Managing expectations for UX in 2018
What should people expect from a UX designer in 2018?
User Experience designers are riding the wave of design methods and culture, becoming a central part of a business and corporate plans. Their skill sets are as broad as ever and show no signs of stagnating anytime soon. With this trend of UX designers I thought it would be interesting to dive in and explore what makes, or breaks, a UX designer in 2018.
In 2018 — experiences are the product
In 2018 — experiences will make or break your product or service. A holistic approach will ensure that each and every user touch point in the design is covered for an enjoyable or meaningful experience.
People no longer consume, they are becoming the providers in a world moving closer to digital powers every day. However, this does not mean more traditional fields such as Industrial Design will suffer. Different areas of art and design will continue to become more diverse and continue to become more relevant in cross-functional workplaces as design is used as a method and culture to deliver more meaningful and successful solutions.
This brings us to the role of the UX designer in 2018, with many coming from more diverse than traditional backgrounds their skill sets differ greatly and now have a larger range. A specialist in one area but specific knowledge needed in others what should we expect in 2018?
UX designers are coming from everywhere but how are they getting away with it??
UX designers are coming from all sorts of backgrounds and rightly so. The diverse range of experiences this brings to the table is nothing but advantageous. In every traditional art and design field, the user or audience has always been at the centre of the focus in one way or another. With user centricity becoming a trending phrase as of late it seems people are finally making the jump from their professions to this new and exciting area.
Gone are the days of the lone designer working at his/her table perfecting a lone piece of craft to be passed up a companies hierarchy either to be rejected or falsely marketed. Blind spots can’t be patched up anymore, users are too cautious and it’s the little things that matter. UX designers, coming from these diverse backgrounds and professions, are street smart and know exactly that.
Design or develop & Industrial design
Supporting this cast of a diverse range of UX designers comes a diverse range of questions. I think one of the established questions, and one that has got to me the most, is whether web or app designers should also be able to develop.
Personally, I don’t think this discussion ventures far from the classic designer vs engineer debates. Both involve a great deal of craft and knowledge but neither can be completed without the other. Like industrial designers, having a broad range of knowledge about manufacturing processes is of the utmost importance so to see any designer not wanting to have a least a bit of knowledge about how their ideas could be developed is, to me, confusing.
I believe that in 2018 we are starting to understand this, with the demands of employers also forcing our hands I think that many UX designers and developers will continue to grow closer to each other.
Personally, As I am on an Industrial Design course I have been taught the importance of understanding manufacturing processes and the feasibility of materials in my designs. So when it comes to digital design, I have frequently wondered why the same has not been applied… Maybe there’s not enough time but I for one am keen on learning.
The complete experience
This one is more of a given, to be honest. I think we can all expect UX designers in 2018 to focus on more complete experiences of a product or service rather than certain feature sets. Holistic experiences are at the forefront of design and have been for a long time. It’s up to us to get it right, perhaps more than ever now.
A new job title?
Ok, one last note and this is something I came across on Linkedin. Siamack argues that a new a job title should be introduced. The title?
Head of thinking.
“Yes, that’s the title. Someone whose sole job is to think and help those who do not have time or the inclination to think.”
I think it’s call to let that sit for a while, it would be interesting to get your thoughts about it though so feel free to comment or get in touch!
