THE IMPORTANCE OF PROCESS
OVER OUTCOME.
“it’s not what you do, but way you do it.”1
The designers at Tomato - a studio based in London published a book titled,
Process: A Tomato Project, which is a visual journey of the importance of
process. The book is without full stops, and capital letters, to portray the
notion of how process is continuous. My research thesis is about exactly
that: to show the importance of process over outcome. I aim to cover why
outcome has become so important over the years (Approval & Technology)
and how I would like to believe are the ways to make process important
again (Being, Pauses, Kids).
Having grown up in Singapore, I was part of an education system, which
subtly encouraged students to memorise and regurgitate answers during
IT’S NOT WHAT YOU DO,
BUT THE WAY YOU DO IT.
their examinations.2 The proven way to do well in school was to study so
hard to the point of memorising textbooks and simply regurgitate it out
during the examination. My only goal was to do well in the examination;
to get a good outcome; even if it meant I did not fully understand what
I was being taught. Subconsciously, I was being taught that the outcome
was more important than the process.
Now at the age of 24, and after having spent 4 years in Australia, I want
to change my perspective on life. I am fighting all my natural instincts;
everything that I was taught while growing up. The idea of focusing on
the process rather than outcome intrigues me, and it is something I want
to incorporate into my daily life. So bear with me, as I take you through a
journey of my research of the importance of process over outcome.
1
Tomato, Process: A Tomato Project 1996, 1st Edition, Thomas & Hudson Ltd, London, n.p.
2
Chen, E 2002, My Opinions of the Problems of the Singapore Education System, Human Bean,
viewed on the 30th May 2010, <http://eric.rainbowhuman.com/article-Problems-of-Singapore-EducationSystem.php>
Unique Individuals
Before moving into the whys and hows of the importance of process,
we must first agree that we, as human beings, are all uniquely different.
There are no two people in the world who are identical. Even identical
twins are different; they are two completely separate beings. Our life
experiences shape us to who we become and ultimately defines who we are.
Two people who go through the same circumstance will take away different
experiences because of their different personalities. Both their experiences
may be similar in nature, but never the exactly the same.3
This is what sets us apart as human beings; we are all uniquely different.
Approval
WE ARE ALL UNIQUELY DIFFERENT.
Now that we are on the same page, we can move into how the focus has
shifted to outcome over the years. I believe the first reason is because of the
need for approval.
I have been encouraged to believe that we are all created for love. To love
and to be loved.4 Every religion has the element of love. Christianity, Islam,
Hinduism, Judaism, Taoism; all these religions have a form of love, be it
through karma, doing good deeds, loving each other, or God himself as
Love. Even if you do not believe in a religion per say, you cannot deny that
there is an inherent desire in every human being to find love.5
And out of this unexplainable inherent need for love, comes approval.
3
Yeatts Jr, H 1997, Human Beings Living Together, Simply Complicated – Understanding the
Human Being, viewed on 21st May 2010, <http://www.threeleggeddragon.com/writings/simply/simple.living.
html>
4
Mc Kenney, M.R 2010, Notes from the Counsellor on Approval Seeking, Associate Content,
viewed on 20th May 2010, <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/52216/notes_from_the_counselor_
on_approval_pg2.html?cat=25>
5
Thomas, M 2010, Atheism, Love and Morality, Atheists from Silicon Valley, viewed on the 20th
May 2010 < http://www.godlessgeeks.com/LINKS/LoveAndMorality.htm>
From a very young age, we seek approval from our parents, as a sign of
We need to remember that we are human and are all uniquely different
love.6 We then grow up and seek approval from others – friends, colleagues,
from each other and hence cannot be defined. In Fight Club, Jack says to
teachers, peers, bosses and the people around us. We long for approval;
himself “What kind of dining room set defines me as a person?” It’s almost
we want to be accepted in society. Since we are created for love and to love,
as if life has become one big Ikea store: pick and choose your path in life
surely this need for approval is not such a bad thing?
but stay within the boundaries of the catalogue. We were designed to be
hunters, but instead we live in a society of shopping.12
The problem is that the more we seek approval from others, the faster we
lose our sense of self. We become easily manipulated and shaped into what
As creatives, do we influence society and culture? Or does the society and
others want us to become rather than what we want to become.
culture around influence us?13 From young, I always had the impression
7
that a city is defined by the people. Could it be that it has become to the
For example, in Singapore, the benchmark for success is the ability to
point where the people are defined by the city rather than vice versa?
achieve the 5Cs (Car, Condominium, Cash, Country Club and Credit
Card).8 Children are taught from a young age to work hard and aim high,
Andy Warhol was an artist that had a major influence on America and the
and strive for this perception of success. We have a need to constantly stay
rest of the world. He was a pivotal figure in the Pop Art movement in the
ahead; we want to prove ourselves to the people around us. We have set
1950s and was described as “one of the most influential artists of the 20th
paths to choose in life, instead of creating our own path in life.
Century.”14 Andy said “As soon as I became a loner in my own mind, that’s
9
when I got what you might call a following.”15 Andy Warhol never needed
We have seem to let our jobs define who we are, instead of defining our
the approval of anyone, except from himself. He did what he wanted,
jobs. “Do we always need to force square pegs into round holes?” The idea
whenever he wanted. He was true to himself, and because of this, success
of square pegs fitting into round holes is an absurd one, but unconsciously
followed.16 I am led to believe his success was merely a by-product of his
we have been sucked in this system. We allow the material things around us
willingness to follow his heart.
10
define us; and the sad part of it is that they are merely things. “To name is
to control”.11
6
Mc Kenney, M.R 2010, Notes from the Counsellor on Approval Seeking, Associate Content,
viewed on 20th May 2010, <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/52216/notes_from_the_counselor_
on_approval_pg3.html?cat=25>
7
Mc Kenney, M.R 2010, Notes from the Counsellor on Approval Seeking, Associate Content,
viewed on 20th May 2010, <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/52216/notes_from_the_counselor_
on_approval_pg3.html?cat=25>
8
Lim, C (2010) The Other 5Cs in Singapore, catherlinelim.sg: Political Commentaries on Singapore, viewed on the 20th of May 2010, <http://catherinelim.sg/2010/01/22/the-other-5-cs-in-singapore/>
9
Tomato, Process: A Tomato Project 1996, 1st Edition, Thomas & Hudson Ltd, London, n.p
10
Tomato, Process: A Tomato Project 1996, 1st Edition, Thomas & Hudson Ltd, London, n.p.
11
Tomato, Process: A Tomato Project 1996, 1st Edition, Thomas & Hudson Ltd, London, n.p.
12
Fincher, D 1999, quoted in Gavin Smith “Inside Out”, Film Comment, New York, Sept/Oct
1999, Vol 35 Issue 5 pg 58-66
13
Rothe-Kusel, J 2002, Fight Club : A Ritual Cure For The Spiritual Ailment Of American Masculinity, The Film Journal, viewed on 20th May 2010, <http://www.thefilmjournal.com/issue8/fightclub.html>
14
Moffat, C 2007, The Prince of Pop Art, Andy Warhol, The Art History Archive - Pop Artist,
viewed on the 20th of May 2010, < http://www.lilithgallery.com/arthistory/popart/Andy-Warhol.html>
15
Warhol, A 1928, The Philosophies of Andy Warhol, 1st Edition, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New
York & London, pg23
16
Moffat, C 2007, The Prince of Pop Art, Andy Warhol, The Art History Archive - Pop Artist,
viewed on the 20th of May 2010, < http://www.lilithgallery.com/arthistory/popart/Andy-Warhol.html>
Technology
We live in a world where technology is advancing at such a frightening pace
with no signs of slowing down.17 In his book Faster, author James Gleick
writes that before the automobile defined a quicker way to travel, there was
no slow way. Movement is only slow when compared to something faster.18
The advancements in technology has helped us save time and effort but as a
result, our lives move at a much quicker pace.
For example, computers and the Internet have enabled us to communicate
with people instantly from another continent through emails and online
chats instead of having to hand write a letter and post it which would take
days, if not weeks, for it to reach the intended recipient. Posting a letter has
LIFE HAS BECOME AN
ENDLESS RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK.
now been labelled as “snail mail”. What seemed normal to society before
the age of computers and Internet now has a connotation of the pace of a
snail tagged to it. Other examples include Speed Dating, Power Naps and
Speed Mediation.
What technology has done is that it has helped us save time, but instead of
having more time on our hands, we have less time because we fill up the
spare time that technology has created with other activities. Award-winning
Canadian author Carl Honore explains in his book In Praise of Slowness that
in the last 150 years how life has become much faster and has become
“an endless race against the clock”. 19
17
Kroll, K (2000), Technology’s Blistering Pace Shows No Sign Of Stopping as the Internet Invades
All: From IPOs to M&A, the dot-com world keeps getting bigger, High Beam Research, viewed on the 21st of
May 2010, <http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-58515298.html#mlt>
18
19
Honore, C 2010, In Praise of Slowness, Carl Honore, viewed on the 23rd May of 2010, <http://
www.carlhonore.com/?page_id=6>
Technology is constantly making everything become more automated;
It seems like with the advancement of technology, it is inevitable that
allowing us to lead simpler lives, or so it seems. With a touch of a button,
computers and technology will soon have the capability of replacing
we are able to achieve an outcome in a short span of time. Tasks that used
humans altogether. In the Oscar winning animation Wall E, Pixar portrays
to be time consuming and strenuous not require little or even no effort at
how life will be as a result of the over reliance on technology and lack of
all. We no longer ever get our hands dirty; we have become a generation
process. The movie shows how because of the convenience and over reliance
of clicks and buttons.20 Everything has become convenient because of the
on the automation of technology, humans become obese and ignorant to the
wonders of technology.
world they live in.22
An example of the wonders of technology would be the IPA; the Intelligent
The need for approval and advancement in technology has, and will
Parking Assistant that Toyota and BMW have invented in recent years.
continue to change the way we live life. The strive for success and solution;
Drivers no longer need to maneuver their way into car parks but instead
in the quickest and most efficient way possible; has been the driving force
can rely on the IPA to automatically park their vehicle for them. Other
in the progress in modern society. As a result of this, the recognition of the
examples include Volkswagen developing a car that can drive itself even at
value of process has dropped over time.23
high speeds, and BMW producing a car that race around a track without
the need for human control.21
On the popular TV series Top Gear, the host Jeremy Clarkson test drives
the BMW i330 Track Trainer; the car that was designed to race around the
track automatically. The car has the ability to turn corners at high speeds,
breaking when necessary and accelerate when appropriate in order to cover
the track in the fastest time possible, all without human control. At the
end of the lap, Jeremy sarcastically exclaims, “Stig (who is the regular track
trainer), you are sacked. You are fired.”
20
Zook, D 2007, The Restless Generation, A Lesson Learned: Ruminations on Alternative Education and Life, viewed on 21st of May 2010, <http://potterwheel.blogspot.com/2007/11/restless-generation.
html>
21
Fresh Creation 2007, BMW races itself, Fresh Creation: Inspiration for Creative Minds, viewed on
21st May 2010, <http://www.freshcreation.com/entry/bmw_races_by_itself/>
22
IMDB 2008, Wall-E, The Internet Movie Database, viewed on the 23rd of May 2010, <http://
www.imdb.com/title/tt0910970/synopsis>
23
Tomato, Process: A Tomato Project 1996, 1st Edition, Thomas & Hudson Ltd, London, n.p.
Why is process important?
“The paths travelled by us can be travelled once and once alone.”24
I support the notion that experience is lived through process, which
ultimately shapes us as individuals and defines us. Experience is an essential
component in life, and hence so is process. I would like to think that
solutions and outcomes merely depend on the circumstances of that time
period. For example, a design that was effective in the 1950s may not be as
effective in 1990s because of how life has changed over time. Since solutions
and outcomes are inevitably commodities, their success is linked to the
trends at that point in time.
WHY PROCESS?
Process, on the other hand, because of its unique nature, does not fade with
time. It cannot be defined. The process makes us human; it keeps us alive.
“We are people, not definitions or even things.”25
Fade to Black
My inspiration for this thesis started when I chanced across a Polaroid
film called Fade To Black. After a photograph is taken, the film slowly
changes to black over a 48 hour period.26 The end result is black; complete
darkness. The idea of this intrigued me. The film is like a visualization of
time. It is almost as if time tears at the picture’s existence in fast forward. It
encapsulates everything about the concept of the importance of process.
24
Tomato, Process: A Tomato Project 1996, 1st Edition, Thomas & Hudson Ltd, London, n.p.
25
Tomato, Process: A Tomato Project 1996, 1st Edition, Thomas & Hudson Ltd, London, n.p.
26
Impossible 2009, SX-70 FadeToBlack Film 10/2009, Impossible, viewed on the 4th of June 2010,
<http://shop.the-impossible-project.com/shop/film/sx70/fi_sx70_1_1009_fade>
Being
In his book Europeans, Henri Cartier Bresson said, “Whether you are
passing through or staying put, in order to give expression to a country or
I am inclined to take the position that the idea of being is one that is lost in
situation you must have established, somewhere, working in close relations,
this day and age.
be supported by a human community; living takes time, roots form
slowly...”32 He was never in a hurry to use his camera; he understood that
The advancement of technology has caused our generation (Generation Y)
only by fully being in a moment can one capture life’s fleeting moments in
to become a restless generation.27 In 2004, Pediatrics magazine published
it’s purest form.
a study stating that watching television regularly produced impulsive and
restless behaviour.28
I have observed and concluded that we have lost the ability to fully just
be in a moment, but instead we need to constantly be doing something.
For example, as a professional wedding photographer, I attend many
weddings a year and at every wedding I’ve been to, at least 50% of the
guests are snapping photographs during the ceremony. There is a need to
do something; despite the ceremony already being documented by a hired
professional. We feel the need to possess, the need to own something.29
We cannot simply just be, and enjoy the fleeting moment.
Henri Cartier Bresson is one of the most influential figures in the history
of photography.30 His breath taking images drew me towards him, and
his philosophies of life altered my perspective of life. He had a great
When asked what nationality he was, Henri Cartier Bresson replied, “I’m a
Pole, a Czech, an Italian, a Fruilian, a Ladin, a Slovene, a Croat, a Slovak,
a Ruthenian…”33 He immersed himself in each country’s different culture;
and I believe as a result of that mentality, he was able to produce such
stunning images.
In the movie Bright Star, Poet John Keats likened understanding poems
to diving into a lake. “The point of diving into a lake is not immediately
to swim to the shore but to be in the lake, to luxuriate in the sensation of
water. You do not work the lake out, it is a experience beyond thought.”34
In order to fully appreciate the process, we must be able to just be, without
any regard for time.
understanding of the idea of being, and recognised the fact that as a
photographer, he would always be an intruder to any situation.
“One is, alas, always an intruder.”31
27
Deloitte Development LLC 2010, Generation Y: Powerhouse of the Global Economy, Deloitte,
viewed 21st May 2010, <http://deloitte.com/view/en_US/us/Services/consulting/consulting-services/
human-capital/Talent-Consulting-Consultant-Consultants-Human-Capital/article/a90f49624dff0210VgnVCM100000ba42f00aRCRD.htm>
28
Yan, S 2006, Understanding Generation Y, The Oberlin Review, viewed on the 21st of May 2010,
<http://www.oberlin.edu/stupub/ocreview/2006/12/08/features/Understanding_Generation_Y.html>
29
Tomato, Process: A Tomato Project 1996, 1st Edition, Thomas & Hudson Ltd, London, n.p.
30
The Museum of Modern Art 2010, Henri Cartier Bresson: The Modern Century, MoMA, viewed
on the 21st of May 2010, <http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/968>
31
Bresson, H.C 1940, Master Of The Moment, New Internationalist, viewed on the 26th of May
2010 <http://www.newint.org/columns/essays/2004/10/01/cartier-bresson/>
32
Clair, J, Europeans 1998, 1st Edition, Thames & Hudon Ltd, London, pg 5.
33
Clair, J, Europeans 1998, 1st Edition, Thames & Hudon Ltd, London, pg 5
34
Keats, J 2009, Memorable Quotes for Bright Star, The Internet Movie Database, viewed on the
21st of May 2010, <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810784/quotes>
Pauses
In order to have no regard for time, we must first acknowledge that pauses
are essential in life.
Pauses are a form of disengagement; a process of productive inactivity.
We cannot deny that pauses as essential in life. Music rests in beats, eyes
blink while looking, we must sleep in order to live.35 Without pauses,
we simply cannot live.
In Halberstadt, John Cage composed the slowest and longest concert
the world has ever heard playing. The song, “Organ 2 / ASLAP” will be
performed over 639 years in the church of St Burchardi. The song began in
PAUSE.
2001 and was designed to be played as slow as possible. It has only reached
its sixth note to date, with the next musical change in November 2010.36
The project is a perception of time; the idea of time and space among art.
Artist Jonathan Monk says, “If you stare at a blank page for long enough,
it starts to move.”37
35
Caserta, J 2003, Pause: Productive Inactivity, Essays, viewed on 26th May 2010, <http://
johncaserta.com/yale/text/4.html>
36
Cage, J 2008, One Thousand Hear Change of Note in World’s Longest Concert, ASLSP – John
Cage Orgerloprojeckt Halberstadt, viewed on the 26th of May 2010, <http://www.john-cage.halberstadt.de/
new/index.php?l=e>
37
Caserta, J 2003, Pause: Productive Inactivity, Essays, viewed on 26th May 2010, <http://
johncaserta.com/yale/text/4.html>
Things happen amidst the pauses of life, but we are always in too much of
Children subconsciously learn the idea of process through play; which is
a hurry to notice. I once heard this analogy: if a photographer was given
essential for every child’s growth.41 They experience life without any idea
a bottle of water to photograph with a set time of 1 minute, he would
of the world’s standards or limitations. They experience the world in a trial
produce images of the bottle which most people would typically have seen
and error method and hence have no notion of outcome, which is effectively
before. But give him that same bottle and tell him that he has 30 minutes to
is purely process.42 In fact, children are so gifted that successful scientists
photograph the bottle as creatively as possible, by the end of the session,
equate their success because they emulate what children do naturally.43
he would probably have an array of amazing images.
Fascination
Process takes time. It’s as simple as that. A rushed process will bring about
a short changed experience. In order to gain the full experience of a process,
We need to start being fascinated by the things around us again, like we
there can be no time limit. We need to “stop and smell the roses” ; to learn
once were when we were kids. Fascination brings about excitement, which
to appreciate life in its finest details again – the whisper of the wind,
in turn stimulates ideas and possibilities. Children have the unique ability
the touch of fabric against skin, the beauty of darkness.
to pick up several languages during the ages of six and seven because of
38
their fascination.44 American entrepreneur Jim Rohm says, “Fascination
Andy Warhol once said, “Sometimes the little times you don’t think are
goes a little bit beyond interest. Interested people want to know does it
anything while they’re happening turn out to be what marks a whole period
work. Fascinated people want to know how does it work.”45
of your life.”39
When we choose to be fascinated by the world around us, the world
Kids
becomes a more interesting place. Things that would never normally catch
our attention suddenly inspire us. We become intrigued with everything,
If we look at children, we can learn about how to appreciate process in its
and that is one of the keys to focusing on process.
most natural state. A child’s fascination; their eagerness to explore; their
wild imagination and idealistic dreams are some of the things that we as
adults lose along the way while growing up.40
38
Author Unknown
39
Caserta, J 2003, Pause: Productive Inactivity, Essays, viewed on 26th May 2010, <http://
johncaserta.com/yale/text/4.html>
40
McBroom, Patricia 1999, Scientists in the Crib Use Adults as Lab Rats, Berkeleyan, viewed on the
4th of June 2010, <http://www.berkeley.edu/news/berkeleyan/1999/0825/crib.html>
41
Raising Children Network 2009, Why Play is Important, Raising Children Network, viewed on
the 4th of June 2010, <http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/why_play_is_important.html>
42
Fernie, D 2000, The Nature of Children’s Play, Kids Source Online, viewed on 4th of June 2010,
<http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/nature.of.childs.play.html>
43
McBroom, Patricia 1999, Scientists in the Crib Use Adults as Lab Rats, Berkeleyan, viewed on the
4th of June 2010, <http://www.berkeley.edu/news/berkeleyan/1999/0825/crib.html>
44
Fernie, D 2000, The Nature of Children’s Play, Kids Source Online, viewed on 4th of June 2010,
<http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/nature.of.childs.play.html>
45
Rohm, J 2010, Isn’t That Interesting...?, The Greatest Networker, viewed on the 4th of June 2010,
<http://thegreatestnetworker.org/1957/jim-rohn%E2%80%94-isnt-that-interesting/>
Exploration
Dream & Imagine
As a society, it seems we have become too comfortable with taking safe
We need to spark our imagination again and dare to dream big. As children,
paths; paths that people before us have taken, paths that we know will
we believe that anything is impossible. However, as adulthood inevitably
lead to success or a specific destination.46 Unlike process, outcomes can be
dawns upon us, we are taught to put away out childish ways and be realistic.
commodified, and hence we rather choose the more convenient option;
In school, we may start off believing that something can be done, but if we
the option that is proven to work; the option has no risk involved.
are told it cannot be done, we accept it and then believe it cannot be done.49
The beauty about exploration is that we do not know where the paths
we take may lead us. Which is also the very thing that makes us scared
of exploring in the first place. But because the paths we take lead us to
unknowns, then the possibilities are endless.47 The outcome and solutions
have the very possibility of being mind-blowing and revolutionary but
having said that, there is also an element of risk involved.
“I have a dream.”50
Martin Luther King had a dream. A dream that seemed impossible
at that time. A dream to see racial equality in America and an end to
discrimination. If we limit ourselves to the circumstances and let others
define the possibilities of life, then we are living in a box.
As designers are called to think “outside the box”, as Lakshmi Mittal said.
Exploration almost definitely brings out failure, but we have to stop seeing
failure as negative aspect but rather as another way not do something.
Thomas Edison took approximately 10,000 experiments before he invented
I believe in order to do that, we need to break away all notions of limitations
and dream again. We need to allow our imagination breathe again; the way
imagination has the ability to completely take over a child’s world.
the light bulb.48 Thomas Edison took 10,000 different paths in order to find
one successful outcome, which eventually changed the whole world.
It is suggested as designers, we need to explore more. We need not fear
failure. Instead of keeping behind the safety barrier and producing works
that have been done before, we need to have the guts to jump over and push
ourselves to the limit creatively.
46
Tomato, Process: A Tomato Project 1996, 1st Edition, Thomas & Hudson Ltd, London, n.p.
47
Tomato, Process: A Tomato Project 1996, 1st Edition, Thomas & Hudson Ltd, London, n.p.
48
Walnut, W 2001, Thomas Edison’s Million Dollar Secret, Fail your way to success, why failure
is so wonderful, viewed on the 23rd of May 2010, < http://www.wilywalnut.com/Fail-Fast-Success-FailureWonderful-Edison.html>
49
50
Tomato, Process: A Tomato Project 1996, 1st Edition, Thomas & Hudson Ltd, London, n.p.
King, M.L, 1963, said during a speech in Washington, America
Process Over Outcome
I dare not draw a conclusion to my research, lest I contradict the whole
concept of my research thesis in the first place. The journey to uncover the
importance of process will never end, but for this publication’s purpose,
I must draw it to a close.
From this I will move on to the creative output of showcasing my research.
To embark on a journey on my hands and feet, feeling my way through the
darkness. I know not where this journey may lead me, but I am going to
take that step of faith. The idea of this terrifies me; and every part of my
perfectionist nature is screaming at me not to take this road where I can
barely see where my next step is. But at the same time, there is a little part
of me that is telling me this may be the best thing that can happen to me,
and that a world of endless possibilities awaits. And today, for the first time
in my life, I am going to let that little man win.
Written: March - June 2010