Daniel Gilman

I had a blast making this video. And it was just in my garage. I've been watching video creators like Oyinkro K 🎥, Diwas Basnet, Rayna van Beuzekom 🦕, Jay Clouse, and others in their networks to try and get a little better with every video. From transitions and lighting to script writing and YouTube cover packaging, there's so much to learn from these people. So when I needed a channel video promoting this weird HGTV/Twitch livestream mashup project, I decided to put what I've watched to work—and even if it doesn't turn out to be crazy effective, it's been crazy fun. No, I'm not a video creator, editor, remixer, or any of the above. But I do know how to build brands and make messaging around them. This is just a different medium that I'm learning. Instead of brand design or tips, here's a video about a mockup store. All this to say, Remember to enjoy the process of learning. No one gets better doing the same thing without an increase in difficulty day after day. (Although repetition is a great teacher!) It should be a little bit scary. A little bit nerve-wracking. and a little bit fun.

12

5 Comments

Highlighting my new article on the timeliness of the Design Process and the standards that drive its evaluation. https://lnkd.in/ee_X-kqP #design #designthinking #designbuild #designstrategy #product #producctdesign #productmanagement #productstrategy #designprinciples #innovation #designers #digitaltransformation #ux #uxdesign #uiux #uidesign #designinnovation #application #software #softwaredesign #usability #userresearch #research #usercentereddesign #productleadership #uxwriting #designsystems #empathy #interfacedesign #usabilitytesting #userexperience #productdesign #accessibility #ui #ai #genai 

2

I couldn’t have said it better. Design and UX are often seen as nice-to-have resources, leading to their undervaluation and insufficient staffing on Product teams. As a result, we frequently find ourselves stretched thin, doing our best to keep up with demands. Instead of being recognized for our contributions, we’re often labeled as bottlenecks, with teams opting to go around us. Worse yet, we’re sometimes told to spend less time on solving problems and merely focus on making things "look pretty". To my fellow UXers: seek out organizations that genuinely value your work and the contributions you make. I understand that times are tough, and we’re all doing the best we can with limited budgets. However, if a company claims to prioritize user experience, they need to back that up with real investment.

15

1 Comment

Have you ever felt trapped in a career loop, stuck in the same senior designer roles year after year? Have you found yourself taking on leadership responsibilities without the recognition or compensation to match? If so, you're not alone. Many talented designers face the frustrating reality of the "Senior Designer Ceiling," a career plateau that can be difficult to overcome. But it doesn't have to be your story. At Yeh IDeology, we've helped countless designers shatter this glass ceiling and ascend to the leadership roles they deserve. Our Thrive By Design program provides the tools, strategies, and support you need to break free from the limitations and unlock your full potential. Imagine a future where: Your skills are recognized and rewarded. You're leading high-impact design teams. You're shaping the future of your industry. Join us for our upcoming workshop on September 5th and learn how to: ✅ Identify the hidden barriers holding you back. 🚀 Develop the leadership skills that truly matter. 💰 Negotiate for the compensation you deserve. Don't let the Senior Designer Ceiling define your career. Take the first step towards breaking free and achieving your leadership aspirations. Register now: https://buff.ly/3TfASqB #designcareer #leadershipdevelopment #careercoaching #seniordesigner #thrivebydesign #yehideology

4

I’m noticing a peculiar design related anti-pattern of sorts in the post ZIRP economic environment. It’s where companies have the budget to staff design talent, albeit in lower numbers, but the development budget is so limited that teams are unable to implement the work designers produce. This is the third economic downturn I’ve experienced and we always get pendulum swings. In this one, there seems to be a bias toward austerity and implementing the least expensive solution.

1

As you're thinking about where designers fit in your organization, don't neglect the white space So much of the focus on design is the deliverables and artifacts Outputs, sure. Prototypes and mockups and design systems. Outcomes, like metrics moved. But more to the point, sometimes genius lies in what's intentionally left out, not done, avoided. Research can help you see where a product won't have product market fit. Design can help bring to life ideas that shouldn't actually be made. Save money. Save opportunity cost. Save time. But we can only measure what's made. So the opportunity to say 'no' isn't pursued, isn't important - it's invisible. I don't have a good answer here. I just know that 'best left undone' is an answer that more leaders should consider.

2

My branding shift has early stages of showing that it mattered. I'll tell you why so far... First off, If you didn't already know, I recently decided to transition from using the fictitious name "Link Creative" to simply using my name for my creative business. Here’s why this shift and everything I changed visually has been important to me: -- Clarity on who I am -- I realized that "Link Creative" was no longer fitting. People sometimes thought I was an agency, and I wanted to be more personal and transparent about who i am, what I offer, and how I work. It just felt right to just be myself! That way so many parts of who I am including my offering could come out in my brand. Im still working on this! -- New Approach to Projects -- This shift has helped me focus on being more direct and one-on-one with clients, truly collaborating with them as I offer my services. I want to connect with them directly so they know how invested I am in helping. I want to offer an experience along with services and one that feels like someone cares. -- Visual Identity Updates -- I kept my "L" but gave it an update that made it more clean and more upright. I integrated my full name into my branding, focusing on images that mean something to me personally and professionally. My brand illustrative elements all have meaning. I'll elaborate on those someday! -- Overcoming Challenges -- Branding yourself is tough! I had to stop myself from nitpicking things about a million times! I had to let go of unrealistic perfectionism and push forward. I’m happy with the outcome and know it can evolve. I believe I’ve laid a good foundation. -- Business Growth and Opportunities -- I’m optimistic that this personalization will help clients feel more connected and trusting, knowing I will work closely with them to design meaningful visuals for their brand. -- Feedback so far -- The feedback from peers and clients has been positive so far! I know it's early but the early feedback is encouraging. I’m continuing to implement and use the new brand, starting with the launch of my new website: www.lindseykm.com There is still things evolving and improving as I go. -- Advice for Others -- If your gut tells you it’s time to make a change, go for it! Follow your process and avoid overthinking. Continuously ask yourself, “Is this really me?” Stay true to who you are to create a brand that reflects you and what you offer. I’m Lindsey Meredith,  a brand visual designer, letterer and Illustrator You can view 👁️‍🗨️ work at: www.lindseykm.com If you have a branding creative need let's chat: 📩 [email protected] #Branding #logodesigner #PersonalBrand #FreelanceDesigner #brandidentity design #GraphicDesign #Rebranding #CreativeJourney #DesignLife #graphicdesigner

30

+1 to all of this, especially being an education major -> graphic designer -> logo/brand designer -> visual designer -> UX designer -> design systems practitioner Spoiler alert: the teaching degree has been the most helpful "role" to date, and every role after that was basically the same (simply with different problems to solve and artifacts to make)

5

1 Comment

A lot of what we do as designers is clean up. Sure, we talk about story arcs and designing the experience, but the average presentation may not have the time or resources to think bigger than getting it done, even when it’s an essential pitch by the C-suite for a new initiative. That's where following the template, using it wisely to maximize variation, and keeping it simple comes into play. Much of what you need to say should be in the talk track rather than in the slide, and if you need to go into detail, use an appendix, preread existing material, or a download to let people dive deep. Designing for a screen comes with practice, like riding a bike. In my experience helping thousands of presenters, the less design YOU have to do, the better it is for you and the AUDIENCE. Focus on *design that matters.* Be *intentional with design.* #presentationdesign

19

5 Comments

?What If! Learning #6: Working on products before the design stage. Many designers — especially those early in their careers — don’t get to see how the sausage is made before it’s their job to slice it. I was fortunate to be part of product and experience conversations that extended beyond my role as a designer, and I learned a lot. These experiences gave me valuable insights into other perspectives and the myriad of factors that need to be balanced. Participating in the extensive work involved in various areas — marketing, product line differentiation, employee experience, and executive investment — opened my eyes to the complexity and demands placed on Product Managers. They have to juggle lots of responsibilities, ensuring every aspect of the product and its ecosystem aligns with the company’s goals and user needs. Understanding the behind-the-scenes effort required to bring a product to market has been invaluable. It’s not just about creating a great user experience; it’s about integrating that experience with a robust business strategy and a cohesive team effort. Have you had the chance to see the broader picture in your role? How has it impacted your understanding of the product lifecycle? Share your experiences in the comments! #ProductStrategy #UXDesign #UserExperience #ProductManagement #Marketing #BusinessStrategy #ProfessionalGrowth #DesignThinking #Innovation #ProductDevelopment #CareerDevelopment

2

2 Comments

As a designer with over 20 years of experience, three resources have profoundly impacted my career: Dan Mall's talk "Should Designers?..," Josh Clark's article "Only One Deliverable Matters," and Joshua Seiden's book "Outcomes Over Output." For years, I took immense pride in the pixel-perfect design comps I meticulously crafted. But these resources challenged me to rethink what truly matters in our field. Dan Mall posed a critical question: "Should designers?" This simple yet powerful inquiry pushed me to consider when and where my skills are most valuable, ensuring that my contributions are always intentional and aligned with the bigger picture. Dan reminded me that while developers can create a website without a designer, a designer can’t create a website without a developer. This insight helped me refocus on what truly drives value in our work. In 2018, Joshua Clark taught me that it's not about the plethora of design deliverables we produce—it's about the single, most impactful thing: the working software. My CEO doesn’t care about the dozens of Figma frames and Miro boards I create; he cares about the business outcomes our team’s software delivers. Clark emphasizes that while we often focus on creating numerous artifacts like wireframes, prototypes, and design comps, these are merely means to an end. The ultimate goal is to create a functional, user-friendly product that delivers real value to users. This lesson was a turning point, prompting me to prioritize the end product over the process. In 2021, Josh Seiden’s book continued to shift my focus from the tangible outputs of my work to the outcomes they generate. It's not just about what we create; it's about the difference our work makes in the lives of users. Over time, I've come to realize that creating design comps is only a small part of our role. Understanding the problem, validating our designs to ensure they meet the proposed outcomes, and building relationships and trust with our stakeholders are just as important—if not more—than the comps themselves. These lessons have transformed the way I perceive my craft. I'm no longer just a designer creating beautiful interfaces; I'm a strategist focused on meaningful outcomes and collaboration. My skills include user research, workshop facilitation, prototyping, usability testing, and visual design—whatever it takes to make our product owner and tech team successful in delivering positive outcomes. The partnership with the product owner and developers fosters trust and collaboration, ultimately earning a valued position within the team—not by demanding it, but through consistent contributions. If you're a fellow designer, I encourage you to think beyond the pixels and dive deeper into the impact your work can have. #ProductDesign #UX #OutcomesOverOutput #Agile #Collaboration #CareerGrowth

36

6 Comments

We have a large project that's primarily handled by my Design Director and PM—it's straightforward, but has a very detailed process associated with it. Review, QA, documentation all needs to be handled very specifically. So when we had an upcoming client review and we knew these team members would be out on PTO—we got together ahead of time, documented the process and debriefed two brand new team members who would fill in. And oh boy did it go...great. Document or Die folks. #yesterlearnings #prepare #documentation

3

Design leaders, the red flags you miss during interviews are setting you up for trouble down the line. 🚩 🚩 🚩 Hiring is rarely easy, but if you want to build a thriving design team (without creating a toxic culture!), it’s so important to know what to screen for in candidates. It’s always easier to avoid bringing on the wrong person in the first place than to have to clean up the mess later. What’s the secret? I’ll give you a hint: Sometimes you have to dig deeper with your questions—including the questions you ask yourself. 👀 In my latest post for the Executive Designer, I discuss red flags, green flags, conflicts, and other hiring pitfalls. Give it a read and let me know your thoughts! https://lnkd.in/gwcYyR_j #ExecutiveDesigner #designteam #hiringtips #redflags

17

3 Comments

I probably went on 30 informational interviews before I started my first job to try and figure out where I wanted to work?! Informational interviews are so awesome and can really give you good insights into someone's job and what it would be like to work at their company. Would highly suggest for anyone looking for work (even if you aren't a student!) #unfiltered #helpingyoungdesigners #firstjob #artdirector #graphicdesign #shareyourstory #creativeindustry #informationalinterview #beready #networking

12

1 Comment

🔔 In case you missed it... 🔔 I posted a new video breaking down one of UX's most popular (and most dreaded) phrases: "It depends." Ever wondered why UX pros say this all the time? Or when it's actually a useful answer? Check out the video for a no-nonsense take on why “it depends” is more than just a dodge—and how it can lead to better design decisions. 🎬 👀 https://lnkd.in/ej-T5f87

10

4 Comments