Kayleigh Thompson

Really enjoyed this podcast episode about the state of design leadership and craft, and what might need to be done. https://buff.ly/3Wfm51r

1

Design systems can save time and effort, keep designers focused on user needs, and create consistency. But the rules are also there to be broken. I've spent quite a bit of time this week thinking about 'care cards' – those little boxes that appear on NHS web pages telling you what to do, and how to get help. When we're deciding which type of care card to use on a page or screen, the guidance set out in the (amazingly brilliant) NHS Service Manual will always be the starting point. They're based on extensive research and feedback from real NHS patients. But, in practice, it's often necessary to use them in slightly non-standard ways. For example, user research shows that the black and red 'emergency care card' is sometimes too intense and triggering in certain contexts. So, we thoughtfully, deliberately, carefully create a context-specific variation. We document our reasoning. We share our thinking openly, early, and widely. And we test it with patients as extensively as possible. [Image description: An arrow twisting around on itself representing the bending of rules.] #DesignSystems #design #ProductDesign

21

2 Comments

If you're looking to up your accessibility game, your search is over. Join my colleague and accessibility guru Grant for some insights and guidance next Wednesday!

7

So glad I managed to attend UX Brighton on Friday. Top notch speakers for an obvious but tricky theme: UX & AI. Some personal highlights: - Pablo Stanley's contagious energy, humour and eye-candy slides somehow managed to show really practical "why did I put this button here" advice. Proper Design class! >> check his Lummi app https://www.lummi.ai/ - Maggie Appleton perfectly encapsulated why AI is breaking the free Internet and what possible (mostly-depressing) futures await us. PS: it's all here >> https://lnkd.in/ek6wJ6V8 - Glenn Jones's text-to-functional-UI demo left some speechless. A glimpse into a future of use-once UIs generated on the fly. - Hannah Beresford's solid research work laid out why AI tools don't work yet and what to do about it. - Will Taylor's historical framework was the perfect conference intro and a useful tool to clarify "which AI for which situation". A few reflections: - There are identified ways make chatbot-style AI UIs more usable... but the single box to "ask anything" is far from the being the most useful interaction paradigm. - AIs are rubbish at context, societal norms and verbal cues. It's best to think of them as a smart alien rather than a human. - Data-led products, like AI-driven ones, need to be user tested in context, with real data. Smoke & mirrors prototypes or static mockups are pointless. - It did made me want to work on AI products and try more AI tools! - Also, not one mention of sustainability?? It feels like the elephant in the room. Overall, such an awesome day with Joanna Rusznica Laura Pison David Man Jess Judge Rachel Ward Kounnas Caroline Gardiner Andrew Wood Rosie FitzGerald Carolyn Letts #uxbri #uxbrighton #uxbrighton2024 #ai #ux #design

63

4 Comments

What do Paul Scholes and Service Designers have in common? 🥁🥁 ….they are playmakers The best midfielders / Service Designers are those that: > spot the gaps and opportunities > predict how situations will play out > keep a wide view of the action > link up play, connecting the team from back to front > create moments of magic Though often both often unseen, they can be the game-changers in setting others / the org up for success What would you add to the above? P.S #GGMU 👹🔴🏆 #Design #ServiceDesign

20

4 Comments

🌱 How can we use design education to up-skill designers for a sustainable future? Following my reflections on the Design Council's Design for Planet festival, I wanted to delve deeper into the role education plays in empowering designers to drive change. Leaders like Michele Gregson FRSA and Sandra Booth FRSA are championing design’s place in our educational systems, from Early Years to Higher Education- here are some of their insights: 🔹 Starting Early: What if design education began at the very start of schooling? Introducing design-thinking skills in early education could nurture problem-solving behaviors, creativity, and resilience from a young age. 🔹 Current State: Design learning exists in spaces like Design Technology workshops and art rooms, where A-level Art & Design remains popular. Yet, DT is under threat, and within Art & Design departments, design often takes a backseat to fine art, which dominates the curriculum. 🔹 Potential for Change: By reimagining our curriculum, we could build a ‘positopia’ for schools where design thrives as a core subject that empowers students to apply their own agency to solve real-world problems. Design students entering higher education are already equipped with strong ethical, social, and environmental awareness. They: - Choose universities based on green credentials. - Recognize and challenge greenwashing. - Bring with them the perspective of conscientious consumers who see broken systems in governance, healthcare, and more—and want to make a difference. In the UK alone, there are 180,000 design and art students, not counting those in engineering and related fields. Additionally, there are significant opportunities for Continuing Professional Development for existing designers, ensuring that lifelong learning in sustainable design is accessible. Let’s advocate for education that prepares designers as both creatives AND as changemakers. It's clear that we can embed these skills from the ground up 🌿

10

Human Centred Design People are frustrated with everyday things due to ever increasing complexity. The solution for this is Human - Centered Design (HCD), an approach that puts human needs, capabilities and behaviours first and then signs to accommodate those needs. Human centered design is a philosophy. It means starting with a good understanding of people and the needs that design is intended to meet. #humancentereddesign #HCD #users #designapproach

1

Introverts vs extroverts and then all the nuance and folk who sit in between those two ends of the scale. To be a good design leader (or a leader more generally) do you need to be one or the other? Both have different strengths, values and likely different ways of approaching things. I think the two ends of that scale will likely have quite different styles but I would argue that there is no one size fits all approach. Interested to see what folk think. #design #leadership #people

11

4 Comments

I’ve always wondered - does the term ‘design system’ create a bit of a misconception across the tech industry about who it’s for and the true potential and value it brings to a business? It’s easy to perceive it as just a ‘design’ asset by name, but what if we thought of it more as a User Experience System? One that highlights its huge strategic importance in driving product consistency, quality, usability, brand, UI, standards, efficiency, scalability and satisfaction etc. As we move into a world where there’s huge potential with AI driven systems are we framing these systems correctly to unlock their full potential? #UX #ProductDesign #DesignSystems #UserExperience #Strategy

6

Ever been on a train when the driver announces a delay due to a signal issue?   As passengers, we’ve all been there—stuck on a stationary train, waiting for updates. In those moments, clear communication from the driver is crucial. Even if the news isn’t what we want to hear, knowing what’s happening and why helps us stay calm, adjust our plans, and trust that we’re still on the right track.   As a brand designer, I see a strong parallel to this in my work with clients. The design journey, much like a train ride, can sometimes encounter unexpected delays or changes. Whether it’s a shift in project scope, feedback that requires revisiting certain elements, or technical challenges, these moments are inevitable.   That’s why I believe in the power of clear, timely communication. Just like the train driver keeping passengers informed, I make it a priority to keep my clients updated on where we are in the design process. If there’s a delay, I explain why. If we need to take a different route to reach our destination, I ensure they understand the reason and the benefits of the change.   This transparency not only helps clients feel confident and in control, but it also strengthens our partnership. When clients understand the current situation, they’re more likely to trust the process and remain engaged in the journey, even when it takes an unexpected turn.   Clear communication is key—whether you’re guiding a train full of passengers or leading a client through the design process. It’s about ensuring everyone feels informed, valued, and ready for the next step, whatever it may be.   Have you experienced a moment where clear communication made all the difference?

13

Local business sector: Funding opportunity for people-centric and systemic design assistance. Indicative theses include: • net zero • AI & ML • other emerging or advanced digital technologies • health and wellbeing • food and agriculture (except primary production)

10

Decreasing health inequalities is one of the biggest challenges in the UK and globally. ‘Exclusion is a clinical risk’ indeed. Great post from Rochelle Gold about efforts to make NHS services more inclusive to all. I’m chuffed to see inclusive design work being continued and expanded, and being able to play my little part in it. Also, I’m hopeful as even small changes such as accessible shared resources, introducing pronouns, research into digitally excluded or underserved communities and raising awareness can shift perspective, provoke valuable conversations and lead to meaningful outcomes. It’s an eye-opening learning journey that’s a marathon rather than sprint. Amazing to see more and more colleagues from UCD and beyond on it. #design #inclusive #accessibility #nhs

2

One of 5 diagrams for deliberative process in #CivicAssembly workshop next week in Edinburgh. Supporting individual thinking and deeper consideration.

1

As designers we don’t need to own to have impact A lot of our skillsets and value lie: - in the facilitation - in collaboration - in being the glue, the playmakers - in helping to enable impact, efficiencies and value It is partly why there is so much grey area around the CDO role (I think) Whether driving a transformation or building a product, there’s always value in Design being involved But we don’t need to be in the driving seat We can be the supporting actor rather than the star of the show Many will be thinking, ‘well we are just fighting to have that voice at all’ It’s fair But the reality is that shouting louder won’t make you more clearly understood Sometimes you need to play the long game Figure out what those where you want to be care about Pick them off one by one to build trust and advocacy Give them value, so they are the ones to ask why you are not in the room If that happens enough, you’ll be invited in I think I’ve said before Design (in most cases) should be in the room Not because our ideas are better but because they are different 🖤 #Design #Leadership #DesignLeadership

77

47 Comments

I went to my first UX Architect team meeting at BBC UX&D for a few years last week and it inspired me to revisit some information architecture ideas... mainly the idea of 'concurrent information architecture'. I'm still not convinced it's a real thing... maybe it depends on where you draw the boundary of an architecture... but I do think considering the points of overlap, interaction and integration between systems, at the information architecture level, is one way to build better products and services. #informationarchitecture

11

Incredible developments emerging from the OpenAI camp, however, two aspects stood out to me. Firstly, the tone sounded a bit patronising, like saying "good job getting that taxi." I'm guessing there will be ways to fine tune the tone of voice. Secondly, I wonder if they have considered how fast people who use screen readers set their text speed! Still, the voice is fairly high-quality (but not as good as ElevenLabs, yet) and hopefully it can be operated at higher speeds. The future looks promising! https://lnkd.in/gwbFMqzN

5

No more nutritional poverty. Visions and pathways for future farmers in the East Midlands and East of England. Agroecology is a cornerstone of our ethical future economy. Are you a policy influencer in this space? https://lnkd.in/eEj47eFq

2