by Jeff Humble
Dear Reader,
When I was looking for my 1st design job, I applied everywhere.
But when it came time to apply for a 2nd job, I was a lot pickier.
I fantasized about places where design is done right...where users and designers get a say in product decisions.
Here is what I was hoping for:
Here is what I got:
After 12 years, I know that neglecting users goes all the way to the top.
No matter where I went, projects looked the same:
If you zoom out beyond that project level, you see that the same problems in design projects also apply to strategy.
Strategy is just like any project. You have to do your research.
Those bold big plans for your company or product require a specific understanding of users. And well...it often isn't there.
I'm willing to bet that your company's product strategy says nothing about the user. It probably mentions many solutions for the roadmap and maybe even some competitors, but it probably doesn't mention the person paying the bills: your users.
Strategies everywhere are making huge assumptions about what users will do.
I hope you see that as an opportunity.
Luckily, there is a strategy that includes the user, and it's called a UX strategy (learn more about it here).
Use it to spread the user's perspective in your organization, and you will never be without a job.
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Source, shared by Linus Mimetz in the Guild
Until next week! ✌️
The Fountain Institute is an independent online school that teaches advanced UX & product skills.
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