The lecture proved insightful, although it was primarily tailored for students working on their Project 4 related to the energy sector. Despite not directly aligning with my current focus, I found it engaging to learn about Jason Brown’s journey and the insights he shared on reaching his current position.
Jason Brown, an NUA alumnus, commenced his career on the National Grid graduate scheme and has since evolved into a mid-weight product designer. His discussion delved into compelling case studies, detailing the challenges he encountered, strategies for overcoming them, and reflections on what he might do differently.
A particularly impactful segment for me was when he reflected on advice for his university self. As someone always seeking ways to enhance my skills, these points resonated with me:
- Learn how to use design systems with Figma
- Research ways of working eg. agile
- The UX process is not always as follows
- Learn how to present your research designs consistently
- Show how you meet business goals
- Measure your products success – cost, time, adoption etc
- Your portfolio is never finished
- Focus on showing you know the UX process
- Get good at talking about yourself – networking
He also discussed accessibility in terms of UX design and what we could do in order to gain a better place for the disabled to feel more included. Personally, I think this is a massive subject that should be discussed more and it should be more at the forefront of how designers make their products, so it was interesting to hear his thoughts on how things could be adapted to aid the disabled,. For example
- Sight loss – consider colour fonts, image description etc
- Hearing loss – visual cues, textual alternatives
- Physical disabilities – consider how the user might use the application with limited usage
In essence, this lecture was captivating as it delved into a multitude of crucial topics, with the speaker sharing insightful opinions and detailing the measures he takes to ensure accessibility and inclusivity in his work for diverse audiences. Beyond the informative content, the speaker’s amiable persona added an extra layer to the lecture, making it particularly enjoyable. While the trajectory of his post-NUA career may not align closely with my aspirations in the field of UX, the discussion served as an inspiring glimpse into the diverse paths one can pursue after graduating from the programme.
