Seeing everything at once

A contact sheet puts every frame on one page. The sequence is visible, including the mistakes and the moment just before the good picture. You stop judging one image and start choosing between images.

Using the same habit in design

I print every layout option small and lay them out on one sheet. The weak ideas are obvious within a minute. Then I mark them up as a photo editor would.

• One line through what fails

• A circle around what might work

• A box around the one to develop

The rule

You can only keep one box. Having to choose is what makes the exercise useful.