Designing Differently
It’s human nature to develop routines, to feel comfort in the status quo, and repeat what’s been done before. This helps with everyday living, but it kills designers whose job it is to continually innovate. So, how do you fight it? By breaking out of your rut and designing differently. The next time you are […]
Decision Making for Designers
Design indecision is usually caused by either being unclear on why you’re doing something, or you not being aware of the future impact of your options. There are two pieces of advice I give to designers that allow them to get unstuck and take action: take two steps back, and map the future. Take two […]
Finding Design Courage
Being courageous is not something you plan for, it’s a choice. Witnessing something happen that you don’t agree with can be an opportunity to be courageous. You can choose to do something about it, or you can just watch it happen. I worked at an online auction startup that started losing ground to the competition. […]
Design For The Bottom Line
As a designer in the UX world, your job is to champion the user. That underrepresented group that lacks a seat at the decision making table. You negotiate with stakeholders from all of the other departments, and of course, project stakeholders. Sometimes it feels like you are alone, fighting for what’s best for the user. […]
Why Parallel Design Works
When you create one design, the review meeting will be focused on that single idea. If it is approved, you’re almost done. If it isn’t approved, you’re back to the drawing board grappling with feedback and improving your idea. Then, you’re at the second review meeting to talk about your idea. If it’s approved, you’re […]
Defending Your Design
When I coach designers who are bracing themselves to “defend their design”, I first make them understand that a design review is not a zero sum negotiation. It is not about one party winning and the other losing. In fact, when that happens, it turns out everybody on the team loses. They lose trust, become […]