📰 3 THINGS TO CHECK OUT
AI by Design: Nanda's Step-by-Step Workflow Transformation
- Nanda Gopal, a principal designer at Zemoso Technologies and Designlab mentor, details his integration of AI into his design process through a three-phase approach—research, execution, and handoff—which streamlines workflows and amplifies team capabilities.
- This structured adoption, built out by Nanda both increases efficiency and enhances the strategic role of designers, empowering them to produce more design variations for stakeholders and automate more of their workflows.
- Nanda will join us on the panel of “The State of AI in UX and Product Design: Insights & Expertise”, an interactive session where we will unpack key insights from Designlab’s latest survey of over 120 designers on AI in UX and product design.
Comic Sans and the Art of Imperfection
- Danielle McClune, Principle Writer for Microsoft AI, takes a look at the history, usage, and endurance of everyone’s favorite love-to-hate font, Comic Sans.
- While the article examines how and why Comics Sans came to be, it’s also a thoughtful rumination on the inherent charm of creative imperfections, particularly against the backdrop of AI.
- “The things we love most about human-made art and design aren’t the flawless parts. They’re the quirks. The wobble in a line. The imperfection of a hand-drawn letter. The unexpected choices that spark delight or confusion or debate. Comic Sans has all of that.”
UXers Need to Think Like Product Leaders
- Alex Smith & Nate Wearin, co-founders of research agency Fuego UX, advise UX professionals to adopt a product leader mindset to better align design work with broader business objectives and strategic decision-making.
- The article delves into the challenges UX teams face, such as power dynamics and resource constraints, and emphasizes the importance of understanding business operations.
- Take a wide-angle view of the business and grow a holistic product understanding — not of just the specific products you work on but of all the products, services, and customer touch points offered by the business.”
💜 PORTFOLIO INSPIRATION
Daniel Douglas, a UX Academy graduate, has a unique take on adding a feature to an existing product with his design for “Insta-itinerary”, an add-on that would allow users to more effectively save and organize posts of interest in their feed to personalize travel experiences. A strong eye for UI is seen across the board in his designs—in language learning app PenPal, he pairs an inviting color palette with a highly functional and accessible interface that clearly showcases a users’ progress and goals.
Got a portfolio you love that you’d like to share with our audience? Email your suggestions to hello@designlab.com.
💡 INTERESTING STUFF...
- Stop Being Your Own Roadblock
- Accessibility is Everyone's Responsibility
- Notes of a Not-Yet Old Designer
- The Designer’s Handbook for Developer Handoff
The function of design is letting design function. — Micha Commeren (designer)
🧪 FROM THE LAB
💡 Design Event: The State of AI in UX and Product Design: Insights & Expertise
Join us for an exclusive panel discussion this coming Wednesday, April 16th at 12PM ET where we’ll unpack how UX designers are really using AI and where they feel it’s all headed.
We’ll discuss the key insights from Designlab’s latest survey report on AI in UX and product design, breaking down what over 100 designers had to say about AI adoption, the challenges they're facing, and where they see AI reshaping their workflows in the next five years. Bring your questions, curiosity, and join the conversation about what’s next for designers in the age of AI. Register here.
📊 Data-Driven Design Launching Soon
Our next cohort of Data-Driven Design launches in two weeks, on Friday April 25th. Grow your confidence to using product data in your design work in this six-week course. Run more effective experiments, better leverage metrics to fuel decisions, win over stakeholders, and more.
Get feedback from an expert mentor, connect weekly with your peers in live sessions, and complete hands-on practical work to drive home concepts and skills. Learn more at our live webinar on April 16 at 12pm ET, or enroll today to secure your space.
💰 Share Designlab with Your Network
Do you know someone who would benefit from learning with Designlab? From courses for beginner designers just starting out, to those in the field looking to grow their skills, we offer something for everybody. Spread the word about our programs and earn cash doing it through our Affiliate program.
Sign up today and we’ll send you dedicated links so it’s easy to share our info with your network—and with our new UX Academy features, there’s never been a better time to sign up! Earn up to $725 per enrollment that you send our way.
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