This week, I was introduced to the world of white papers. Despite reading my fair share over the years, I never knew they had a specific name. White papers are used as a tool to bridge the gap between research and practical application. Industries publish these magazine-like articles to address problems within the field and offer actionable steps to alleviate the issue. Because of their format, white papers are easily shareable and can spread like wildfire through email chains and workspace hubs.

In the design field, white papers are used to discuss topics such as sustainable design practices, copyright issues, and workplace culture. Any topic can make for a great white paper that has the potential to shift dynamics and industry standards. 

I took inspiration from what I’ve learned about focus, flow, and deep work to discuss how designers face a multitude of distractions throughout the day, which affect their quality of work and wellbeing. Specifically in creative fields, the ability to fall into a flow state is crucial for innovative work. With countless meetings, continuous notification dings, and expectations of quick turnarounds, saying this state of working is hard to achieve is an understatement. Possible solutions range from individual habit changes to a complete restructuring of an office space. Depending on a company’s needs and resources, much can be done to create a work environment that promotes deep work and innovation without compromising collaboration.

To check out my white paper on how to find your design flow, click here.