Q&A for the design exploration topic
Q&A for the design exploration topic
Answering interesting questions I've received within the topic of design exploration
In this post, I want to address some questions that I received related to exploration.
I realize that exploration is a big topic, and I couldn't capture all the nuances.
So, here we go: I will discuss three questions regarding my previous post on exploration. In case you missed it, here they are.
If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to me at hi@thebuddyman.com or in the comment section below.
Question #1: How much time should we set for exploration? When should we stop exploring?
Exploration can never be enough. It can expand as long as we have time. Sometimes, this exploration is valuable; at other times, it might seem like a waste of time. Drawing the line between what is valuable and what is a waste of time can be difficult. Most of the time, I find myself losing track of time.
I always start by estimating how much time I need for exploration in this case. I've become better at estimating time because I've been tracking time completion for my work. You can check how I do it here.
I believe that while making our design thoughtful, exploration should be efficient.
Being efficient means knowing the priorities, and doing what matters most first, and for me, they are always:
My design must solve the problem.
My design must address all consequences, implications, and corner/edge cases.
There's a third one, which is also important but not urgent:
"My design satisfies my soul—something I can take pride in. That means I have put in my full effort to make my design as delightful as possible.
I believe every time designers invest their time in exploration, they are making something better.
But the question is: Is it worth the time now? If not, then stop.
Question #2: I'm new to design and find it challenging to reflect on my work. Is this due to my lack of sufficient experience or knowledge?
Schön, a professor who studied how professionals reflect while at work, stated that the ability to reflect is linked to what's known as tacit knowledge—knowledge you accumulate over time and may not even be able to categorize as a specific skill. For instance, designers experienced in the financial sector have developed a unique expertise and intuition. During reflection, they can access their specialized financial knowledge almost instinctively, as if it's second nature.
However, this doesn't negate the value of reflection in the design process for someone who hasn't yet amassed tacit knowledge. By pausing and reflecting, you avoid rushing any decisions, resulting in more thoughtful and thorough work.
Question #3: Would you please provide a case study to explain exploration?
When I considered an example, it felt unnatural to me because I tended to create one that represents the best-case scenario. Meanwhile, in reality, some of our explorations may end up hitting a dead-end or becoming very messy.
Please note that my example is an idealized version, designed solely to illustrate how exploration unfolds within the framework I shared in my previous post.
Case Study: Pet Sitting App
I'm designing a solution for paw parents to receive real-time updates when their dog or cat is in care. They can access updates on their pet's activities, view photos, and chat with the pet sitter.
I'm considering adding a visible and accessible entry point on the home screen that leads to another screen with all this information. This feature would only be displayed during an active pet-sitting session and would disappear once the session concludes. Additionally, the primary reason paw parents are likely to use the app during a session is to monitor their pets, rather than for any other purpose. This approach seems sensible to me.
Let's start by reflecting on the idea with these questions.
Have I solved the problem I set out to solve?
I believe that if I'm merely solving the problem, then the answer is yes. The home screen is a good spot to make sure the entry point card is visible if there's an active session.What do I appreciate about this idea?
What I appreciate about this approach is its simplicity and quick execution. No additional data is required for display. I also find the idea of being dynamic clever; the card only appears for quick access during an active pet-sitting session.What could be improved?
The entry point could be improved by providing quick information at a glance. I think paw parents want to see essential updates immediately, and if they wish, can seek more details or chat on a subsequent screen.
Next is exploring other possibilities.
I've been considering how this entry point can offer more value than simply acting as a door.
Would it be possible to display content updates directly on the home screen element? This way, paw parents could immediately see updates without having to navigate to another screen.
In an exploration, I'd prioritize reusing patterns or components already present in the system to maintain speed.
Next, consider the consequences.
The first idea for the entry point card is simple, containing almost no data. The only data in the background is whether the session is still active, to show the card on the home screen or not.
In one of the alternatives I’ve explored, the data I want to display are:
A 100-character update from the pet sitter about the pet's status
An indication if there's a photo uploaded by the pet sitter
Options for seeking more information and chatting with the pet sitter.
Displaying more information could be a good idea but definitely comes with consequences.
What if we don't have any text updates yet from the pet sitter? You should consider these kinds of consequences during exploration.
Here’s more.
What if the pet sitter hasn't sent any picture updates yet?
What if the text update is more than 100 characters?
Or what if there is more than one picture in the updates?
Well, other consequences may arise.
Adding more information might make the card element take up more space.
Are the APIs ready to retrieve that data for the home screen?
Okay, let’s wrap up here. I hope this simple case study gives you a little more perspective on exploration.
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this post, consider giving it a like.
If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to me at hi@thebuddyman.com or in the comment section below.
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