In this episode of Edge Cases, we tackle three hot topics in the design world: the crucial importance of accessibility in design, the controversial trend of "design engineers", and the mixed reactions to Figma's major UI overhaul.

Join us for an insightful discussion on balancing aesthetics with functionality, the challenges of adapting to software updates, and the evolving role of designers in tech. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to design, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the current state and future of the field.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

01:13 Understanding Accessibility in Design

05:17 The Challenges of Universal Accessibility

06:59 Balancing Inclusivity and Aesthetics

16:07 Best Practices for Accessibility

25:30 The Complexity of Designing for Accessibility

28:11 Transition to Design Engineering Discussion

30:15 The Role of Designers vs Developers

32:04 The Concept of Design Engineers

34:44 Expectations of Designers in the Industry

36:08 The Pressure to Diversify Skills

39:30 Navigating Trends in Design and Engineering

40:42 The Impact of AI on Design Roles

41:57 Figma's New UI: User Experience Challenges

47:12 Feedback and Adaptation in Design Tools

Keywords

accessibility, design, user experience, Figma, design engineers, coding, inclusive design, UI updates, best practices, AI in design

We are back with another jam-packed episode of Edge Cases. This week, we're getting fired up about nested modals (spoiler: We're not fans), checking out a cool new A/B testing tool, and sharing our thoughts on adapting to new managers. We're also spotlighting Cleave, an exciting Ghanaian app for saving design inspiration. From UX debates to career advice, we're covering it all. Catch us @edgecasespod on social media and subscribe so you don't miss our next design deep dive!

Resources

https://abtest.design/

Cleeve

Nested modals article

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

03:00 Nested Modals

22:14 Exploring MoBin's ABtest.Design

28:32 Designer’s Dilemma: Adapting to New Management

36:30 Product Spotlight: Cleave

Keywords:

Edge Cases, nested modals, user experience, ABtest.Design, MoBin, management transitions, Cleave, design inspiration, UX debates, career advice, Ghanaian tech, A/B testing

In this episode, we celebrate our fifth podcast milestone, reflecting on our journey and the challenges of balancing work and podcasting. We discuss our ongoing projects, including Cleeve and our user testing experiences, and delve into design hot takes.

Our conversation shifts to the significance of iteration in design, navigating dark patterns in user experience, and strategies for building a portfolio with unlaunched projects. We spotlight Mande, a tool for documenting professional growth, emphasizing its benefits for designers.

Follow us @edgecasespod

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Milestones and Gratitude

02:46 Cleave: Progress and Challenges

05:45 User Research and Testing Insights

08:26 Design Hot Takes: Mobile vs. Desktop

10:30 The Importance of Prototyping

13:28 Designing for User Needs

15:55 Stakeholder Influence in Design

18:27 Community Feedback and Hot Takes

21:21 The Reality of Design Work

24:11 Generalists vs. Specialists in Design

26:44 Navigating Design Challenges

29:23 Final Thoughts and Reflections

31:22 Understanding Dark Patterns in User Experience

33:43 Common Dark Patterns and Their Impact

39:44 The Ethics of Default Selections

42:19 The Role of Designers in Combatting Dark Patterns

49:30 Building a Portfolio Without Live Projects

57:29 Spotlight on Mandi: A Tool for Documentation

Keywords

podcast, design, user experience, mobile design, dark patterns, portfolio, project management, milestones, user testing, design hot takes

In this episode, we tackle the hot topic of redesigning popular websites and apps. We dive into the controversy around toasts in UI design, share tips for navigating stakeholder relationships, and discuss the importance of research before redesigns. We also touch on our projects and the challenges of building in public. As always, we're grateful for your support - don't forget to follow us @edgecasespod and leave a review!

Keywords:

redesign, websites, toasts, user interfaces, UX, reviews, products, popular apps, business decisions, design process, research, redesign, building in public, stakeholder alignment

In our latest episode, we discussed workplace meetings, sharing embarrassing virtual stand-up stories and debating their effectiveness in remote work. We then explored the challenges apps face in Africa, sparked by a recent Uber incident. We highlighted issues like manual processes and poor infrastructure, emphasizing the need to design for edge cases. We concluded by stressing the importance of government support for digital growth in Africa, blending personal anecdotes with professional insights.

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Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Thank You 03:13 Introducing New Projects: Cleave and Copy Copy 06:16 The Challenges of Meetings in the Workplace 12:09 Effective Communication to Reduce Unnecessary Meetings 19:21 Embarrassing Stand-Up Meeting Experiences 25:00 The Prank Between South African and Nigerian Uber Drivers 34:02 Challenges of Expensive Internet and Payment Systems 34:56 Resistance to Change and Low Adoption Rates in the African Market 35:29 Introduction 36:35 Manual Processes and Resistance to Change 40:39 The High Cost of Internet Bandwidth 45:35 Challenges of Poor Address Systems 54:04 Product Spotlight: Mizomo

Episode Summary

In this episode, hosts Frankie and Derrick dive deeper into handling and giving feedback and user testing.

They share personal experiences and expert advice on:

- Building trust as a lead designer

- Navigating harsh design and code feedback

- Implementing effective user testing methodologies

- Designing inclusively for diverse user groups

- Optimizing products for low-spec devices

- The hosts also spotlight Beeterty, a cutting-edge invoice management platform for business owners.

Resources

- Google Drive Link with Books

- Beeterty Links

• https://x.com/tryBeeterty
• https://instagram.com/beeterty/
• https://linkedin.com/company/beeterty/…
• https://beeterty.com

Episode Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Week Recap 06:00 - Introducing Cleave: A Bookmark Organization Tool 10:44 - Navigating Harsh Feedback 15:02 - The Psychology of Negative Feedback 18:39 - Effective Feedback Interpretation Techniques 22:15 - User Testing: Importance and Methodologies 26:37 - Inclusive Design for Diverse User Groups 30:52 - Optimizing for Low-Spec Devices 35:10 - The Three Stages of Usability Testing 40:25 - Recommended Resource: "Handbook of Usability Testing" 44:30 - Spotlight on Beeterty: Invoicing Made Easy 48:15 - Closing Thoughts and Next Episode Preview

In this episode, we dive into the world of design, entrepreneurship, and side projects. We share insights from Fidcon, a recent design conference organized by thedsgnjunkies, discuss the challenges of balancing personal ventures with full-time work, and explore how design skills translate to running businesses. We also highlight BuukMeNow, a tool for streamlining appointment scheduling and payments. With candid conversations about our own experiences, we offer valuable perspectives for designers and aspiring entrepreneurs alike.

Links we mentioned

1. Book: "100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People" by Dr. Susan Weinschenk
2. Arc Browser (https://arc.net/)
3. Friend.com
4. BuukMeNow (https://buukmenow.com/)

Follow us @edgecasespod

1. Twitter
2. Instagram
3. Tiktok

Join Derrick and Frankie as they kick off Edge Cases, your new favorite design podcast.

Get to know your hosts, and what to expect from future episodes.

Don't miss out - follow us now at @edgecasespod on all major podcast platforms for weekly doses of design inspiration and insights!