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18 practical insights from designing software
Kok Chiann
UX Manager, Ezypay & iconnect360
I’m here to share about practical insights
Design
Communication
Attitude
DesignUX is the new black, it’s everyone’s favourite topic
1Don’t forget the userDon’t jump right in. Remember, your design’s purpose is to enable outcomes for users.
Sufficient understanding of user’s needs enable informed design decisions, and of course better design.
Perfection isn’t the goalBe pragmatic. The goal is to deliver value in making things as good as they can be for users, within the available constraints.
"The other learning is that the goal is not perfection. There is
never enough time or resources to reach perfection, even if
perfection were possible." Arnie Lund, GE Global Research Connected Experinece Labs Technology
Leader and UX Innovation Lab Manager
2
Understand costs & ROIEvery design decision, from UI pattern to control, would come at a cost (engineering, testing, support, etc), so the key question here is will this design be worth shipping and yield sufficient ROI?
The Pareto principle states that, for many events, roughly
80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.
The 80/20 Rule
3
Function > Usability > AestheticsIt’s in that order. Now you know what to drop to ship your minimum viable solution.
BeoPlay A9 | Bang and Olufsen
4
Consistency is keyWith consistent UI, users would learn an experience once and similar experiences would have improved affordance, improving user confidence in knowing what to expect.
5
Don’t be overly attachedGet used to iterating on designs towards a better outcome. The software world is evolving at a rapid pace, it’s a game of either keeping up, or getting outrun by your competitor.
6
Write effective copy80% of UI design is still words. Copy makes and breaks design.
7
Knowledge is powerStaying grounded in information is crucial. Everything from understanding your customers and users, the product strategy, business goals, target market trends, etc.
8
Lose the battle, win the warNot all battles are worth winning. Know when to back-off. Focus your energy on battles (or designs) to win the war.
9
CommunicationSoft skills, often forgotten by designers
Tell storiesTo frame and pitch your how users would journey through the experience you have designed. Stories are easier to understand.
10
Put your sales hat onTo get your design shipped, be prepared to sell, sell, and sell
11
Manage expectationsOf everyone you’re collaborating or working closely with – Engineers, Stakeholders, Users, etc
12
AttitudeSkills can be trained. Attitude on the other hand…
Be a team playerYou’ll need help to ship a design (Unless you’re a one-person-show) , collaborate and work as a team towards better outcomes.
13
Digest criticismCritique doesn’t exist so that people can air their unfounded opinions. It exists so you can accelerate the time it takes to get to the best possible product.
“Criticism may be based on opinion, but that’s
what makes it valuable. It gives us a taste of
why people will eventually love or hate our
work.”
Katie Dill, Airbnb's Head of Experience Design
14
Say “I’ll do it”Don’t limit yourself, be the change you seek. The more you do, the more you learn. Faster.
15
Understand yourselfThere are many disciplines in UX – interaction design, visual design, user research, etc. Know your strengths so you can play to them, and also which areas you need to develop.
16
Work smartThink lean. Drop unnecessary waste. Always think about how you can improve the process and get quality outcomes faster.
17
Never stop learningIt’s your responsibility to learn yourself. Don’t expect to be spoon-fed. Ask, question, try new things and ultimately, learn.
18
Wrap upWith a quick summary
Design
Communication
Attitude
Don’t forget the userPerfection isn’t the goalUnderstand cost & ROIFunction > Usability > AestheticsConsistency is keyDon’t be overly attachedWrite effective copyKnowledge is powerLose the battle, win the war
Tell storiesPut your sales hat onManage expectations
Be a team playerDigest criticismSay “I’ll do it”Understand yourselfWork smartNever stop learning
