Mehul Shah

One of the most important aspects of UX design is affordances and signifiers. It helps users know what they can interact with and how. Sriharinath GP has a great overview on this: https://lnkd.in/gUH5uicV

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Overcoming the fear of uncertainty is key for designers. My workshop at uxindiaconf (ux-india.org) focused on helping creatives recognize the link between ambiguity and innovation to drive positive outcomes, acknowledge their emotions, adopt a growth mindset, and develop strategies to navigate uncertainty effectively. Leaders, listen up! Neglecting your team's input can lead to a toxic environment. I want to thank Kaladhar Bapu, Jabeen Shaistha, and all the wonderful volunteers of UX India 2024 for helping to make this workshop a success! #design #innovation #uncertainty #ambiguity #psychologicalsafety #UXIndia2024

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My LinkedIn profile describes me as a successful design leader, but that's not even half of the story. Behind the scenes is a rollercoaster of job rejections, lack of self confidence , financial setbacks, navigating industry switch, balancing college and freelance assignments and countless lessons on professional and interpersonal skills with each year. Learning to be a good manager was totally another feat. The most challenging of it all was seeking an entry into the product design field while studying graphic design from National Institute of Design, two totally different things but here I was, pushing the boundaries! All of these shaped me into who I am today. From self-support to enduring over 15+ interviews in preparation for Product Design opportunity, All I was doing was striving for more. Now I realise nobody has all the answers, even if it may seem that way. So just believe in yourself and put in your best efforts. Pushing ahead is the only key to this game. My advice to anyone starting their career journey is to stay in the present and give your best efforts to achieve what you really believe you can :) #productdesign

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Allowance either in cash and/or time to spend on fitness or related activities. The reason a lot of people claim for not being fit, and in turn healthy, is that they don’t have time for it. Their job takes up most of it. I’d say time is more important than cash. So, a good workplace in my opinion, should aim to keep their employees healthy. Some companies provide gym memberships, reimbursements, subscriptions to random nonsense. But what’s the point if you keep your employees working from 9am to 9pm? Instead incentivise them or remove any barriers that could keep them from pursuing some form of physical fitness. Be it the gym, pool or badminton. Even the richest of folks struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle because of stress/lack of time. So I don’t think money is actually an issue. It’s the motivation + having time + the right kind of people around you. As a company you can’t control point 1, but you can definitely provide point 2 and foster point 3.

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I'm hearing a lot of pain and confusion from a lot of designers and technologists and other folks trying to navigate jobs in these times. You as an individual worker (or as a customer or user of the products of design and technology) will never be valued for your own sake by an organization striving to maximize shareholder value. Collective action is the only way to counter this mandate and increase the cost of unethical, inhumane, or otherwise unreasonable practices. Sometimes this means working together more or less formally to influence policy and regulation, sometimes this means unionization. Asking nicely isn't going to do it. Nor is throwing your peers under the bus. If you need a pep talk (only $9):

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https://lnkd.in/euvDKQHH Great article on fhe importance of building a strong UX design culture today and exponential long term benefits of in-house teams vs hiring external short term resources and consultants. In the ever-shifting digital landscape, I am thriving with a lean in-house cross-functional product design team of committed people who are willing to always pivot, adapt and learn as we pioneer new optimum user experiences. The complexity and rapid evolution of innovation today calls for agile, innovative thinkers to iterate and adapt in real time and that’s exactly what the last 6 months has been for my team. Time and time again, wins rack up when I invest in internal solutions and talent - upskilling my small by mighty team along the way. I find myself leading a culture that embodies the spirit of collaboration and creativity. At Kyra Group, we are pushing boundaries and ourselves in the process. #CultureBuilding #Innovation #UX #TeamCulture #AI #Leadership #Teamwork

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This episode of the Finding Our Way podcast articulates, with such clarity, what’s been on my mind about the value proposition of design as a function. A business could leverage creating a stellar user experience as a strategic lever to succeed in the market, or NOT. The latter is totally acceptable where designers primarily focus on production tasks (like UI designs) in an org that prioritizes churning out features. Yet, it’s a bitter pill to swallow for many designers. They feel disgruntled and get exhausted speaking to the deaf ears about how great an outcome design can bring to the table and how influential they could be outside of Figma. This podcast talks about how many designer leaders are struggling to deal with this reality. As someone who is not in a leadership position, I feel the struggle too. But if I were to stay positive and constructive while prioritizing my mental sanity, these would be some options to consider. - Get hired by a company that REALLY values design (think Airbnb, Linear) - Be extremely good at your craft and find fulfillment in it, regardless of its direct impact on the bottom line—as long as you remain employed 🤷🏻‍♀️ - Elbow your way into cross-functional discussions as much as possible, at least within your team, to find opportunities to demonstrate what you can do outside of Figma. You can help expand the perspective on design that your cross-functional partners have, one person at a time. https://lnkd.in/gjheYY_f

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🚀 Exploring AI & User-Centered Design: Where UCD Falls Short 🤖🔍 AI is transforming our world, but is User-Centered Design (UCD) keeping up? In my latest blog, I dive into my experience and challenges of integrating UCD with AI, covering key points like: 🔹 The Dilemma of Unknown Unknowns: How AI introduces new, unpredictable issues. 🔹 Data Gaps: The impact of missing data on inclusivity and fairness. 🔹 Big Data Complexity: Why designers need new skills in data analysis. 🔹 End-User Complexity: Making AI understandable for users. 🔹 AI Behavior: The need for ongoing maintenance and refinement. Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear your perspective! 👇📢 https://lnkd.in/g9yAHQ5p #AI #Design #UserCenteredDesign

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A couple of weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to have a keynote talk, “Unlocking Your Impact: How an #Outcomes-Focused Approach Empowers Designers,” at uxindiaconf (ux-india.org). The conference was a massive gathering of talented designers from around the world, and I was thrilled to be a part of it. Here are some of the things I covered in my keynote: - By adopting an #outcomes-focused approach, you will gain a deeper understanding of how your actions contribute to achieving organizational goals and ensuring the successful execution of your #vision. - By defining clear outcomes, you will foster a more focused and aligned team, eliminate unnecessary work, and ensure your efforts are centered around meeting #customerneeds. - Using the #JobsToBeDone framework helps align your organization’s outcomes with your customers’ needs, ensuring that your products and services meet their needs. I want to thank Kaladhar Bapu, Jabeen Shaistha, and all the wonderful volunteers of UX India 2024 for helping to make this keynote a success! I also want to thank the thought leaders who came before me: Tony Ulwick, Joshua Seiden, Alexander Osterwalder, Jim Kalbach, John C. Maxwell, and Marty Cagan. https://lnkd.in/ePHXh4cq #teamwork #alignment #empowerment #outcomesoveroutputs #ux #india #userexperiencedesign #userexperience #jtbd #UXIndia2024

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Hiring for design system roles differs from hiring for other design or engineering roles. Clarifying what makes the roles unique is essential for screening candidates. Here are some nuances that I've found to be helpful. When asking for a presentation, stop using the word "portfolio" and start using "case studies." They tell similar stories but change the expectations from traditional visual portfolios. Include clear bullet points about expected responsibilities; don't just copy and paste requirements from other similar, existing roles. Just because they have the word "designer" or "engineer" in the title doesn't mean the job is the same. If your org still insists on doing a design exercise, tailor it to reflect what you expect from a design system practitioner. The day-to-day is unique, so don't waste time on an exercise that provides no value for you and sets the candidate up for failure. If hiring a design system team manager, you're not hiring an independent contributor and vice versa. Managing and building design systems is a lot of work. One person can't do both roles well simultaneously, so pick one and focus the interview questions on the expected role. What did I miss?

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Notes on design hiring from my recent hiring experience. The demand-supply skew in design hiring has reached unprecedented levels. What once was a 1:200 ratio has ballooned to a staggering 1:2000 minimum. This shift brings mixed emotions - pride in our robust designer pipeline, yet concern for those struggling to find their place. With AI's growing influence, this imbalance may only intensify. In this competitive arena, strong referrals have become invaluable. I'm talking about endorsements from those who've worked closely with you over time, not just casual acquaintances. These references, whether positive or cautionary, carry significant weight. Remember, it's about leveraging trust - ensure your referees truly know your work. Timing is everything in the hiring process. Success often depends on a perfect alignment of factors: prompt application, solid referrals, relevant experience, and the ability to showcase your skills effectively during the interview. It's a delicate dance of elements, all within a limited timeframe. Sometimes, the outcome isn't a reflection of your abilities, but rather the strength of the candidate pool. In a group of exceptional applicants, even great talent can be overshadowed. I won't sugarcoat it - the job market is challenging. The abundance of remarkable candidates is both inspiring and daunting. It's a reality that leaves me with mixed feelings about the state of our industry. #design #hiring #ux #ui

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🔴 Warning: Avenir Design Studio: https://lnkd.in/gFVT5C6m I feel compelled to share our recent experience with Avenir Design Studio, Sushant Arora(https://lnkd.in/gF7mCcjB) to caution others who may be considering their services for interior design. Despite their impressive online presence, our dealings with Avenir Design Studio have been fraught with significant issues, including unprofessional behavior, incomplete work, and broken promises. They initially promised to complete our project by the end of May, then postponed it multiple times without explanation or accountability. We paid them 11 lakh rupees, but the work completed so far does not justify this amount. Worse still, their representative Nishant has exhibited consistently unprofessional and threatening behavior towards laborers, including an incident where he hung a painter from the balcony of our 6th-floor apartment – a reckless and dangerous act. Our household goods are stranded in an incomplete flat, while we are forced to live in a PG and incur additional expenses. Despite multiple attempts to resolve these issues, Avenir Design Studio has failed to deliver on their promises or take responsibility for their actions. We have no choice but to seek legal recourse to address this fraud and ensure no one else falls victim to their unethical practices. Please exercise caution and thoroughly vet any contractors you engage for your projects. If you've had similar experiences, feel free to reach out. Together, we can help each other avoid these pitfalls and hold fraudulent companies accountable. #ConsumerRights #InteriorDesign #AvenirDesignStudi #FraudAlert #HomeImprovement #CustomerExperience #SushantArora

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I’ve been mentoring designers for years, and there’s a worrying pattern I’m starting to see. For many, their excitement is fading, and there's a growing reluctance to embrace new adventures. They're crumbling under the weight of challenges that feel almost pandemic in scale. With social media (LinkedIn, FB, Instagram, TikTok, etc.) becoming the face of both work and life, new-gen designers are growing up constantly exposed to shiny, near-perfect posts and eye-catching designs. Add to that the flood of new tools—one seemingly popping up every two weeks—and it's leaving many feeling overwhelmed and lost. We’re facing deep-rooted issues that are impacting the joy of creation. These are more than just challenges—they're anomalies that have gradually crept into our work: ‼️ Imposter Syndrome ‼️ Portfolio Fatigue ‼️ Echo Chamber Effect ‼️ FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) ‼️ Tool Obsession These “symptoms” are creeping into their lives and hurting the creative process. The real problem? They're becoming so focused on trends and tools that they’re losing sight of the very joy that brought them into design. If we’re going to fix this, we need to do some serious soul-searching. It’s time to refocus on what truly matters: creativity, collaboration, and user-centered design. I’m drawing from my 20 years of experience to develop strategies that will help these designers overcome these hurdles. Stay tuned! Book time with me: https://lnkd.in/gx7cGWMa #UXProblems #DesignThinking #Creativity #ImposterSyndrome #FOMO #UXCommunity

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Excited to share my latest white paper on Navigating the Cognitive Complexities of Voice User Interfaces. This comprehensive analysis delves into the evolving world of VUI technology, highlighting challenges, insights, and future directions. Whether you're a developer, designer, or tech enthusiast, this paper offers valuable insights to shape the future of voice interfaces. #VoiceUserInterface #VUI #SmartGlasses #TechInnovation #UserExperience #CognitiveScience #VoiceTechnology #PrivacyTech #HumanMachineInteraction #FutureOfTech #DigitalTransformation #AI #UXDesign #TechTrends #Innovation

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Leveraging AI thinking will help you build better AI assistants. Here is my latest article on Medium titling "Design Thinking to AI Thinking" which got republished in UX magazine. https://lnkd.in/gCrB7Ajt #ai #artificialintelligence #aithinking #design #ux #medium #article

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🚨 True Story Alert! 🚨 Ever wondered why some services win over customers for the long haul while others fall flat despite expertise? Let me share a personal experience with two freelance cooks, Mohan and Anuj. Mohan, the “pro chef,” thought his experience was all he needed. Anuj, on the other hand, was just starting out but took a different approach—he listened to his clients and adapted. In a surprising twist, Anuj ended up winning everyone’s hearts and contracts. The lesson? Expertise isn’t everything. Adaptability and a user-first approach are key to long-term success. Want to know how this story unfolds and what it teaches us about product and service delivery? 📖 Read my latest blog—based on a true story I witnessed firsthand! 👇 https://lnkd.in/gxdm5jZt #CustomerExperience #UserCentricDesign #ProductManagement #Adaptability #TrueStory #ContinuousLearning #userexperience

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When designing a user interface for selecting and viewing ATM debit card details, it’s essential to focus on clarity, security, and ease of use. Here’s a breakdown of best practices for achieving a smooth and secure experience in your UX design: 1. Card Selection Interface Card Carousel or Grid Layout: Use a horizontal carousel or grid layout to allow users to easily swipe through or select from multiple cards. This layout is both visually appealing and practical, as it lets users view all their options quickly. 2. Card Preview with Key Details Display a preview of each card with limited details, whatever are required to show to the end users. Every product have different use case and scenario. 3. Highlighting the Selected Card Clear Selection Indicator: Use a highlight effect, such as a border glow or a slight zoom-in, to make the selected card visually distinct. 4. Confirm Selection with Button or Tap Add a “Select” button below each card preview or allow a tap to select, confirming that users intentionally chose that specific card. This prevents accidental selections and improves UX clarity. Share your design experiences of product in comment section below. Save this post for your future use. #cardselection #ux #fintechdesign

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My new article on Interview Logistics in the Product Design context is out now. Please check it here: https://lnkd.in/ewrAT_X6 #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

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Hello to my amazing design community! Please share your experience on AI Software's for product Designers. i need insights on specific software which is tried and tested for wireframing and Prototyping for customized designs. Also if someone did micro interactions too. Please share your experience in comments or DM for more details. #aiuiuxdesign

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