I sent this list out to the Yahoo! Design team in my farewell message last year. Some are specific to big company dynamics (2–4), but hopefully all are at least thought-provoking.
1. *Understand the user needs/goals before you design. *I could expound on this one in length, but instead here is my pithy aphorism: "First define the problem, then design a solution." 2. ***Partner with a sympathetic PM or developer who will help champion your design. *All of my design successes at Yahoo! had this as a common component.** 3. ***Connect with your fellow designers at Yahoo! *This is something I wish I'd done more of in my time here. It not only connects you with other like-minded colleagues, but it also exposes you to other areas of the business and might open you up to internal transfer opportunities. Cross-pollination is definitely a good thing.** 4. ***Write up design bugs. *This is the most effective tactic I've found for keeping important design details from falling through the cracks.** 5. ***Use a highly responsive tool for creating design mocks. *I have tried out many programs over the years including Photoshop, Illustrator, PowerPoint, Interface Builder, Visual Basic, AppleScript, and a host of others for creation design mocks; *Visio* is my current favorite on the PC, and *OmniGraffle* on the Mac. They are both very responsive and mostly keeps out of my way letting me focus on the design.** 6. ***Know Thyself.* I highly recommend reading either Now, Discover Your Strengths<http://www.amazon.com/Discover-Your-Strengths-Marcus-Buckingham/dp/0743201140/>or StrengthsFinder 2.0<http://www.amazon.com/StrengthsFinder-2-0-Upgraded-Discover-Strengths/dp/159562015X/>and taking the test therein. I found it extremely valuable to know and focus on my strengths.** 7. ***Apply your design skills to your passions.* There is a huge need for design thinkers in all areas of our lives, not just web and software. I've had success applying my design skills to several non-profits. I'm optimistic that designers can help solve the biggest problems facing us today. I believe that designers will play a critical role in crafting Public Policy 2.0™ in areas as diverse as the environment, human rights, commerce, and law. I'd love to see one of your names in the news when it happens.** ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
