Designing localisation-friendly products

Localisation is often perceived as simple text translations across different languages. However, it goes beyond just some alphabets and letters. In order for digital products to be successfully adopted in various countries, it is important to be inclusive of user mindsets and cultures.

Group of red Chinese lanterns hanging from the ceiling — Image courtesy of Unsplash

According to the World Wide Web Consortium, localisation refers to the adaptation of a product, application or document content to meet the language, cultural and other requirements of a specific target market (a locale).

On the other hand, internationalisation makes localisation easier through the design and development of a product…

Creating unique opportunities through unexpected brand collaborations

In today’s day and age, it is all about extraordinary experiences. Younger consumers have high expectations and like to see out of the box thinking. As the consumer market grows in saturation, brands must come up with new, refreshing strategies to stand out and entice their customers.

Image from Unsplash of a Rubik’s Cube on a White Background — Image Courtesy of Unsplash.

Partnerships and collaborations have always existed because it is a great marketing and advertising strategy to boost awareness and break into new markets for both parties. For a partnership to work, it must be a mutually beneficial arrangement. …

Redesigning perceptions for speed and friction

It is hardwired in our DNA to constantly compare. We might think that we have something that works great and fits the needs, but when we discover something better, instantly the previous item is discarded and replaced. With all design constantly trying to be “better”, it would seem difficult for there ever to be a resolved solution.

Perception is a fundamental of great design that is key to interpreting and understanding. As humans, we are accustomed to distorting reality to create new ones for ourselves. When a new update or better product is released, we instantly think of the older versions as “bad” but if we had…

Designing for various cultures

Universal design principles — we all follow them, sometimes even guilty of assuming it applies to everything, whether it is a shopping app for the Chinese market or a food delivery app for the European market. It is not unusual to forget that cultures are an important context that underlines user-centric design.

Within each culture, there are different types of behaviours, habits and influences that define people. Applying one, universal design principle to every culture is not possible.

Recognising the need is the primary condition for design. The details are details. They make the product. The connections, the connections, the connections. …

“Should designers code?” — a quick two cents on the matter

It has always been the mystery million dollar question where both sides have provided plenty of arguments as to why designers should, or should not code. Rather than write an extensive, lengthy response on this never-ending debate, here are my simple, personal two cents on the matter.

There are mostly two types of people during the recent COVID-19 lockdown. The Chilly Millies who are enjoying some personal time alone, taking things easy and the Go Getters who are busy getting the most out of it by building on self development or learning a new skill.

Wedged between…

The Flâneur approach to design

Inspiration is all around us. As designers, we are used to different ways of thinking and approaching complex problems. Like the tools in a plumber’s tool box, we all have our varied methods of working. Some are common knowledge, others are combinations of our own processes and experiences.

The Flâneur, or flâneuse (female equivalent) is a French word that means “stroller” or “lounger”. Historically, they were representatives of the urban higher class with the freedom to wander detached from society for the purposes of acute observation. …