Exploring UX Insights: Issue #4 - Unveiling Design Assignments, Accessibility, Ethics, and UX Trends
We're excited to bring you the latest instalment of the xploreUX newsletter. In this fourth edition, we delve into a diverse array of intriguing topics at the intersection of design and user experience. Join us as we explore the world of design assignments from different perspectives, shine a light on the crucial theme of accessibility and UX dark patterns, dive into the art of conversational design, and unveil a curated selection of trending and enlightening posts shared by fellow UX practitioners on LinkedIn.
Stay informed, stay inspired, and stay connected with the vibrant landscape of UX design.
Let's embark on this journey together as we unravel the intricacies that shape our digital experiences.
News
European Commission Launches In-Depth Probe into Adobe's $20B Figma Acquisition
The European Commission (EC) has officially initiated an extensive investigation into Adobe's proposed $20 billion takeover bid for its digital design software rival, Figma. The EC cites concerns about potential decreased competition in global markets for interactive product design software and digital asset creation tools. This move follows the U.S. Department of Justice's scrutiny and the UK's plans for a thorough examination due to fears of reduced competition. The focus of the probe centers on whether the acquisition would eliminate Figma as a significant rival, impacting the overall design software landscape.
Creating a Culture of Accessibility
During the July Northern User Experience meetup in Newcastle, Martin Underhill , a Principal Experience Designer with a specialism in Accessibility at Sage , and owner of tempertemper provided valuable insights on the significance of accessibility. He addressed common issues, shared solutions, and offered guidance on embarking on this crucial journey. Here are the key takeaways from his presentation.
Understanding Accessibility
At its core, accessibility is about making digital content available and usable for everyone, regardless of their abilities or impairments. It's a fundamental aspect of responsible design and development that fosters an environment of equal access and participation.
The Significance of Accessibility
Why does accessibility matter? The answer is simple yet profound. By creating content that everyone can engage with, we not only fulfill ethical obligations but also unlock the potential for a wider audience, thereby increasing engagement and impact.
Recognising Common Accessibility Challenges
In the digital realm, certain obstacles can impede accessibility. These include difficulties faced by individuals using screen readers, navigating with keyboards, or dealing with visual impairments. However, for every challenge, there is a solution.
Empowering Change
Embracing accessibility requires collective effort, understanding, and determination. It's a journey that requires us to:
Collaborate with Empathy: Addressing accessibility issues demands empathy, tact, and fostering positive relationships within teams.
Advocate for Change: Engage in the battle to fix existing accessibility problems and integrate accessibility into design and development workflows.
Continuous Learning: Recognise that accessibility is a broad field with much to learn, so stay open to expanding your knowledge.
Embrace Patience: Change might not happen overnight, but it's essential to stay committed.
Contributions from Key Stakeholders
User Researchers: Ensure that your testing includes individuals who mirror your potential user base. If your testers don't fully represent your audience, seek budget for more accurate testing.
Designers: Utilise accessibility tools and plugins, and grasp the basics of HTML. Always prioritise a mobile-first design approach.
Developers: Familiarise yourself with HTML and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) principles. Test your work using keyboards and screen readers, and consider integrating tools like "axe-core" into your workflow.
Managers and Beyond: Allocate time and resources for accessibility training. Making a public commitment to accessibility sets a strong example.
Empowering the Driving Forces
The catalysts for change lie within certain key roles:
User Researchers
Designers (Service, Content, Interaction)
Developers and Quality Assurance Testers
Product Owners
These individuals hold significant influence and are more accessible to engage with, making them crucial in driving accessibility initiatives forward.
Creating an Inclusive Environment
Establishing a regular accessibility clinic or surgery can make a remarkable difference:
Weekly Drop-in Session: A dedicated time where you can seek guidance from specialists.
10 Minutes per Person: Address your specific accessibility queries or challenges.
Mutual Support: Share your insights and advice with others facing similar hurdles.
Relax and Learn: Enjoy a cup of coffee while engaging in meaningful discussions.
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Incorporating accessibility into our digital landscape requires a collective commitment. Let's work together to ensure that our content is welcoming, informative, and accessible to all.
Learn more about designing for accessibility from one of our recent articles.
UX Dark Pattern - Designing for Forgetting
Designing for Forgetting refers to a manipulative design technique where user interfaces are intentionally designed to make certain actions, such as unsubscribing or cancelling accounts, difficult to remember or locate. This tactic aims to discourage users from disengaging or leaving a platform by creating confusion or frustration. It exploits cognitive biases and user behaviour, leading to unintended outcomes and user dissatisfaction. This unethical approach can damage trust and harm user experience, highlighting the importance of ethical design practices that prioritize transparency, clarity, and user empowerment.
Dr Nick Fine sheds further insight on the concept of "designing for forgetting" in one of his LinkedIn posts.
For the original post, follow this link.
Learn more on Exploring UX Dark Patterns - Unravelling Deceptive Design Practices from one of our recent articles, see the link below.
Design Assignment From An Employer
Hiring through design assignments may reflect poor hiring skills. It often leads to misjudging candidates, pushing away qualified ones, and suggesting weak management.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Jared Spool sheds further light on the topic of design assignments given by employers.
It's fascinating to note that practitioners have shared their experiences, with some highlighting the negative impact these assignments have had, particularly for those who weren't selected for the job after completing them. Interestingly, even those who did secure a job through such assignments expressed mixed feelings about the process, raising a collective call for a more refined approach to hiring the right candidates.
On the other hand, hiring managers have provided their reasoning for utilizing these assignments in their hiring process. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the perspectives at play, I encourage you to explore the original post and the insightful comments shared by practitioners. This will help paint a clearer picture of the ongoing discussions and considerations regarding this crucial aspect of the hiring process especially in the UX industry.
Why Every UX Designer & Researcher Should Study Conversational Design
Conversational Design is poised to be the future of UX, revolutionising interactions through natural dialogue. Embracing user-centricity, personalisation, and multimodal experiences, conversational design enables intuitive engagement while addressing individual needs. As technology evolves, mastering this dynamic field equips designers to shape seamless, personalised, and accessible user experiences, ensuring their relevance in an ever-changing digital landscape.
UX Research
UX research uncovers user needs, not wants. Observe behaviour for true insights, not just conversation. As rightly put by David Hamill, "UX research is not asking users/customers what they want, it's finding out what they need". See the original post for follow-up comments.
The Crucial Role of UX Research: Unveiling User Needs Beyond the Picture
UX Research is so important, that's why everything you see in the picture above is now in your pocket, except for the man obviously. If users were asked what they need, their preferences might differ from what's currently in your pocket. I mean your smartphone.
While the statement emphasises the significance of UX Research, it is important to recognise that UX Research helps understand user needs and preferences, but it does not guarantee that everything seen in the picture will be perfectly reflected in the final product. The analogy oversimplifies UX research as a process and may give a false sense of certainty about meeting user expectations.
While involving users in the research process is essential, their preferences can be influenced by various factors, and it is crucial to interpret their feedback carefully. UX Research should be complemented with thorough analysis and expert judgment to ensure the best possible design decisions are made.
It is essential to clarify that UX Research is a powerful tool to gather insights and inform design decisions, but it is not a magic solution to achieve a flawless user experience. It requires a combination of methods, critical thinking, and continuous iteration to create products that truly meet user needs and expectations.
Thank you for joining us for the fourth edition of the xploreUX newsletter. In this issue, we delved into fascinating topics such as Design Assignments from Employers, Accessibility and UX Dark Patterns, and Conversational Design, and highlighted some trending and insightful posts shared by UX practitioners on LinkedIn. We hope you found these discussions informative and thought-provoking. Stay tuned for more exciting insights and updates in our next edition.
Until then, keep exploring the world of UX!
Sincerely,
Valuable Resources
Top recommended UX books that focus on research methodologies.
- Conversational Design by Erika Hall: A foundational book that explores the principles and practices of designing conversations that feel natural and engaging.
- Designing Bots by Amir Shevat: Delve into the intricacies of designing conversational user interfaces and crafting compelling bot interactions.
- Rocket Surgery Made Easy by Steve Krug
- User Interview by Steve Portigal
- The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman
- Surveys that work by Caroline Jarrett
- Remote Research by Nate Bolt and? Tony Tulathimutte
- A/B Testing by Dan Siroker and Pete Koomen
- Card Sorting by Donna Spencer ?
- Ethnography by Paul Atkinson