Aahel Iyer

When Dropbox shifted to #VirtualFirst, my Design team helped lead the efforts to create the new model in a way that actually reimagined modern work. By applying a human centered design approach to build Virtual First—understand what users need, develop hypotheses, design and pilot solutions, observe results and iterate— what we saw as a result was true cultural transformation. This way of working is intentionally designed to make space for creativity, tinkering and deep work, while also reserving time for synchronous collaboration and IRL time when we need it. Through this process, we quickly realized there was a need for more conversation around the unique challenges of working in distributed ways. That’s how we came up with the idea for Remotely Curious—a podcast where we dive deep into the world of remote work and the struggles that come with it. One of my favorite episodes is on the topic of setting boundaries, an art that can take practice while working remotely. It’s something we’re laser focused on here at Dropbox—83% of employees feel successful in designing their own work schedules, but we know our employees want continued support around boundary setting between their work and personal lives as we continue in our Virtual First journey. Psychologist, professor, and best-selling author Andrea Bonior joined Remotely Curious to guide us through the specifics of setting boundaries in the workplace. One lesson that really stuck with me from the conversation was the idea that "clarity is kindness." It’s easy to fall into the trap of people-pleasing, where we start equating saying “yes” as being nice and saying “no” as being “difficult” or creating an uncomfortable environment. But clarity—being clear about your limits and expectations—is actually one of the kindest things you can do for yourself and your team. As leaders in a distributed environment, this is incredibly important to maintaining balance and remaining in control of our work. Creating healthy boundaries in my life enables me to be both a better leader for my team, and a better father and equal contributor at home. By being intentional in supporting myself as well as having a support system, or a “Team Alastair” around me, I can maintain better balance so that I can be the best version of myself, maintain peak-level performance and continue to scale both professionally and personally. I highly recommend giving this one a listen, and would love to hear your thoughts. https://lnkd.in/dn8As9zG #productivity #innovation #futureofwork

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🎤 Victoria Campbell, Director of UX Design at Fidelity Investments 💬 How to use Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) to get the best UX feedback Getting feedback early and often is critical to the design process and success of any product. But, getting productive and thoughtful UX feedback from stakeholders can be a tough, daunting task. Often, it comes down to creating a safe space for honest communication and asking the right questions that encourage engagement and critical thinking. Enter Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), a facilitation technique that fosters collaborative, inclusive, community-building dialogue. This workshop will explore a simple, 3 question technique that can help UX practitioners get meaningful feedback and foster communities of collaboration. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eTHMwe2U #UXYall #UXYall2024 #TriUXPA #UXDesign #UXDesigner #UXResearch #UXPA #UXInspiration #UXConference #UserExperience

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6 Practical Tips for Using Anthropic's Claude Chatbot Anthropic recently launched an iOS app for its Claude chatbot. We asked the company’s head of product design how to get the most out of the AI helper. iPhone displaying the Claude AI app COURTESY OF ANTHROPIC Joel Lewenstein, a head of product design at Anthropic, was recently crawling beneath his new house to adjust the irrigation system when he ran into a conundrum: The device’s knobs made no sense. Instead of scouring the internet for a product manual, he opened up the app for Anthropic’s Claude chatbot on his phone and snapped a photo. Its algorithms analyzed the image and provided more context for what each knob might do. Sign Up Today This is an edition of WIRED's Fast Forward newsletter, a weekly dispatch from the future by Will Knight, exploring AI advances and other technology set to change our lives. This week, WIRED service writer Reece Rogers is filling in. When I tested OpenAI’s image features for ChatGPT last year, I found it similarly useful—at least for low-stakes tasks. I’d recommend you turn to AI image analysis for identifying those random cords around your house, but not to guess the identity of a loose prescription pill. Anthropic released the iOS app that helped out Lewenstein for all to download earlier this month. I decided to try out the Claude app, in line with a goal I’d set to experiment with a wider variety of chatbots this year. And I chatted over video with Lewenstein to see what advice he had for getting started with Claude and how to ask questions in a way that elicit the most useful answers. Get Chatty Decades of Google Search dominating the web has trained us to type blunt and concise queries when we want something. To get the most out of chatbots like Claude, you need to break free from that approach. https://lnkd.in/g46sFAsi

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OpenAI Spring Update happening live. Now. Here comes GPT-4o for FREE USERS... GPT Store, Vision, Memory, Browse and Advanced Data Analysis and a GPT API. https://lnkd.in/exxeMwha #gpt #ai #openai

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In the last 20 years, I’ve helped design several of the biggest tech products. One key lesson stands out: User research is critical for creating a great product. But many founders find it hard to get started. So I partnered with Pratiti RayChoudhury (VP and former Head of Research at Meta). Leaning on our early experiences at Meta, Google, YouTube, Yahoo, and PayPal, we created a 3-part series breaking down the actionable steps to conduct your own end-to-end user research. The series includes: • Part 1: Get started • Part 2: Plan your research • Part 3: Run sessions + Identify insights The first part of the series is now live on my Substack. For any who might be interested, you can check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gjkh-Xyc

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💡 One user research insight *doubled* revenue for a product line at a fast-growing startup — great anecdotes from design leaders shared at the Strange Design Fellows Kickoff yesterday. Design --> turning user insights into winning strategy. Stories like this make you wonder: why don't more companies leverage design from day one?

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We recently announced some amazing new AI features at FFDC (see the timestamped announcement linked). Now while that may sound expected/cliche/trendy I believe what we've done is ground breaking within the development space and shows why visual development can be a dramatically more efficient, effective and engaging experience to creating applications when done right. The FlutterFlow AI features we've created are not intended to be one off bespoke experience aimed at going viral more than actually improving our UX. Each of these features we announced are meant to meaningfully improve the lives of all of our FlutterFlow users and are driven by insights into what needs people have when building applications. Don't get me wrong we can do more, and we will. The most exciting part is that what we've launched is just the tip of the iceberg, some of the features we are currently working will go even further to empowering developers, designers and entrepreneurs with tools that feel like this is what AI was meant to do all along, make us better/faster so we can focus on the things that matter, ideas, quality and the users we strive to create for. I can't wait for you all to get your hands on these features! #flutterflow #FFDC #ai #nocode #lowcode #development #flutter

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Miro making waves again! They just announced three big features - intelligent canvas, composable workflows, and AI: Intelligent canvas - To minimize tool/context switching. Adding spaces (to group and organize within a project), modes (to switch context), and Canvas SDK to allow building of interactive components. Composable workflows - connect and automate steps, surface work, knowledge, and planning. Widgets - aware of surrounding context and interact with each other. Formulas to build real time insights of content on canvas and integrations (showed AWS) AI sidekicks - And, AI of course, introducing ai content creation and synthesis on the canvas. Sidekicks are persona-based - product leader, agile coach, and product marketer Very exciting for enabling more cohesive project work rather than independent artifact creation, facilitating data sharing, tracking and synthesis, and improving overall productivity!

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Explore more design options in less time with generative design: Generative design is turning the traditional design paradigm on its head. Conventional design methods rely on a "model then analyze" iterative cycle, but in generative design, the product designer first identifies the necessary design space and design goals. #siemensnx #nxcad #ugnx #nxreseller #coimbatore #bangalore #chennai #engineering #automotive #tech #cadcam #nxusers

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My takeaway: same story as with other "copilot" applications. A designer using Figma's AI features > a designer not using Figma's AI features. Automate mundane design tasks and enable designers to focus on higher-order activities. ⚡

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“Where am I?” As our design system matures, things move around. We’re trying to invest in ways that allow feature designers and engineers to locate where they are within a design system, and where to find what they need. → Multiple design libraries can be hard to track and become confusing when designers and engineers aren’t aware of what does and doesn’t exist in each library. → Every component and pattern has a varying degree of specificity from generic to a specific business context or content pattern and deciding what goes where is confusing. → Theming in Figma is great, but... the current nature of variables can make managing multiple modes across multiple brands challenging. Here’s how we’ve been trying to get our head around reducing complexity for our team and consumers 🏗 Figma file architecture - Having a clear plan for structuring your design system libraries is critical for folks to find stuff. Our early attempts at a highly modular system with numerous smaller libraries were too unwieldy. We’ve landed into a Tokens, Components, Patterns, and Features structure that streamlines the process for everyone. It was super cool to stumble on these Figma docs that deep dive into various strategies for organizing your files https://lnkd.in/dGyN-SQw 🚦 Wayfinding elements - Once designers and engineers are in the files themselves, it's still easy to get lost. We’ve implemented consistent color-coded “file covers” distinguishing design system files from feature files, “getting started” pages outlining file dependencies, and consistent page naming conventions indicating iterations from elements that are ready for development. Thanks to Vitaly Friedman for the reference to Saurav Rastogi's post on Figma file organization which is packed with insights. https://lnkd.in/giBs_Jgn 🎨 Multi-brand variables - Our team has worked hard to figure out the most intuitive way to allow for white-labeling our design system for custom theming. We currently leverage modes at multiple layers of the design system based on their specificity from global to semantic to component to pattern. Romina Kavcic has endless resources for teams who are looking to build out their token strategy. https://lnkd.in/deiMGCe9 💎 Wayfinding within design systems is hard but a couple of things that help folks understand where they are and what they can do → Partner with engineers on an architecture that maps somewhat to their mental model making things more intuitive → Setup wayfinding documentation within your Figma files that orient users to where they are within the system → Map your tokens and variables across your system so that it is clear how to layer modes to achieve custom themes #designsystems #figma #uidesign #tokens #components #patterns

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Missed our last episode? Don't worry, you can still catch up! 🎙️ Join me on Brave UX as Greg Petroff dives deep into the world of design leadership. Learn how his background in architecture informs his approach to leading design teams at top tech companies. Greg also shares his thoughts on the evolving role of AI in design and the importance of outcome-based thinking. It’s really not one to be missed! Don't miss out on learning from one of the best in the field! Tune in to discover: Greg’s journey from architecture to design leadership. Key strategies for integrating AI in UX. How to build and maintain high-performing design teams. #BraveUX #UXStrategy #ResearchLeadership #Podcast #Innovation #TechLeaders #Enterprise #CreatingCulture #Architecture #NewEpisode #NewZealand #BusinessPodcast #DesignLeadership #UX #UXDesign #ProductDesign #CDO #CPO #ProductLeadership Apple podcast: https://bitly.cx/DM0fg Spotify: https://bitly.cx/5Chh For more relevant and practical insights, check out https://lnkd.in/gxBcq96j

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New Episode Alert: Design to VC: Growth, Product Pitfalls & PLG Myths with Andy Budd Excited to share the latest episode of Nodes of Design! This week, I had the privilege of speaking with the brilliant Andy Budd, who transitioned from a successful design career to making waves in venture capital. In this episode, we dive deep into: 🔑 The seven key factors that drive product growth. ⚠️ Common mistakes founders make with their early products—and how to avoid them. 🎯 The challenges and opportunities of being the first design/product hire in a startup. 📈 Where growth design fits in today's startup landscape. 💡 Why most early-stage growth advice is flawed, and what founders need to know. 🤔 The biggest PLG myths Andy sees, and how to do it right. Andy’s unique perspective as a designer turned VC offers invaluable lessons for anyone navigating the intersection of design, product, and business growth. Listen now and level up your design and startup game! https://lnkd.in/gNr4nUqZ #design #vc #product #startups #culture

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I've worked with enough engineer-designed interfaces to value design highly at even early stage startups ... but, man, they can be a pain in the ass sometimes. I mean that in a truly affectionate way, because I've realized over the years the context many of my favorite design-minded folks are coming from - a demanding world of perfection-seeking where critique is a core competency. While most of my engineering colleagues are coming from a world where nothing is finished, nothing is perfect, and everything is slightly broken everywhere. Shipped can be better than perfect. Until you get both sides aligned to the same goal, you'll find these two world views butting into each other in fun and exciting ways ... But once aligned, it's off to the races. https://lnkd.in/gVzDZaaY

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The latest episode of my podcast features a conversation with Emily Campbell about The Shape of AI, her emergent pattern language for interacting with AI-powered systems. Emily has defined five categories of patterns: identifiers, wayfinders, prompts, tuners, and trust indicators. Employing these patterns can help designers produce systems that are more usable & understandable and give users more agency. This topic is closely aligned with my interests; envision a Venn diagram with circles that say AI, systems, and design. As such, this was one of my favorite recent conversations on the show. I hope you get as much value from this interview as I did — and thank you Emily for creating The Shape of AI and sharing with us! Link in the first comment below 👇

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When was the last time you slayed a dragon? A "hairy dragon" project that no one wants. That was me at IDEO, fresh out of grad school, working on a new modular furniture system for Steelcase. A rookie tasked with load-testing shelves under extreme conditions. Not exactly glamorous, right? But I remembered my dad's advice, which I later found out was an adaptation of a quote by Martin Luther King: "Whatever you want to do with your life, just do it with excellence." So, I instrumented our prototype shelves with strain gauges, built a killer Excel worksheet to model the system and track the system deflection as a function of load, and made the design better, more rigid, easier to assemble, and cheaper. Because of my testing and willingness to dig in with all I had, we made some very important modifications to the design. I focused on the many things—both BIG and SMALL—that would make or break the product. And you know what? People noticed. They noticed I was willing to conquer any challenge, from high profile to low—from fun to tedious. And from that flowed the right to take on the hard, but enjoyable projects… and the next ones after that. So, what's the point here? Take on the gnarly-but-need-to-get-done projects. Don't avoid the unglamorous grunt work. Conquer it "with excellence." That's how you move up to meatier challenges. Slay the big ugly dragon, and you’ll earn the right to fight an even bigger one.

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This is an amazing article and I agree, we will see more probabilistic design going forward --- I mean, I have already been discussing with my team the concept and we are ALREADY working on a more intuitive probabilistic design for Skhokho using AI agents. Building software that is proactive and not reactive --- but I am seeing an article on this concept for the first time, however it is the natural progression of logic with what is currently happening with AI design - So i am not surprised there is a name for it, and people are already doing it. Needless to say, our next project is Skhokho2.0 in an interface never seen before, we will push the boundaries of what is possible with CRM. This author describes the concept perfectly: https://lnkd.in/daDzRdsE #AI #artificialintelligence #design #UX #UI #CRM #generativeai #business #technology

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this is gold for Industrial Designers - whether corporate or consultancy, moreso the latter but lessons apply broadly

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💡 Figma Receives $12.5 Billion Valuation in New Investment Round 💼 Exciting news for the design world! Figma Inc., the San Francisco-based design startup, has secured a substantial investment from a group of investors including Coatue Management, Alkeon Capital Management, and General Catalyst Partners. This new deal values Figma at an impressive $12.5 billion. 📈 Key Financials: Annual Recurring Revenue: Over $700 million, projected to exceed $1 billion next year. Previous Revenue: Approximately $400 million by the end of 2022. 🚀 Recent Developments: New Features: In June, Figma launched new AI functionalities and a visual storytelling tool called Figma Slides. IPO Potential: Figma is considered a strong candidate for an IPO after a planned merger with Adobe Inc. fell through last year. 🔄 Transaction Details: The deal involved a secondary share sale, also known as a tender offer, which included current and former employees as well as other shareholders. This secondary share sale has been completed successfully. 📊 Notable Investors: The investment round also saw participation from: SurgoCap Partners Atlassian. Fidelity Investments Management & Research Co. Franklin Templeton's Franklin Venture Partners ICONIQ Capital Sequoia Capital Thrive Capital Durable Capital Partners LP Partners Andreessen Horowitz Kleiner Perkins With this significant backing, Figma is poised for continued growth and innovation in the design industry. Stay tuned for more updates on this game-changing company! #Figma #InvestmentNews #DesignTech #Coatue #GeneralCatalyst #StartupFunding #TechInnovation #AI #IPOCandidate #BusinessGrowth

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