Stop Saying “User” when There Is No “User”

But wait, isn’t everything we do for users? Nope! I’m really beginning to hate the term “user.” It has become mainstream. Much as we say “google it” when we mean “search for something on a search engine,” “user” has become synonymous with anything we do in the design/development/product world.

Three Tips for Taking Over Design on an Existing Project

I think it’s fair to say that, in general, designers prefer a blank canvas—a fresh start. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes we have to take over legacy projects or step into projects that are ongoing. There are a few ways to make sure the engagement is positive for the client and fulfilling for […]

Sometimes It’s Okay to Not Share the Marker – Three Times to Take the Lead in a Working Meeting

Don’t get me wrong–I am all about collaboration. Interesting ideas, different perspectives—it’s all great. But sometimes in a working meeting, you have to take control of the whiteboard marker and not let anyone else touch it.

Using “Last Thursdays” to Discuss Exceptions with Users

Most people call them “exceptions.” We call them “Last Thursdays.” I’ve mentioned this term in a couple of my previous blog posts, and I think it’s important to touch on it one more time, to better explain what it means, and to discuss how changing the name has helped us communicate more effectively with our […]

Writing Context Scenarios? Start at the End

If you’ve watched as many YouTube videos as I have, you’ve inevitably seen some ads for Master Classes. These are online classes taught by some of the most renowned names in their respective industries—Ron Howard on directing, Gordon Ramsey on cooking, Steph Curry on dribbling and shooting, etc. In the ad for Malcom Gladwell’s class […]

Why Your App/System Rewrite Will Probably Be Bigger Than You Think

If you’re doing a major rewrite of an existing app, you may be hoping to simply duplicate the existing app’s basic features. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Your users have come to rely on the set of features they use in your current app. And if they can’t accomplish all the same tasks/goals as they […]

How to Present Your Portfolio at a Software Design Job Interview

I recently had coffee with a young professional designer. She was lacking confidence after leaving her current position and needed a bit of encouragement. We talked for over two and a half hours about her portfolio, interview skills, and the industry in general. While every person is different, I find myself giving young designers many […]

Want More Effective Meetings? Play Games

We’ve all been there—meetings that go on and on, people talking in circles, arguing the same things, and wrapping up without well-defined next steps. It’s frustrating and a waste of time. There are a few best practices that can help counteract these pitfalls (e.g. sharing an agenda with topics and time slots), but those aren’t […]

Using “We” Language to Build Bonds with Clients

My wife and I typically visit family on the weekends, which involves a couple-hour drive and spending the night somewhere. She loves to have the house cleaned before we leave. That’s her goal. My goal is to leave on time. Those goals don’t line up very well unless there is a strong partnership effort.

The Case for Starting Your Project with an Ecosystem Map

At the start of every software project, we spend a few intensive days gathering information about the client, their business, and what they want to build. We have a toolkit of exercises to choose from when we’re planning a customized kickoff. One that always starts us off on the right foot is the Ecosystem Map. […]

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By: Kyle Harris

Author: Kyle Harris