Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing. In recent years it’s become an increasingly popular topic and moved from its deep roots in the Buddhist tradition into leadership circles, boardrooms and even primary school classrooms. But behind the hype, there’s real, tangible value - it helps you build better products by engaging in active observation, mindful listening, and conscious collaboration. This talk will explore the concept of mindfulness and how you can apply it in the ideation, research and design phases of product development. Presented at Web Directions Conference, 12 April 2018 and UX Gatherings, 29 March 2018

1. The art of mindfulness in
product design
Remya Ramesh
@rem_ram

2. Head of Design

3. “Mindfulness is awareness that arises
through paying attention, on purpose, in
the present moment, non-judgementally.”
- Jon Kabat-Zinn

4. Meditation ≠ Mindfulness

5. Mindfulness can literally
change your brain!
http://bit.ly/2AHvTEY

6. Activate your Anterior
Cingulate Cortex (ACC)
with a little mindful
meditation
http://bit.ly/2ACQc5J

7. Meditation fortifies the
brain’s memory vault,
the Hippocampus
http://bit.ly/2ACQc5J

8. People spend nearly 47% of
their waking hours thinking about
something other than what
they’re doing
S. Bradt, “Wandering mind not a happy mind”, Harvard Gazette, November 2010

9. Mindfulness techniques
for designers

10. Micro
meditations
Meditations that can be done
several times a day for one to
three minutes at a time.

11. Micro
meditations
Conscious
collaborations Conscious collaboration
happens in the art of
conversation.

12. Mindful listening Active observation
Purposeful
presentation

13. Mindful listening
Drop any judgements
Maintain eye contact
Work hard on being present
Provide non-verbal feedback

14. Mindful listening
“Most people do not listen with
the intent to understand; they
listen with the intent to reply.”
—Stephen R. Covey

15. Active observation
Clear your mind
Observe others without any assumptions
Stop multitasking
Ask for help

16. Purposeful
presentation
Facilitate conversations
Preparation is the key
Provide feedback
Manage emotions

17. Design with
intent
Micro
meditations
Conscious
collaborations
Apply principles of calm technology
Create positive influence and change
Value human attention
Avoid dark patterns

18. Word of caution

19. Avoidance risk Groupthink risk
Corporate
mindfulness
bandwagon

20. Podcast
Meditation apphttp://humanetech.com/

21. Thank you!
remya@opencities.com
@rem_ram