Scott Berkun, a bestselling author renowned for his insights on design and innovation, shares his thoughts on the complexities of the design process. He discusses his journey from UX researcher to author, revealing how challenging assumptions spurred his writing. Berkun addresses systemic issues in design, highlighting the significance of relationships and communication. He introduces the concept of 'gravity problems'—challenges beyond individual control—and emphasizes the balance between idealism and pragmatism in user experience design.
Scott Berkun emphasizes that successful design requires more than creativity; it demands effective collaboration and relationship-building within teams.
Berkun highlights the importance of reframing challenges and focusing on achievable goals to enhance designers' influence and value in organizations.
Deep dives
Scott Birkin's Journey into Design
Scott Birkin began his career in user experience (UX) at Microsoft, initially working as a user researcher before moving into a project leadership role. This transition stemmed from his preference for decision-making over advising, which has influenced the trajectory of his work. Over his 20-year career, he has authored nine books focused on design, innovation, and effective communication in professional settings. His latest book, 'Why Design is Hard,' aims to address the complexities and challenges faced by designers, highlighting the importance of both understanding and improving design practices.
The Importance of Understanding Perspectives
Birkin emphasizes that successful designers need to move beyond simply having good ideas; they must also navigate the social dynamics of their teams and organizations. He critiques the notion that innovative concepts will naturally attract support, instead arguing that effective collaboration and relationship-building are key to a designer's success. The experiences of famed designers like Paula Sher and Dieter Rams illustrate that successful outcomes often stem from interpersonal skills rather than solely from creative vision. Therefore, designers must understand the beliefs and motivations of their cross-functional teams to effectively advocate for their ideas.
Addressing the Realities of Design Practice
In the current design landscape, professionals frequently encounter feelings of insecurity and doubt regarding their value within organizations. Birkin notes that many designers face systemic issues, as their skills are often unrecognized and undervalued by colleagues outside their specialized field. This societal ignorance about the significance of design must be acknowledged as a 'gravity problem'—a constraint that designers cannot control. Rather than lamenting this reality, Birkin advocates for reframing challenges to focus on achievable goals within their organizations, thus enabling designers to accumulate influence and effect change iteratively.
Navigating Influence and Relationships in Design
Birkin discusses the need for designers to embrace relational skills over an idealistic view of their role in organizations. He argues that effectively influencing others is crucial for translating design intentions into successful outcomes, which requires understanding the perspectives and values of colleagues in different departments. For designers, aligning their ideals with the expertise of engineers and other stakeholders fosters better collaboration and mutual respect. Ultimately, the ability to communicate and connect with others, rather than simply advocating for the user's needs, becomes integral to a designer’s influence and effectiveness.
Scott Berkun is the bestselling author of nine books on design, innovation, remote work, and more. His most recent book, Why Design Is Hard, is the second of a pair on why design makes a difference and how designers can best go about it. That is the focus of today’s conversation.