My Year in Design - 2017

2017 is officially now in our rearview mirror. It was a year filled with interesting developments from a technology and design perspective, with plenty of developments occurring in both fields. This article follows the lead of previous ones I’ve written, which typically function as a balance and summarization of my endeavors throughout the year, particularly as the larger themes, discussions and trends on the design & technology universes, affected my work and process in particular. The article is structured in sections representative of the major efforts that occurred throughout the year, and how those efforts were met with satisfactory results or not.

1. Re-design Software Platform Suite & Establishing a Design Process. The re-design process for a software application which started in 2016, continued throughout the year, with all the integral parts that comprise a successful and effective design process. As most of the articles I wrote during the year attest, this process involved balancing a lot of different variables, including multiple participants/stakeholders, documentation that needed to be outlined, defined and created, and of course, putting a series of tasks in place, which included among many, defining workshops of different natures with different goals (namely workshops to define new products and features, for review of design implementations, for AB testing, among other initiatives). This streamlined design process also implied being strategic about tasks and resources, in order to get as much usable artifacts that could be consumed by different teams at different times. The workshops helped define documentation, and also inform the iterative process, but they were a driving force for the creation of materials that could be easily used by different teams across the organization (materials such as product guidelines, standardization of requirements documentation, design and technical details documentation, registering information pertaining to accessibility, localization, all in a mobile centric environment). All of these tasks and initiatives also informed the process by which new products and features were tackled. Associated with the process of going through the definition of the User Experience process, there was also the need to increase the sheer scale of resources available within the organization, in order to continue the re-design initiative, which meant hiring new Design professionals with all that it entails (not just the hiring process in itself, but also providing context, showcasing the process in place, the goals for the re-design process, and the general dynamics of the process already in place, and the input needed to further its reach and usefulness). Goals Achieved: My goals were tied with the continuous development of a process for driving solutions to a good port, collaborating with different teams and team members. The goals were also tied with the constraints derived from multiple stakeholders of different natures. This produced a far more streamlined approach to the design process, but nonetheless I managed to persevere with the establishment of a process, and the expansion of the practice to multiple design professionals, and the overall definition of common strategies and team goals. The goals were achieved.
2. Consistently Writing. I knew in January of 2017 that I wanted to write consistently about the design process I was putting in place, and register a lot of my observations as the initiative continued to move onwards. My writing was informed by a multitude of factors, but mostly by the intersection of three vectors: firstly, all that I learnt and studied in my post degree program was essential in understanding how UX is only as effective as a practice, if I as a designer can communicate its potential and usefulness through facts and measurable impact on product design, client retention, brand awareness, and all that pertains to the marriage of business and product experience goals. Secondly, all that I study and have experienced in my career, has allowed for a continuous refinement of the process itself. And thirdly, through observation, auscultation, gathering feedback, that amounts to valuable information, that alongside the previous two factors, informs all the articles that I wrote during the year. In parallel with full length articles, I also continued my weekly initiative of releasing a UI/UX newsletter, where I highlighted articles and interesting findings occurring in the design and technology fields. Both of these initiatives, coupled with my ongoing blog (film reviews), kept the writing mechanism well oiled. I’ve come to realize writing is very much like any physical exercise you tackle: the more you do it, the more proficient, and pleasurable it becomes. Goals Achieved: My goals were achieved. I managed to maintain a constant output of material, increased the level of discussion and feedback my previous articles had, and generally documented what was an interesting marriage of a design process with a streamlined team to execute it.
3. Design Challenges. My design challenges continued this year and expanded quite a bit. My goal was to produce patterns and digital illustrations for 365 days, and continuously expand their reach through social media, particularly Instagram and Tumblr. In parallel I set out to reach different partnerships, and hopefully expand the reach of my illustrations. Goals Achieved: The goals were halfway achieved. I did produce a generous and copious amount of illustrations during the year. The partnerships are still something to figure out, as the process refines itself. Nevertheless, and if anything has come from this initiative, is the fact that this exercise has forced me to continuously study new techniques, experiment with concepts, colors, and generally curate what I produce with the intent of creating things that align with a brand and perspective. 
4. Continuous Growth, Inspiration and Study. One of the most persistent questions I always hear pertains to how I maintain my point of view fresh, how do I stay afloat of what technologies are out in the market, software tools, trends. Being an effective designer means being cognisant of the ever changing universe that surrounds us, particularly when it comes to the disciplines of product design, and even more granularly, what tools are being developed to make it more effective, how trends are evolving, how new technologies are shaping how users digest and consume information. Designers now more than ever so, need to be in tune with what is being created, since chances are, they are driving a lot of what is being placed on the market. Being an active voice in the market, is the best way to continuously educate yourself, and obviously through reading, collaboration and a general inquisitive mindset always play a crucial role. Goals Achieved: The goals were achieved. I continue to read, digest, research for information that continuously provides me with knowledge that in turn allows me to understand and craft decisions that are anchored in a marriage of pertinent information, relevant experience, research and collaboration. 

I conclude this balance and summarization, much like the one from 2017. As 2018 starts and the challenges ahead are looming, I always remember the words from famed Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa: “Life is what we make of it. Travel is the traveler. What we see isn't what we see but what we are.” I am very fortunate to work in a field that is challenging, ever evolving, and where designers get to communicate, collaborate, find interesting solutions and paths for questions that constantly appear. To be a part of this ebullient universe is a gift, and this new year will be another one filled with creativity and productivity.