IDblog: UX and visibility

UX and visibility

Speaking of filing things away, here's part of an email I just sent to the InfoD-Cafe list in response to Loren Needle's email re information design visibility. Many UX fields (usability, graphic design, IxD, IA, tech writing) have this same "why don't they value us?" kind of undercurrent, and I think Challis makes a critical point. Below is a linked version of my response.

Anyways, what I wanted to add to this discussion is to point to Challis Hodge's article titled . Here's a snippet:

I have listened for decades now as we designers have debated in circles, chased our tails and whined about business not understanding what we do and the value we bring. We talk about making things more usable, about creating brand loyalty, about making the world a better place. We struggle with ROI models, case studies and methods to communicate our value. Still we find ourselves in the same situation, having the same discussion. We just dont get why business doesnt understand.

The harsh reality is we designers simply dont get business. We view our profession as critical, important, and integral to business success and in many ways this is true. However, our dream of playing a top-level strategic role in business is unrealistic--at least under the current circumstances in which we work.

I also think there's another theory that may be of use in these issues of visibility (for we share them with many, many other professions). It's diffusion of innovation theory (Rogers) aka crossing the chasm (Moore) aka the tipping point (Gladwell). It's a very complex and interesting theory, but I think the point that applies here is this: there is a gap/chasm/space between the point where something is used by the early adopters/visionaries and the early majority/pragmatists. And that space has everything to do with communication of value. The language we use is not the language used by those we would seek to convince. For me, this is exactly in line with what Challis is saying. And this is where we should look to find ways to make progress.

06:27 PM | linkme | home

Comments

Beth:
Hodge simply underscores my comments at the ID-Cafe. In the article you cited he wrote:

"We [designers] struggle with ROI models, case studies and methods to communicate our value."

...and...
"We view our profession as critical, important, and integral to business success and in many ways this is true."

Most professions effectively mix craft and empiricism. Even the practice of medicine is a mix of craft and science.

The difference between medicine and info design is that patients have learned to value doctors based on the evidence while prospective ID clients are still waiting for the body of evidence....as well as a lot more conviction, passion and leadership on the part of ID practitioners.

To illustrate this latter point, I have long wondered about the "Start" button of the Windows Operating System. One would think that with all its resources and legions of info designers, Microsoft would design the Start button so that it morphs into a stop or quit button for shut down but no-o-o, one must click AGAIN on the start button to shut down! What a sad example of the lack of info design policing, eh?

Best regards, Loren

-- Posted by on November 7, 2004 08:37 PM