Designing with Vision Dave Cortright Interaction Designer

I am a designer.

However, I am not just a designer.

I am a problem solver.

solution problem

solution problem

problem solution

problem solution The best thing you can do for any project: Separate the problem from the solution. Or said another way

First define the problem, Then design a solution.

The Money Slide First define the problem, Then design a solution. If you walk away with nothing else from these slides, remember this.

Defining the problem is the most important task for any project.

Defining the problem is more important than designing a solution.

If I had 20 days to solve a problem, I would take 19 days to define it. Albert Einstein

Imagine taking a vacation.

Would you get in your car and just start driving?

If you did, youd eventually look up & find yourself here.

Nowhere.

If you dont know where youre going, how will you know when you arrive?

The same is true for any design project.

Great design doesnt matter if youre solving the wrong problem.

A vision statement defines the problem.

What makes a great vision?

Focus on people.

Give people what they want.

People want outcomes.

People do not want: tools artifacts features technology cool new

People do not want a hammer.

A hammer is just one of many possible ways to achieve the desired outcome.

Dont jump to solutions in the vision. There will be time for that during design.

The final component of a great vision

Order the items in a stack-ranked list.

Not everything can be top priority.

1. Secure your own oxygen mask. 2. Assist others.

Sadly, if it came down to it 1. Secure your own oxygen mask. 2. Assist others.

So, a great vision is Focused on people Defined by outcomes they want Ordered in a stack-ranked list

38 slides on product vision. What about design?

Great vision leads to great design.

Great design embodies the essence of the vision.

From a well-crafted vision, the design simply, falls out.

If this is the space of all possible design solutions

then every constraint you add

to your vision

further reduces the design space

until you are left with..

A very manageable design space.

Its a space, not a point; There are multiple design solutions.

But any design solution within this space is sufficient.

And since the space is so small, finding a design solution is easy.

And since the space is so small, finding a design solution is easy. > relatively

Keep your design simple.

Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler. Albert Einstein

Simplify 1. The simplest way to achieve simplicity is through thoughtful reduction. 10. Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious, and adding the meaningful. The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda

When in doubt, leave it out.

Justify every pixel.

Justify every interaction.

A great vision is Focused on people Defined by outcomes they want Ordered in a stack-ranked list and it leads to

A great design, which... Embodies the visions essence Is as simple as possible In summary, and suitable for printing

define the problem Great vision Focused on people Defined by outcomes they want Ordered in a stack-ranked list Great design design a solution Embodies the visions essence As simple as possible Dave Cortright http://davecortright.com davecortright@yahoo.com