UI Narrative: UX, UI, IxD, Design and Research

Latest Episodes:

How To Be Receptive To Design Feedback | Shanique Shields, Shopify Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

Episode 43 Show Notes:

As designers, I think most of us consider our work a piece of our inner selves because creating design requires us to draw inspiration from our thoughts. So when someone challenges or criticizes our work, I think it's a bit challenging not to take it personally. In this episode, Shanique and I talk about how we equip ourselves mentally to be receptive to design feedback. We also share our worst feedback sessions and how we've grown to speak up for ourselves. Take a listen and tag @uinarrativeco on Twitter to let us know how your last design feedback session went.

Mentions:

Shanique's Email

shaniqueshields@gmail.com

Shanique's Twitter

https://twitter.com/Shanique__s

------

Today's sponsor, Google Design, produces original content like articles and videos to show how Google's products come to life—and to inspire designers everywhere. Head over to goo.gle/UINarrative to get inspired.

Podcast Info:

Transcripts available on episode web page.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.

RSS feed: https://uinarrative.libsyn.com/rss

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear.

Announcements:

Join the UI Narrative Email Club to be the first to hear about weekly blog posts and exclusive podcast recaps. You can sign up at uinarrative.com/emailclub.

Want to become a Product Designer? Or need a portfolio review? Learn more at uinarrative.com/workwithme.

Let's Connect:

Have a question for me? Email me at hello@uinarrative.com.

Let's connect! #uinarrative

Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn @uinarrative

Twitter @uinarrativeco

Empowering Black Designers in the Tech Industry | Mitzi Okou, WATBD Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

It's 2021, and Black designers only make up 3% of the workforce at major tech companies. It's disheartening to think about, but you have the power to make a difference, especially if you're a white creative leader, educator, or designer. Representation is crucial to attracting people of color to the tech industry and ensuring an inclusive environment, and retaining them as employees.

In this episode, Mitzi Okou and I discuss the importance of empowering black designers in your workplace and community. Take a listen and learn how Mitzi is raising awareness for the lack of diversity in most companies.

Where are the black designers (WATBD)

https://www.watbd.org

WATBD 2021 Conference

https://www.watbd.org/2021

Mitzi Okou's Instagram @ok_mitz

https://www.instagram.com/ok_mitz

Mitzi Okou's LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzi-okou-30918b144/

Mitzi Okou's Website

https://www.mitziokou.com/

Podcast Info:

Transcripts available on episode web page.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.

RSS feed: https://uinarrative.libsyn.com/rss

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear.

Announcements:

Join the UI Narrative Email Club to be the first to hear about weekly blog posts and exclusive podcast recaps. You can sign up at uinarrative.com/emailclub.

Want to become a Product Designer? Or need a portfolio review? Learn more at uinarrative.com/workwithme.

Let's Connect:

Have a question for me? Email me at hello@uinarrative.com.

Let's connect! #uinarrative

Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn @uinarrative

Twitter @uinarrativeco

You Need a Design Career Growth Plan | Catt Small, Asana Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

Episode 41 Show Notes:

It's essential to be intentional about your career growth. I know that we are looking for a job to get by a lot of the time, but I think we can use every job experience to our advantage. In this episode, Catt and I discuss creating a design growth plan and the benefits of having one. Knowing how you want to use each job opportunity towards your life goals is crucial to your mental health.

Mentions:

Designer Levels, Marissa Louie

https://malouie.com/individual-contributor-ic-designer-and-design-management-tracks-levels-framework

Design Team Levels, Peter Merholz

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m-Cso3848CgEz0eng5spL0lDppnwOgt726jJ01pVwO8/edit#gid=288553197

Catt's Social

Website

Cattsmall.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cattsmall/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/cattsmall

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/thecattsuite/

Game Design

---

Games Devs of Color Expo

Website

https://www.gamedevsofcolorexpo.com

Twitter

https://twitter.com/gdocexpo

---

Phaser

http://phaser.io

Construct 3

https://www.construct.net/en

Asana's Social

Twitter

https://twitter.com/AsanaDesignTeam

Asana's Hiring!

https://asana.design

------

Podcast Info:

Transcripts available on episode web page.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.

RSS feed: https://uinarrative.libsyn.com/rss

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear.

Announcements:

Join the UI Narrative Email Club to be the first to hear about weekly blog posts and exclusive podcast recaps. You can sign up at uinarrative.com/emailclub.

Want to become a Product Designer? Or need a portfolio review? Learn more at uinarrative.com/workwithme.

Let's Connect:

Have a question for me? Email me at hello@uinarrative.com.

Let's connect! #uinarrative

Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn @uinarrative

Twitter @uinarrativeco

You Need a Design Career Growth Plan | Catt Small, Asana Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

Episode 41 Show Notes:

Mentions:

Designer Levels, Marissa Louie

https://malouie.com/individual-contributor-ic-designer-and-design-management-tracks-levels-framework

Design Team Levels, Peter Merholz

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m-Cso3848CgEz0eng5spL0lDppnwOgt726jJ01pVwO8/edit#gid=288553197

Catt's Social

Website

Cattsmall.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cattsmall/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/cattsmall

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/thecattsuite/

Game Design

---

Games Devs of Color Expo

Website

https://www.gamedevsofcolorexpo.com

Twitter

https://twitter.com/gdocexpo

---

Phaser

http://phaser.io

Construct 3

https://www.construct.net/en

Asana's Social

Twitter

https://twitter.com/AsanaDesignTeam

Asana's Hiring!

https://asana.design

------

Podcast Info:

Transcripts available on episode web page.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.

RSS feed: https://uinarrative.libsyn.com/rss

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear.

Announcements:

Join the UI Narrative Email Club to be the first to hear about weekly blog posts and exclusive podcast recaps. You can sign up at uinarrative.com/emailclub.

Want to become a Product Designer? Or need a portfolio review? Learn more at uinarrative.com/workwithme.

Let's Connect:

Have a question for me? Email me at hello@uinarrative.com.

Let's connect! #uinarrative

Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn @uinarrative

Twitter @uinarrativeco

Are You a Human-Centered Researcher or Designer? | Vivianne Castillo, HmntyCntrd May 18, 2021

Show notes

Episode 40 Show Notes:

Are you as human-centered as you think you are? In this episode, Vivianne challenges us to push past the status quo of what it means to be human-centered. She has an 8+ years background in psychology and user research and is passionate about helping researchers and designers build more holistically human-centered leaders through community, coaching, & courses. She brings UX professionals together who want to move beyond the jargon and cliches of our industry so that we can create an equitable, inclusive, and more humanity-centered future.

Mentions:

Hmnty Cntrd

https://hmntycntrd.com

Vivianne's Twitter

https://twitter.com/vcastillo630

Vivianne's LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vccastillo/

Podcast Info:

Transcripts available on episode web page.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.

RSS feed: https://uinarrative.libsyn.com/rss

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear.

Announcements:

Join the UI Narrative Email Club to be the first to hear about weekly blog posts and exclusive podcast recaps. You can sign up at uinarrative.com/emailclub.

Want to improve your UI design? Learn more at uinarrative.com/gradingsystem.

Let's Connect:

Have a question for me? Email me at hello@uinarrative.com.

Let's connect! #uinarrative

Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn @uinarrative

Twitter @uinarrativeco

Designers and Researchers Solving Real-World Problems | Rachel Smith, Design to Combat COVID-19 May 04, 2021

Show notes

Episode 39 Show Notes:

As a Product Designer, I'm always curious about the impact the products I create have on society. In this episode, Rachel shares her journey to founding her company, Design to Combat COVID-19. Over 2000 Designers and Researchers are working together to support our communities affected by COVID-19. This episode will inspire anyone who's ever asked themselves, how can I possibly make a global impact as a designer or researcher, or if you're interested in turning your idea into a product.

Mentions:

Design to Combat COVID-19

https://www.designtocombatcovid19.com

CodeAcademy - Free Coding Classes

https://www.codecademy.com

Masks for Docs

https://masksfordocs.com

Rachel's Website

http://www.rachelsmithdesign.com

Rachel's Twitter

https://twitter.com/ohrachelsmith

Rachel's Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/ohrachelsmith/

Rachel's LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachdsmith/

------

Podcast Info:

Transcripts available on episode web page.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.

RSS feed: https://uinarrative.libsyn.com/rss

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear.

Announcements:

Join the UI Narrative Email Club to be the first to hear about weekly blog posts and exclusive podcast recaps. You can sign up at uinarrative.com/emailclub.

Want to become a Product Designer? Or need a portfolio review? Learn more at uinarrative.com/workwithme.

Let's Connect:

Have a question for me? Email me at hello@uinarrative.com.

Let's connect! #uinarrative

Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn @uinarrative

Twitter @uinarrativeco

The UX Designer Salary Talk Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

Episode 38 Show Notes:

It's time to have the UX Designer Salary Talk. In this episode, I reveal everything you need to know about getting the UX Salary you want. I go over my tips for getting the salary I desired and how you can have the same results. We also discuss the 16 signs that you may be underpaid. This episode is excellent for those looking for a script for how to negotiate a salary or ask for a raise/promotion.

Mentions:

CareerContessa, GIMME Method - Raise Template

https://www.careercontessa.com/advice/template-asking-for-raise/

Raise Worksheet by The Muse

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hf2jRZPticaIPXuKtGuq669eHR22AG0oQMB_HtWfrYs/edit

Resources to compare job salaries in your area:

Indeed

https://www.indeed.com/career/salaries

Glassdoor

https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/index.htm

Hire Black Radical Transparency

https://airtable.com/shrlqY23kVOsLdEST/tblxzf5qWrIWqIFwE

PayScale

https://www.payscale.com

Comparably

https://www.comparably.com/salaries

Levels.fyi

https://www.levels.fyi

Salary related articles:

Business Insiders, Signs you're being underpaid

https://www.businessinsider.com/top-signs-youre-underpaid-2015-11

NYTimes: Why you should tell your coworkers your salary

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/31/smarter-living/pay-secrecy-national-labor-rights-act.html#:~:text=Yes%2C%20it

HR Dive: Salary history ban

https://www.hrdive.com/news/salary-history-ban-states-list/516662/

Stats for racial bias in tech workplace:

Wired, Five Years of Tech Diversity Reports—Little Progress

https://www.wired.com/story/five-years-tech-diversity-reports-little-progress/

Trust Radius, 2020 People of Color in Tech Report

https://www.trustradius.com/vendor-blog/people-of-color-in-tech-report

Computer World - ChartHop

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3586552/women-do-better-minorities-worse-when-it-comes-to-the-tech-wage-gap.html

Podcast Info:

Transcripts available on episode web page.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.

RSS feed: https://uinarrative.libsyn.com/rss

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear.

Announcements:

Join the UI Narrative Email Club to be the first to hear about weekly blog posts and exclusive podcast recaps. You can sign up at uinarrative.com/emailclub.

Want to become a Product Designer? Or need a portfolio review? Learn more at uinarrative.com/workwithme.

Let's Connect:

Have a question for me? Email me at hello@uinarrative.com.

Let's connect! #uinarrative

Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn @uinarrative

Twitter @uinarrativeco

How Teams Can Be More Productive with Psychological Safety | Abadesi Osunsade, Hustle Crew Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

Episode 37 Show Notes:

Abadesi and I talk about whether it's worth staying at a company to advocate for inclusion and diversity. She also offers advice to help with building up your self-confidence.

"Each of us as individuals almost has to apply certain frameworks to help us process the environment that we're in and help us decide around if this an environment that you genuinely believe is moving in the direction you want it to or is this an environment that's stagnating or that's even opposed to like being more inclusive, being more progressive?" - Abadesi Osunsade

Mentions:

Abadesi's Book:

Dream Big. Hustle Hard. The Millennial Woman's Guide to Success in Tech

https://bookshop.org/a/13365/9781548824747

Social links:

www.instagram.com/abadesi

www.instagram.com/hustlecrewlive

www.twitter.com/abadesi

www.twitter.com/hustlecrewlive

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abadesi/

Websites:

Hustle Crew

www.hustlecrew.co

Techish Podcast

www.techishpod.com

------

Is It Time to Quit Your Job Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

Episode 36 Show Notes:

There's no perfect job out there because our wants and needs are always changing depending on what we're going through in life. What you want this month might change to what you need next month. Ya know?

Changing jobs every 1-3 years is okay. I usually know after 6 months when I'm going to quit my job. And every 6 months I make the evaluation to see if that date has changed. I like to have options. I don't like to feel stuck. I don't want you to feel stuck.

In this episode, I go over multiple reasons you may want to quit your job. Then go over the steps you can take before handing in your resignation letter.

Podcast Info:

Transcripts available on episode web page.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.

RSS feed: https://uinarrative.libsyn.com/rss

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear.

Announcements:

Join the UI Narrative Email Club to be the first to hear about weekly blog posts and exclusive podcast recaps. You can sign up at uinarrative.com/emailclub.

Want to become a Product Designer? Or need a portfolio review? Learn more at uinarrative.com/workwithme.

Let's Connect:

Have a question for me? Email me at hello@uinarrative.com.

Let's connect! #uinarrative

Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn @uinarrative

Twitter @uinarrativeco

Balancing Being a Parent While Making a Career Pivot | Terri Rodriguez-Hong Jan 26, 2021

Show notes

Episode 35 Show Notes:

Becoming a parent is most likely the most challenging job you'll ever have. Terri Rodriguez-Hong shares her story of getting into UX Design and encourages parents looking to make the career pivot.

Mentions:

Contact Out (Chrome plug-in)

https://contactout.com/

Online communities

UX Her - Woman of Color product design group

https://community.uxher.com

Where are the black designers - Slack group

https://wherearetheblackdesigners.com

Black By Design

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12077430/

All Black Creatives

https://www.allblackcreatives.com

Hire Black

https://hireblacksummit.com

Designer Hangout

https://designerhangout.co

Designer's Guild

https://www.facebook.com/groups/designguild

Terri's LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/flaxenink/

Terri's Twitter

https://twitter.com/flaxenink

Terri's Website

https://www.terrirodriguezhong.com

Podcast Info:

Transcripts available on episode web page.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.

RSS feed: https://uinarrative.libsyn.com/rss

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear.

Announcements:

Join the UI Narrative Email Club to be the first to hear about weekly blog posts and exclusive podcast recaps. You can sign up at uinarrative.com/emailclub.

Want to improve your UI design? Learn more at uinarrative.com/gradingsystem.

Let's Connect:

Have a question for me? Email me at hello@uinarrative.com.

Let's connect! #uinarrative

Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn @uinarrative

Twitter @uinarrativeco