discussing design - convergese

DISCUSSINGDESIGNWithout Losing Your Mind

AARON (aka Ron) IRIZARRY DIRECTOR OF USER EXPERIENCE

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It’s laid out too much like [popular service]. We should be different.

The new Spotify design is perhaps even worse than the old Spotify design. The visual hierarchy and underlying IA are terrible.

No. That won’t work. What if we do it this way...

This is terrible.The wireframes are still not answering our problem and are not providing enough an easier solution for the page.

Change the order of the screens so that the 3rd and first one are switched.

It doesn't have enough spunk.

What kind of company shuts down a much-loved service like Google Reader but keeps the vegetative Google Plus?

We're disappointed in this solution. We're going to have our own designers come up with one.

Looks ugly. Make it pretty.

What. The hell. Is this?

I would never use this. I don’t like the layout.

We should make that a dropdown instead of radio buttons.

None of this is what I asked for.

This is terrible. I have no idea what the lines mean.

I like the paper form better.

I'm just not feeling it. I don't know what, but it isn't right yet. Just needs to be more innovative.

Make it look more like SharePoint.

Here is a rewrite. My intention is to sharpen the language, make it more precise.

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The new Spotify design is perhaps even worse than the old Spotify design. The visual hierarchy and underlying IA are terrible.

No. That won’t work. What if we do it this way...

Change the order of the screens so that the 3rd and first one are switched.

What. The hell. Is this?

We should make that a dropdown instead of radio buttons.

None of this is what I asked for.

Here is a rewrite. My intention is to sharpen the language, make it more precise.

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feedback

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Reaction

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“ Sweet fancy Moses! That looks like you vomited 1996 all over the internet!

Reaction

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Reaction

Direction

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“ You should have made all of those radio buttons a drop down [,because…]

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Direction

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criticalthinking

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critique

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“ You should have made all of those radio buttons a drop down because…

Reaction

Direction

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Critique



Reaction

Direction

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“ If the objective is for users to seriously consider the impact to their bank balance before making a purchase, placing the balance at the bottom of the screen at the same size as all the other numbers isn’t effective because it get’s lost in all of the other the information.

Critique



Reaction

Direction

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Design ReviewsStandalone Critiques

Collaborative Activities

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We need tools & a plan. #discussingdsgn

What was the creator trying to achieve?

How did they try to achieve it?

How effective were their choices?

Why is or isn’t what they did effective?#discussingdsgn

Why is or isn’t what they did effective?




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Giving & Receiving

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There are two facets to critique,

at their foundation is

Giving critique with the wrong intent is #discussingdsgn

Giving critique with the right intent is objective focused. #discussingdsgn

When giving critique...

Use a filter. Gather initial thoughts and reactions. Revisit them in the right context.

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Don’t assume. Find out the reason behind thinking, constraints, or other variables.

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Don’t invite yourself. Get in touch and ask to chat about the design.

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Lead with questions. Show an interest in their process and learn more about their objectives.

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Talk about strengths. Critique isn’t just about the things that aren’t working.

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Receiving critique with the right intent takes humility & restraint.

When receiving critique...

Remember the purpose. Critique is about understanding and improvement, not judgement.

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Think before responding. Do you understand what the critics are saying?

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Participate. Analyze your proposed solution alongside everyone else.

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Set the foundation. Use prior agreements and objectives to get everyone on the same page.

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Things to keep in mind…

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Critique is a skill. You need to practice.


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Start small.


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Think before you speak.

Start small.



Choose who you critique with carefully.

Think before you speak.

Start small.

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Rules of critique

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Avoid problem solving.

Rules of critique

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Everyone is equal.

Rules of critique

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Everyone is a critic.

Everyone is equal.

Rules of critique

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The designer is responsible for next steps.

Everyone is a critic.

Everyone is equal.

Rules of critique

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#discussingdsgnSetting the right foundation is crucial.

Set your foundation with...

Personas User archetypes that describe their average behaviors, goals, expectations, knowledge, etc.

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Goals Desired, measurable outcomes of the user interacting with the product or service. Can be user oriented, business oriented or both.

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Principles Statements, often worded as rules, that capture the desired qualities or characteristics of the final solution.

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Scenarios Short narratives that the describe the desired behaviors, thoughts, emotions, etc. of the user as they move through a use case.

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Synthesize Observations

Create or Refine

Observe & Evaluate

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Critique is about iteration and improvement. So long as you’re looking to improve on whatever it is you’re doing, you’ve got an opportunity for critique.

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Who get’s an invite to the dance?

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The key is to start things off on the right foot.

Facilitating critique

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Facilitating critiqueCritique Goals

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Facilitating critiqueCritique GoalsActive Listening

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Round Robin & QuotasActive Listening

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Round Robin & Quotas

Direct InquiryActive Listening

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Direct InquirySix Thinking HatsActive Listening

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Direct InquirySix Thinking HatsFacilitators

Active Listening

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Yes,you will have to deal with difficult people.

#discussingdsgnWhat comes next?



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#discussingdsgnDesign reviews have their challenges.

Solving the review problem

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Take control.


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Take control.Pretend you’re dealing with difficult people.


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Take control.Pretend you’re dealing with difficult people.Recap objectives.


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Don’t rely on them for critique.

Take control.Pretend you’re dealing with difficult people.Recap objectives.


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#discussingdsgnThe ever popular brainstorm.

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Divergent Thinking

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Divergent Thinking

Convergent Thinking

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Divergent Thinking

Convergent ThinkingCritique

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Critique is at the core of collaboration.

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Thank youAaron Irizarry Director of User Experience

Discussing Design Improving Communication & Collaboration Through Critique Available from O’Reilly Media and Amazon.

@aaroni

[email protected]

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