web design is a cloud, not a clock
DESCRIPTION
Design groups the world over are littered with the remains of design process initiatives gone horribly useless. But, unless you are a one man band — and, let’s face it, few of us are — getting a group of designers, developers, and business owners to get a design out the door can feel like herding cats. What’s a designer to do? Change our framework. Design process is not a technical problem to be solved (like designing a clock) but an living emergent system (like a cloud) to be exposed, evaluated and iterated.TRANSCRIPT
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
Web Design is a Cloud, Not a ClockSarah B. Nelson | FOWD NYC 2011
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
#cloudclock
@sarahbeee
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
— “Art and Copy” documentary
“The frightening and most difficult thing about being what someone calls a ‘creative person’ is that you have absolutely no idea where any of your thoughts come from, and you have no idea where they’re going to come from tomorrow.”
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
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Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
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What are some common
assumptionsabout design workflow?
great work.
Official workflows ensure
one right wayto design.
There must be
same tools.
Everyone should use the
If we
diagram our workflow and give it to everyone on the project, it will run smoothly.
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
Inception Definition Detailed DesignGo Broad Go Deep
• What is it? • Is it something we should
pursue?
• How will we approach this problem?
• What is the scope of this problem?
• How many different ways could we solve this problem?
• How could this solution work?
PLANNING DESIGN
ActivitiesDevelop business caseDevelop visionIdentify audiencesIdentify team
OutcomesProject Brief, Draft 1Team
ActivitiesDevelop design planScope the problemRefine the vision
OutcomesDesign PlanProject Brief, Final
ActivitiesHold Sketchboard sessions1) Identify 3 directions3 Interaction Models3 Visual Approaches2) Sketch ideas for each direction3) Modify ideasConduct Design ReviewsSelect 1 Design ConceptRevise Design Plan
Outcomes1 Selected Concept
ActivitiesHold Sketchboard sessions1) Map golden path2) Design sketchboard session3) Iteratively develop designsConduct Design ReviewsDevelop click-through prototypeConduct usability testingRevise Design Plan
OutcomesClick-through prototype of golden path, with visual design
ActivitiesDevelop use casesMap all pathsDesign screens and documentDocument all page-based interactionsIdentify and document design patterns
OutcomesDesign specification
• Let’s get this out the door.
April
Shannon (3s)
Pipeline Lead (4s)
Designers (5s & 6s)
Biz
Tech
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
know business
generate insights map experience align strategydevelop
measurement model
know customers
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
thinkmake
test
plan
make the
Bosses
Processes
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
thisnot that
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
inputoutput
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
input output
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
design process is an
emergent system
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
working agreements
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
clear purpose
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
trust
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
clear roles and
responsibilities
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
agreed-upon approach
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
user involvement
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
stakeholder engagement
Sarah Kristy John
Sarah Kristy John
Goals1
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Sarah Kristy John
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Goals1
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FEARS1
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FEARS1
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FEARS1
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Sarah Kristy John
Goals1
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Goals1
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Goals1
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FEARS1
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FEARS1
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FEARS1
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EXPECTATIONS1
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EXPECTATIONS1
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EXPECTATIONS1
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Sarah Kristy John
Goals1
2
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Goals1
2
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Goals1
2
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FEARS1
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FEARS1
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FEARS1
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EXPECTATIONS1
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EXPECTATIONS1
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EXPECTATIONS1
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creative lead PM UX LEad
Sarah
Goals1 Add a new e-commerce piece to my portfolio
2 To increase our experience with research projects
3 Try out a new analysis technique for our research
creative lead
Sarah
Goals1 Add a new e-commerce piece to my portfolio
2 To increase our experience with research projects
3 Try out a new analysis technique for our research
FEARS1 That I won’t be able to spend enough time with the team2 that the client’s expectations are unreasonable3 That the project is underscoped
creative lead
Sarah
Goals1 Add a new e-commerce piece to my portfolio
2 To increase our experience with research projects
3 Try out a new analysis technique for our research
FEARS1 That I won’t be able to spend enough time with the team2 that the client’s expectations are unreasonable3 That the project is underscoped
EXPECTATIONS1 Of Sarah: That she is as accessible as possible
2 of the team: That people communicate honestly with each other
3 of SaRAH: that she has the team’s back
creative lead
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
just because you wrote it on the board doesn’t make it true
make the
Bosses
Processes
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
@sarahbeee
www.sarahbnelson.com
www.tapirandtine.com
thank you!
Training, workshop design, coaching and facilitation for creative organizations.
photo of Karl Popper by Steve Pyke
photo credits