EMMET CONNOLLY
DIR. OF PRODUCT DESIGN,
INTERCOM
UXDX DUBLIN

THE TOOLS
WE USE
THE TOOLS WE USE EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
MAKERS
THE TOOLS WE USE EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
MAKERS
USE
TOOLS
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
1985
A computer frees people from much of the
menial work. Besides that, you are giving
them a tool that encourages them to be
creative.
Remember, computers are tools. Tools help
us do our work better.
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
1989
I think humans are basically tool builders,
and the computer is the most remarkable
tool we've ever built.
The big insight a lot of us had in the 1970s
had to do with the importance of putting
that tool in the hands of individuals.
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
1994
I’m a tool builder. That’s how I think of myself.
I want to build really good tools… Technology
is nothing. What's important is that you have a
faith in people, that they're basically good and
smart, and if you give them tools, they'll do
wonderful things with them.
It's not the tools that you have faith in -- tools
are just tools.
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
1990
We humans are tool builders. And that we can
fashion tools that amplify these inherent
abilities that we have to spectacular
magnitudes.
And so for me, a computer has always been a
bicycle of the mind. Something that takes us
far beyond our inherent abilities. And I think
we're just at the early stages of this tool.
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
SO WHY THE
OBSESSION
WITH TOOLS?
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
TOOLS
DRIVE
TRENDS
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UX CAMBRIDGE

THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
“WHAT’S
YOUR
PROCESS?”
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
recruiting is hard
our onboarding is
ill-defined UI quality is
inconsistent
performance management
keeping everyone
in the loop
not enough context
need more focus time
collaboration across
functions
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
PROCESS
IS A
TOOL
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS KAIZEN
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
1. WHAT A TOOL IS
2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS
3. SUBVERTING TOOLS KAIZEN
DESIGN OPS
EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE
FINAL THOUGHTS
EMMET CONNOLLY
DIR. OF PRODUCT DESIGN,
INTERCOM
@THOUGHTWAX
GET THE SLIDES:
EMMET@INTERCOM.COM
UXDX DUBLIN
THE TOOLS WE USE

The Tools we Use

  • 2.
    EMMET CONNOLLY DIR. OFPRODUCT DESIGN, INTERCOM UXDX DUBLIN
 THE TOOLS WE USE
  • 3.
    THE TOOLS WEUSE EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN MAKERS
  • 4.
    THE TOOLS WEUSE EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN MAKERS USE TOOLS
  • 5.
    THE TOOLS WEUSE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS EMMET CONNOLLY UXDX DUBLIN
  • 8.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 9.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 10.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 11.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 12.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 13.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 14.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 15.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 16.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS 1985 A computer frees people from much of the menial work. Besides that, you are giving them a tool that encourages them to be creative. Remember, computers are tools. Tools help us do our work better.
  • 17.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS 1989 I think humans are basically tool builders, and the computer is the most remarkable tool we've ever built. The big insight a lot of us had in the 1970s had to do with the importance of putting that tool in the hands of individuals.
  • 18.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS 1994 I’m a tool builder. That’s how I think of myself. I want to build really good tools… Technology is nothing. What's important is that you have a faith in people, that they're basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they'll do wonderful things with them. It's not the tools that you have faith in -- tools are just tools.
  • 19.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS 1990 We humans are tool builders. And that we can fashion tools that amplify these inherent abilities that we have to spectacular magnitudes. And so for me, a computer has always been a bicycle of the mind. Something that takes us far beyond our inherent abilities. And I think we're just at the early stages of this tool.
  • 20.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 21.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 22.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN SO WHY THE OBSESSION WITH TOOLS? THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 23.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 24.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN TOOLS DRIVE TRENDS THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 25.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 26.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 27.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 28.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 29.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 30.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 31.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 32.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 33.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXCAMBRIDGE
 THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 34.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS “WHAT’S YOUR PROCESS?”
  • 35.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS recruiting is hard our onboarding is ill-defined UI quality is inconsistent performance management keeping everyone in the loop not enough context need more focus time collaboration across functions
  • 36.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS PROCESS IS A TOOL
  • 37.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 38.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 39.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 40.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 41.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 42.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS
  • 43.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS KAIZEN
  • 44.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE 1. WHAT A TOOL IS 2. BUILDING BETTER TOOLS 3. SUBVERTING TOOLS KAIZEN DESIGN OPS
  • 45.
    EMMET CONNOLLY UXDXDUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE FINAL THOUGHTS
  • 46.
    EMMET CONNOLLY DIR. OFPRODUCT DESIGN, INTERCOM @THOUGHTWAX GET THE SLIDES: EMMET@INTERCOM.COM UXDX DUBLIN THE TOOLS WE USE