Courtney Patubo Kranzke

We've reached Week 10 of our #HumanCenteredDesign bootcamp! Join us as we delve deep into the design system process, covering everything from initial approval to ongoing maintenance. Explore implementation strategies, conduct usability testing, ensure accessibility, and dive into the world of DesignOps. 1- From Approval to Maintenance: Explore every stage of the design system journey, ensuring a comprehensive understanding from start to finish. 2- Fundamentals and Foundations: Learn the core principles and foundational concepts of design systems, providing a solid framework for your understanding. 3- Complete Journey: Follow along the complete journey of a design system, from conceptualization and ideation to implementation and ongoing maintenance. 4- Implementation Strategies: Discover effective techniques for implementing design systems seamlessly into your projects, ensuring consistency and efficiency. 5- Usability Testing: Dive into the importance of testing for usability to ensure optimal user experiences and satisfaction. 6- Accessibility: Explore methods for ensuring your designs are accessible to all users, promoting inclusivity and diversity. 7- DesignOps Exploration: Gain insights into the intersection of design and operations, optimizing efficiency and collaboration across teams. Join us and enhance your design skills with practical knowledge and hands-on experience! Gratitude to ExpertDesk for their invaluable contributions to #HumanCenteredDesign bootcamp. Your insights and expertise have significantly enriched this learning journey. And Zulqarnain Ansari for serving as a dedicated mentor throughout this rewarding experience. #DesignMagic #LearnTogether #BootcampExcitement #DesignBootcamp #HumanCenteredDesign #DesignSystem #Implementation #CustomDesignSystem #UsabilityTesting #Accessibility #DesignOps #DevOps #DesignStudio #ExpertsDesk #Lahore #ZulqarnainAnsari #SundasZahra

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My bestie teammate Ben Crompton is running a FREE webinar: Accessibility for Designers & Marketing Professionals! 🌟 If you're free between 10 -11am AEST May the 9th, tune in to learn the essentials of building accessible communication and to brush up on your design skills. Register for the event through the Eventbrite link Accessibility for Designers & Marketing Professionals. #accessibility #a11y #freelearning

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📣 Hey friends! After a year and a half, 3 rounds of fundraising and building out the design practice at MotherDuck I'm ready for new opportunities! I joined as the Head of Design and the first hire back in fall 2022, and helped shape what design means for the company. I hope you can feel the 'ducking' awesomeness through the product and brand. Now, I'm looking to explore head of design or staff roles in early to growth stage companies and even larger organizations. Can't wait to connect with compassionate founders seeking a design leader versed in UI, UX, IXD, UXR. But first, let me share some startup lessons I've learned over the last 14 years: 1. 🗺️ Have a clear vision A clear vision, articulated and illustrated through design, is a powerful tool. It's the magic that unites your team and customers, helping them SEE where you're going. Design leaders, in sync with the CEO and CPO, can bridge the gap between user expectations and their dream come true. 2. 💎 Quality matters when it matters With limited resources, small teams need to be strategic. A design leader should understand when to focus on the details or backlog them. Foster a culture of experimentation and user feedback. Remember, even as an SME, you might have bias. Listen to your users carefully. 3. 🌟 Lean into your super powers Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is key. If you have the right team, rely on their technical abilities instead of trying to be an expert at everything. It’s tough when you're small, but encourage adaptability and ownership. 4. 📂 Get organized Small messes grow into big ones, which turn into big expenses. Establish clear processes for documentation, meetings, note taking practices and sharing information. Standardize things at the company level and stay organized to scale efficiently. 5. 🤗 Lead with compassion Trust is hard won and easily lost. Leaders who put their ego aside and lead with compassion create a more open culture. Deep relationships, compassion, and a willingness to take a hit for your team will reap rewards in the long run. 6. 🙋 Know your users Get to know your customers and users. Invest time and money in foundational research around their needs and use cases. Share insights and find themes. Eventually, you might have a research function to do this at scale. Until then, let your users lead the way. You'll be amazed at what you learn. 7. 🥳 Have fun If you’re not, you’re not in the right place, find the team that will make you happy, healthy and hoping for more. If you’re constantly stressed, losing sleep, or finding yourself in the hospital for stress induced blood clots then you need to get out. Find partners that get your craft, respect it’s value and hold you up. Life is short, love those around you and make the world a better place. If you’re a compassionate founder with a goal to make amazing things with amazing people let’s design a better world together. https://raphaelhyde.com/

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Portfolio tip for design leaders: Unless your values/leadership style/‘how I lead’ slides are unique or clearly showing why they make you a good fit for this specific role, skip all that in your portfolio presentation. It’s a waste of time and if it sounds like what all the other candidates are also doing(which is true 90% of the time), it will make you blend in. Not good: Generic words like empathy, team building, servant leadership etc Good: Super specific values that apply to this role Better: Super specific values that are actually then evidenced in the work you will shortly present

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Company website blogs and resources often fly under the radar when it comes to education and inspiration. So I wanted to shine a spotlight on Instacart Design Blog that I unexpectedly dove into. In just a few days, I've delved into 5 articles that hit the nail on the head, covering topics like designing content with purpose, practicing inclusion in your design team and mastering conference talks. If you're looking for valuable insights and practical design advice, check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gseR8hSh (they've also got a Tech Blog). #JuniorFriday #DesignReads #DesignResources #SharingIsCaring #DesignCommunity

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Been there Åsa and usually the information gathering + analysis of the needs is my first step to fully absorb the global status of the interactive pillars maturity. Then it is identifying scalable mental model from ongoing prototypes and identifying product owners so I can understand the context and the outcome. At this point things get smoother but it is always a challenge cycle of production adaptation and team alignment combined. Production roadmap, mvp features and game feature list (GFL) also helps to project the next steps on where we can fully get involved on new features.

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Why aren't more people talking about what a good hand-off process looks like? At Grounded, we're starting from ground zero with our design-to-development hand-off process. A few things I've learned so far: - Have an alignment meeting with each new dev team. This prevents doing work outside of the dev capabilities, and sets you up for a smooth transition. If nothing else, do this, and do it early. - Organize your designs in order of operation according to user flow. This makes the developer's life so much easier. That, and annotations. - Organize your exports by page and section. Tired of being on call to answer dev questions? Pass off your files in a way that doesn't create questions! Excited to see how we can make our developers happier. #takecareofyourdevelopers #UI #UX #webdesign #webdev

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When doing user research - I love Airtable for organizing content. It allows you to do so across multiple dimensions and slice/dice your analysis how you want to. So you could in theory, mark each person/quote on a problem dimension, usability, existing tools, etc. and then see patterns and filter in lots of ways. So the organization (in whatever tool) largely comes down to what you are trying to uncover. I think unless you are doing a very coarse analysis, in airtable I would have each "row" be a response (or even a individual quote). Then there would be a column for the person, a column for the question (maybe a new columns as to what the question was trying to illicit - your intent), then successive columns for the multiple dimensions you would annotate on. This then becomes your master table. From there, you can slice and dice but you are always building on raw data that cuts nicely

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I’m going through an iterative design process with a XFN team right now. We know we’re solving the right problem because we get repeadted validation that the value prop aligns to user needs, but the experience doesn’t provide that outcome in an easy/intuitive way. So we iterate and iterate some more, each time finding ways to better achieve the outcomes we’re targeting. This process is messy. You learn that your initial assumption were off so you lean on failure to improve incrementally. It means as a designer you need to be vulnerable…that it’s not about you providing all “the answers” to your team in a beautifully packaged deck/speck. You need to show what’s “behind the curtain” and bring them along during your process. Show your thinking and learn to interpret feedback. Approach everything as a hypothesis, remain curious, explore and share.

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Really annoyed at Figma's price gouging here. There is no reason other than greed: https://lnkd.in/gfdrEiWH Oh, and I emailed them about it and this line from their reply was particularly poignant: "Additionally the minimum for enterprise is a $5k invoice minimum. 6 enterprise seats or made up with other products." To put that in context... our monthly Adobe bill (for 8 CC, 7 PS, 6 Acrobat licenses) is ~NZ$2k... Amazing how quickly enshittification sets in... #Figma #Design #SoftwareLicensing

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I've debated on whether it's in my interest to post this. But there reaches a point where being silent is a pretty huge disservice to other ICs in a similar position. So I'm going to YOLO this post and hope for the best. Age-related bias has been pretty thinly veiled in the interview process over these last 12 months. The reactions of some interviewers are pretty visceral. The worst being outright rude. "Like, oh, I wasn't expecting to interview my mom." I know in the first 30 seconds how an interview will go based on the reaction of people in the room. I don't know what's happened in the tech industry -- and specifically in design specific crafts -- that's made it acceptable to discriminate so boldly. There's always been bias. But this is seriously not acceptable. Recruiters: check your data and educate your hiring teams to be better. And it starts with better north-of-40 representation in the hiring process. I know I'm not alone. I'd love to hear your stories if you're willing to share them.

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A great listen from one of my team - Michael Lahoda 🇺🇦 chats all things Content Design with one of the designers he frequently collaborates with at Mews, Anfisa Bogomolova, on her podcast #HonestUXTalks. If you're wondering how content designers and UX designers collaborate, what the typical day of a content designer looks like, or what content design and Marie Kondo have in common, tune in! Link in comments!

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I've been doing the work we now know as UX for over 28 years. I have perspectives and sentiments that those with much less experience are not very likely to possess or embrace. Remember that when folks who entered the discipline after 2011 express discontent with the stances I take. • They don't like my constant addressing of UX ≠ UI, but can't really relate and didn't witness the transition of UX's value proposition. • They refer to my outspokenness as "pontificating," but are doing nothing (genuine) to benefit the discipline. They only benefit themselves, many times at the expense of the discipline. • They express concern about what I do, but willingly empower folks that are doing the discipline great harm. • They don't like my stance against UX writing, but can't relate first-hand to observing information architecture and content strategy being swept under the rug. • They don't like my rejection of OOUX, but aren't sensitive to folks trying to make a name for themselves at the expense of the discipline AND don't understand the misdirective nature of someone's adding layers of complexity to today's UX culture that is fundamentals-averse. • They don't like my stance against bootcamps, but simply can't relate to and don't understand the predatory and snake oil factors at work. • They complain about my stance on imposter syndrome, but never say anything to refute the related facts I've shared. • They don't like my constant calling out of the sinister nature of today's UX operation, but only cry out if and when they're personally impacted by something. NONE of those stances negate or disprove what I'm addressing. If they knew what I knew (and they don't), cared like I care (and they don't), and experienced what I've experienced (and they haven't), they'd respond the same way. The things I address simply don't compute due to their biases or lack of understanding, but someone's lack of understanding DOES NOT mean it's not true. That's simply arrogance at its "finest."

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We've all been on the receiving end of negative feedback. Do remember how you felt? Did you notice a difference in your behavior/response when someone gave you constructive feedback versus telling you something is "bad" or "they don't like it"? I once made the mistake of telling a colleague something "looked bad" (in a less nice way) after assuming someone else created what they shared 🙈 . Not only was I mortified, but I also saw that my colleague's ego and self-confidence were deflated. To this day, that interaction has stuck with me and has been a reminder of how I want to give and receive feedback. Instead of saying you don't like something, tell the person why and how you think it could be improved and what you didn't like (without using these words, be kind). If you have examples of something written or designed in a preferred way, that's a bonus. There's a high chance that they'll come back with their own text/design options, data, research, principles, and rationale, to back their decision-making. This is especially true for anyone who works in UX. We probably have an answer to all your questions. Listen, and let's discuss! Remember, they are the experts in their domain. Take the time to hear them out, and then, together, you can decide on the next steps and make the best decisions. And don't forget to give positive feedback when something is good 🙂. #uxwriting #contentdesign #ux #productdesign #uxui #uxdesigner

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Late last year, Strange Birds made the leap to start offering a lot of the work we do through a time-based monthly subscription model. Here's why I freaking love working this way: ⦾ clients get the best of our collective brainpower, concentrated where it matters most to their biz ⦾ people can easily ramp up, ramp down, or even pause their engagement with us as things change ⦾ when priorities shift, we can pivot on a dime without any hard feelings ⦾ clients who want more calls + revisions can easily get them ⦾ allows strategy to weave itself throughout execution ⦾ no scope creep for anyone involved ⦾ makes capacity planning a snap But best of all: 🎁 It feels generous! Might be runoff from my years working in-house, but I don't love telling clients that I'm not even going to consider the new idea that's cropped up until we write a whole new contract. A time-based engagement allows for so much more flexibility -- you're basically hiring me (+ Anna Hetzel) to be ourselves, without any constraints apart from the amount of hours we'll spend together. 🧠 This is a me-brain thing, but I also find it's a massive boon to my own focus. If I know I've got a set number of hours a week with a client, it encourages me to run as fast as I can during that time towards our goals. The few downsides I see: ➡ it's a bit harder to talk about what we do, because it's so flexible depending on the project. Little by little, we're finding the ways (and the right clients!) ➡ engaging us in this way definitely requires more upfront trust than agreeing on a simple list of deliverables -- so we put a lot of emphasis on client experience to ensure folks know right away they're in good hands So far, for us, it's been massively worth it. We've done some of our best, most satisfying work this way. Do you use a subscription model for your own biz (or hired someone who does)? How's it been working for you?

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🚀 Hey Team! I'm on the hunt for my next adventure. Could your project use a dash of documentation magic? A clarity boost? Engaging content with a side of UX flair? Here's why I'm your go-to Tech Writer | UX Writer | Content Developer | Documentation Dynamo: ✏️ DOCUMENTATION WIZARDRY: With 11 years under my belt, I craft software docs that aren't just informative—they're a joy to read. I'm all about elevating products with top-tier content, living in a world of Markdown, HTML, and CSS. 🧠 CLARITY CHAMPION: Analytics and research are my tools for sculpting structure, slashing clutter, and streamlining info flow. I turn complexity into simplicity. 😎 UX ENTHUSIAST: Fueled by my UX studies, I'm dedicated to smoothing out user journeys and making product interactions delightful. 🎓 KNOWLEDGE SHARER: At heart, I'm a teacher. I excel at making content accessible and engaging, regardless of the platform or format. 🔥 ENERGY INJECTOR: I'm here to amplify teams with my passion, creativity, and geeky interests in comics, video game lore, and animated films. Ready to 🕹️ level up your project? Let's connect! 

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Making your website accessible is more than a legal requirement; it’s the right thing to do. Qualibooth.com helps businesses achieve ADA and EAA compliance with thorough audits and actionable solutions. Get a free scan to see how your website's accessibility compliance rates at https://lnkd.in/gjfC_NBe #ADACompliance #EAACompliance #WebAccessibility #Qualibooth

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On this week's episode of What is Wrong with Hiring, I chat with Senior Product Design Manager and generous UX community contributor Mitchell Clements! Mitch shares how he created an attentive, fair, and effective hiring process to scale his 26-person (and counting!) design team at nCino, Inc. UX hiring managers and job seekers will appreciate Mitch's reflections on: - Lessons learned on screening and interviewing candidates in a crowded market, from entry level to advanced practitioners - The necessity of implementing a career architecture framework and standardized assessment rubrics to streamline the process and set expectations - The importance of empathy, communication, transparency, and respect in creating a high quality candidate experience - What Mitch looks for when hiring senior designers/IC’s and design managers - Why portfolios should NOT be a requirement for applications! - How posting on LinkedIn can help hiring managers attract design candidates - Optimistic predictions for a resurgence of UX hiring… sometime down the road Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

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