The DesignOps Aligned Podcast Show

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.
 
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to Accessibility in Design
01:10 - The Current State of Accessibility Awareness
02:55 - Designers' Responsibility Towards Accessibility
04:42 - Product Managers and Accessibility Challenges
08:51 - Quantifying the ROI of Accessibility
10:36 - Gathering User Feedback for Accessibility
13:07 - Advocating for Accessibility in Teams
16:19 - The Impact of Personal Experience on Accessibility Awareness
18:37 - Creativity Within Constraints
22:19 - The Role of AI in Accessibility
23:36 - Testing with Real Users for Accessibility
25:55 - Understanding Accessibility Through Personal Experiences
28:07 - Starting Your Journey in Accessibility
30:23 - The Value of Certifications in Accessibility
31:44 - Reginé's Upcoming Books and Their Impact
34:18 - The Future of Accessibility Legislation
39:24 - Navigating Organizational Change for Accessibility
45:22 - Connecting with Reginé Gilbert
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“Unlocking the Power of Workshops in Design” – Act 02 – Scene 39 – Amanda Gelb
Amanda's LinkedIn Profile: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-gelb/⁠ Amanda's company: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/aha-studio-inc/⁠
Summary
In 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.
 
Chapters
00:48 - Exploring Key Themes
01:49 - Setting the Stage for a Comfortable Conversation
03:44 - The Importance of Workshops in Design
06:49 - Understanding the Role of a Workshop Facilitator
09:54 - Navigating Workshop Dynamics and Decision-Making
12:51 - Balancing Inclusivity and Efficiency in Workshops
15:57 - Strategies for Effective Workshop Outcomes
18:51 - Overcoming FOMO and Ensuring Engagement
21:43 - The Leadership Role in Workshop Facilitation
24:59 - The Importance of Workshops in Leadership
28:23 - Creating Collaborative Spaces for Effective Workshops
33:47 - Navigating Conflict and Divergent Opinions
40:01 - Building Confidence in Moderation and Collaboration
44:15 - The Role of Cross-Functional Leadership
46:40 - Innovative Workshop Techniques: LEGO Serious Play
44:42 - 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
 
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“LinkedIn Brand-building for Designers” – Act 02 – Scene 40 – Thijs Kraan
Summary
In 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.
Takeaways
Design 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.
Chapters
00:48 – Introduction and Setting the Stage
01:02 – The Importance of Design Education
03:00 – Transitioning to Freelance in Design
04:48 – Overcoming Content Creation Challenges
08:57 – The Long Game of Content Creation
11:05 – Leveraging LinkedIn for Professional Growth
14:04 – Building a Standout LinkedIn Profile
17:49 – The Art of Venting vs. Professionalism
21:03 – Navigating AI Tools in Writing
25:53 – The Craft of Writing and Continuous Improvement
35:46 – The Journey of Content Creation
38:52 – Building a Personal Brand vs. Being an Influencer
44:33 – The Shift to Video Content
47:08 – Navigating LinkedIn’s Algorithm
53:00 – Maximising Content Posting Strategies

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Modus Operandi – Episode 7 - Luminous Fragments – Miranda Slayter

In 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.

Takeaways
The 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.

Chapters
00:00 - Coffee Conversations and Introductions
01:32  -Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Job Markets
05:24 - The Balance of Ethics and Survival
07:42 - Transparency in Career Choices
10:04 - The Impact of Company Ethics on Work Culture
11:48 - Data Breaches vs. Animal Testing: A Moral Comparison
15:06 - The Rise of AI and Ethical Concerns
19:22 - AI Fatigue: The Overhyped Reality
23:58 - Adapting to AI: The Future of Design
26:22 - The Evolution of Jobs in the Age of AI
28:01 - AI's Impact on Product Development
30:09 - Critical Thinking in Design with AI
33:23 - Standing Out in a Competitive Job Market
40:56 - Crafting a Compelling Portfolio
43:57 - Defining Design Impact: Designers vs. Product Managers
50:41 - Articulating Design Decisions
55:45 - Building Political Capital in Design
01:01:01 - The Art of Presenting Design Ideas
01:05:47 - Learning from Bad Leadership
01:10:03  - The Role of Design Leaders in Business

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Modus Operandi – Episode 6 - Whisper Gallery – Noelle Lansford
Summary
In 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.
 
 
Chapters
01:23 - Introduction to Unscripted Conversations
01:44 - Collaboration Challenges Between Designers and Developers
05:29 - The Importance of Onboarding in Design and Development
07:58 - Communication and Handover Processes
11:29 - Managing Design Changes and Scope Creep
17:25 - Setting Boundaries in Design
23:54 - Understanding MVP vs. MDP
30:54 - Governance in Product Backlogs
32:47 - Governance and Lead Time in Product Development
34:58 - The Cost of Pivoting and Its Cultural Implications
38:52 - Using Numbers Wisely in Design
41:58 - The Role of Product Managers and Long-Term Strategy
45:55 - The Gap Between Design and Business Strategy
49:58 - The Need for Dedicated UX Product Teams
55:53 - The Importance of Proving UX Value to the C-Suite
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