Reflective Journal: UX Product Design Diploma

It's been just over a week since I started my UX Product Design Diploma with the UX Design Institute and I can already feel my attitude and behaviour towards different aspects and processes changing. I also feel a growing level of excitement about the potential to combine my Business and Marketing degree with the learning from the UX course to be in the best position to hit-the-ground-running in the market place.

I have decided to keep a reflective journal as a way to keep note of my thoughts, feelings, and progress across the weeks.

This week's reading includes:

The inmates are running the asylum, by Alan Cooper

Research Methods for business students, by Mark N. K. Saunders; Philip Lewis; Adrian Thornhill

W/c 11th November:

UX misconceptions (to-date): My biggest misconception, and undeniable excitement in this, is that UX and software development is for the most techy of us. Whilst I am sure tech-competency is important, and essential for the likes of software engineers, for UX designers it is just as important to be able to interpret data and ask the right questions of user groups and PEOPLE! I love people, and have always wanted a career where I am able to problem-solve for people in a meaningful way.

I am also remembering how much I love processes and breaking a problem in to steps which, if followed carefully, often lead to the most powerful and effective solutions.

It is so easy to get carried away by an idea, or bias, but having the understanding of the wider picture and potential for improvement when the proper research is conducted is such a powerful lesson.

Example:

I am a liveryman and member of the Worshipful Company of Paviors who are one of London's livery companies. The company are struggling with recruitment, and with that cash-flow, so are looking at introducing sponsorship opportunities for exposure and additional income streams.

Initially I thought this problem was a 'no-brainer' and could be solved with the introduction of social media templates for users to share across their social networks for event exposure etc.

However, by following the UX design process, I have come to understand that there is little-to-no qualitative research from existing members which leaves huge knowledge gaps for assumptions about why members join or renew their memberships in the first place, or even what elements of the membership they value.

It is also entirely possible that a significant proportion of members do not use social media, therefore to assume social media would help solve the problem would be incorrect and to create a solution based around this would mitigate any desirability in the solution, ultimately wasting resource and creating little-to-no change in the current situation.

Instead, I have created a qualitative feedback form to be sent to members which can help give insights and guide a solution and am excited to continue problem-solving using the UX method.