Prashanth Shanmugam

For all the UX enthusiasts out there, here’s a list of some fantastic UX conferences happening around and you can attend in India. These are some of my favourite ones as well. 🙂 1. UXIndia,  https://2024.ux-india.org/ 2. UXnow, https://www.uxnow.org/ 3. UX360 Research Summit, https://lnkd.in/gSJfXD_q 4. International Conference on Research Into Design, https://lnkd.in/gUCEVvQ9 5. Hatch conference, https://lnkd.in/guyvAaEN 6. UXInsight Festival, https://lnkd.in/gPHb5Zby 7. ConveyUX, https://conveyux.com/ 8. AIGA Design Conference 2024, https://lnkd.in/gsKmfRWT 9. George UX Conf, https://lnkd.in/gQgHwuRF For more information, plz visit the specific event websites. Top 5 benefits of attending the conferences: 1. Connect with other professionals 2. Stay ahead of Industry Trends 3. Inspiration and Fresh Ideas 4. Showcase work 5. Attend amazing workshops and masterclasses When people with the same passion come together under one roof, the conversations are truly unstoppable. These gatherings create an environment so vibrant and inspiring that you wish the day would never end. The energy and vibe are unmatched. UX conferences are more than just events; they’re incubators for ideas and catalysts for growth. Some ideas that start as casual conversations come to life, sparking innovations that can shape the future of design. For others, it’s a place of clarity, where the fog of uncertainty lifts, revealing the path forward in their career. Don't think. Just decide your next UX conference, you would like to attend soon. 😁 #UserExperience #UXConferences #UXEvents #UXSummit #DigitalDesignConferences #ProductDesignSummit #UXGathering #UXDesign #UserExperience #UXResearch #DesignThinking #InteractionDesign #UIUX #UXStrategy

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Designers using all frameworks in hope it will magically make designs better.

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In the interest of brevity, here goes my attempt to write the shortest hiring post - Product designer, 1-2 years exp, B2B SaaS exp required, portfolio required, in-office (BLR). Seems like a personal record 😎 Let's go folks, portfolios in the comments please! EDIT: Since most people aren't reading the post properly, I'll have to break brevity and write "B2B SaaS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED"

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*Episode 26: Understanding Iterative Design* Design is an iterative process. But what kind of iteration? In the realm of design, here's a common scenario - ❌ Designers often unknowingly fixate on a solution ❌ They become emotionally attached to their ideas, UI, and solutions pushing stakeholders in a single direction ❌ They backtrack to low-fidelity wireframes ❌ They gather feedback and keep making slight adjustments ❌ Then they move to high-fidelity designs ❌ Disagreement from others may upset them But, This is NOT an iterative design process. A skilled designer takes a different path - ✅ They refrain from prematurely settling on a solution. ✅ They maintain emotional detachment from their designs. ✅ They explore multiple concept sketches from varied perspectives. For example, if you are designing a healthcare application, your designs will drastically change if you design it from different perspectives like - patient safety vs data accuracy vs productivity. ✅ They welcome opposing viewpoints without personal offense. ✅ They select the most sensible option or craft a customised solution [as a team]. ✅ They proceed to high-fidelity designs. This genuine iterative process introduces fresh perspectives, potentially uncovering insights that stakeholders hadn't considered. This is how you truly contribute value as a designer. If you've accomplished something like this, make sure to showcase it prominently in your next design interview. 💡 Remember: Iterative design isn't merely about advancing from low to high fidelity. It's about crafting designs from diverse perspectives previously unexplored!💡 If you liked the tip, like and comment your thoughts. #DesignInterviewProTips #CareerGrowth #DesignCommunity #30DayChallenge #DreamJob #CareerDevelopment

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When Bad Internet Reveals Good UX: On my train commute today, poor internet connectivity revealed 2 different UX approaches: • Hotstar: Showed text thumbnails for movies ↳ Could still browse & choose what to watch • Amazon Prime: Similar text-based approach ↳ Continued discovery despite poor connection • Netflix: Displayed shimmer effects → redirected to downloads ↳ Limited to already-saved content Next time you design, ask: 1. What happens when conditions aren't perfect? 2. Is my product still usable? What unexpected scenarios have shaped your design decisions? #UX #ProductDesign

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My second attempt to convert text-based blogs into engaging podcasts using AI. Today's topic, traditional contrast calculation vs APCA, for WCAG guideline 1.4.3, sufficient contrast. A quick recap: we need a contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for text and 3:1 for large text. Traditionally, the contrast is calculated using #luminance values, which conflicts with how human #eyes perceive color. APCA attempts to address this issue by considering the color pairing and font weights. Take a look at the podcast version of this discussion. https://lnkd.in/gT8SYZkp #podcast #AI #APCA #contrast #Accessibility

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Design and product management are job functions that require unique skill sets. Good designers with strong customer acumen and great analytical abilities ( not limited to ) can become effective product managers. Similarly, product managers who invest time in mastering design tools, building craft, building appreciation for art and understanding that design is not merely about problem-solving ( not limited to ) can become effective designers. Designers aspiring to become product managers should understand that this transition is a shift to a different function, not a promotion or level up. Designers who believe they can *do more* or excel as product managers simply by switching roles often do not succeed.

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✨13% Growth till 2032✨ Yes, yes you read it right ✅, It happening now. UX/UI Design Jobs are rising by 13% each year more than any other occupation in 2024 Then Why? There are so many designers not able to find a High-paying job in design. HARSH TRUTH IS most of the aspiring UI/UX Designers just tools operator they know how use 10 different tools but barely understand design as a craft and part of business. Key skills that designers are lacking in 2024. ❌ Lack Basic Fundamentals. ❌ Don't know how to draw inspirations. ❌ Don't know how to use Design Systems. ❌ Don't understand business metrics. ❌ No uniqueness in their work. Don't need to worry now! Here is a 6 STEPS ACTION PLAN for you. Step No. 1 ✅ - Brush up the basic skills and practical application (Colors, Typography, Iconography, UI principles, UX laws) Step No. 2 ✅ Practice all the fundamental at least for 2 weeks. Step No. 3 ✅ Master the standard guidelines (WCAG Compliance {A, AA, AAA}, a11y, section 504 and usability guidelines. Step No. 4 ✅ Study about popular design system like (Base, HCI, Material Design, Polaris, Blade, Carbon and many more) Step No. 5 ✅ Learn Behavioural Psychology (Attention, Memory and emotions) Step No. 6 ✅ Build solid proof work like case studies, visual presentations and all. In case you're looking for my help in landing a high paying UX/UI Design Job. Enroll in our UX/UI Design Cohort. www.thedesignclan.com Must-watch portfolio building series https://lnkd.in/gPUEA2R5

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Overcoming the fear of uncertainty is key for designers. My workshop at uxindiaconf (ux-india.org) focused on helping creatives recognize the link between ambiguity and innovation to drive positive outcomes, acknowledge their emotions, adopt a growth mindset, and develop strategies to navigate uncertainty effectively. Leaders, listen up! Neglecting your team's input can lead to a toxic environment. I want to thank Kaladhar Bapu, Jabeen Shaistha, and all the wonderful volunteers of UX India 2024 for helping to make this workshop a success! #design #innovation #uncertainty #ambiguity #psychologicalsafety #UXIndia2024

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💡 Woke up thinking about this quote: "Why change what's already working?" If you have used Swiggy recently, especially on Android, you may have noticed the updated search interaction. It’s a bit of a shift from how it was before. Earlier, you could search for something like "pasta" and easily switch between Food delivery, Instamart, and Dineout. Now, you’re asked to choose a category upfront, which changes the user journey slightly. Perhaps (hopefully) there’s a solid reason behind this update - user testing or data insights. But I can’t help but wonder - does this add unnecessary friction for some users? It felt that way for me and a few people I asked. Just thinking out loud. What do you all think? Swiggy #UXDesign #Swiggy #UX #designthinking

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Just type 'Job' in our advanced filter 🔍 to access all these design job portals 💸 in Design Wallet🔥. ⤵⤵⤵⤵ We've curated an extensive list of job boards tailored specifically for designers. 💎 Our list is categorised by: ⇾ Design Job Portals ⇾ UX Design Job Portals ⇾ Remote-Specific Design Job Portals ⇾ Job Portals for Junior Designers Access Design Wallet🔥 for FREE. https://lnkd.in/gnbz6chf Happy job hunting! 😊 ______________________ Like if you find it useful 👍 And Repost ♻️ for more designers to see.

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Navigating Tricky Design Projects: A Guide for Indian Mid-Level Designers --- Embarking on a design project can be both exciting and challenging, particularly when faced with unexpected complexities. Here's how Indian mid-level designers can handle tricky projects effectively: # 1. Understand the Scope: Define the problem statement, objectives, and deliverables clearly. # 2. Thorough Research: Understand the industry, target audience, and competitors through research. # 3. Set Realistic Goals: Establish achievable goals and milestones to stay on track. # 4. Collaborate Effectively: Maintain open communication with team members, developers, and clients. # 5. Prioritize and Iterate: Begin with the most critical aspects of the project and iterate as you progress. # 6. Manage Expectations: Be transparent about what can and cannot be achieved within given constraints. # 7. Embrace Flexibility: Adapt to changes and unforeseen circumstances with a positive attitude. # 8. Seek Feedback: Get feedback from peers, mentors, and clients for continuous improvement. #9. Stay Organized: Utilize project management tools to stay organized throughout the project. # 10. Learn from the Experience: Reflect on the project upon completion to identify lessons learned. Tricky design projects can be intimidating, but by following these strategies, Indian mid-level designers can confidently tackle them and turn challenges into opportunities for growth and professional development.

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🧘‍♀️ Honest/unfiltered responses on some common things we hear about UX research : 1. Anybody can ask questions - Well yes, like anybody can dance or draw. It's only the matter of quality that varies with practicing and learning the techniques. 2. Qualitative v/s quantitative is always a debate - No, it's not. Both have very different objectives. Please care to read the definition at least. 3. The sample size is very small - I would be happy to debate if you know or at least are open to learn all the sampling techniques and their usage. 4. We tested the product with friends/people in my building/people in the park - Well, I will let the book answer this one.... ( #uxresearch #sampling #userreaserch #justkidding)

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Ditch the long PRD Too many PRDs are simply 'verbose feature lists.' They tend to promote the 'Ready! Fire! Aim!' approach to product design. No product concept survives an encounter with the customer. This is why doing even a tiny amount of UX work upfront allows you to course-correct before spending precious engineering resources. This reminds me of my favorite product management quote: "Months of programming can save you hours of critical thinking" https://lnkd.in/gGJaFDhd

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A couple of weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to have a keynote talk, “Unlocking Your Impact: How an #Outcomes-Focused Approach Empowers Designers,” at uxindiaconf (ux-india.org). The conference was a massive gathering of talented designers from around the world, and I was thrilled to be a part of it. Here are some of the things I covered in my keynote: - By adopting an #outcomes-focused approach, you will gain a deeper understanding of how your actions contribute to achieving organizational goals and ensuring the successful execution of your #vision. - By defining clear outcomes, you will foster a more focused and aligned team, eliminate unnecessary work, and ensure your efforts are centered around meeting #customerneeds. - Using the #JobsToBeDone framework helps align your organization’s outcomes with your customers’ needs, ensuring that your products and services meet their needs. I want to thank Kaladhar Bapu, Jabeen Shaistha, and all the wonderful volunteers of UX India 2024 for helping to make this keynote a success! I also want to thank the thought leaders who came before me: Tony Ulwick, Joshua Seiden, Alexander Osterwalder, Jim Kalbach, John C. Maxwell, and Marty Cagan. https://lnkd.in/ePHXh4cq #teamwork #alignment #empowerment #outcomesoveroutputs #ux #india #userexperiencedesign #userexperience #jtbd #UXIndia2024

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Excited to share my latest article featured by Artium on the transformative power of pairing in design. In this piece, I explore how pairing isn’t just for developers but can enhance collaboration across all departments, including design. Read more about how we can use this approach to stay ahead in the era of AI. Your thoughts and feedback are welcome! #pairprogramming #productdesign #AI #innovation

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One of the most important aspects of UX design is affordances and signifiers. It helps users know what they can interact with and how. Sriharinath GP has a great overview on this: https://lnkd.in/gUH5uicV

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UX Byte - 27 💁‍♂️ Let go of your ego- Evolving through feedback. Early in my career, I worked with a designer who was really proud of her designs. She would defend every detail, convinced it was perfect. But when feedback from users and the team suggested otherwise, she resisted making changes. The design wasn’t working for users, but she was too attached to let go. That’s when I realized- good UX isn’t about defending your work, it’s about listening and improving. By embracing feedback, testing ideas, and iterating, we ended up with better designs and a stronger user experience. Great UX comes from evolving, not holding onto personal bias. It’s about what works best for users, even if it means leaving your original vision behind.

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