Being There When a Team is Starting Their First Design Journey

What happens when you’re a UX designer in an organization that’s new to design? Even though UX design is becoming more common, the tools and skills of UX are not yet everywhere.

You may find yourself in a situation I’ve been before, to be a designer in a place just beginning their UX design journey.

Why do I find this an interesting situation and a worthwhile role to play? It’s a chance to support, encourage, and help spread the tools of human centered design, data informed decision making, and collaboration with the goals of the user and business in mind. And you get to be there at a huge helpful learning moment for an organization.

Before you started, something happened

What brings an organization to try UX design? At some point in the company’s history they encounter a clear challenge and need to improve their products and/or services in a new way.

It could be that UX wasn’t on their radar or UX was thought of as a nice to have capability, not yet needed. Until one day:

• user feedback accumulates, building awareness that something needs attention (negative or positive reviews and product questions)
• slowing sales while competitors are prospering