How ‘Change by Design’ Shaped My Path in UX
Hey there! 🌟 I’m excited to take you on a journey through a book that has made a huge impact on me: ‘Change by Design’ by Tim Brown. As a newcomer in the world of UX design, this book has been a guiding light. My mentor, UX Anudeep, recommended it, and I’ve found its lessons to be both eye-opening and inspiring. 📚✨
I remember the day I first opened the book. I was at the start of my UX design journey, full of curiosity but unsure of what lay ahead. The book’s hands-on approach and engaging storytelling immediately hooked me. One story that particularly stood out was IDEO’s quest to design a better toothbrush for kids. They didn’t just make assumptions — they observed how children actually used their toothbrushes and listened to their feedback. The result? A toothbrush that truly met the needs of its young users. 🪥👶
This got me thinking about the core of UX design: understanding and empathizing with users. Tim Brown’s example of designing a shopping cart by spending time in grocery stores, observing how people used the carts, and identifying their frustrations really showed the importance of user-centric design. It made me reflect on how I too did it in my assignment in our UX course where Anudeep taught us to understand user behavior in a grocery shopping by physically going and observing the behavior's, so I could really relate to it. I can now better connect with users in my own projects, ensuring their experiences are at the heart of what I create. 🛒👀
But the insights didn’t stop there. The book introduced me to the concept of the “mental matrix” — how design thinking reshapes our approach to problem-solving. One example was the redesign of an emergency room (ER). Rather than just fixing isolated issues, the redesign considered the entire experience, aiming to reduce the stress for patients and their families. This perspective shift highlighted how looking at problems completely can lead to innovative and effective solutions. 🧠✨
One of the most impactful lessons for me was the importance of experimentation. Tim Brown showed how organizations like Google and 3M encourage their teams to spend 20 percent of their time on personal experiments. This approach taught me that design isn’t about achieving perfection on the first try but about exploring, learning from failures, and continuously improving. It made me feel more comfortable taking risks and viewing setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. 🔬💡
Another fascinating example from the book was a brainstorming session IDEO conducted for Nike’s kids’ products. They divided 8 to 10-year-olds into separate rooms for boys and girls and asked them to come up with ideas. The outcome was surprising: the girls generated around 200 ideas, while the boys came up with about 50. This showed me how a collaborative and open environment can significantly boost creativity and idea generation. 🎨💡
Then there was the concept of “building to think” — the idea that creating prototypes helps us explore and refine our ideas. Instead of just theorizing on paper, building something tangible allows us to see how it works in the real world and make improvements based on actual feedback. It’s a powerful approach to clarifying and enhancing our ideas. 🛠️💡
Equally important was the lesson on “returning to the surface.” After exploring deep into details, stepping back to view the bigger picture helps ensure our work aligns with overall goals and user needs. This balance between detailed work and the broader vision is crucial for crafting meaningful and impactful solutions. 🌊🔍
And let’s not forget the “power of storytelling.” Stories can convey the value of design far better than raw data. They create an emotional connection and make the design process more relatable. This insight has inspired me to incorporate storytelling into my presentations (and this is how this post came into existence) and design proposals, emphasizing the human impact of my work. 📖❤️
The book’s stories about how design thinking has transformed communities and businesses left a lasting impression on me. One standout tale was how IDEO helped redesign a hospital’s patient experience, making it more comfortable and efficient for everyone involved. They talked to patients, doctors, and nurses to understand their challenges, showing how design can deeply improve lives. As an architect, I relate to this because understanding the user journey is essential for creating spaces that truly meet their needs. 🏥🌟
One story from the book was about an eye surgeon in India. He managed to provide top-notch healthcare at a much lower cost than in many other countries. Even though he had very few resources and a tight budget, he achieved amazing results. He did this by finding clever ways to streamline his processes, making the most out of the tools he had, and focusing on being efficient. This wasn’t just about making do with less, it was about transforming constraints into opportunities for improvement. His story is truly inspiring because it shows how smart design and creative problem-solving can lead to incredible outcomes, even with limited resources.
Tim Brown’s creative problem-solving and insightful observations have been incredibly motivating. After reading this book, I’m more determined than ever to work at IDEO and apply the principles I’ve learned to their innovative projects. 🌟🙌
I enjoyed every chapter of ‘Change by Design.’ Each one offered practical advice and inspiring stories that have been invaluable to my growth as a designer. 📖✨
Conclusion
‘Change by Design’ has truly been a discovery for me as a beginner in UX design. It’s not just a book about design; it’s about embracing a new way of thinking and being creative in all aspects of life. This book has been a fantastic companion on my learning journey, offering practical advice and inspiring stories that have fueled my passion for design. If you’re curious about the power of design thinking, I highly recommend giving it a read. 🌟📘
If you enjoyed reading my reflections, feel free to leave a comment or email me directly at apekshaaher81@gmail.com. You can also connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/apeksha-aher-1632a5231
Have you read ‘Change by Design’?
How did it impact you?
Thanks for taking the time to read my article! 🙏😊
