Starting from a blank sheet of paper is difficult. We all have our habits and we all have our small rituals before we start working on a new project. What is it for you? Is it turning on the music? Sharpening a pencil? Cleaning the desk?
Ask HN: What is the first thing you do before starting a new project?
1–10 of 46 posts
Re: Ask HN: What is the first thing you do before starting a new project?
#2Usually buy a new Moleskine or Muji notebook.
Re: Ask HN: What is the first thing you do before starting a new project?
#3Creating a folder :D
Re: Ask HN: What is the first thing you do before starting a new project?
#4Before I hit the paper I brainstorm with someone who might use the project.
Then I spend some time sketching out the main user "actions" on paper, do a quick database table layout on paper (connecting pieces of information), then I sketch UI concepts in my notebook.
Of course, as a designer at heart, I open photoshop and blast as soon as I have some pen/paper wireframes ready.
Re: Ask HN: What is the first thing you do before starting a new project?
#5I sit down at my computer (and start). Seriously, anything more and you'll start making excuses, look for competitors, or figure out some way to justify not doing it.
Just start.
Re: Ask HN: What is the first thing you do before starting a new project?
#6 mkdir new_project && cd new_project
git init .Re: Ask HN: What is the first thing you do before starting a new project?
#7I create the project in my head then transfer it to the computer....its weird...but true
Re: Ask HN: What is the first thing you do before starting a new project?
#8File>New>New Project
Re: Ask HN: What is the first thing you do before starting a new project?
#9I think about what I am going to make, then if one week later that idea or project came to mind again. I start sketching a basic implementation of it.
Re: Ask HN: What is the first thing you do before starting a new project?
#10I figure out what exactly I am doing, and more importantly why exactly I am doing it. It's easy to sit down and thing "I want to change the world, I want to beat Facebook of Google at their game, I want to develop an awesome game or a tool that everyone needs." Ideas are a dime a dozen. It's the hows and whys of an idea that really define the scope, complexity, and execution of your project.