Ambient Infotech Pvt. Ltd.’s Post

Hi all! As I get more active on LinkedIn, wanted to share out more on what I do as a #productdesigner at a #softwareconsultancy and why you should pick Crafted for your software needs. At Crafted, I work with growth stage client teams to create high-quality and delightful products — fast. By understanding user needs and validating potential solutions (through #userresearch as well as our own design expertise) we ensure teams build and iterate on the right products so they see ROI before their first invoice. We are experts in... ✏ Wireframe Sketching & Ideation 🔎 Research Planning 👩💻 User Interviews 🔮 Prototyping 🗺 User Journey Mapping ➕ And much more! Coming up next: I'm going be sharing best practices across these (plus other) product design topics here on LinkedIn! Follow along, and leave a comment if there's something you'd like to learn more about. And please check Crafted out on LinkedIn or at crafted.solutions if you have any more questions! #productdesign #usercentereddesign #designops #research

Today, Susan casually said "Your job title starts with the user" and I had to think about it again. This statement made me think of why the #designthinking framework focuses greatly on collaboration between designers and users, it also aims to bring innovative solutions to life based on how real users think, feel and behave. As much as the process can be tailored to your team's goals and solutions, it's imperative not to rush over the early stages because it helps you lay a solid foundation for whatever solution you are designing. This week, I learnt better ways to craft "user need" and "how might we" statements. This is a phase that's usually skipped or rushed over to get into the user interface design itself, especially if you work with small organizations or early-stage startups that have strict and tight deadlines. However, I've come to understand that as a #UXDesigner, if I truly seek to achieve a balance between users' experiences and business success, then I have to ensure I lay a proper foundation in my #research and #ideation phase. It's been amazing to put off my known ways and methods of researching, ideating and designing to learn, use and adapt to even better ways. And this is what my journey as a designer has been in the past month. I'll be leaving you with 3 key things that stood out for me from today's session about crafting these statements. 1️⃣ Speak facts, insights, and data only. 2️⃣ Let your statements be simple and concise, and do away with every form of ambiguity. 3️⃣ HMW statements especially should help you picture ideas in your mind. You should be able to envision ideas from your how might we questions. I'm thrilled about the learnings I've gained at the #DODODesignMentorship, but I'm even more excited to integrate them into my day-to-day work as a #productdesigner. 🚀🚀

🔍 The Critical Lesson: Developer Questions Matter! In one of my early projects, I presented what I thought was a flawless design. The developers, however, bombarded me with questions that I felt were unnecessary at the time. I quickly realized how wrong I was. Developer questions are VERY important and should never be taken lightly. It was an eye-opening moment. Developers have a different perspective, focusing on feasibility, functionality, and implementation. Their questions are not just queries but essential insights that can make or break a project. Here’s how I embraced this lesson: 👍Collaborative Approach: I started involving developers early in the design process. Their input helped foresee potential issues and align the design with technical realities. 👍Valuing Feasibility: I began to appreciate the importance of feasibility in design. A brilliant design that can’t be implemented is useless. 👍Iterative Feedback: I encouraged continuous feedback loops between designers and developers. This ensured that the design evolved in harmony with development constraints. What happened next? ➡️➡️➡️ We delivered a product that was not only visually appealing but also robust and functional. The development process was smoother, and the final product was better for it! This experience taught me to value and respect the developer’s perspective. Their questions are crucial for bridging the gap between design and execution. --- ❓How do you handle developer feedback in your projects? ❓Have you had a similar experience where developer insights significantly improved the outcome? #UXDesign #Collaboration #ProductDesign #DeveloperInsights #UX #software

A client just got back in touch... I don't know how I feel about our conversation. On the one hand, I am SO happy. The other...well, I'm processing it. 18 months ago, the Chief Product Officer approached me about partnering on a re-platforming project. The business had seen a 79.62% growth rate and needed to 'level up' the design to scale confidently. It was a perfect fit. 'Design For Scale' is my program of work set out to... → 10x team productivity & remove costly rework → Automate elements of the process → Lay the groundwork to prime products for growth → Free up time for more complex tasks → Drive continuous growth and success And, it was a HUGE success. It's saving the business $$$$ per year! How did I help them save? The added systems and processes meant the business no longer required full-time design resources—they're trialling a 'freelance' ad-hoc approach. (This is the part I am processing) Removing designers was not my plan. But, WOW! What a result. + they won App of the Year at Drum 2023 🎉 The business is content-driven, and implementing a scalable design system with reusable components and templates meant that... → Developers were empowered to 'self-serve' → Third parties could easily implement → Deliver quality, faster → Maintain consistency across platforms. → No need to test everything over again → Content teams used ready-made templates There is no need for constant supervision and oversight. My client was really happy too ↓ “We won two awards: app of the year and the Drum Awards and Product and Development Team at the AOP Awards. The judges were impressed with our focus on accessibility, which you championed, so thank you and congratulations!!” - Sarah W --- If you want to make a change and produce consistent, high-quality products at scale... Book a call with me to see if I'm the right fit for you. (Or drop me a DM) #productdesign #designforscale #growthdesign #designsystems

'Test task adventures' or 'The waiting game' 🤔 🎢 So, here’s a story for my fellow designers out there who’ve been in the same boat! A while back, I poured four intense days into a test task for a company, really putting my all into it—sweating the pixels, perfecting the user flow, and triple-checking every button (they call it a “test” for a reason, right?). I submitted it, feeling pretty good. Then, I waited. And waited some more. Fast forward a bit, and … crickets 🙄 . No response, no feedback, no “thanks for your time.” Just a vacuum of silence that made me wonder if my submission got lost somewhere in the digital ether. Now, don’t get me wrong—I understand that companies are busy. But can we all agree that if someone’s putting in the time, a little acknowledgment goes a long way? (Even a quick “Thanks! We’ll get back to you” would have been music to my ears.) For everyone out there tackling test tasks, keep your chin up. The right opportunity and team will appreciate your effort and let you know where you stand. Or don't do test tasks that take more than a couple of hours. Stay motivated, and may your inboxes be full of responses and constructive feedback! 💪😊 And below you can check out what I ended up with and tell your experience and thoughts about test task. 🧐 👇 I appreciate all kind of feedback. #UXDesign #UIDesign #WebDesign #FreelanceDesign #DesignProcess #TestTask #JobSearch #DesignCommunity #UX #CareerJourney #DesignLife #Feedback #JobHunt #TestTask

I really, truly mean it when I say, "You're growing as a designer." I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the design principles out there and wondering if I was on the right path. It's totally normal to feel stuck when you can't see your progress. I started to recognize my own growth as a designer when... 1. My focus has changed. I used to care more about looks, but I've changed! Now, I solve problems for users! As you focus on users, you'll see your own growth. 2. I'd love to hear your thoughts! I used to be reluctant to accept feedback. I love feedback because it helps me improve. Be open to feedback and use it to grow! 3. Breathe. It's about the process! It was a crazy time at first! I have a clear process now, so I don't waste time guessing! Building your own design system is a big step, but you can do it! 4. User testing is important. I used to think I could design the perfect solution alone. User testing validates or challenges ideas. Testing users is a great way to grow. Testing helps us see what we've missed. The best designs come from listening to our users! 5. I used to think design was just for me. Now I see it as teamwork, and it's been great! I communicate better with developers, PMs, and stakeholders. It's been a wonderful experience. Collaboration is a form of growth. It's been a joy to see it happen. I updated my portfolio to focus on problem-solving and user testing. This is part of my evolution as a designer. Growth doesn't always feel like progress, but it's there. If you're questioning yourself, know you're growing. I'm rooting for you. #UXDesign #DesignGrowth #CreativeJourney #UserCenteredDesign #UserTesting #KeepGrowing

🤔 Are we designing for developers as much as we are for users? As product designers and researchers, we know that collaboration between design and development teams is key to creating exceptional products. Here’s why bridging this gap matters: • Understanding Constraints: Designers can better empathize with developers when they grasp the challenges of implementation. • Crafting Solutions Together: It’s not just about handing off designs; it’s about co-creating solutions that merge creativity with feasibility. • Strategic Implementation: By involving engineers early, we can strategize how features are built, ensuring both efficiency and user delight. 🛠️ Engineering isn't just about code: • It’s about reasoning from first principles. • Understanding user needs and creating elegant solutions. • As someone passionate about UX/UI, I thrive on collaboration. I’ve been to countless dev meetups and believe in the power of teamwork! 🤝🏻 Let’s foster a culture where design and development teams work side by side, respecting each other’s expertise and sharing responsibilities. Together, we can elevate user experiences and drive business success. 💬 Share your thoughts on how you integrate design and development in your projects in the comments below! Let’s spark a conversation that inspires us all to innovate together. 👩💻👨💻 #productivity #productdesign #development #designer #processimprovement #uxdesign #Implementation

🤔 Are we designing for developers as much as we are for users? As product designers and researchers, we know that collaboration between design and development teams is key to creating exceptional products. Here’s why bridging this gap matters: • Understanding Constraints: Designers can better empathize with developers when they grasp the challenges of implementation. • Crafting Solutions Together: It’s not just about handing off designs; it’s about co-creating solutions that merge creativity with feasibility. • Strategic Implementation: By involving engineers early, we can strategize how features are built, ensuring both efficiency and user delight. 🛠️ Engineering isn't just about code: • It’s about reasoning from first principles. • Understanding user needs and creating elegant solutions. • As someone passionate about UX/UI, I thrive on collaboration. I’ve been to countless dev meetups and believe in the power of teamwork! 🤝🏻 Let’s foster a culture where design and development teams work side by side, respecting each other’s expertise and sharing responsibilities. Together, we can elevate user experiences and drive business success. 💬 Share your thoughts on how you integrate design and development in your projects in the comments below! Let’s spark a conversation that inspires us all to innovate together. 👩💻👨💻 #productivity #productdesign #development #designer #processimprovement #uxdesign #Implementation

The key to successfully building innovative and useful products - listen to your customers! Now this is not rocket science. But listen closely if you’re stuck spinning your wheels and wondering why your product isn’t winning innovation points. I’ve been on both sides - the movers and the ones who keep running in the same place. And it’s all about breaking down silos and focusing on what matters: the customer. Here’s what I’ve learned works: ✅ 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬-𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬: Developers, designers, researchers—all in one room (or Zoom!). When everyone’s involved from the start, you get a much clearer picture of what the user actually needs. ✅ 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬: Having engineers join user research and support calls can change everything. It builds empathy and leads to solutions that truly solve user pain points. ✅ 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐰𝐡𝐲”: Don’t just list requirements; make sure everyone knows why you’re building something. It keeps the team aligned and gets the creative juices flowing. One project that really brought this home for me was when we revamped an Accounts Payable app. We had our UX designers get on customer calls with product managers, and the result? A much more interactive interface that made the entire invoice approval flow faster and easier for our clients’ finance teams. The goal isn’t just to push out features. It’s to find the quickest, most effective way to create user value through experimentation, iteration, and insight. It’s about collaboration—not rigid processes—that leads to great products. How are you building a user-first culture in your team? #ProductManagement #CustomerFirst #AgileTeams #TechInnovation