Product Design in the Wild

Hello!

How I got here

Once upon a time...a unicorn was born

Become a unicorn● Learn to code (HTML, CSS at least)● Create visual designs ● Find opportunities to push yourself● Apply for a job you think you’re not qualified for● Find a mentor, be a mentor & teach others● Keep learning ● Identify gaps in your umbrella and work on them● Work in small, medium and large companies● Have the Balanced Team mindset● Be the bridge ● Practice, practice, and practice some more

● Everyone wants UX although they don’t quite know what it is

● Waterfall is going the way of the dodo● Change is inevitable so let’s embrace it● Agile & Lean is where it’s at ● Good enough● It’s no longer what we think of UX - the

experience is moving out of screens, across devices, into physical, into things we wear - as designers, we have to be thoughtful and attentive to the smallest details

How the industry is changing

How we work at LeanDog● Agile, Lean Startup & Design Thinking all rolled into one● Deep Dives for shared understanding● Discovery tracks to conceptualize the whole● Pair on everything

● Agile team and software development practices like stand up, show & tells, retros

● Making product owners great● Delivering the highest value always

How to work with Agile as a designer ● UX is part of the team● Start with a process map,

interaction diagram or experience map

● Be a whole team - this means everyone participates in every activity

● Explore or experiment ahead of development

● Use light-weight methods to work quickly

● Time boxing can spur action and clarity

● Pair whenever you can if not all the time

● Radiate information● Deliver value every step of the way

Tools I use all the time● Discovery sessions & design

studios● Observations● Interviewing (users &

stakeholders)● Interaction diagrams● Personas● Post-it notes & sharpies● Sketching

● Wireframes ● Mockups● Collaboration● Content audits● Process flow diagrams or maps● Usability testing● Communication & conversation

Story time

Pay attention & be a leader

What I’ve learned● It takes practice● I’m never right the first time● Genius doesn’t just happen● Let go of perfection & your ego● The power is in a pair & a team● Take risks & keep trying new things● The most used tools in my toolbox

are communication & listening● No one reads anything

Thanks!@ncapuana

Photo credits - creative common license

Christopher Michel Hello! Moyan Brenn ForestBrenda Clarke - Unicorn_2U.S. Department of Agriculture - SeedlingSusanne Nilsson - AntsmLu.fotos - Jelly ExperienceBastien Konfourier - Spirea ArgutaMartin Cathrae - Campfire & StarlightTambako The Jaguar - Roaring lionJim Trodel - Space - Antennae GalaxiesMichael Himbeault - Cephalopod