet and social media, there are probably 99 failures. Success doesn’t come easily. Everything worth pursuing comes with a little pain.
Balancing Act
Be pessimistic in the short term but optimistic for the future. Don’t lean too far to either extreme of the spectrum. Balance is key for consistency. This project is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t get burnt out easily. Always revise after receiving feedback from the community and the market. Always be prepared to pivot when necessary. Focus primarily on long-term goals. Be disciplined every day. Building and improving myself in small increments is essential. Success doesn’t happen overnight. Behind every successful story we hear on the internet and social media, there are probably 99 failures. Success doesn’t come easily. Everything worth pursuing comes with a little pain.
Balancing Act
Be pessimistic in the short term but optimistic for the future. Don’t lean too far to either extreme of the spectrum. Balance is key for consistency. This project is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t get burnt out easily. Always revise after receiving feedback from the community and the market. Always be prepared to pivot when necessary. Focus primarily on long-term goals. Be disciplined every day. Building and improving myself in small increments is essential. Success doesn’t happen overnight. Behind every successful story we hear on the internet and social media, there are probably 99 failures. Success doesn’t come easily. Everything worth pursuing comes with a little pain.
Self-Reflection
The entire process is a mind game, and I am my own worst enemy. There will always be moments when you want to skip a day on this project. I struggled in the middle of the process. I couldn’t keep up with the timeline, and there were days when I overslept and couldn’t work on the project before going to my full-time job. I often go back to straighten out my thoughts and plans. Breaking down a huge task into smaller tasks is helpful. I don’t assume I could possibly sit at my desk at home for 8 hours without interruption. All I need is just 1 or 2 hours of quiet time, or even just 30 minutes in a busy day. It is a good practice for juggling work, family, and personal tasks. This project made me a morning person and a weekend fighter. Discipline became clearer to me; it's about your habit system, not just motivation. The less friction between you and your good habit system, the higher the chance you will become the person you want to be.
Self-Reflection
The entire process is a mind game, and I am my own worst enemy. There will always be moments when you want to skip a day on this project. I struggled in the middle of the process. I couldn’t keep up with the timeline, and there were days when I overslept and couldn’t work on the project before going to my full-time job. I often go back to straighten out my thoughts and plans. Breaking down a huge task into smaller tasks is helpful. I don’t assume I could possibly sit at my desk at home for 8 hours without interruption. All I need is just 1 or 2 hours of quiet time, or even just 30 minutes in a busy day. It is a good practice for juggling work, family, and personal tasks. This project made me a morning person and a weekend fighter. Discipline became clearer to me; it's about your habit system, not just motivation. The less friction between you and your good habit system, the higher the chance you will become the person you want to be.
Self-Reflection
The entire process is a mind game, and I am my own worst enemy. There will always be moments when you want to skip a day on this project. I struggled in the middle of the process. I couldn’t keep up with the timeline, and there were days when I overslept and couldn’t work on the project before going to my full-time job. I often go back to straighten out my thoughts and plans. Breaking down a huge task into smaller tasks is helpful. I don’t assume I could possibly sit at my desk at home for 8 hours without interruption. All I need is just 1 or 2 hours of quiet time, or even just 30 minutes in a busy day. It is a good practice for juggling work, family, and personal tasks. This project made me a morning person and a weekend fighter. Discipline became clearer to me; it's about your habit system, not just motivation. The less friction between you and your good habit system, the higher the chance you will become the person you want to be.
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