Issue 15

WELCOME

A designerly behavior is putting people first, and making technology work for people instead of the other way around. And while designers focus on their key user groups, they usually are not exclusive by design. On the contrary, they are inclusive and make designs accessible.

We celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day next week and this issue of Being Designerly features articles on accessibility, Jony Ive's advice to designers, Disney customer experience, IKEAs updated AR design app, and a snarky look at Design Thinking.

FEATURE

Oh GAAD! Global Accessibility Awareness Day is upon us!

Celebrate the tenth Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on May 20th. The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments.

Find an event you can attend - since it's online, you can attend one in any time zone.

10 Guidelines for DataViz Accessibility

Speaking of accessibility, this article explores the accessibility problems of data visualizations, and how to address them. If you visualize data in any way (not just Business Intelligence tools, but even Excel or PowerPoint), this will be helpful.

CURIOSITY

Jony Ive’s advice to the next generation of designers

Speaking at a virtual ceremony at California College of the Arts, for the graduating class of 2021, one takeaway from Sir Jony Ive was:

‘Being curious fuels our appetite to learn and wanting to learn is far more important than being right.’

VISUAL

We asked an expert to redesign Wikipedia - here's what they came up with

As part of a new series, TechRadar Pro has asked designers from freelance platform Fiverr to give the branding of a selection of well-known companies a makeover, to imagine what famous branding might look like with a few tweaks here and there.

In this article, UK-based designer Kevinsdesign gave Wikipedia the same treatment, and discusses his decision-making process.

UX

Ten genius ways Disney’s customer experience keeps the magic alive

A few aspects of the customer experience that Disney intentionally creates for visitors to the happiest place on earth. Some include attention to appearance, quality, aroma, and why they fly fake US flags.

Is the Google UX course any good?

Two months ago, Being Designerly talked about Google's new $240 UX Design course. A few days ago, an experienced designer provided his feedback about the course after having completed it.

Worth it?

MOBILE

IKEA’s fancy new AR app lets you design entire rooms

Moving on from just adding virtual chairs and lamps to a room, IKEA's goal is to help people design entire rooms using the LiDAR sensors in an iPhone.

They are also looking at integrating the 3D measuring tool into the IKEA website and taking other AR elements online into a browser near you.

UNTIL NEXT TIME

Until Next Time

I hope you enjoyed this issue, and the articles about accessibility, curiosity, Disney's customer experience, IKEAs AR efforts and visual redesigns.

If you think someone would benefit from Being Designerly, please forward it to them.

I'm looking for feedback, of the brutally honest kind, so this can improve over time. You can reach me at lycerejo (at) gmail.com - thank you!