UX life hacks - How to work smarter and get more done (UX in the City 2019)

Editor's Notes

• #3 I think it’s always useful to know a little bit about your presenter Currently working as a product designer at Redgate software Working on software for developers and DBAs
• #4 Have been working in UX and digital since 2000 Term UX had been coined but wasn’t being used when started out This is what Windows looked like in 2000 And this was what went for a smart phone
• #5 Don’t worry – won’t have to listen to me the whole time Will get a chance to share your own UX life hacks
• #6 What are life hacks?
• #7 Trick of the trade…
• #8 Probably expecting something like this What to do when you have a plane to catch and haven’t yet finished your all day breakfast
• #9 I’m not going to cover tricks, shortcuts and novelty methods I’m going to share tips to help you work smarter, rather than harder
• #10 Life hacks used to be passed down through the generations From master to apprentice as there was no manual for a craft
• #11 But nowadays we largely learn through formal education, or through books and courses Life hacks very unlikely to be on the curriculum
• #12 So we’re here to put that right – to learn and share some UX life hacks I’ve separated life hacks into 5 categories I’m going to share a few of my own hacks, built up over 19 or so years experience, then you can share your own
• #14 Different designers like to work differently, sketching or using software, different tools One thing that is important is to be organised with project files
• #15 Often this is our approach to file management Stick everything in a folder But makes it hard to find things, to get the latest versions
• #16 Would recommend setting up and using a project folder template Create an empty folder structure and copy for each new project Find what works for you
• #17 I’d also recommend if possible source controlling design files I’ve started using Abstract for Sketch files and it’s great No more losing work or not knowing which are the latest design files
• #19 A bit like design, a massive time saver is to keep copies of templates and previous research docs When have to create a new doc e.g. persona, customer journey, findings report can use an old version as basis Don’t have to hunt around if you’ve put them together in one place
• #20 I’ve even created an example UX docs and deliverables section on my blog Has example docs, like experience maps, personas, storyboards, wireframes etc…
• #21 Often assume that if it’s a workshop, always have to work as a group Not a workshop unless there is lots of hustle and bustle
• #22 But often it’s a good idea to work in silence as a group
• #23 Ideate and synthesise in silence e.g. affinity mapping, brain storming, voting Time saver and helps include those quieter participants Often good to work in silence, then discuss and review as a group
• #24 Everyone has their favourite tools – from Sketch to XD, from Axure to Framer
• #25 Take the time to master your tool – learn the advanced features and how to really use it properly
• #26 For example, keyboard shortcuts are a really simple way to speed up your work
• #27 For example, keyboard shortcuts are a really simple way to speed up your work
• #29 I’m sure you’ve experienced Parkinson’s law Set 1 hour aside for a meeting, and even if a meeting could have been finished in 30 mins it invariably takes an hour Set a day aside to do a task and even if it’s half a days work, it will take a day
• #30 Really useful to timebox activities For example, 30 mins for a meeting that otherwise might take 1 hour Half a day for some work, and then re-evaluate at the end
• #31 As such it’s a great idea to structure your day to be able to work in distraction free blocks For example, 25 min blocks, with 5 mins down time in-between Key is to avoid distractions and to be able to focus
• #32 Summary of my UX life hacks
• #34 Will follow lean coffee(ish) format Have some cards on each table for topics Also a joker card which I’ll explain shortly Will discuss a topic for 5 mins Then vote as a group as to whether you want to continue, or change topic Please capture hacks on post-it notes and stick to the handouts I’d like to compile a list of hacks (so don’t share anything you wouldn’t be comfortable getting outside this room) which I’ll share via my blog
• #35 The joker means that whoever picked the joker card can decide the topic Can be any UX related topic
• #36 Any questions before we begin?
• #38 Thank you once again for coming along, I hope that you enjoyed it Please put your feedback on the board This is the first time I’ve run the session, so I’m sure there is loads that could be improved. I’ll upload the slides along with the UX life hacks that were shared