Design Thinking - Austin, TX
Over the last two days, I was blessed enough to be able to tag along on a design thinking trip with Lamar University's Art Department. We got to visit Spredfast and learn about their design sprint method to solving problems, participate in an IBM workshop, and visit University of Texas' Graduate Art program and facilities where we were introduced to iMotion's eye tracking software. I just wanted to share some of the insight that I gained from each of these experiences.
Spredfast:
Hosted by Jaladhi Pujara, Laura Cole and Emily Glenn
@spreadfast #soSpredfast
The thing I was most impressed with was Laura and Emily's ability to articulate their experiences, work, and advice. They reminded me that designers must be confident in their abilities. Even the projects that seem like failures have positive aspects if you look past the fact that they weren't the greatest thing you've ever made.
It's vital to have passion and empathy in this industry. Designers have to have the ability to explain their thinking opposed to simply providing the problem and solution.
Also, shout-out to them for the BOMB cookies from Tiff's Treats.
IBM Workshop:
Hosted by Devin O'Bryan @quarryboy #IBM Design
The IBM design thinking process is essentially an ellipse with three points meaning observe, reflect and make. Understanding users is their main goal, creating with intent, speed and scale. Using a "Yes! and..." model, they generate deeper conversation and build upon what participants have stated.
We worked in groups on empathy maps for a prescribed persona and had one person from each group to give a "Playback" of who our person essentially was. This identifies the areas of greatest pain for a potential user.
We learned that compassion is the universal umbrella that empathy falls under, but it takes practice to move from being sympathetic to empathetic. Sympathy and empathy are two very different concepts with the later being the effective concept. This is when "AS IS vs TO BE" comes into play. Acknowledging the problem versus solving the problem.
Shout-out to Devin for always being enthusiastic and for the post-it notes & sharpie!
UT Graduate Program:
Various Faculty/Staff
Dr. Randolph Bias
We got to tour the facilities and learn about what was currently being done at ut and what the possibilities are. One thing that particularly impacted me was the introduction to iMotion's eye tracking program. It's a really great tool to gain insight into the user experience of something on screen, whether it be a website, advertisement or whatever design that needs testing.
After we toured the facilities, we joined Dr. Bias' philosophy course to discuss user experience design. We were asked to state what user experience is to us and that's something that I have been interested in gaining a deeper understanding of to enhance the value of my designs. This really made me do some critical thinking about what I consider user experience and how it relates to my profession.
My answer was: I believe that user experience is the interaction between a user and a design. This is not exclusive to simply websites or apps, but to any design that people interact serving an intended purpose. It is vital to the practicality of the design and producing the intended purpose.
Shout-out to Dr. Bias for feeding our faces with free pizza!
Austin between workshops:
-Witnessed a rally at the capital.
-Walked almost 7 miles in boots uphill (It was supposed to be raining and I didn't want to have soaked shoes.) Passed up the GSD&M Agency that is known for working with purpose-based brands. Not ashamed to say I fangirled a little bit.
-Visited the Graffiti park and found this gem. Coincidence that Spongebob was next to my name? (I love SpongeBob) Definitely God smiling down on my visit to Austin!
