Undercover UXThe business of design & the undercover user experience agent.

MeWho is this guy? You probably haven’t heard of me. That’s ok, right?

Undercovera person (or their activities) involved in or involving secret work within a community or organization.

Can you work Undercover?is trying to make a difference possible while being an undercover ux designer?

No.Why, you ask? Well, lets discuss.

Undercovering Myths

“good design arises as much from the internal structure of a company as from whether or not it’s a priority” - Hartmut Esslinger

“I explained that to make design a core element of Apple’s corporate strategy, it would have to be seen as a leadership issue; world-class design can’t work its way up from the bottom, watered down by the motivations and egos of every layer of management it passes through.” - Hartmut Esslinger

“…bottom-up design never succeeds, because even good efforts by departments within such systems remain insulated within the layers of the company’s organizational structure and everything really new, courageous and potentially game-changing is destroyed by its passage through ‘the gates of rejection.’” - Hartmut Esslinger

“Designers couldn’t simply be at the table: They had to be in charge. Beautiful design requires designers in charge.” - Hartmut Esslinger

Being “In Charge”

In Charge: What I first thoughtan “in charge” designer has to win awards

In Charge: What I thought nextan “in charge” designer has to tell the internet who’s in charge

In Charge: What I thought nextan “in charge” designer doesn’t need help, or to be told what to do

In Charge: What I think nowits not about me. it’s not about control. its about the people who use what I help make. its about being part of something, something bigger than me. Lead, don’t control.

“Leadership is about encouraging acts of greatness... Don’t take control, give control” - David Marquet

The Business of Design

Lead Generation: What I think nowYouTubeKickstarterMeetupetc.

Leadershipi think we’re afraid. i think we fear speaking up when we feel low on the totem pole. we say “how can I lead when no one gives me the opportunity”

“We need to fear the consequences of our work more than we fear speaking up” - Mike Moneiro

Leadershippeople struggle with feeling creatively satified. what they truely want is to make a difference. to do that we need to be surrounded by our tribe, people that have similar goals and vision. if you don’t have that now, find one, make one, join one.

Leadershipmy experticity leadership experience. i’m trying to make less excuses.

Leadership Journeystarted as a front-developer/designer. messed up and made a name for myself.

Leadership Journey: Internal developer tribedid I start a mini tribe? kinda, in a way. a tribe of developers that would watch the logs every time something was released to make sure I didn’t mess up again.

Leadership Journey: Dev to UXmoved from front-end dev into user experience over the years. asked for support and recieved it openly. i’ve been able to make great things with great people because we work together.

Leadership Journey: Promotivedesignprototypecode

Leadership Journey: 3point5simple wireframedesigncode

Leadership Journey: Storewireframes (14 screens)design theming (4 brand designs)interaction rulesadmin integration strategycode

Leadership Journey: Adminwireframedesign patterns, standardsinteraction rules

Leadership Journey: Expert Profileswireframes (many)prototype (client roadshow, user test)user interviews, interaction testingdesigninteraction rules / usabilitylong term roadmap strategy

Leadership Journey: Come out from under the coversdo I know everything about leadership. no. i’m just getting started. i’m grateful for what i’ve learned so far and hope to continue to share it with you in the future.

Creatively Inspired: The Great Discontentstrive to be creatively inspired and lead.http://twominuteswithtgd.com/

Thank you.benpeck.com@benpeck

experticity.com@experticity