What we can learn about the professional creative process from childhood arts and crafts — As children, our parents and teachers devise fun and artistic exercises for us to explore our creativity. One childhood activity many of us may recall is creating macaroni art, sometimes referred to as macaroni crafts or pasta art. For those not familiar, macaroni art is the simple and sometimes messy…

The UX industry is saturated with noble intentions and elegant strategies to create positive and meaningful user experiences. These objectives are possible through the implementation of systematic processes such as research, ideation, testing, and, most importantly, empathizing. Unfortunately, the dilemma with this utopian approach to designing and developing products and…

Why some introverts will sacrifice authenticity for career advancement — When referring the the proverbial glass ceiling, we typically think of the barriers many women and minorities face while attempting to advance their careers or gain influential leadership positions. While a particular demographic of men account for a higher percentage of executive-level and leadership positions, ethnicity and gender are not…

How politics and power influence our perspectives. — Design and politics have a lot in common. Many of us go into these professions with preconceived notions about how our fresh perspectives and vigor will be a catalyst for improving humanity. Unfortunately, this spirit for positive change is matched only by our ignorance of reality. The truth is many…

A handy instruction manual for businesses, clients, and stakeholders to maximize the service of design professionals. — Are you considering hiring a professional designer? Or are you currently utilizing the services of a designer? If so, congratulations! Employing a designer is an important step toward improving the value and experience of your brands, products, and services. Before learning how to use your designer, it’s important to understand…

How to boost self-perception through communication, writing, and kinship — Designers who struggle with imposter syndrome believe they are undeserving of their achievements and high esteem. They feel that they are not as competent or intelligent as others might think — and soon enough, those around them will discover the truth that they are a fraud. Many reasons may contribute…

How self-admiration and business intuition leads to needless solutions — There are many reasons why companies do not adopt User Experience (UX) practices. Sometimes it is because of cost or timing, or perhaps they lack an understanding of UX value. These are legitimate justifications if we perceive UX as a commodity or a process. However, UX is more than just…

The struggle of keeping up to date with evolving industry standards. — This September 2022, I will be 40 years old. And for the last few years, I have had this lurking fear in the back of my mind about whether or not designers have expiration dates. I have found it more difficult than ever to keep up with the industry —…

Examining an organizations leadership and discovering your beliefs can help shape your career path — Good designers invest a great deal of passion and energy into exploring solutions for better design outcomes. Sometimes we strive to produce designs that inspire people to improve the world. Or perhaps we are interested in making their lives easier. Nonetheless, our ultimate goal is to solve significant problems using…