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“Katamari Mindset” transformed my approach to software and life
A few years back, I found myself unexpectedly captivated by a video game called Katamari Damacy. I’m not usually a big gamer, but this one was different. The premise is simple but addictive: you roll a ball around, collecting random items until your ball is big enough to become a star. Isn’t that beautiful?
“is this video game changing my life right now?”
While playing one day, I had an epiphany: “Is this video game changing my life right now?” At that time, I was managing my first design system. I was processing big feelings about the constant feedback of the system, thinking my job was to be the all-knowing expert on everything design systems. However, watching the game’s adorable character, “the prince,” roll up item after item made me realize something profound. What if my role wasn’t about leading solo but rather about gathering and synthesizing the best ideas quickly to create something amazing? In the game, your ball can only pick up items of a certain size based on how big it already is. Similarly, in design systems (or any project), you need a solid foundation before tackling larger challenges.
