A Design tale.

Ah, the design industry. It’s a strange and exciting place, full of talented and creative people, cutting-edge technologies, and endless possibilities. But lately, something has been going on. Something strange, something unexpected, something… well, fucky. The industry is evolving at breakneck speed, and sometimes it feels like everyone is bullsh*tting their way to success.So, what the fuck is going on in the design industry? Let’s dig in and uncover the truth.

First, let’s talk about design itself. Design is more than just pretty visuals or sleek interfaces. It’s about solving problems, understanding human behaviour, and creating meaningful experiences. It’s about empathy, research, and iteration. But somewhere along the way, the term “design” has become diluted, and everyone seems to be calling themselves a designer these days. From “UI/UX Ninjas” to “Creative Gurus,” the design industry is plagued with jargon and buzzwords that can be overwhelming.I believe one of the culprits of this bullshit culture in the design industry is the proliferation of design roles. Don’t get me wrong, having specialized roles in design can be beneficial, but it has also led to confusion and an inflated sense of importance. From UX designers, UI designers, Product designers, Interaction designers, and more, there’s a plethora of titles floating around. And let’s not forget the “unicorn” designers who claim to do it all, from research to visual design to actual coding.Practical Applications

It’s as if we’re in a design role Olympics, and everyone is vying for the gold medal of design hierarchy.

While it’s great to have experts in each of these areas, it can also lead to silos and turf wars. The widely-spread competition between UI vs UX Designers in agencies and studios is one of the most well-known examples.

Designers become so focused on their own areas of expertise that they forget about the big picture. This is where collaboration and cross-functional teams become essential. When designers work together across disciplines, they can create truly innovative and effective solutions.

Here’s the truth: design is a team sport. It’s not about titles or labels, but about collaboration and collective effort. Designers need to work hand in hand with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to create successful products. No one person can do it all. We need to stop bullshitting ourselves with fancy titles and start focusing on the value we bring as a team.

Let's consider an example: a health and fitness website. Using a combination of green and white can create a sense of calm and health-consciousness, encouraging users to explore fitness programs and healthy living articles.

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Another aspect of the design industry that’s rife with bullshit is the obsession with “best practices” and “design trends.” Don’t get me wrong, learning from others and staying informed about industry trends is extremely important. That said, my problem with design trends is that it seems like every year, there’s a new hot trend that everyone is talking about. One year it’s flat design, the next it’s skeuomorphism, and then it’s material design. And let’s not forget about the infamous battle between hamburger menus and action bars. It’s enough to make your head spin.

But the challenging thing is, these trends aren’t just about aesthetics. They’re often driven by changes in technology, user behaviour, and cultural shifts. So, while it can be tempting to dismiss them as fleeting fads, it’s important to understand why they’re happening and how they can be used to create better user experiences.

Nonetheless, design is about understanding the unique needs and behaviours of your users and creating solutions that meet those needs. It’s about pushing boundaries, taking risks, and challenging the status quo. It’s not about following a formula for success, but about being innovative and daring. Be mindful though, do not chase innovation for innovation’s sake. Do not reinvent the wheel. Leverage what has been built until now by so many other talented individuals, adapt it and morph it to solve your users’ unique problems.

The biggest design innovations compounds. They are a build-up. You don’t go from 0–100 overnight. Instead, it’s about taking a hundred tiny 0–1 steps.

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Another elephant in the room is the issue of diversity and inclusion in the design industry. While there has been progress in recent years, the reality is that the industry still lacks representation from underrepresented groups. But it’s not just about having diverse faces in the room.

Instead, it should be about genuinely valuing and incorporating diverse perspectives into the design process. It’s about acknowledging that design is not one-size-fits-all and that different voices bring different insights and ideas to the table. It’s time to break free from the bullshit of homogenous design teams and embrace true diversity in all its forms. Diversity in design it’s strictly related to the products and solutions we build.

It’s a huge challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to create products that truly reflect the needs and perspectives of all users.

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Conclusion

So, what the fuck is going on in the design industry? A lot of things, obviously. But despite all the fuckery, there’s also a lot of potential for positive change. By staying curious, staying humble, and staying committed to creating products that truly serve users, we can help shape the future of our industry. It won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth it.

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