On Tuesday, November 15th, Rupa Misra, Ed.D., hosted four esteemed panelists to examine a nuanced topic: the social responsibility of user experience (UX) designers and product designers. Each panelist examined these questions using their own industry experience and expertise.
Misra serves as the program coordinator for the MBS User Experience Design and Product Design concentrations.
Panelists:
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Dr. Tobias Komishke: UX Fellow at Infragistics.
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Joe Natoli: Independent UX Consultant, Speaker and Author at Give Good UX
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Josh Lamar: CEO/CO-Founder at Amplinate
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Nicole Errico: MBS’21, Senior Designer at Deloitte
Introduction
Designers are influential people who work to create a better world. Misra highlighted the works of two designers: Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect behind Fallingwater, and Dieter Rams, a German industrial designer who proposed ten principles of good design and focused on creating environmentally friendly products.
In today’s world, said Misra, we see excessive consumption. Although this brings economic benefits, problems associated with excessive consumption include increased waste, environmental ramifications, and human health issues.
Should designers be socially responsible?
Questions for the Panel
1. It can be said that designers are powerful in the sense that they influence others by the way they design products and services. At the same time, society has social and environmental issues such as global warming, resource depletion, health issues, etc. As people with influence, what important social responsibility do you think UX designers or product designers should consider?
Panelists highlighted the need to consider access and inclusivity when designing products. Designers must examine who gets left out due to lack of access to bandwidth, internet, and power.
“There’s an impact that design has in the world around us," said Lamar. Because products have a positive or negative impact on the world, both physically and emotionally, said Lamar, UX and product designers have an ethical responsibility to the environment and to people. Lamar also noted that our realities are now mediated by technology, and this technology can affect how we perceive the world. He proposed the use of inclusive design. As technology shapes the world around us, we must use design to make everyone feel included.
Natoli advised us to ask, “Who gets left out? And in what way?”
Komishke added that even software can have environmental ramifications, such as the use of blockchain.
2. Are product designers considering the entire life cycle of the product – not only when the user uses it but also before and after use? For example, when the designer is designing a smartphone, the designer may only consider the immediate use of the product – whether it is for 6 months or 2 years. But what happens to the product after it is used? After its technical life cycle, how effective is the biodegradable life cycle? Have you noticed trends in product design relating to social responsibility?
Komishke shared an observation. When purchasing bicycle parts from European companies, the parts came in biodegradable wrapping. He noted that these companies are creating a holistic offering, designing the product and packaging to be aesthetically pleasing, functional, and eco-conscious.
Errico offered a different perspective. “Overall, it’s walking a fine line in design and social responsibility.” Errico noted that it can be challenging to balance the needs of the client while creating a design that is accessible and socially responsible. Junior designers may also have difficulty speaking up about those topics if they are just starting in their careers. Errico noted, if a designer does not consider these elements of social responsibility when starting a project, it may be too late to include these aspects down the line.
3. Should UXD and Product Designers look beyond the company requirements of maximum profit, efficiency, and growth when designing?
“If you are employed in a company and the company is for-profit,” stated Komishke, “the way that you can influence what you do has very tight boundaries.”
Lamar shared his process when designing. “There’s the audience, the problem, and the solution, and it goes in that order,” he said. “When we really start to design around human needs as opposed to business needs, then that's a great product.” Instead of focusing on the solution, first consider the needs of the user and the problems they face.
Natoli advised designers to ask, “What’s worth doing in the first place?” Asking this question early on can prevent companies from spending money on products that don’t meet any needs of the audience.
4. What does it take to be a product designer or UX designer? How did you get into product design or UX Design? Please share how you got to where you are. What helped you the most?
For Komishke and Errico, what helped them the most was networking. Neither of them started on the path to UXD.
Komishke first became interested after meeting an alum from his school who worked in Human-Computer Interaction. “I couldn’t believe it. I was like what? This is a job? You can do this and earn money?” He completed internships, growing his professional network which ultimately resulted in a referral to the company where he completed his Ph.D.
Errico's first UX role was given to her by a previous manager who believed she would thrive. “Probably 99% of the battle most people have is just getting that one chance to prove that you can do the work.” She highlighted the importance of referrals and building a professional network. (Keep an eye on the MBS events page, where we offer industry panels and networking events.)
Natoli attributed his success as a UX designer to his roots in punk rock, a scene framed by its do-it-yourself (DIY) culture. Recognizing the potential of the internet, Natoli decided to start his own company. He advised students, there are no wrong turns in their careers. Don’t hold off on doing something until you have the courage. He also advised students to follow three p’s when it comes to entering the workforce—patience, persistence, and perseverance.
5. What skills are important in your specific industry?
“Show up the way you want to be perceived,” said Lamar. He highlighted the importance of hard skills, soft skills, and culture fit. Lamar also noted the importance of promoting your unique background. Valuing your difference and bringing new ideas to a team will help create a better product.
6. What is the job market like?
“You really have to present yourself for what you want, and you have to do it in a way that is authentically you,” said Natoli. When applying for jobs, he recommended telling your own story, highlighting what you are best at, and sharing what you are capable of that other people aren’t.
Errico has previously shared interview and portfolio tips for UX designers with MBS students.
If you are interested in learning more about product design from industry experts, Misra hosts guest lectures for his course Introduction to Product Design and Development on Wednesday nights. Check the MBS Student Resource announcements on Canvas for more information.