Clients and opinions: the frustrations of being a designer
The digital area has always been a trend. Nowadays, there is a lot of competence in apps and websites, making users uncertain about which app or website they will pick. The one thing I know for sure about this area? If surfing websites or mobile applications is quick, motivating and uncomplicated, and the design is on the point, success is a certainty.
Here is where UX and UI designers shine. Why is that? UI/UX web and app design are major keys for a product’s first impression, establishing the connection between the user and the digital product, getting confidence from users, and making them use an app or a website to provide them what they desire. Here is a helpful article that tells more about the importance of UX and UI development.
When working as a designer, especially in UX / UI, it’s essential to argue and classify our decisions as well as to take responsibility for the final art. UX and UI designers are between the product and the development, and this is a critical output. Being in this process can cause some frustrations in our daily work. Here I’ll show you three of the most complicated struggles I have experienced so far.
Everyone has their opinion
When designing an app, software or website, people always have their own idea about how it should look or about what features it should have. Even if the product is already done, people always propose adding “little changes.”
If you’re a designer or work with art, you want everybody to like your design. Still, due to design being subjective, it’s sometimes hard to match a look that everybody likes and considering more assertive opinions. Also, that’s time you invested, especially when it comes to design software or an app. That’s why you should start by designing a low fidelity prototype, so the feedback is enriched in features. It’s also essential to get early feedback to close all the functionalities plus the product’s final look so that the development team doesn’t stay behind.
Secondly, it’s not just about the design; it’s also about usability. Some people have an opinion about how usability should work given their own experience, so they point out some ideas to add new functionalities for the project when it is already closed. This causes a lot of trouble, especially on the user flow and in terms of UX. In these particular situations, we must consider two aspects: ask ourselves if this is a valid opinion or not and ponder what the user needs, and if the advice matches the need.
When what’s developing doesn’t match your design
When you invest your time in ideation, prototyping, usability testing, UI design, validation and what’s developing doesn’t match the final product, you have to modify what you’ve done already and that is frustrating. Furthermore, when some flows don’t match what you design, you have to prioritize the ones that caused the most struggle for the user regardless of the problems that may cause in the UI. The best to do here is to do a minimum report of small changes.
That’s because to be a great designer is also to have a bigger relationship with design
Making decisions
Decisions here are vital and you have to decide what’s the best in terms of UX for the product. You are designing according to the feedback given to you and sometimes, when there are many options, it’s hard to choose the best one. Take the time to think about the flux and rethink something that you feel doesn’t make sense. If you don’t find the answer, ask again for opinions or see other designs, websites, apps that can help you decide. Try to understand what’s best for your product. Indeed, it’s a valuable time for you to grow as a designer. Making decisions can be hard, but you have to be critical when it comes to explain the process and add value to what you do!
We all have our struggles. These are the main three that, for me, are the most complicated to handle. Maybe reading this can help you with frustrations when working on your design. Moreover, having difficulties prove that you are trying!
These challenges make us better designers :)
Don’t give up and be proud of what you do and don’t forget to read this interesting guide for overcoming design frustration.
Originally published at https://angry.ventures on July 24, 2020.
