over 9 years ago from Marcelo Novaes, Senior Experience Designer at Yahoo
And how does it make you a better designer? Myself I love gaming, especially retro games. It's just something that I really enjoy and think that there's lot of good insights put into gaming, interfaces, animation... etc.
Surf, a solid connection to nature and mother earth. It's hard to explain what it does to your being.
Even having lived in Brazil I have not tried that. Sounds amazing though.
The main reason why Austin don't beat San Diego. I miss that life. I'm jealous, where you surf at?
I grew up on the east coast of Florida, Sebastian Inlet was my main break for years and miss it immensely. To remedy my liquid addiction I take several surf trips a year to central america from land locked Boulder, Colorado. The cheap flights make it possible for spontaneous trips.
The snowboarding, kayaking and river surfing is fun but can't replace the the same feeling I get when I am paddling around in the ocean.
edit: You should check out flights from Austin to San Jose, Costa Rica. You might be surprised at the prices you can find.
Just barely saw your reply. Would love to see Costa Rica. But I'll have you know that I've since relocated back to San Diego. My soul was yearning for the open water :) best of luck in boulder friend.
I surf as well - I find it almost impossible to worry about anything (even time) when you're looking out for the next set. In the winter, skiing is big as well, but it's harder to "escape/meditate" like you can surfing.
The everyday things - working out and cooking.
I recently started surfing again every Saturday morning. Your first sentence moved me—it's so true. I like climbing and slacklining, but nothing compares to "escaping/meditating" like surfing. I feel like the time I spend surfing, I immediately get back: The rest of the weekend I'm peaceful, strong, centered, calm, confident, cleansed, rejuvenated—all because I paddled out on the water and tried to catch some waves.
Exactly what I mean! I used to climb to and still love climbing, but since I injured my shoulder, it's been a lot harder to climb - paddling while surfing actually strengthens my shoulder too. It's like a triple win haha. I'm happy you get the same experience as well though!
I've been wanting to learn to surf for a while. I'm finally going out with a buddy next week. Can't wait.
Good luck! It'll be a blast.
Health, lifting/fitness. Gets me away from the computer, there's not much better than reflecting on life when you're high on endorphins.
I bike for those endorphins :)
Agreed, I lift, run, box and walk the dog along mountain trails, I've always subscribed to the healthy body = healthy mind theory. Ideas and solutions can come to me at any time and I feel like my mind stays sharp thanks to exercise. I'm sure the enjoyment and happiness I get from each activity plays a part in improving my productivity too.
Couldn't agree more!
+1 I am obsessed with fitness and health as well.
Gaming is just awesome!
I just love it – I wish I had more time to do it though.
Soccer. Keeps me sane. Playing on a team, watching, and playing Fifa.
Totally agree!
Forza Inter Milan!!
I just came here to +1 your comment.
No. Forza Juve.
Come on Chelsea!
This is it for me as well. Can't get enough!
Building physical things:
A recent kinetic mirror installation
Many of the same concepts we argue about in digital design have been thoroughly discussed and sometimes settled in physical design.
Amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Love the concept of the mirror and the way the lights dance on the floor.
Shelves look great, and the gif of the books animating on is terrific. Great craftsmanship sir.
That GIF of the bookshelf filling with books is too rad. I like those little circular joints you on the shelf what are those called?
Thanks! Those are "biscuits." The tool to cut the holes is called a plate joiner (aka biscuit joiner). It's a great way to join wood without exposed screws or nails. Takes longer though.
Woodworking. Being able to create and give form to something physical instead of virtual. I use hand tools whenever possible and take the long way to do something well instead of fast.
Where in the bay area can you learn woodworking? Or was this something you learned on your own?
I took woodshop in middle school and had access to a shop in college.
You can look for shared shop space. There are multiple in the bay area. I haven't used any but have been recommended: http://www.techshop.ws/http://thecrucible.org/
This is something that I really miss. Back at college we had access to a huge awesome wood shop. I loved working in there. I live in an apartment, so occasionally, I might do something small on the balcony. There is something about woodworking that always made me forget about everything else for a while..
I am a big woodworker as well. When I am in the middle of a big project, I cant wait to get away from the office at the end of the day to work on my woodworking projects. What kind of woodworking do you like to do?
I've been doing small things so far: spoons, wine bottle stoppers. I'm currently learning bowl turning which is satisfying but also a bigger project.
Very cool. I have always to learn to use a lathe. Lately, I've been trying to learn some different woodworking joints.
Building + tinkering on motorcycles.
I like designing ways to bring more efficiency/power/control to older bikes. Replacing obsolete parts with newer tech.
It's just fun :D Get's my mind off of work, and away from the computer.
I started riding a year ago. Maybe tinkering will come next!
it's addictive! You've been warned :D
Getting into sportbikes myself. Just did a chain/sprocket replacement, oil change, and spark plug/air filter replacement on my Triumph Daytona 675. Makes me want to quit working on computers.
IKR?!?!
That is an incredible cool hobby. Thanks for sharing
I have a similar situation, you can even say that it is the same, casino games have long become for me not just a hobby, but also an excellent way to earn money on the Internet, I really like online casinos. Since it is very convenient to make money at home, I can recommend https://roulette77.co.uk/roulette-sites casinos, because you can not only do your favorite hobby there but also earn very decent amounts.
How does one get into this kind of thing? Are there books or classes? or do you just kinda teach yourself?
I would like to know too!
Step 1: buy an old bike Step 2: take it apart Step 3: put it back together and replace parts that're shot as you go along
That's how I've learned – bikes/cars without complex wiring systems are surprisingly simple machines :)
For me, I found it incredibly intimidating. I just bought a clymers manual specific to my bike, and found an original mechanics manual online, and got to work.
Old bikes are surprisingly simple machines
Edit: After I finished the build, I had a registered mechanic do a thorough safety / review of everything I touched... Just to be safe.
Forums! That's really all you need - that and tools. Pretty much anything you need to know how to do will have a walk-through with pictures on a forum somewhere. If all else fails, consult your bike's service manual.
Freaking awesome
Man! I have a CB400 that I'm rebuilding at the moment, it's got the same frame. Have you ever been tempted to chop off that back-end and weld something a little bit more pretty/straight?
I've got a massive bunch of parts on their way to me from Dime City Cycles and I've been tempted to get a set of USD forks. I'm glad I've seen your bike now though, it looks awesome with the stock forks :)
Hahah, thank you!
I thought about it, but doing so would deem it a custom bike. And for me, that would be triple on insurance premiums.
Dude, every bike is a custom bike. I wouldn't worry about it – you wouldn't be altering the geometry (much). Insurance categories for motorbikes is a bit of a grey area.
Actually this is something I looked into in great depth. As far as my locale (ontario, canada) fabrication to an original frame is a big nono. 5 out of 13 Insurance companies I was courting wouldn't actually touch me (I'm a 23 y/o male, which is part of the problem) or gave me their VIP rates... $6k+ annually...
Second part of the problem, is that I'm a truthful guy, and I'd need my insurer to know exactly what was done to the bike. In the event of a spill, I very much would like to be covered.
I'm sure in the future, I'd like to try my hand at some custom welding, but cons outweigh the pros, for me personally, as of right now
Edit: typo
Awesome! I left my 1981 GS450 cafe back in Arizona when I moved up to Seattle. I miss it everyday even though it ran like junk. Love your blog!
My big hobby is roleplaying games. I love to run them and play them. If I could be a professional GM I would do it in a heartbeat.
I use the games that I run to explore human nature and to craft interesting narratives. I also use my love of the hobby as a way to sharpen my skills by making things, such as this rules site for my current favorite system, Fate: http:fate-srd.com. I also blog about my hobby over at http://randyoest.com.
BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). It's a great way to stay in shape, and a lot of fun.
And as an added bonus, it makes anything else you need to do seem very easy in comparison :)
Illustration and CS:GO.
+1 for the CS:GO. I'm playing CS from the old 1.6
CS:GO!!! add me on steam: gregsqueeb
I will be playing tonight :p
I've been skateboarding for the last 17 years and would be lost without it. It clears my head, relieves stress, and instills creativity. It's also pretty much the only exercise I get.
I was going to say almost the exact same thing, except I've been doing it for about 15 years! Exactly though — clears the head, it's so much about creativity, and it's also just about the only real exercise I find myself getting these days aside from walking and cycling.
Homebrewing. There's something awesome and mad-sciencey about carefully crafting a recipe, picking out ingredients and making your own alcohol. ;)
^ The next Heisenberg!
Longboarding.
The sense of freedom is indescribable. Put some headphones and go whatever you wanna go, without make plans.
Its a great way to clear your mind.
Sounds really nice, I wish I had enough ballance
Chess. Helps with calculation, visualization, combinations, etc.
Yes! I have ben getting into RC Drifting lately!
Is gaming still valid, even if you work in the industry? :D
Probably playing video games. Does that count as a hobby?
Street typography: https://www.facebook.com/readthecity
On the path of becoming a chef. Experimenting with food. Play Diablo 3. Naping.
Running.
I run ultras and trail/fell races along with the occasional road race and I like the structure training for them gives me and the quiet time while I'm out for a couple of hours.
It's also made me a lot more confident in my own strength and abilities to the point where I've gone from someone who was nervous about attending conferences a couple of years ago to someone who's now spoken at a few of them!
This.
It's the structure of the training which I find incredibly relaxing. I like the idea of a goal, and a structured plan to push yourself each week.
If only I could afford a new pair of shoes.. want some Brooks PureCadence or Nike 4.0 Flyknits. Sigh.
Im on the running game too, did an 8km and a 10km race earlier in the year, gonna be starting my training for the Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon in October soon.
I have the Free Flyknits, great shoes, I use them mainly for shorter distances, anything under 8km. For my longer runs I wear the Flyknit Lunar 2's, I like their added support and tension over the longer distances. Ive recently have been pairing them up with compression socks and have found my legs feel great the rest of the day after a 10k+ run and no aches or pains the next day after stretching sufficiently before and after the run.
Guitar and Mandolin, a bit of gaming and frisbee (of the Ultimate variety). Helps to step away from the computer and music really lets me flex my creative muscles in a way that I really enjoy. I love build things as well and occasionally do some leatherwork and metal work. I am thinking about blogging a bit about that stuff, with guides and what not, but I don't feel like I do it enough...
Dancing, particularly bboying. I think it makes me a better designer just because it's another creative outlet and it helps me clear my head and inspire me to create something amazing.
Basketball, Stargazing, Travelling, B̶a̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ Eating cakes
I don't know if I could list "cleaning my apartment" as a hobby, but for sure I do spend time doing it, besides that I particularly enjoy street photography.
Anything that takes me away from the screen for periods of time and keeps me in contact with reality will do.
LEGO, Running and iOS Programming. I'm currently watching a lot of WWDC videos about Swift! I'm very exited.
Edit: I love tycoon games too, but can't find anything to replace Transport Tycoon. Let me know if you know about similar games.
Swift looks pretty cool, I've been playing a lot with it for the past 3 days... It still takes me 30 minutes to figure out something super simple.
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2. IMO the best tycoon game! :D
Large format (4x5) film photography.
Cooking, racing my bike and video games.
This is what I tell myself when I find myself procrastinating with my hobbies instead of getting real work done:
Playing video games: helps me think about user interaction
Meditating: clears my mind so my ideas can flow easily
Weight lifting: makes me confident in myself, thus in my work
Watching Japanese television: makes me think of design in a different culture context
Surfing (longboards, fishes and single fins), Single Speed MTB'ing & Paint. I also like to DIY whatever and whenever I can.
Getting off your computer and out in nature will make you a better designer guaranteed. Get away from screens and the industry on your days off, then you will be refreshed when you return to work...maybe even inspired by something you saw/experienced.
I enjoy Homebrewing beer and enter them into competitions where I've received awards. It's a nice escape with liquid benefits.
I am getting started on Woodworking and made my own little iPad stand that is at the perfect angle to play Pinball Arcade. Cleared a space in my garage near my workbench where I can do stuff with wood.
I am trying to get back into fitness and I follow some favorite sports teams and am excited about the upcoming World Cup!
What I've learned is that it's important to have offline interests and engage physically with the world around you if you want to be all around healthy in mind, body and spirit. That should reduce stress and help stave off burnout and stimulates your creativity.
... and if you are getting older, this helps you have the energy to stay current with industry skills, trends, and the younger up and coming superstar designers. ;-)
General wrenching. Working on, tinkering, modifying cars. I've had several over the years, various motor builds, all a great time.
Sitting on the computer all day is pretty dreary, so it helps to get outside, get dirty and bust a few knuckles.
Also, amateur powerlifting.
Surely I can't be the only one.
Musician; been in several bands in Boston. I also play ice hockey.
Photography. Was actually working as a photographer/retoucher/assistant for a couple of years. Love gaming also, but lately haven't really had time to do it.
Mountain Biking, Urban Exploring. I've explored some sweet abandoned phosphate mines here in Florida.
Ultimate frisbee! It's fun and it's an awesome way to stay in shape.
Wakeboarding, snowboarding and CrossFit. Just getting outside in general.
I take Krav Maga a few times a week, it takes my mind off everything when you're in the midst of combat with another person. Helps me think clearer, and have fresher ideas when I get home and start designing.
Food blog: http://www.oystersandbourbon.com.
It's my first foray into using a theme in wordpress. I'm currently learning the basics of HTML and CSS...so I'm using some of my newly-gained knowledge to make some small tweaks to a theme I purchased. Baby steps into eventually making my own themes.
Also, it's just another creative outlet. Designers can never have enough of that.
I play videogames a good amount. I like looking at and solving problems with intangible solutions (different forms of teamwork, for example)...
I also fiddle with Arduino experiments, fix TVs, monitors etc.. or try to understand anything else in the electronics world. It satisfies a curiosity to understand how the insides of these things work.. the things that I spend my whole day looking at, creating on, and interacting with.
Snowboarding! 
I'm a singer songwriter.
Cycling, cooking, eating out, food in general. That's where the cycling comes in handy!
Airsoft! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi7BmCmoHns
Cant get enough :)
I've been a bit all over the place since finishing Uni, but now I've got a gang together for mountain hiking every couple of weeks - http://pnprfct.co/7ualh050
Cricket. I play Cricket.
Building model cars. Although I've been so busy recently I haven't done much.
Sailing. I race on a 33-foot sailboat two nights a week during the summer, and try to get out on weekends too if it's good weather. It can be exciting, it can be relaxing, it can be a good workout, and there's a lot of strategy involved. If you ever get the chance to sail, you should definitely try it.
(Also, photography and guitar to a lesser extent.)
Videomixing and writing.
Writing because I like telling stories (and UX is all about stories).
Videomixing because it's creative and colourful.
(I also play bass, but it's a bit boring when you're not in a band.)
Recording and music production.. Currently a bit on hold to work on some design-related projects, but hopefully I'll get back to it soon :)
I'm very involved in the RC world. Planes, Quadcopters (or as they're more popularly being called now, drones.) Boats, etc. I love attaching my little Mobius camera to them and getting awesome aerial video. I fly mostly FPV too which means I have a little camera streaming video to a pair of video goggles I wear. It's such an immersive experience. So fun.
Music (Harmonica / Guitar / Ukelele / Cow Bell) Anything active (Crossfit, hiking, snowboarding...)
All these things help my mind roam a bit more freely than when I'm focused directly on a problem.
Drawing/Personal projects (I have various ones I've started and yet to finish) T25/Insanity/Exercising: to get away from the computer and have my brain feel less cluttered with all my projects.
Once I get my website fixed, I hope to start writing/blogging.
Outside of artistic projects, camping and anything outdoors (i love preparing emergency kits for some reason too), tinkering with electronics and computers and whittling.
I make music, take photos and start weird projects.
Exercise/lifting weights and coming soon I plan on building my own distillery.
So many PC games, so little time...
DOTA has recently infected my gametime. I can't seem to step away from it...Beware.
I've played League of Legends - had to remove it from my machine, spent way too much time in it. I miss it :P
My girlfriend Playing basketball (currently play in 3 competitions) Coding (working on a game) Playing/watching video games Writing for www.CelticsBlog.com Painting miniature knights and dragons and stuff
.edit:yes, I edited my girlfriend in there. No she didn't force me. Yes she could've.
Nice! I'm not much of a sports person – last time I played basketball I didn't hold back so, I felt like dying the next day.
That's the point mate ;)
I like tinkering around with electronics. I think just the act of switching mediums helps improve and inform your creativity.
Nice! What is that little cube thingy?
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