What do you do if your User Experience Design (UED) approaches lack creativity and innovation?

If your User Experience Design approaches lack creativity and innovation, it's crucial to reassess your process. Start by seeking inspiration from diverse sources, conducting brainstorming sessions with team members, and exploring unconventional ideas. Embrace experimentation and iterate on designs to foster a culture of innovation. Additionally, engage with users through feedback sessions to understand their needs and preferences better, which can spark fresh insights and creative solutions.

So, the first thing you want to do is figure out why your UED methods aren't sparking that creativity and innovation you're aiming for. Maybe you're feeling restricted by tight deadlines or a lack of resources. Or perhaps you're sticking too closely to what you already know works, instead of exploring new ideas. It's also possible that you're holding back because you're worried about making mistakes or facing criticism. Once you pinpoint the main issue, you can start brainstorming ways to overcome it and inject some fresh thinking into your approach.

Finding inspiration and getting feedback from different places. You can start by checking out what other people in your field are doing and see if you can get any fresh ideas from them. It's also a good idea to chat with users, clients, or colleagues to hear what they think. And don't forget about testing your designs with real users to see how they respond. By doing this, you'll open yourself up to new perspectives and improve your UED methods.

You can experiment with different techniques or tools to come up with ideas and then test them out to see what works best. For example, you might sketch out some designs, create prototypes, or run usability tests. By experimenting and learning from what works and what doesn't, you can keep improving your UED methods and finding better solutions.

Conducting collaborative workshops like "How Might We" sessions is a fantastic approach to challenge ourselves and others to think creatively and push the boundaries of UX design. By inviting the team and key stakeholders to brainstorm and explore innovative solutions to problems, we encourage diverse perspectives and foster a culture of creativity and innovation. These sessions allow us to pose challenging questions and seek out-of-the-box answers, ultimately leading to breakthrough ideas and delightful user experiences.

My best ideas have come to me when not working, allowing your brain a chance to drift and wonder. Either out for a run, taking a shower, or as I'm waking up in the morning. Keep a notebook lying around, or just jot the ideas in a Notes doc on your phone. There is also a concept of "working like a lion" that I think can be useful for a certain kind of designer. It involves working intensely in spurts when the creativity is flowing, and then breaking until it strikes again, not trying to fight the creative-block when it hits.

From my own experience, I've found that allowing myself moments of rest and relaxation is essential for maintaining creativity and mental clarity. Whether it's taking short breaks during the workday or setting aside time for hobbies and leisure activities, giving myself space to recharge has significantly boosted my productivity and overall satisfaction with work. Additionally, regular exercise has been instrumental in keeping me motivated and energized. It not only improves my physical health but also enhances my mental resilience, making it easier to tackle challenges and stay focused. Engaging in activities outside of work, such as reading, exploring nature, or pursuing creative interests, has also been incredibly beneficial.

You often will be confined by the existing technology in place. An important lessen I learnt from working as an independent consultant to a solution consultant; you really need a good understanding of computer engineering - on top of psychology and design to properly answer this question. Designing is ‘solutioning’, I didn’t even plan that play on words. You have to deliver what is achievable in your timeframe. Read every emerging trend, understand their tech stack. Design is not just about cool ideas, or making things pretty. Sorry to kill the buzz. If you want to be a leader, it’s a lot of effort, but achievable! It’s fun. I promise.