Issue 33: Why does vision come first?

Greetings, Design Explorers! Kushagra here, ready to guide you through the vibrant landscape of creativity and design!

Ever wondered how to channel your inner Tony Stark and build a world-saving design vision? In this edition, we’ll dive into crafting UX visions that inspire—think of it as assembling your Avengers of design brilliance!

Where Did We Leave Off? In the last edition, I broke down how to craft a compelling design vision by sharing insights from designers across industries. Missed it? Catch up HERE

Let’s talk about Duolingo, the language-learning app. They started with a clear vision—making education accessible, engaging, and fun for everyone. Duolingo didn’t just aim to be another app; they envisioned a world where language learning is as fun as playing a game. This vision pushed them to create a user experience that feels more like a daily challenge than a chore, sparking millions of users to hit that "streak" every day!

Time Traveling: Mapping Our Design Journey

Let’s hop into our design DeLorean to understand how today’s design problems are shaping tomorrow’s vision.

Picture your current design process—the good, the bad, and the “oops” moments (hello, TikTok trends that didn’t go viral).

• Problem Instance:

  • Users struggling with navigation? It’s like a bad first date—awkward and frustrating.

  • Slow load times? That’s the digital equivalent of running out of snacks during a binge-watch session.

  • Confusing design? Trying to decode a TikTok dance without a tutorial!

Now, imagine solving these problems. Your app becomes as intuitive as Stranger Things—users find what they need as quickly as Eleven tracks down a Demogorgon.

• Successes:

  • Seamless navigation and faster loading times (bye-bye, abandoned carts!).

  • User-friendly designs that feel as effortless as watching Friends reruns.

  • Positive feedback that makes your app the talk of the town, much like the Barbie movie takeover!

Crafting a Vision That Shines

Inspiring visions must resonate with everyone involved. Here’s how to craft yours:

• Describe the Vision: Think of it like a quest in The Lord of the Rings—each piece falling perfectly into place for the ultimate UX quest!

  • Vision Statement Example: "We’re creating an intuitive app where users easily achieve their goals—like Mario collecting coins in the perfect level."

  • Emotional Appeal: "Imagine technology making life easier, like hearing your favorite song at just the right moment!"

Navigating the Journey: From Problems to Solutions

When visualizing the future, outline how your design transforms today’s issues into tomorrow’s success story.

1. Identify Problems: What’s frustrating users now? Is your app harder to navigate than a Harry Potter maze?

   • Examples:

     • Cluttered interfaces confuse users (it’s like reading a 12-page text from your theory-obsessed friend).

     • Inconsistent branding leads to trust issues (no one wants to show up at a party in the wrong outfit!).

     • Ignoring user feedback is like trying to fix a Fast & Furious sequel without listening to fans.

2. The Future Solution: How do you plan to solve these? Picture users enjoying your design effortlessly—like the Office characters finally getting the joke.

   • Solutions:

     • Streamlined navigation that helps users find everything fast—like grabbing the last pizza slice.

     • Consistent branding that builds loyalty, like Friends reruns still pulling in viewers.

     • User feedback loops that make real improvements, just like Steve Jobs iterating the iPhone.

3. Sell the Vision: Turn your future into a story. Share how small design changes turn chaos into calm, and paint a picture of a smooth user journey ahead.

From Problem to Vision

We’ve created a special infographic to illustrate the journey from today’s design problems to your vision of a better future. This visual guide walks you through each step, showing how simplifying navigation, speeding up load times, and refining branding can make your users' experience as smooth as butter.

Quick Recap: Key Takeaways!

• A clear vision drives motivation—just like Black Panther inspired a generation.

• Anyone can craft a vision—every small detail can spark a galaxy-sized change (Star Wars vibes!).

• Make your vision relatable and compelling—it’s all about inspiring action!

What I found amazing this week

How Game Theory Uncovers the Hidden Patterns of Life and the Universe.🌌

Why is Penpot redefining design collaboration—and why should you care?🤝

This track gave me a serious boost—check out ‘Coastal Brake’ by Tycho🎵