In 2020 I wrote an article under the title “Sketching and Quick Ideation in Design Processes”, which aimed to draw focus on the powerful narrative that is created when teams utilize Sketching exercises, to rapidly devise visible and potential solutions for users to respond to. This article and reflection is a continuation of that article, and focuses specifically on the immense power underlying prototypes, which of course have different levels of refinement, and how they can inform the direction in which solutions can go, and pierce through the longing and needs of users.

Prototypes, Early Validations, Lean Processes. The Interaction…

I’ve been fortunate to have worked across a wide variety of products and industries, all of which present themselves with a set of challenges, constraints and requirements that are quite unique. However when it comes to the essence of a solution, and what we’re solving for, I’ll always remember the very wise words of a former co-worker, “who are we solving this problem for, and what are these individuals planning on getting accomplished”. As teams go through a Design Thinking process, and distill research findings, the results of early validation processes, and as possible venues of implementation are considered, it’s…

April//23//2021

Here are some interesting finds on UI/UX of the week!

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Soft Skills Driving Value in Uncertain Times. Interesting article hailing from Fast Company on the topic of Soft Skills being sought after by Hiring Managers in this new environment, we all find ourselves in. These are skills that cross beyond technology driven jobs, these are essentially applicable to any candidate on the market right now, trying to make an impression and advance to another phase in their career paths. The article highlights skills such as Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, Empathy, Initiative, Tenacity, to name but a few. Worth reading and reflecting…

April//16//2021

Here are some interesting finds on UI/UX of the week!

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Art Direction in Web Products. Very interesting article from author Oliver Lindberg, specifically on the topic of how Art Direction can and does bring a distinct voice to web products. As I’ve written in some of my own articles, there’s a troublesome issue in rapidly adhering to trends, without considering the narrative of the brand being told, and just as importantly, whom is it being told to. This article looks at a series of professionals in the industry who offer their thoughts on this topic, while also providing some guidelines…

This article is a direct sequel to the one I wrote in February of 2021. A batch of additional questions kept popping up, which prompted me to organize these answers into a hopefully coherent article. The topics which are tackled in this article include Design Leadership, Trends in the Design Universe, the relevance of Design Education when applying for opportunities on the Job Market and finally, deciding if an opportunity is worth staying with or just moving on to more rewarding scenarios and situations. As always I’m hoping these reflections, which marry research and experience, spark fruitful discussions.

Can there…

April//9//2021

Here are some interesting finds on UI/UX of the week!

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Effective User Interviews. User Interviews are of course one of the most rewarding and informative aspects pertaining to research, and ultimately understanding Users wants and needs, not to mention their journeys into choosing a particular solution, and remaining faithful to it. Effective user Interviews require preparation, both from the standpoint of scripting, preparation, research of the attendees, but also from the standpoint of understanding the interviewee, allowing the users to speak freely, while also remaining on topic. This article provides some very interesting recommendations, including Interview Structures, Onboarding and Post…

April//2//2021

Here are some interesting finds on UI/UX of the week!

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Impactful quotes on UX Design (Product Design Experiences). Interesting article hailing from the Dribbble blog, focused on quotes from relevant and iconic Personalities, all of whom have had a lasting impression in carving out unique Product Experiences (or thought processes). The Quotes include luminaries such as Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs and Alan Cooper to name but a few. These brief quotes, allow us all to reflect on the succinct power of a well directed message and how that same message can have such a profound meaning when crafting Product Experiences…

Another topic that has floated around my list of potential articles is Strategy in Design. Strategy is a richly layered word, but for the sake of this article, I’ll funnel its meaning to the Product Design Universe. That term is typically associated with professionals of a certain seniority, who are essentially outlining the canvas for Design driven initiatives, taking into consideration a variety of factors (including resources, cost, brand positioning, market evolution, user adoption, the list goes on). It’s also an initiative which will typically marry information obtained from Research endeavors, cross collaboration with diverse teams and departments, while also…