Reflection on level-1 UI/UX Workshop

Ajayson Sunny
Nov 4 · 4 min read

Level 1 UI/UX design workshop conducted by Hortari Technology as part of our Maker Lab initiative took all participants for a ride on the endless possibilities in designing for future products.

Why did we run a UI/UX design workshop?

Hortari Technologies — Makerlab UI/UX Design Workshop

A UI/UX design workshop is a good way for aspiring designers to get to know how to choose the right path for their career. Learning of basic principles and understanding of design tools will trigger the thought process in the right direction (Yes, diverse opinions on the internet sucks!)

Designing is a structured process where you will go through 5 stages

  1. Narrow Down: Understand the users of your end product, instead of making for all make for the intended user. This helps in defining user psychology for your design.
  2. Wireframe: Build the first version, and focus to reduce user friction at every stage. Focus on making a simple design, less number of steps to the intended user action.
  3. Build: Never wait to put your wireframe into the first build, designing is an iterative process so get things going as soon as possible.
  4. Feedback: Collect feedback on your first version and improve on the same, listen to users' feedback and implement your decision based on the feedback.
  5. Final Product: There is no final design for any product if you do not have a time box, design evolves continuously over time but as the designer, it's your decision to finalize which version is best for the product in the current scenario.

Who should participate in a UX design workshop?

The level 1 UI/UX workshop fit best for

  1. College students who aspire to become a designer.
  2. Professional who would like to switch to designing.
  3. Front developers to understand the thought process of your counterpart designers.
  4. Marketing executives who want to design quick posters, marketing materials et all.

The best structure for UI/UX workshop

The structure for a UI/UX workshop was derived from our experience in conducting workshops over a couple of years.

Hortari Technologies — Makerlab UI/UX Design Workshop
Hortari Technologies — Makerlab UI/UX Design Workshop

We find it best in the following order for a one day, level 1 workshop:

  1. Overview of the program and understanding designing. This session would be a bit theoretical, keep it short
  2. Importance of a designer and the value of design principles. Make sure the participants understand the concept behind each principle.
  3. Group task where the participant goes through each step involved in the design process.
  4. Presentation of teamwork (competition) and feedback for each group from judges.
  5. Finally, along with your mentor redesign/iterate the first design based on the feedback from judges and your fellow participants.

The basic kit for a level 1 designer workshop

The best kit for a level 1 workshop would be:

  1. A set of stick notes and marker pen along with a glass wall to design the wireframe for the UX.
  2. A notebook and pen to note down, it is not easy to remember all the learning happening in an intensive workshop.
  3. The badge which speaks for the participants about their confidence and love to design.

and most importantly always keep a set of surprise goodies and activities for the participants, this will make their day and adds to their best experiences.

Final Words

I hope you find this article about the level 1 UI/UX design workshop useful. At MakerLab (an initiative by Hortari Technologies) we focus to deliver the insight of how designing is evolving and the vast career option available.

We do limit the seats for every workshop to enable a direct one-one mentoring with the mentor. I would recommend the same if you are conducting one.

Tip for conducting the workshop: Make sure you never overpromise about your deliverables in a workshop, the participants should be well aware of what the outcome will be and you have to keep up your promises.

“The function of design is letting design function.”

— Micha Commeren, designer

Hortari

Building an ecosystem for our future. We win, when YOU inspire your friends and family

Ajayson Sunny

Written by

Product Manager by training, Hustler by nature!

Hortari

Building an ecosystem for our future. We win, when YOU inspire your friends and family

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