Mary Grace Francisco

Design with a goal of creating an emotional trigger with your end-users - connect the head to the heart

Design is really about solving problems. UX is the art and science of designing a product like a website or a software so that: it's easy to use, fits user expectations and meets business goals. UI is just a component of UX, so you see, "Design" is just not about the pretty pictures.

Design your software with simplification in mind in the overall look and feel, layout and navigation. Give just the data and controls users need in order to do their tasks while providing a lot of value.

One of my favorite quotes (from HFI) is: "Know Thy Users For They are Not You". See it through their eyes. Observe, engage, watch and listen. What is the use of creating/building something when they are not going to use it?

Do not be afraid to go outside the lines. Just because something has been done or been designed in a particular way for a long time doesn't mean it has to stay that way. Challenge (in a good way) requirements...ask the why, and perhaps the way to solve 'this time around' is by not conforming to the norm.

Failing is not a bad thing so long as you're failing forward (learn something) and you're failing cheaply (start with a sharpie/paper instead of directly building working prototypes).

When you're leading a team, be a gladiator like Marcus Aurelius. Lead from the front, not dictating from the back; Draw people together but not hog the spotlight; Encourage calculated risk-taking - examine the way things are done; Face foes/adversities with calm and focus; Be obsessed with training and developing people; Teach and mentor; Create and promote the vision; Don't just think of the here and now...instead, future-think.

Design in such a way that when target users walk away from having interacted with your product, they will not only say, "Wow, that was easy" but more importantly, they will say, "Wow, that was cool!" If you provide the WOW factor, they will champion your product/software.

Be a big-picture thinker. If you don't, you will always remain a golf fish and never reach shark status. Understand how UX goals fit in your company's business goals.

Based on my published blog (Before You Draw Conclusions, First, Draw), sometimes you just have to start with a Sharpie and paper (or erasable marker and a white board). Designers (sometimes) have a tendency to use design tools as a crutch. They are quick to look for solutions (out on the web) instead of pausing and taking the time to 'create'.

Have design tricks up your sleeves and keep up with the trends and emerging concepts. In the book, "100 Things Every Designer Needs To Know About People" it talks about a concept that if a picture of a face looks away from us and toward a product we tend to also look at the product.