Design Principles
Below is my design ethos that I use to approach challenges in design (and sometimes life). I use them as a compass for understanding problems and finding creative solutions.
GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY
Dig in. Interesting problems are complex and messy. The problem we think we’re solving is often symptomatic of something deeper, and I view it as my job- and my purpose- to get to the root of the matter.
SYNTHESIS IS EVERYTHING
Deconstruct the problem. Understand your users, their needs and constraints, as well as what problems you are trying to solve. Take a moment to understand all the players and interdependencies. Spend some time steeped in the problem before charging forward.
ALLOW FOR ROOM TO GROW
Don’t just solve for the problem immediately in front of you. Consider the down-the-road implications and future-state needs. In a world where both technology and standards are constantly changing, solutions should always leave room for the opportunity to grow and adapt with the times.
ENGAGE AND DELIGHT
Seek to engage and delight the users who are interacting with your product. Impactful animations, clever copy, and personalization are all tools that can be employed to create a meaningful experience.
INSTILL TRUST
Be the trusty hammer in a user’s toolbox. Good design inspires trust and is something a person can rely on to complete their job. Strive to eliminate hesitation, frustration, and lack of understanding and create a system that anticipates the needs of users while building familiarity.
BE MORE HUMAN
A digital experience should feel natural to users. A positive user experience feels “human” through careful consideration of language and actions. Allow your users to feel as if they are collaborating, rather than interacting with a machine-like system.
NIX THE EGO
This is two-fold:
You are not the user. You are an advocate for the user, and you must take yourself out of the equation and understand that your perspective might be entirely unique to that of your users.
Design is a team sport- rarely the product of one. It is most often (and successfully) the result of a collective effort. You must be willing to put your ego aside, learn from those around you, and let the solution be the guiding force.
And also…
Beyond being a UX pro, I’m a multi-creative visual artist. I paint, I collage, I make jewelry, but mostly, I take photos of really cool, really tiny things I find in nature.
