Ask HN: Pen and paper vs. using an app to brainstorm ideas

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33199244

by DCodes1 • 4 years ago

4 12 4 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

After talking to other independent developers who build apps, many of them mentioned that they use pen and paper/iCloud notes over apps and tools, mainly due to easy of use and speed. Which method do you prefer?

powerbroker• 4 years ago

For the last 30 years, 90% has been paper, and 10% has been via online notes or whiteboards. I've also led brainstorming sessions among engineering groups.

DCodes16• 4 years ago

Nice! Curious - why paper over an online or digital tool?

viraptor• 4 years ago

Depends on the context. Planning some task list? Something that uses lines of text or task cards. Infrastructure? Draw.io.

I can't say I have a preference - what is easiest to access at the time will do. But never pen and paper - I'll need to share this anyway, so writing it twice seems like a waste of time.

DCodes16• 4 years ago

When brainstorming ideas for personal apps, do you use draw.io as well?

bosky101• 4 years ago

My process is

Pen & paper Then mock-ups Then high fidelity

Before showing to devs so that there is no ambiguity

DCodes16• 4 years ago

I like this. If you're designing an app, as I'm assuming you're a UX/UI designer (correct me if I'm wrong), and you have ideas, do you write down some of those ideas first, or just start sketching screens?

GianFabien• 4 years ago

Pencil and paper to draw diagrams, sketches, etc. Structured text files to capture thoughts that don't require pictures.

I actually have two desks in my office. One with three LCDs and minitower. Another facing a window with no technology, except the phone. Having a context shift helps better support the very different thinking modes.

DCodes16• 4 years ago

Smart. Keep it simple.

What do you use, or what's your method for categorizing ideas for projects? Is that done in text files as well?

the_only_law2• 4 years ago

I’ve been using draw.io to kinda play with and design high level architectures for some of my projects, mostly out of convenience. I don’t really write or draw stuff out by hand because I don’t usually have a writing utensil nearby.

DCodes16• 4 years ago

What makes you use draw.io over other apps like Notion?

the_only_law2• 4 years ago

To be honest familiarity. I found draw.ok yeah wars ago. I’d be willing to look at other tooLs if they seemed to fit my use.

Ask HN: Pen and paper vs. using an app to brainstorm ideas

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