The DesignOps Aligned Podcast Show

• “Breaking Barriers in Digital Design” – Act 03 – Scene 41 – Reginé Gilbert

  In this episode, Reginé Gilbert discusses the importance of accessibility in design, the current state of awareness, and the challenges designers and product managers face. She emphasises the need for a shift in mindset towards accessibility as a core aspect of design rather than an afterthought. The conversation explores the ROI of accessibility, the importance of user testing, and practical steps for advocates within organisations. Reginé also shares insights on learning resources and her upcoming books, highlighting the future of accessibility in the design industry. Takeaways•               Accessibility is becoming a requirement for digital products.•               Awareness of accessibility varies greatly among designers.•               Implementing accessibility can initially seem like extra work, but it becomes easier over time.•               Product managers often view accessibility as an additional requirement to push to later releases.•               Quantifying the benefits of accessibility can be challenging but is essential for buy-in.•               User testing with real people is crucial for understanding accessibility needs.•               Starting with small changes can lead to significant improvements in accessibility.•               There are certifications available for accessibility professionals.•               YouTube and online resources are great starting points for learning about accessibility.•               Building political capital is key to advocating for accessibility in organisations.  Chapters00:00 - Introduction to Accessibility in Design01:10 - The Current State of Accessibility Awareness02:55 - Designers' Responsibility Towards Accessibility04:42 - Product Managers and Accessibility Challenges08:51 - Quantifying the ROI of Accessibility10:36 - Gathering User Feedback for Accessibility13:07 - Advocating for Accessibility in Teams16:19 - The Impact of Personal Experience on Accessibility Awareness18:37 - Creativity Within Constraints22:19 - The Role of AI in Accessibility23:36 - Testing with Real Users for Accessibility25:55 - Understanding Accessibility Through Personal Experiences28:07 - Starting Your Journey in Accessibility30:23 - The Value of Certifications in Accessibility31:44 - Reginé's Upcoming Books and Their Impact34:18 - The Future of Accessibility Legislation39:24 - Navigating Organizational Change for Accessibility45:22 - Connecting with Reginé GilbertDon't forget to:👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!Follow Us: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow • X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast

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• “Unlocking the Power of Workshops in Design” – Amanda Gelb

  “Unlocking the Power of Workshops in Design” – Act 02 – Scene 39 – Amanda GelbAmanda's LinkedIn Profile: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-gelb/⁠ Amanda's company: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/aha-studio-inc/⁠SummaryIn this conversation, Naresh Shan and Amanda Gelb discuss the critical role of workshops in design and the importance of stakeholder buy-in, exploring strategies for effectively communicating the value of workshops, managing group dynamics, and harnessing divergent opinions. They emphasize the necessity of clear agendas and objectives, understanding participants' needs, and the significance of collaboration and the role of play in fostering creativity. Amanda highlights the importance of workshop facilitation skills as a bridge from individual contributor to design leader, sharing insights on navigating conflicts, enhancing collaboration and decision-making within organizations, and providing practical techniques for successful workshop facilitation. The discussion also touches on the need for better representation of workshop skills in design education and social media, while emphasizing the necessity of being a leader in the design space.Takeaways·      Workshops can be a waste of time if not structured properly.·      Clear objectives and next steps are crucial for effective workshops.·      Diverse opinions can lead to conflict, but they can also drive innovation.·      Facilitators should give themselves permission to interrupt when necessary.·      Using playful methods like Lego can enhance engagement in workshops.·      Understanding your audience is key to successful facilitation.·      Conflict capture techniques can help manage disagreements.·      Workshops should be designed with the end goal in mind.·      Collaboration skills are essential for effective workshop facilitation.·      Leaders must be proactive in guiding discussions and decisions. Chapters00:48 - Exploring Key Themes01:49 - Setting the Stage for a Comfortable Conversation03:44 - The Importance of Workshops in Design06:49 - Understanding the Role of a Workshop Facilitator09:54 - Navigating Workshop Dynamics and Decision-Making12:51 - Balancing Inclusivity and Efficiency in Workshops15:57 - Strategies for Effective Workshop Outcomes18:51 - Overcoming FOMO and Ensuring Engagement21:43 - The Leadership Role in Workshop Facilitation24:59 - The Importance of Workshops in Leadership28:23 - Creating Collaborative Spaces for Effective Workshops33:47 - Navigating Conflict and Divergent Opinions40:01 - Building Confidence in Moderation and Collaboration44:15 - The Role of Cross-Functional Leadership46:40 - Innovative Workshop Techniques: LEGO Serious Play44:42 - The Importance of Stakeholder Buy-In 51:21 - Effective Communication in Workshops 54:32 - The Role of Workshops in Design 54:32 - Evangelizing Workshop Skills Don't forget to:👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!Follow Us: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow • X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast

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• LinkedIn Brand-building for Designers – Thijs Kraan

  “LinkedIn Brand-building for Designers” – Act 02 – Scene 40 – Thijs KraanSummaryIn this engaging conversation, Naresh Shan and Thijs Kraan explore the evolving landscape of design, the importance of leveraging LinkedIn for personal branding, and the challenges of content creation. Thijs shares insights on how to effectively communicate the value of design, the long-term commitment required for successful content creation, and the balance between authenticity and professionalism on social media. They discuss the role of AI in writing, the significance of building a standout LinkedIn profile, and strategies for maximising audience engagement. The conversation emphasises the need for designers to educate others about their value and adapt to the changing dynamics of the job market.TakeawaysDesign is increasingly recognised as a key value driver in organisations.LinkedIn is a powerful platform for building a personal brand and attracting opportunities.Content creation is a long-term commitment that requires consistency and patience.Educating your audience about your value is crucial for success.AI tools can assist in writing, but should not replace personal thought and creativity.Venting on professional platforms like LinkedIn should be approached with caution.Building a standout LinkedIn profile requires clarity about your unique value proposition.Quality content is essential, but quantity can also play a role in visibility.Engagement strategies should focus on the audience's needs and interests.The landscape of content creation is evolving, and adapting to changes is necessary.Chapters00:48 – Introduction and Setting the Stage01:02 – The Importance of Design Education03:00 – Transitioning to Freelance in Design04:48 – Overcoming Content Creation Challenges08:57 – The Long Game of Content Creation11:05 – Leveraging LinkedIn for Professional Growth14:04 – Building a Standout LinkedIn Profile17:49 – The Art of Venting vs. Professionalism21:03 – Navigating AI Tools in Writing25:53 – The Craft of Writing and Continuous Improvement35:46 – The Journey of Content Creation38:52 – Building a Personal Brand vs. Being an Influencer44:33 – The Shift to Video Content47:08 – Navigating LinkedIn’s Algorithm53:00 – Maximising Content Posting StrategiesDon't forget to:👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!Follow Us: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow • X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast

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• Modus Operandi – Episode 7 - Luminous Fragments – Miranda Slayter

  Modus Operandi – Episode 7 - Luminous Fragments – Miranda SlayterIn this engaging conversation, Naresh Shan and Miranda Slayter explore the current job market's challenges, ethical dilemmas in design, and the impact of AI on the industry. They discuss the importance of transparency, the role of designers in measuring impact, and the need for strong design leadership. The conversation also explores the importance of creating compelling portfolios and the evolving nature of UX design in a rapidly changing technological landscape.TakeawaysThe job market is dire, leading many to compromise on ethics.Navigating ethical dilemmas in employment is a complex issue.Transparency in career choices can help mitigate the impact of CV stains from controversial companies.AI is transforming the workplace, but it won't replace UX design.Designers must articulate their decisions with data and insights.The importance of measuring design impact is crucial for career growth.Design leaders play a crucial role in advocating for the value of design.A compelling portfolio should showcase design thinking and impact.AI fatigue is real; the hype may not match the reality.Designers must continually evolve their skills to remain relevant in the job market.Chapters00:00 - Coffee Conversations and Introductions01:32  -Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Job Markets05:24 - The Balance of Ethics and Survival07:42 - Transparency in Career Choices10:04 - The Impact of Company Ethics on Work Culture11:48 - Data Breaches vs. Animal Testing: A Moral Comparison15:06 - The Rise of AI and Ethical Concerns19:22 - AI Fatigue: The Overhyped Reality23:58 - Adapting to AI: The Future of Design26:22 - The Evolution of Jobs in the Age of AI28:01 - AI's Impact on Product Development30:09 - Critical Thinking in Design with AI33:23 - Standing Out in a Competitive Job Market40:56 - Crafting a Compelling Portfolio43:57 - Defining Design Impact: Designers vs. Product Managers50:41 - Articulating Design Decisions55:45 - Building Political Capital in Design01:01:01 - The Art of Presenting Design Ideas01:05:47 - Learning from Bad Leadership01:10:03  - The Role of Design Leaders in BusinessDon't forget to:👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!Follow Us: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow • X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast

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• Modus Operandi – Episode 6 - Whisper Gallery – Noelle Lansford

  Modus Operandi – Episode 6 - Whisper Gallery – Noelle LansfordSummaryIn this episode of the Modus Operandi podcast, hosts Naresh Shan and Noelle Lansford delve into the complexities of collaboration between designers and developers, highlighting the challenges of communication, onboarding, and the impact of daily design changes on development processes. They discuss the importance of understanding MVP in product management, the need for governance in product backlogs, and the role of UX in product strategy. The conversation emphasizes the necessity for designers to learn to say no, the value of data-driven decisions, and the future of UX in organizations, particularly at the C-suite level. Takeaways·      Collaboration issues between designers and developers stem from cultural differences.·      Onboarding processes are often inadequate, leading to confusion and inefficiency.·      Effective communication is crucial for successful handovers between design and development teams.·      Daily changes in design can complicate development processes and lead to scope creep.·      Learning to say no is essential for designers to maintain project integrity.·      Understanding the concept of MVP is critical for product managers and designers alike.·      Governance in product backlogs can help streamline processes and improve outcomes.·      UX should be recognized as a vital component of product strategy at the C-suite level.·      Data-driven decisions can enhance the influence of design in product development.·      The future of UX may involve more strategic roles within organizations.  Chapters01:23 - Introduction to Unscripted Conversations01:44 - Collaboration Challenges Between Designers and Developers05:29 - The Importance of Onboarding in Design and Development07:58 - Communication and Handover Processes11:29 - Managing Design Changes and Scope Creep17:25 - Setting Boundaries in Design23:54 - Understanding MVP vs. MDP30:54 - Governance in Product Backlogs32:47 - Governance and Lead Time in Product Development34:58 - The Cost of Pivoting and Its Cultural Implications38:52 - Using Numbers Wisely in Design41:58 - The Role of Product Managers and Long-Term Strategy45:55 - The Gap Between Design and Business Strategy49:58 - The Need for Dedicated UX Product Teams55:53 - The Importance of Proving UX Value to the C-SuiteDon't forget to:👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!Follow Us: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow • X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast

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