
The Ultimate List of UX/Design Emails You Should Have in Your Inbox.
It is critical as designers to keep up with the latest trends in UI, UX and Technology.
Here are a list of the emails that I subscribe to for inspiration.
I have been thinking a lot about collaboration. What makes it so easy to brainstorm with some people and how can we apply that to every working session?
I recently came across the concept of pair design by a company called cooper (www.cooper.com). Essentially there are two roles in pair design - a generator that leads concept creation, drawing a design idea and talking through the thought process of what they are proposing and a synthesizer that leads concept evolution, asking questions, raising concerns, connecting existing concepts, regrounding discussions in the project givens, and helping to solve problems that come up. It doesn’t always have to be the same person in each role but establishing these roles can help with running an effective working session and reduce fights at the whiteboard.
How can you apply this in your day-to-day?
Breakdown of the Generator and Synthesizer roles (From the Cooper Articles)
Generator |
Synthesizer |
|
Focuses on |
Establishing the interactive structure and flow between a human and a product, service or environment. |
Articulating and synthesizing the overall experience users have with the product, service, or environment. |
Takes responsibility for |
Driving the concept direction |
Ensuring that the concept is coherent and satisfies user needs and goals |
Leads during design meetings |
Generating ideas toward a solution |
Synthesis of ideas, defining the problem, clarifying the solution, explicating rationale |
Expertise |
Concept, visualization |
Analysis, communication |
Disposition toward creativity |
Generative |
Methodical, synthetic |
Comfort zone |
Invention |
Evaluation, clarification |
Approach to problems |
Draw a picture, top-down |
Tell a story, top-down |
Advocates |
Structure, flow (interface) |
Cohesiveness, context |
Thinks in terms of |
Concepts, models, experience (screen flow) |
Anatomy, relationships, experience (scenario) |
Additional articles for reference
https://www.cooper.com/journal/2008/10/playing_well_with_others
https://www.cooper.com/journal/2015/2/what-does-pair-design-look-like
https://www.cooper.com/journal/2011/02/pairaphors
https://www.cooper.com/journal/2011/4/great_creative_partnership_pai