Leading by Design: My Experience in UX

My mom often asks, “What do you do at work?” She knows I design things—after all, I created designs for my father’s books, posters displayed across the country, and websites that gained recognition. But at some point, my path took a turn. Now, I do something called User Experience (UX). So, how does this relate to design or my computer engineering background?

So, what do I do at work every day? And what do I teach my students? I create products that make lives easier. I learn about human behaviour, understand their needs and emotions, and create solutions that truly resonate with them. Imagine you’re building a bridge. It’s not just about ensuring it looks good; it’s about making sure it’s sturdy, functional, and serves the needs of the people who will use it every day.

Ensuring the business operates efficiently and increasing ROI is also crucial. This means implementing streamlined processes that minimize waste and maximize productivity. Everyone from the C-suite to interns must understand the importance of user-centered design. A motivated team is crucial because happy employees are more productive and creative, leading to higher-quality products and an innovative culture. When teams feel valued and see the impact of their work, they are more likely to go the extra mile, improving user satisfaction and business success. A successful UX design is a win-win for both users and the business, enhancing engagement and retention while driving a stronger bottom line.

In my leadership role, I support my teams in wearing many hats. One day, I might guide them through user research to understand pain points and desires. Another day, I could be collaborating with them on sketching out wireframes and transforming complex processes into intuitive interfaces. Sometimes, I help them become storytellers, crafting narratives that allow stakeholders to see the potential of a new idea. And often, I mentor them, encouraging the next generation of designers to think critically and empathetically.

Leading by design means that design principles guide every aspect of my leadership. It’s about creating an environment where creativity and collaboration thrive. Just as we focus on user-centered design, we must also keep our processes human-oriented. It’s about understanding each team member’s strengths and motivations and designing workflows that harness these qualities to produce the best outcomes.

Consider the success of a logistics system project. The client had a set of applications to support their extensive fleet but after an unsuccessful attempt to bridge existing apps, they reached out to us. We validated existing applications and workflows, identified gaps, and sought a better solution by creating an application to connect them. This project not only produced a product that people loved to use but also established new valuable processes for the business. Throughout, I was there for the team, supporting their design and research efforts while working closely with stakeholders to prioritize UX and ensure the team had everything they needed. The success of this project was a testament to the power of effective UX design and collaboration.

My work is like being a detective, architect, and psychologist all rolled into one. I investigate what users need, design structures that meet those needs and understand the psychological aspects that make products enjoyable to use. It’s about crafting an experience that feels seamless and intuitive like it was made just for you.

In the grand scheme of things, the value lies in bridging the gap between technology and humanity. I take the complexities of the digital world and transform them into experiences that feel natural and intuitive. It’s not just about solving problems but ensuring that the solutions empower users and make their lives a little bit easier.

When I reflect on my journey, I see a thread that ties it all together: the desire to make a positive impact through design and leadership. From the early days of graphic design to now leading UX initiatives and teams, it’s always been about creating something meaningful. And that, in essence, is what I do. I design experiences and lead teams in ways that matter.

Leading by design is about finding the balance between the technical and the human, creating harmony in the digital world. So, Mom, I might not be designing book covers anymore, but I’m still creating. I’m crafting the bridges that connect people to the products they use every day, and leading teams to ensure those journeys are as smooth as possible, one experience at a time.

As Robert L. Peters once said, “Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future.”

This philosophy drives everything I do, both in design and in leadership.