Rule #1 - Get close to the metal
       
     
Rule #2 - Submit bugs
       
     
Rule #3 - Digest the whole system
       
     
Rule #4 - Increase the fidelity
       
     
Rule #5 - Knoll
       
     
Rule #1 - Get close to the metal
       
     
Rule #1 - Get close to the metal

Kris working strange magic with circuit boards

The metal.  Sometimes it's the actual metal of the hardware.  But "the metal" just means where the technical action is. Do not let things become a black box. Flash your device. Download nightly builds.

Rule #2 - Submit bugs
       
     
Rule #2 - Submit bugs

I never could find any bugs with Steven's stuff

First of all - don't be that long email guy. Use the systems of record for your bug finding.  But more importantly, use the product so much you feel compelled to add a few bugs in the morning. It earns respect and pays back in quality.

Rule #3 - Digest the whole system
       
     
Rule #3 - Digest the whole system

This sketch made sense to me at the time

Increasingly what we build is so big and complex, that we can't keep it all in our heads. Platform / Cloud / App / API / Accessory / Device and more. But it's our job to understand the whole system, and poke at crazy business rules and system constraints.  Most likely there'll be design issues hidden in the cracks.

Rule #4 - Increase the fidelity
       
     
Rule #4 - Increase the fidelity

Nicole and Brody bathing in the artificial glow of the light box

My descending order of fidelity is: 
1) proto beats interactive demo
2) demo beats animation
3) animation beats pixel perfect mock
4) mock beats spec document
5) spec document beats wireframe
6) wireframe beats sketch.

Rule #5 - Knoll
       
     
Rule #5 - Knoll

Even the dolls must be knolled.

It's a cliche.  But it's true.  Good designers tend to knoll the hell out of everything.  Your layers, your folders, your filenames, your desk, your books and if you must - every inch of your desk again before you leave for the day (I must).  

Tom Sachs had it right about this thing at least.