Designers Don’t Ask
This is the original article that became “Design Can’t be an Afterthought” on Women 2.0. I’ve left the original title, too. I was told no one would get the reference, to Women Don’t Ask so here, now you will. Historically, designers in technology companies often…
A small manifesto for design
Disclaimer: I have made digital products for over ten years in a variety of roles, from the formal designer role, to product manager to general manager and even long ago, code monkey. So this is my view-point. Yours might be…
A Letter to the Newly Minted Designer
”The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing” Archilochus You just graduated. Or maybe you have a job, but you are thinking of change. And you see me at some conference and you ask me for advice “Should I…
Compassionate Design
Designers have all had the mantra of user-centeredness beaten into them. But how many apply that same understanding to their business and engineering partners? I’m beginning to suspect too few. I hear startling amounts of complaints about product managers: “They…
The Harry Max Boot-up Protocol (How to get going in the morning)
Harry is one of the smartest people I know, and gets a ton done. When he agreed to share his morning ritual with me, I was grateful. And when I mentioned it to some folks at SXSW, they asked me…
Three Points of View to Get You Through the Day
My job is one of the most challenging (and most fun) I’ve had in a long time.  A turnaround is a lot like a startup,very fast paced, very risky, and occasionally terrifying. There are times when it seems like too much. When I feel a little overwhelmed,…
Give Up Your Resolutions
For the last five-some years, I’ve given up making New Year’s Resolutions. Instead I have what I call the New Year’s Project. Each year I pick a large topic, and spend my time on and off throughout the year teaching…
Talking About Stuff