/ˈstāsəs/
noun
- a period or state of inactivity
This is where I am. Inactive. And with the end of the internship class creeping closer on the calendar, that inactivity is starting to breed a real sense of worry.
In the world of web design, we talk a lot about “flow” and “user journeys”. We don’t talk about the quiet, frustrating periods where the cursor stays still while the deadline doesn’t. Stasis isn’t just a lack of movement; it’s the friction that occurs when the technical side of a project is ready to sprint, but the human side – the decision-making and asset-gathering side – is still tying its shoes. I’m starting to feel the weight of the clock, wondering if these projects will reach the finish line by the time the semester wraps up.
The BBBS Alignment
On the Big Brothers Big Sisters project, the challenge has shifted from “How do I make Squarespace do this?” to “What do we really want from this redesign?” It’s a classic pivot. We’ve hit a point where the stakeholders aren’t quite on the same page, which has sent the project back into a deep review of their core wants and needs. It’s a reminder that you can’t build a digital home if the architects are still arguing over the floor plan. While I’m eager to get back into the editor, I’ve had to accept that any work I do right now would likely be undone later. Designing without alignment isn’t progress, it’s just busywork. So I entered stasis when I really wanted to spend Spring break getting the bulk of the project done.
The Farmer Dan Waiting Room
Meanwhile, the Farmer Dan project is facing a different kind of issue. After our initial strategy session, I’m currently waiting for the vital assets – a template decision, the photos, and the specific copy – that will actually bring the Wix site to life. There is a specific kind of restlessness that comes from having a blank canvas and a set of professional tools ready to go, but no “paint” to put on the screen. No matter how much I want to make headway, I’m learning that a designer’s timeline is really not their own.
The Lesson in the Lag
I won’t pretend it isn’t frustrating. This week is teaching me about the invisible work of design – patience and communication. Gentle nudges to release the bottleneck.
This stasis is a part of the process. I’m keeping the motor running – the moment the assets drop or the decisions are made, I’ll be ready to shift back into gear, hopefully with enough time left to bring it all home.
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