My Pet Peeves and Nigerian Designers

This is not the first post I’m writing this year, however, it's the first I’m publishing 😶 (thank you 2020).

To be honest, I'm not sure how to start this, but I'm just going to dive in…
There a couple of things I've noticed within the Nigerian design & tech community that sometimes makes me want to pull my hair out of my head — and I’m bald.

Caveat: I am by no means an expert or authority on the issues I'm about to discuss, these are just my personal views based on my experience and knowledge. p.s. I am also guilty as well

Buzz Words and Titles

This is not just a Nigerian thing, it happens on global platforms as well. It seems once you are able to put three of four buzzwords in a sentence, you are automatically regarded as a force within the space. Words like design systems, design thinking, user experience, etc. have been used and abused all over, in publications, resumes, bios, social media posts, event banners, the list goes on.

While using buzz words is not necessarily a bad thing, it can be frustrating when they are used out of context, or where it becomes evident that there is no real depth or understanding or practice of what those words or concepts stand for. Don’t get me started on titles,

I’m a UI/UX designer

I’m a product designer

I’m an interaction designer
I’m a motion designer …

being just simply a designer doesn't suffice anymore, there seems to be a need to specifically qualify the area of design you command. Now, I’m not saying specialisation is wrong, or that there aren’t differences between various fields within design, because there are. It’s just the use or misuse of the titles that is mind buggling. What’s worse, some title owners don’t even have a full understanding of what these fields are about which can be sooo frustrating especially when you are trying to hire talent with certain skills. Bottomline, it’s okay to simply be a designer with skills in various areas, don’t feel the need to name yourself to fit in or be recognised.

I Designed or Redesigned This ………

THISSSSSS. Gawddddddd.

With the onset of the pandemic, many were able to either pick up new skills and ideas , practice and improve their current skills or do both (which is a huge deal). I can’t count the number of times I saw the “I had some free time and Idecided to design a ……” on Linkedin, Twitter, everywhere😂. It’s practically a trend at this point and while it’s great to see the flexing of design muscles💪🏾, it can be frustrating when you see missed opportunities to actually show what good design can actually do beyond creating a pretty face.

I won’t start gushing about all the great things you can accomplish with design (not only will Isound like a broken record, I can always save that for another post 😂). Design needs a purpose, a goal, a drive. Design doesn’t just exist for itself, or for the sake of self-gratification, design is not selfish, nor arrogant, nor prideful (ok, enough for now). Before you design or redesign, ask WHY. Nothing exists just because, there’s always a rationale for why things are done in a certain way — even if it doesn’t make sense.

Users are Stupid

I never really thought this would be something I would hear as often as I do but alas. I know designers have egos, but the way they talk and think about their users can be soo condescending. You almost wonder how they can really be advocates or empathize when they think they are “better” than their users. There’s always something to learn from the ways others use/interact with a product, even if they aren’t doing it in the way you expect. Being a designer means you are open minded and are ready to accept that there is no right way to doing something.

Plus when you play by certain rules, you will help guide others on how to use your product. Want them to tap/or click on it, make it look like a button (or something that can be clicked), want them to notice something, use visual hierarchy, and most importantly YOU ARE NOT YOUR USER. Which means they won’t think like you or act like you. Things that are obvious to you, may not be obvious to them. Don't get carried away with global trends, we are not all as tech savvy as we imagine ourselves to be.
Be kind, be empathetic, be understanding, be mindful of their needs, they aren’t perfect, neither are you.

If you need a lot of direction to design an interface — User flows, requirement documents, wireframes, user stories etc.(Only God knows how many of these I’ve had to prepare this year) why do you think your users shouldn’t also receive guidance when they need it.

Honest Feedback will not Kill You

Aaaand we are back to the ego thing again, feedback (when done right) is meant to improve what you have done or better still give you a different perspective. There’s no need to get defensive or upset because someone says change the colour of that background. Even when feedback is not objective, try to understand where they are coming from or why they have made that request, it will provide some insight and may help you make a better decision or may shed light on what they really need (or want).

In the same vein, when a fellow designers asks for feedback on a design (whether they mean it or not) please be honest. Not every time “this is dope” or “Mad oo”. We build each other up when we can offer insights on how to sharpen our skills. So next time a designer posts on social media or asks for feedback, do us a favour, in addition to the compliments, be helpful🔧.