You’ve probably already seen the new set of logos from Google’s G Suite. They replaced a bunch of recognisable logos into something… well, decide for yourself:
I understand what Google wanted to accomplish: uniformity. However, I feel that you can achieve uniformity on one side and be distinguishable within your design on the other. The set of logos designed by Google are -in my opinion- just too similar. From a distance, they all look alike. Because of their shape and because of their similarity in colour. All logos have the same ‘weight’ of colours being used.
When I saw the new logos, I immediately though: Did Google even test the logos on a big group of users: those with visual impairment? …
You can benefit a lot from not wanting to move forward for a moment.
By taking a step back, you actually move forward a lot more than you think.
I get it, it’s human nature to grow. I think that nobody likes to look back and see you are still the exact same person you were.
People -and companies- like to move forward and grow. However, it can be very beneficial to take the time to take a step back.
Unfortunately, I see the opposite happen around me a lot. Almost all of my clients don’t take time to really think about what they want to achieve. And why they want to achieve that. I understand it. You get caught up in the daily grind. …
99% of the time they want you to do something else.
Being around in the field of (digital) design for some time now got me in contact with a lot of clients. As you might expect, — almost — every client comes to you with a specific task: make a website, a new logo, social content, and so on.
I always did what was asked.
The typical process was something like this:
Client: Hey Do! I would like you to design me a template for the newsletter. We like this and this and that.
Do: Hey Client, nice of you to contact me for this project! Let’s do this. I can make you a template for around X Euro’s.
Client: Sounds good, when is it done?
Do: I’ll email you the first version Monday next week, let’s do 1 feedback round. …
One of my colleagues once told me that you should always have someone in mind when writing.
Well, today that someone is myself… Not so long ago I came around the subject of Context Mapping (CM), but I just couldn’t get my head around it. So I started Googling CM and read a couple of articles on the subject, when simultaneously started to write down bits and pieces I found in those articles. And here I am, trying to explain CM in 1 just paragraph. If you’re also unsure of what CM is, read the paragraph below!
CM is a technique that is used in the field of UX Research. This technique will gain insight in the deeper emotions and needs of real users [Figure 1]. Deeper emotions can be dreams, wishes, fears, aspirations and ideas. CM is useful during the beginning of a design phase, and will give the team an idea of the latent and tacit knowledge of users. This type of knowledge comes floating to the surface with generative tools. One of the most used generative tool is the the cultural probes technique: Respondents are instructed to make a mood board, containing words and images, expressing good and bad facets about a defined situation (e.g. cooking at home). By letting real users talk about that certain situation in the past, present and future, the design team gets inspired. And, since you include your users in a very early stage of the design phase, your product will be in scope with the user needs. …
This is for all the UX Designers out there who make neat stuff, but haven’t been able to test their designs on real people; The ones that are made from flesh and blood.
Start taking User Testing seriously, it makes all the difference. User Testing may seem time-consuming and costly at first, but it’s really valuable to get feedback from your actual users. With the acquired feedback you get insight into that what you’ve designed at an early stage in the process. This can save time, money and frustration and will improve your product in the end. …
