UI/UX Articles and Interesting Tidbits of the Week
March//31//2023
Here are some interesting finds on UI/UX of the week!
1.
A Guide to Lean User Research. Very pertinent and relevant article from Paul Boag published through The Smashing Magazine on the topic of Lean Research. It’s an article with a very pragmatic component to it, addressing issues Designers have to portend with which includes tight deadlines, resources and how different types of research can play a fundamental role in getting the data needed, even if at times it requires these initiatives be curbed with a scope that may not be as robust as originally envisioned. The article includes recommendations such as keeping user research lightweight and running quick surveys. Worth reading through. Highlight of the article includes:
“User research can quickly become a time sink if not managed carefully. Adding more and more questions to surveys because “it would be interesting to know” will slow down the surveying process. Equally, you can waste hours simply watching user sessions back. While this context is helpful, it is better to conduct user research only when there is a specific question that needs answering.”
2.
Fintech Trends. Another great article from The Next Web, this time courtesy of author Michael Schlein. The focus is on Fintech, and how advances in this particular field can produce more inclusivity and amplify opportunities for underserved communities. The article focuses in particular in the following aspects: Embedded Finance (leveraging customer’s data to anticipate their needs and credit risk), Agtech Finance (serving Farmers and participants in their ecosystem in more effective ways) and finally Future Work (specifically addressing the needs of gig workers for instance as they transition from formal to informal work formats, and vice versa). Worth reading through. Highlight of the article includes:
“Inclusive fintechs are uniquely positioned to maximize these opportunities — and respond to challenges. Accion helped pioneer the field of inclusive fintech by launching one of the world’s first global fintech funds for the underserved, and by nurturing innovators with funding and support, we’ve seen how they can disrupt the status quo to deliver meaningful social change.”
3.
Standing Out in Job Interviews. With all the ups and downs going on in the job markets around the world, this article from Susan Armstrong published by The Next Web is a healthy reminder for everyone on what to focus when it comes time to embark on an interview journey. Two of the main aspects includes Preparation (reading more about the Organization, its employees, culture and mission, before fronting the interview panel) and also learning to tell a story about oneself, something that gives a notion of a path, and what the ambitions have been that have ultimately conditioned the choices that have been made. It’s a brief article, but one worth reading through. Highlight of the article includes:
“Really standing out from the candidate crowd takes more than prep work and practice. If you want to get hired, you need to craft your narrative and tell a convincing story about why you’re the perfect person for the role. When the interviewer says “So, tell me about yourself…” don’t rattle off what’s on your resume — rest assured they’ve already read it. Instead, use this as an opportunity to tell them who you are, what you value, and how both things align with the larger mission of the team or organization. Personal narratives are a powerful way to capture the attention of any audience and ensure you’re remembered for all the right reasons.”
