This week’s UX roundup has 3 UX articles, 3 design tools, 2 design quotes, 1 UX book recommendation, and 9 remote UX jobs. Want updates? Sign up for the UX newsletter here.
💎 UX NUGGETS 🔍
[article] Proximity Principle in Visual Design
Definition: The principle of proximity states that items close together are likely to be perceived as part of the same group — sharing similar functionality or traits.
“Gestalt” is German for “unified whole” and a collection of principles devised in the 1920s by 3 psychologists: Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, and Wolfgang Kohler. Their aim was to study how people decided if certain elements were in the same group.
In using proximity and whitespace, tasks are grouped together so that users are more task-focused when using a product. In a way, if there is a specific task flow that the user should follow, these groupings of visual elements will improve the usability.
[IG post] A UX Beginner Instagram exclusive on doing work for “free” → Should UX beginners try working for free? Based on the blog post (has deeper content) of the same name.
[design tool] A checklist created by Geri Reid to help her ensure that the products she designs comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) → WCAG for designers
[podcast] Debbie Millman from Design Matters chats over video with Mauro Porcini live at the PROMAX conference. He shares his personal story, great achievements, and an upcoming podcast. → Mauro Porcini Chief Design Officer at Pepsi
[article] The Complete Guide to Mastery
As a career-changer, at times I have my moments of self-doubt and imposter syndrome towards my work. But because the feelings of being “not enough” lingered over my work, I pushed myself to always be practicing and learning – I wanted to achieve mastery.
In this ultimate guide to mastery, there are 4 outlined topics: Understanding Mastery, Find Your Calling; Beginning the Master’s Journey, and Fighting Resistance. My favorite section is Find Your Calling where readers are instructed to search deep within ourselves to understand personal strengths and ignore weaknesses. This section very much emphasized self-appreciation and confidence-building for success in the journey of mastery.
“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.”
– Pablo Picasso
Jonathan Courtney, CEO of AJ&Smart, discusses his working experience when it comes to making design decisions and compromises. → The ONE RARE Skill UX Designers Ignore!
[design tool] Using Figma for your presentations? Here are some beautiful templates you’ll want to use! → templatery
[book] Nowadays, it’s pretty easy to take colors for granted because simply knowing the hex code provides us with the exact hue, saturation, and shade of the color we want. This book is a fascinating exploration of all the different colors throughout history and art. → The Secret Lives of Color
[design tool] Stéphanie Walter’s user journey map template available on Miro as a Miroverse template to help you map out your own project. → User Journey Map
[article] The importance of aesthetics in Product Design
First impressions are very important. The look and feel of websites and apps heavily impact how it is perceived – easy to use and pleasing the eye. Moreover, it is a direct representation of the company and brand which creates trust among users.
Although this article emphasizes the importance of aesthetics to a product’s success, Ariel Verber reminds readers that value is greater than looks. If the product is unable to serve its purpose for the user, then the product has failed.
💼 REMOTE UX JOBS 💻
Shogun supports various e-commerce brands.
Requirements: portfolio to showcase product design work in a similar industry; comfortable exploring data and interpreting results’ experience designing on a remote team
#startup #flexible #unicornpotential
CompanyCam creates simple-to-use visual-first communication and accountability tools that help contractors get things done every day.
Requirements: The ability to write in markup, CSS/Sass, React.js or React Native; proven ability in UI design, specifically for web apps or mobile apps
#smallteam #unicornpotential #startup
PumpJack sports-technology service that helps teams and venues refine their digital strategy.
Requirements: demonstrable skills in visual and interaction design; ability to communicate clearly and honestly to collaboration with others; understanding of essential design software (Sketch and Abstract)
#startup #smallteam #greatperks
Tock is a reservation, table, and event management system used by restaurants, wineries, and bars around the world.
Requirements: understand the capabilities and limitations of HTML, CSS, and Javascript; driven by metrics, data, and research while always empathizing with the user; create beautiful, high-fidelity designs.
#startup #smallteam #greatperks
Remote Senior UX Positions
Modus is a disruptive consulting firm that helps companies transform for success in the digital future.
Requirements: familiarity Sketch, InVision, Figma, Photoshop and maybe some coding abilities; experience working on different projects in mobile, web, and maybe even AR/VR; passion for functional design
#friendlycoworkers #bigcompany #flexible
Rainforest is a platform that combines manual and automated software testing.
Requirements: 4+ years experience working on B2B web applications; experience at a startup or with distributed teams; experience working with web technologies and are comfortable with the basics of JavaScript and HTML/ CSS
#smallteam #startup #flexible