Jul 8, 2018

Are we slowing up? ✋ #116

By Ross Chapman • Issue #116 • View online

Looking back at an issue from two years ago. The theme was Plan, adapt, DO THE RIGHT THING!

What’s incredible is that the links I was sharing two years ago, I could easily share today:

Alternatives to the hamburger menu - check ✅
Making design work in large organisations - check ✅
Work/Life balance is bullshit - check ✅

So if the advice still stacks up, is the rate of change slowing? Or maybe it’s good that some of digital design is maturing?

Some have argued that nearly every website looks the same - and deem that a bad thing. Don’t forget, recognisable patterns are familiar to new users and help build trust. Isn’t that what we all want to build relationships with potential customers?

And while some design may be maturing and ideas talked about two years ago, only now are some actually executing those ideas. A good idea is only good if you execute.

Thank you for supporting this issue,

- Ross

Design Sprints ⚡️

Design Sprint Training - we make innovation training fun!

From Idea to App Store: A Design Sprint Case Study

We find that it’s hard to share case studies in the sprints that we’ve done, simply because they haven’t hit production yet. Another tip is to do them cut-price with the proviso that you can share it as a case study. Good work Jonathan and team!

uxplanet.org • Share

Sprinting in Nairobi

We had been worried that customers would think the design process was strange and would struggle to connect with the exercises, but on the contrary, they were enthusiastic and engaged and excited to contribute to an app they might use.

Eight lessons learnt from running a sprint in Eastleigh, Nairobi.

sprintstories.com • Share

Digital Product Design 👨‍💻

I interviewed Laïla von Alvensleben on a recent Etch Epics - check it out for remote working tips!

The strange creatures called “Designers”

“Most people find the Designer to be a rather friendly looking fellow. Usually cheerful, wearing his/her stylish poplin shirts, gently distracted by creative fantasies, mumbling fondly about Apple…”

A nice piece about the strange creature of the Designer. There are number of key types and we find pairing the creative with the more partner-facing makes for a killer team.

uxdesign.cc • Share

Figma 3.0 (!)

We’ve been using Figma on recent design prototypes and we’re loving it. This upgrade is very welcome too!

blog.figma.com • Share

Cycling 🚴

City to sky: riding and filming in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is unlike anywhere in the world. A patchwork of city and mountain, it was the location of our latest shoot and a place where riding is the answer to life’s daily challenges.

I’d like to take the bike over to the States next year. Looks like there’s plenty of asphalt and gravel to play with!

www.rapha.cc • Share

Interview: Tern's Josh Hon talks changing the mobility picture through design and advocacy

I love these family bikes. Just think of the countryside you can explore, the cities you find and the experiences you share. And I do none of that with my children. Shit. Better look at Tern!

cyclingindustry.news • Share

Cargobike companies merge to form seven city Zedify

Look forward to seeing more cargobikes in the UK!

www.bikebiz.com • Share

Coolness 😎

Artist spends a decade foraging 520,000 wildflowers and plants to create giant hanging artwork

Talk about a long-term project! Rebecca Louise Law spent a decade creating this artwork. Incredible commitment

www.creativeboom.com • Share

Ritson: Understanding customers is marketers' biggest mission

A lot has changed since Marketing Week was first published in 1978, but the search for differentiation, the need to understand customers and the battle for brand supremacy will always be marketers’ key challenges.

Crazy when good businesses lead with print - how do you learn from that? Also, it still makes me laugh when another large business fires their “new media” agency - we’ve moved past that.

www.marketingweek.com • Share