Adjusting to Post-Pandemic Reality: Essential Competencies for the Designers
The pandemic of COVID-19 is a significant bump in the road. It came without warning on an extensive scale of contagion. People are losing their loved ones. The considerable number of fatalities around the world shows how precarious the situation people are facing. It has also shifted us from our usual practices and the way we value things. The in-person meeting moved online, even the obligations to work and school from home.
On top of that comes the economic crisis and recession. People are losing their jobs, making it is harder to put food on the table. Those who are still having chances to work are trying their best to remain productive in isolation while the outside world is in chaos.
This article will discuss the lessons learned and how the designer should cope with the situation.
The Digital Challenges
It is important to note that during this challenging time, resilience emerged through the people. Businesses are adapting to this uncertainty by transforming digitally. Of course, it directly proportional to the demand for digital services. The needs are prominent in the service industry. Some of them are healthcare facilities and educational institutions.
The healthcare facilities now provide telemedicine services. It is an effective solution to minimize the risk of virus transmission as we don’t need to meet the practitioner in-person. Only with a device connected to the internet we can schedule the meeting and get a consultation virtually. After diagnosing the patient, the doctor would prescribe medicine and delivered it instantly with its integrated delivery service. The payment is made electronically, either through the debit or credit, or e-wallet. No physical interaction occurred.
Another field that is now heavily relied on technology is education service. Schools are moving online since March 2020. It might not be such a big deal for education providers made for online learning as they have prepared the infrastructure far before this pandemic. Yet, many schools around the world are still struggling in this shift. Not to mention the barriers in senior teachers who are only introduced to technology in their least productive age.
Both cases bring a particular challenge to digital product creators in creating an app that allows maximum productivity in a suitable, seamless, friendly, and inclusive way for everyone. Especially, as now their service is highly needed and wished to be readily available as soon as possible.
The Designers in Answering the Challenge
It is a blessing in disguise for the digital industry to be the growing field during these challenging times, including the designer. The UX/UI designers face a vastly enhanced demand for their service. It is worth noting that what they do would directly impact the global economy.
Nevertheless, the changing of usual practices under isolation has leveled-up the complexities of building a connection with its users — determinant steps in digital product making, such as creative meetings and usability testing, are done remotely.
According to Jorge Arango — with alterations in several aspects, the designers should have at least six skills to help adjust to this challenging time.
Research and synthesis
Besides imagining and illustrating, a designer should have enough research capabilities and extracting the information. It includes the ability to create a persona and noting the essential elements needed. It could eventually help examine the ground conditions and formulate the products’ initial modeling before the long run proceeds.
Systematic thinking
It is a skill to know why and how different settings lead to different outcomes, including making preference over a list of to-do tasks. To do this, a designer must have had known the areas they are best at.
Strategic consciousness
A designer must have a long-term goal that they are always attached to and aware of. This way, a designer can be more focused and efficiently plan and execute the steps needed to reach the goal.
Clear communication
To effectively and efficiently deliver the best result immediately, designers need to master the skill of communication, which is stated by actively listening and conveying abstract ideas in tangible ways. Practically, designers need to maximize the use of different channels of communication and publication.
Collaborative mindset
In a fast-paced environment like the tech industry, collaboration, and teamwork during a project-based job are crucial. A digital product involved multidisciplinary works and multiple skills at a time. Coordinating and collaborating is the key to be able to finish the work efficiently.
Adaptability
The most important skill to master during this uncertain time is flexibility. It includes the willingness to leave the ‘comfort zone,’ always hungry for knowledge, and adopting the ‘beginner’s mind’ attitude full of curiosity and fully spirited at the job.
Key Takeaway
Digital product services have become a big part of the world economy. It has got even more rapid in post-pandemic situations where businesses transform virtually and are driven through the designer’s user interface and experience. Quoting Jakob Nielsen’s speech during the UI/UX conference 2020, the designer is now interfacing with the user and the world economy. It is an opportunity for the designers as they have the passkey to drive the world economy after this bumpy transition.
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Contributor : Rachmadita Kusumastiti
