Vikram Joglekar

Lucy Woodcock spends much of her time at work 'doing' diverse usability testing. She has recently blogged "#UserTesting Unveiled: A Step-by-Step Exploration" and aims to demystify the process. Here are #KeyTakeaways from her blog: 1. Importance of #InclusiveDesign and #Accessibility: Inclusive design and accessibility are crucial factors in shaping user experiences. User testing with people with disabilities can help reach a broader audience and cater to diverse needs. 2. Meticulous Planning: User testing begins with meticulous planning, including setting dates, arranging calls, and recruiting diverse participants. A clear research plan aligned with client objectives ensures a valuable and inclusive testing project. 3. Remote Usability Testing: Remote usability testing provides flexibility for testers and clients alike. It gives clients the opportunity to observe sessions first-hand, turning the testing day into a collaborative experience. 4. Analysis of Results: Analysis of user testing results is a crucial part of the process, highlighting key issues and forming recommendations. Different tools and methods may be used for analysis, but the goal remains insightful insights and recommendations. 5. Comprehensive User Testing Report: The user testing report is the end deliverable for clients, containing evidenced insights and relevant recommendations closely linked to client objectives. A clear, justified, and measurable report increases implementation and improves accessibility. 6. Continuous Improvement: A #retrospective allows the team to review successes and identify areas for improvement, ensuring #adaptability to evolving client needs and making each project a stepping stone to future success. 7. Enquiring about User Testing Service: User testing services with companies like Accessible Me Ltd, eLaHub Ltd, or AbilityNet ensure you asking the right people the right questions at the right time and making the best use of their feedback. 8. Self-Conducting User Testing: Learning how to conduct user testing can provide reassurance in making accessibility improvements and focusing resources in the right areas. Like AbilityNet, Accessible Me Ltd offers training courses (both online and offline) for those interested in starting their own #AccessibilityTesting. Accessible Me Ltd's focus is in the #eLearning, #LearningAndDevelopment, and #BrandMarketing areas; helping to make learning accessible to everyone. These takeaways highlight the importance of meticulous planning, remote usability testing, thorough analysis, and continuous improvement in creating inclusive and accessible user experiences through user testing.

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Is it just me World Usability Congress or should your website adhere to at least WCAG 1.0 standards? Text as an image over video, days with no month or dates, white text on teal, no ability to tab through content, hover drop-down menus... woud be great to see this brought up to a level its intended to represent. https://lnkd.in/gwU5mGim #usabilitystandards #accessibility #customerexperience #designstandards #ux #cx #uxaudit

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Hey, all. Every now and again, someone will ask me whether this or that font or typeface is accessible. It’s a great question. Unfortunately, the answer is, “it’s complicated.” To understand why, and how to make good choices when you’re choosing a font, check out this introduction to accessibility in typography. https://lnkd.in/euczaHV4 #Accessibility #A11yGoodReads

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Hoo boy! We have a live one. My post about UX needing to professionalize attracted lots of attention, not all of it the good kind. I know that my posts stir up a few nutcases, but this is something else entirely. If you're reading this, you know the state of UX is dire. In fact the state of technology is dire. The lunatics have taken over the asylum, the chaff have risen to the top, and they have molded tech orgs in their own image. None of this is news. BUT with the rising tide of outrage in our community and indeed in the wider world, I expect the absolute worst opinions to be kept mum. My appraisal of the current situation was that the bad guys were still very much in power but starting to feel enough fear that they'd at least refrain from, oh, I don't know, openly defending ageism. But apparently, I'm naive. Because along came some guy named Simonas Maciulis, and he said the quiet part out loud. By his words, the "older generation of UX folk" are "stuck with outdated ways" and have "ignorance" of all sorts of things. How far gone do things have to be that someone feels totally comfortable, totally immune from consequences, saying this? If this guy could back up his outrageous statements with any sort of excellence, I'd understand how he ended up with 31,000 followers. Buuuut, the thing is, our friend Simonas is a "senior product manager" at Wix, a company INFAMOUS for UX so bad, a 5 year old could design it better. In fact, just this past week, I've lost 10+ hours dealing with Wix's tech support because their trash fire of an editor can't even make a TAB CONTAINER work. I've also had like five people asking "why are you still using Wix??" Good question. Other than the fact I have some legacy stuff built in it, there's no reason at all. And this week, I'm migrating everything into Framer. So yeah, this guy spews bigoted word salad and defends the lack of professionalism in our industry, all without any sort of body of work to demonstrate that he's anything more than a talking head, but 31,000 people think he's worth listening to. THAT is why UX today is a joke. Because the hydra has thousands of heads. I know because they liked his reply on my post. These people have overrun our profession and I, for one, will not take this lying down. It's time to publicly call out, publicly shame, in fact, those who do us the favor of exposing their complicity with the system that has made technology products so terrible, and even jeopardized civil society. It's rare someone makes it this easy. Look, I could be overly pessimistic. Entrenched power follows a bell curve of class consciousness. When they're safe, they don't feel a need to justify themselves to the masses, so they stay quiet. When they're an endangered species, they are also quiet as a survival strategy. But in the middle? Right when they start to sense a threat, that's when they're the loudest. That's where we are in the cycle. We're drawing them out. Don't stop now.

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I've been doing the work we now know as UX for over 28 years. I have perspectives and sentiments that those with much less experience are not very likely to possess or embrace. Remember that when folks who entered the discipline after 2011 express discontent with the stances I take. • They don't like my constant addressing of UX ≠ UI, but can't really relate and didn't witness the transition of UX's value proposition. • They refer to my outspokenness as "pontificating," but are doing nothing (genuine) to benefit the discipline. They only benefit themselves, many times at the expense of the discipline. • They express concern about what I do, but willingly empower folks that are doing the discipline great harm. • They don't like my stance against UX writing, but can't relate first-hand to observing information architecture and content strategy being swept under the rug. • They don't like my rejection of OOUX, but aren't sensitive to folks trying to make a name for themselves at the expense of the discipline AND don't understand the misdirective nature of someone's adding layers of complexity to today's UX culture that is fundamentals-averse. • They don't like my stance against bootcamps, but simply can't relate to and don't understand the predatory and snake oil factors at work. • They complain about my stance on imposter syndrome, but never say anything to refute the related facts I've shared. • They don't like my constant calling out of the sinister nature of today's UX operation, but only cry out if and when they're personally impacted by something. NONE of those stances negate or disprove what I'm addressing. If they knew what I knew (and they don't), cared like I care (and they don't), and experienced what I've experienced (and they haven't), they'd respond the same way. The things I address simply don't compute due to their biases or lack of understanding, but someone's lack of understanding DOES NOT mean it's not true. That's simply arrogance at its "finest."

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In-house UX and Product Design folks — especially those in enterprise organizations — often come to me with variations of the following questions: "How do I go from being seen as an order-taker to a respected, strategic partner?" "How do I stop other people and departments from seeing me as the "make it pretty" person?" "How do I go from putting out small fires every 5 minutes to long-term #UX impact?" "How do I gain the respect and trust I deserve from the rest of your organization?" These aren’t just tough questions — they’re common questions, because I hear them every week. So I created a one-hour training video to show you exactly how you do all these things. It’s called ​CHANGE PERCEPTION + GET RESPECT IN YOUR COMPANY​, and it's as no-bullshit and straightforward as that title implies ;-) I'll walk you through a series of actionable steps you can take today to stop being seen as an order taker — and start being respected as a strategic partner. Everything here comes directly from 30+ years of training sessions with Enterprise UX leadership teams, advice I regularly give team leaders and team members. It’s been applied in the most UX-hostile environments you can imagine. And if it worked for them, it can most certainly work for you. It’s only available through my ​UX 365 Academy​, my affordable alternative to grossly overpriced bootcamps that focuses on the REAL skills you need most to thrive in a corporate environment. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/ef2nQheh .

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There's a trend going on with scammers/bad actors - specifically in the Design Industry. I've been reflecting a lot lately on a troubling issue in our design community: scammers targeting hardworking professionals. It's super sad to see so many fake job postings designed to waste your time, steal intellectual property, or even worse, scam you out of money. With how much effort and time/years dedicated to perfecting my skills as a graphic designer, UI/UX designer, branding, and logo designer; it's incredibly frustrating to think that there are people out there trying to take advantage of those of us who are genuinely passionate about our craft and striving to make a living in a tough industry. This is really sad and bad. Fellow designers, let's look out for each other. Double-check opportunities, trust your gut, and don't let these bad actors get the best of us. I thought of sharing my experience and observations so far. On a positive note though, if you need someone with expertise in graphic design, UI/UX, website design, branding, and logo design, I'd love to connect. I'm always excited about new roles and projects and I'm passionate about delivering quality work. You can check out some of my works here https://nddplatform.com/ Or https://lnkd.in/eXhU67j Stay safe out there and keep creating beautiful things! #logo #logodesigner #scammers #designindustry #design #graphicsdesgin #graphicdesign #websitedesigner #websitedesign #uiux #freelancing #freelance #freelancer #nddplatform

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In-house UX and Product Design folks — especially those in enterprise organizations — often come to me with variations of the following questions: "How do I go from being seen as an order-taker to a respected, strategic partner?" "How do I stop other people and departments from seeing me as the "make it pretty" person?" "How do I go from putting out small fires every 5 minutes to long-term #UX impact?" "How do I gain the respect and trust I deserve from the rest of your organization?" These aren’t just tough questions — they’re common questions, because I hear them every week. So I created a one-hour training video to show you exactly how you do all these things. It’s called ​CHANGE PERCEPTION + GET RESPECT IN YOUR COMPANY​, and it's as no-bullshit and straightforward as that title implies ;-) I'll walk you through a series of actionable steps you can take today to stop being seen as an order taker — and start being respected as a strategic partner. Everything here comes directly from 30+ years of training sessions with Enterprise UX leadership teams, advice I regularly give team leaders and team members. It’s been applied in the most UX-hostile environments you can imagine. And if it worked for them, it can most certainly work for you. It’s only available through my ​UX 365 Academy​, my affordable alternative to grossly overpriced bootcamps that focuses on the REAL skills you need most to thrive in a corporate environment. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/ef2nQheh

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Today, somebody tried to connect with me on LinkedIn who described themself as a “UX maestro.“ I won't even tell you how much “experience” this person has or seems to have. Lots of people lie about their work history in an attempt to qualify for UX jobs. 😳🤣😂😆 I will never cease to be amazed at people who connect blindly. In other words, people connect with folks without checking to see who they are connecting with. They don’t check to see what your modus operandi is. They don’t check to see what your purpose and commitment is. They see what amounts to them as a buzzword in your post and respond without checking to see what you’re actually saying. Then, they reply based on that internal conversation they had in their head about said buzzard without actually digesting anything. I’m not after followers. I don’t seek to be heard. I enjoy dialogue. I enjoy helping vault people forward in the discipline of user experience. I don’t argue. There’s nothing to argue about. Just shaking my head.

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When it comes to UX content, are you ever tempted to just "write your own"? You're not alone, but maybe this article by Aprill Jones, Associate Content Director at CapTech, will convince you to call on a professional. (I sure hope so.) #captech #uxwriting

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⏱ “Just in time accessibility docs” I think I’ve been doing it all wrong. As we build out our design system, we’ve been continuing to add lengthy accessibility documentation to each of our components, check. But is it actually helpful? → W3C Guidelines are verbose and many of the guidelines become redundant once the component has been built. → Text based documentation can be hard to visualize without examples or access to assistive technology. → While components may test accessible in isolation, new issues come up when components are used in context. 👏 Some folks who are doing it right that we're trying to learn from at Exygy → Carbon design system from IBM provides context specific tips for both designers and developers. The guidelines they provide act as quick implementation checklists. https://lnkd.in/gbmeJe5F → GOLD Design System by Design System AU is really unique in the way that it provides accessibility previews of components. I really dig how they simulate keyboard navigation and color blindness! https://lnkd.in/gDBgUiyN → USWDS from GSA goes above and beyond any system that I have seen by providing accessibility testing documentation that can be used when doing QA of components in the wild. ...whoa https://lnkd.in/gYP2ptrR 💎 A couple of things our team has taken away from these amazing resources that might be helpful to others: → Focus component documentation on the most "actionable" implementation details for both designers and engineers. → Reserve verbose technical setup requirements for the initial component acceptance criteria. → Experiment with ways to easily preview accessibility options and outputs. → If possible, document how someone could test issues that could come up during ongoing product feature development and QA. 🧙‍♂️ This post was in part inspired by a talk from Dan Mall at the last Figma Config when he referenced "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" to describe the "notes in the margins that help Harry improve his potion skills" as a way to describe better "just in time" design system documentation. If you do actually need the verbose stuff for component acceptance criteria you can always get it here: → W3C Authoring practices guide https://lnkd.in/g_MUENbn #accessibility #designsystems #documentation #ui #uidesign

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Like sellouts, many unemployable UX "thought leaders" prioritize telling businesses what they want to hear over what is best for the business, the product/service or customers. There's a significant shift away from focusing on quality in design and user experience, favoring quick production and fake testing instead. I argue that prioritizing profit over ethical considerations has led to serious societal harms, like; Boeing, Teflon scandal, Tesla and OxyContin. Individuals who challenge harmful business practices risk being marginalized or labeled as troublemakers, especially during periods of corporate restructuring or in a downturn. "If you stand in the gap between a business doing harm to the customer, you're going to be labeled as someone who's a problem and you're going to be on your way out. Especially when there's multiple rounds of layoffs. They identify the potential whistleblowers and they're like, okay, we got a boy scout over here on team X. We need to get rid of this guy. He's talking about people's feelings and, doing right by them 'n stuff. I don't know what all this empathy shit is, but we need to get rid of it post-haste because THAT doesn't sound like profit." —Me With Jennifer Blatz. #UXLeaders #Ethics #UserExperience #CX https://lnkd.in/gMFJxnaK

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Check out this insightful piece by Kate Lawton about the importance of collaboration between Product orgs and writers: https://lnkd.in/gXVjXxc9 Note: All opinions are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer. #UXwriting #contentdesign #contentstrategy

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So this is just fabulous. Seemingly with the new Terms of Use Adobe now has the right to go through your Adobe Cloud data and do basically WHATEVER THEY WANT with it. https://lnkd.in/dg_vtmzz #adobe

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Accessibility. 13 letters. a11y for short because 13 is a few letters too many. It has all these definitions floating around, each one just slightly different than the next. Like the word itself, accessibility is a loaded concept. It's just like a bulky piece of luggage you lug around and when you finally set it down on the floor and start to unpack, it'll likely fill the room. We have guidelines, laws, compliance, ARIA patterns, procurement requirements, third party tools, population statistics and a bunch of people yelling at us we need to be accessible. It's no wonder whenever you hear accessibility you roll your eyes and think it's not your job. Designers shout at developers when they go rogue and start slapping divs left and right forgetting about proper semantics. The developers fight back and blame the designs with all the bells and whistles, visually stunning, but practical for people with disabilities? Not so much. And by the way, aren't the testers responsible for how the screen reader works? All this leaves you frustrated and thinking that you have to do it rather than want to do it. Maybe this comes from how complex the web has been getting recently. Over the past 10 years, we've been adding new technologies, new workflows, new requirements and the surface area for responsibilities is larger than ever. Stop for a second and think. What we want is to make websites that everyone can use. This is our why and that hasn't changed much. No matter how small or large your team is, no matter what framework you use and how big your stack, what comes out the other end is a product that people will use - if you let them. The classic blame game doesn't work. Accessibility is a team effort. #Accessibility #A11y #ShipAccessible ---- Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this! ❤️ Did you enjoy this? Join like-minded peeps learning and contributing to authentic conversations on accessibility. 📬 Click "Get the free daily newsletter" on my profile to subscribe. ♻️ Repost if you enjoyed this! It costs nothing and helps me spread the knowledge.

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40 amazing *legitimately available as of today* Senior UX Research positions are open and on The List, including 3 open roles from Microsoft, 2 at ServiceNow, and many more from Reddit, Inc., Meta, Google and GitHub. Almost all of them are #remote and #senior positions, and either #UXResearch or #SeniorProductLeadership jobs (which tend to be a natural progression for some very senior UXRs.) And although it's research-adjacent and somewhat junior, there's a Full Time role as a User Research Operations Specialist at DonorsChoose that sounds amazing. For those of you who, inexplicably, are not on the monthly mailing list, a few stats of interest: 🚀 Of the 40 jobs listed, 33 are newly-added just since June 16th. 🚀 19 have been removed from employers' websites or job boards in the last 30 days 🚀 On average, listings come and go in *26 days*. These jobs are highly-sought, and although I think I'm doing a better job of spotting them and getting them posted more quickly, my rough guess is that most positions are open to applications for less than 30 days. So: <shamelessplug> Get on The Mailing List! </shamelessplug> https://lnkd.in/eJkpDx7J

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Qualities of a Great Design Manager! (I have been breaking down management within UX design, if you have missed it go peep my other posts this week.) 1️⃣ Calls you higher "Push on it" is one of my favorite phrases to younger designers. It's vague and succinct. It's ambiguous and provocative. I am not saying you're right OR wrong. Just that there's more to be discovered. I learned this phrase from a literal creative genius (he's now CCO of Epic Games). Every designer needs to be called to iterate and get better, it's the heart of user experience. You can get better! You can do more! 2️⃣ Meets with you consistently Never miss a 1:1! It's the pulse of your team. Consistent meeting shows respect and investment. If you're always rescheduling, postponing, or cancelling meetings with your team; it tells them that they are not important. As a manager, if your managers are scheduling meetings over your 1:1s tell them not to. Your team is of the utmost importance. No team = no work. Happy team = great work. NEVER MISS A 1:1! 3️⃣ Is your biggest cheerleader Who you surround yourself with is one of the greatest keys in LIFE! If your manager isn't calling you higher, meeting with you regularly...I doubt they will be your biggest cheerleader. Find a manager who is passionate about you and your success (very rare, sadly). They should inspire you to be a cheerleader for everyone else around you. I currently have a coach that is always cheering me on, thinking about ways to inspire me, and reward me when I do great things. Find a manager like that. If you can't find one like that...BE ONE!

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Dear UX community, Are you relying on individuals who create and share content to gain followers and aspire to become influencers on LinkedIn? I strongly advise against supporting such individuals. They often lack practical UX execution experience and tangible evidence of UX knowledge. These individuals are often responsible for speculating and sharing biased information without validating it themselves. Let's prioritize authenticity and expertise in the UX field. #UX #UserExperience #Authenticity

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I spend much of my time at work 'doing' diverse usability testing. Here's a recent blog post that I wrote to demystify the process: https://lnkd.in/eFqjDwBR #abilitynet #usertesting #accessability

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