📰 3 DESIGN ARTICLES
How Designers Are Morphing the Next Era of Motion Design
- Designer James Britton delves into the evolving field of motion design, illustrating how it has become an integral part of design overall, particularly in branding and digital communication.
- Highlighting the dynamic nature of this medium, the article dissects the impact on brand identity and the challenges it presents for designers who must balance creativity with consistency in an increasingly digital landscape.
- “Motion allows for so much more visual expression – you can push the boundaries so much more and really nothing is out of reach.”
How AI and Metacognition Are Shaping UX Research
- Designer Charles Gedeon outlines how AI is transforming UX research by enhancing data analysis and fostering deeper self-reflection among researchers by allowing them to quickly sift through large datasets and identify user patterns.
- Additionally, the utilization of metacognitive strategies, or the process whereby individuals more actively manage their thinking processes, is fostering deeper self-reflection among researchers, reducing bias, and improving decision-making.
- “Reflection is crucial in understanding why a UX researcher may reach certain conclusions. While AI can detect patterns in feedback, simply adding disclaimers about its inaccuracies isn’t enough to ensure reflection. We need interfaces that actively encourage researchers to think critically about their own decisions and recommendations.”
The Rise of the Generalist
- Carly Ayres, editor at Figma, discusses the shift in job roles from specialized to more generalist positions across industries, reflecting a broader change in product development and design.
- Emphasizing the value of professionals who can bridge various disciplines, the trend is driven by the need to integrate diverse skills and insights, offer creative solutions, and adapt to evolving technologies and market demands.
- “As AI handles specialized tasks with increasing sophistication, the ability to connect dots across domains has never been more valuable.”
💜 PORTFOLIO INSPIRATION
Mira Ko, a UX Academy graduate, brings a unique spin on moving to the end-to-end app Tetrimove, a vibrant and original design that gamifies the moving process to help users feel less stressed and more empowered during the process. With Pocket Ballot, another end-to-end project, Ko uses an accessible interface and clear, inviting UI to assist voters in learning about candidates, finding voting locations, and more.
Got a portfolio you love that you’d like to share with our audience? Email your suggestions to hello@designlab.com.
💡 INTERESTING STUFF...
- An Ode to Side Project Time
- Offer Letter Red Flags
- A Watercolored Case Study
- An Illustrious Illustration Career
We spend a lot of time building the bridge, but not enough time thinking about the people who are crossing it. — Prabhjot Singh
🧪 FROM THE LAB
🚀 UX Academy Foundations Launching Soon
UX Academy Foundations: Our next cohort of UX Academy Foundations launches this coming Monday, January 27th. Gain visual and UI design skills, build proficiency in Figma, work through hands-on projects, and start thinking like a designer. You’ll also be supported by an expert, 1:1 mentor, and our dynamic student community.
Complete the course fully prepared to step into our award-winning career accelerator program, UX Academy. Enroll now.
🎤 Learn More About Our Advanced Courses
We’re hosting several webinars next week where you can learn more about our course offerings for experienced designers, all of which feature hands-on projects, 1:1 expert mentorship, and weekly live sessions with your peers. Register for one (or more!) info session below.
- Data-Driven Design (1/29, 12pm ET): Gain the confidence you need to use product data in your design work. You’ll be able to run experiments, understand metrics to fuel decisions, win over stakeholders, and more.
- Advanced Figma (1/29, 1pm ET): Gain proficiency in Figma’s advanced features such as auto-layout, reusable components, design systems, and more. In this course, you’ll learn the skills and strategies to become a more efficient and effective designer.
- AI for Visual Design (1/30, 12pm ET): Harness the power of AI to up the impact of your visual design work. Master prompt crafting, integrate animation into your work, get hands-on practice with top industry tools, and more.