Confessions Of An Ex Unicorn - UX Scotland 2015

Ex UnicornEx UnicornConfessions of an

Rachel Daniel Amanda Stockwell

amanda stockwell@ MandaLaceyS

Land of lobsters and vacations

Earning nerd cred at engineering school

Startup Unicorning

Corporate Focus

Freelancers Delight

UX Happy Place

Rachel Daniel@ RainbowliciousD

From a land of sparkles galore & rainbows delight

Designer at heart

Former Ninja Coder

Current World Traveler

UX Team Builder

Ex Unicorn

A mythical user experience individual who is a master of the entire UX spectrum and can perform every specialty skill with ease no matter if they have a conflict of interest.

User Research

Information Architecture

Interaction Design

Usability

Cont

ent S

trat

egy

Prototype Code

Visual Design

Unicorn Sparkles

IUX

Gain a broad set of experiences and learn the ropes

Seek, find, and conquer your UX passion

UX trading cards by Dan Willis

Sometimes there is just too much glitter.

Unicorn ISSUES

UX is meant to be a team sport

• Being a unicorn gets old

• You can get burnt out from too much pony dancing

Potential for high turnover

EX Unicorns

User Research

Information Architecture

Interaction Design

UsabilityCo

nten

t Str

ateg

y

Prototype Code

Visual DesignLearn the basic parts of UX

And How They Work Together

• Consume a healthy diet of specialties

• Understand your weaknesses and What you’re not As good at

And what you like

Know The Different Paths

Specialize Unicorn

Consultant Team Leader

Specialize Unicorn

Consultant Team Leader

What is the most significant obstacle you need to overcome in

your current role?

Stand UP.

Share.

Come up with 3 potential solutions.

Share Again.

Tips For Success

Unicorn Tips

Find other unicorns outside of work

Recognize your weak areas and ask for help

Be aware of overcommitment and know your limitations

Specialist Tips

Understand the benefits of a diverse team

Evangelize the power of a cross-functional team

Don’t beat yourself up and know your worth

Rely on the strengths of your team mates

Tips FOR

Everyone

Make friends with dragons, developers, product managers, and other stakeholders

Manage your company’s expectations

Don’t become a fabricated designer

Be unique. UXers come in all shapes and sizes

— Adrian Chan

Unless we dig deeper and think harder about our own discipline, we risk losing the field to what much of design is, and always has been: a matter of taste.

QuestionsQuestions@RainbowliciousD @MandaLaceyS

media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9a/7f/fb/9a7ffb53ea6a471fb86a8241664c5a5e.jpg

http://linedraw.storenvy.com/products/460092-unicorn-heart-5x7-print

www.flickr.com/photos/reneeanddolan/13020422424 by dolanh (flickr)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alicepopkorn/3377110664 by Alice Popkorn (flickr)

mrwgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Cheerleader-Throwing-Up-Glitter-Team-Spirit.gif

www.flickr.com/photos/127581466@N03/15278512731 by Suzanne B (flickr)

www.flickr.com/photos/eccentricjeff/5024142393 by Eccentric Jeff (flickr)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/12905355@N05/6315698493 by Photo Giddy (flickr)

www.flickr.com/photos/smull/4318531018 by Andy Pixel (flickr)

www.flickr.com/photos/apelad/2070879702 by Ape Lad (flickr)

www.flickr.com/photos/divine_harvester/6905527027 by Divine Harvester (flickr)

www.flickr.com/photos/widdowquinn/7818021082 by widdowquinn (flickr)

www.etsy.com/listing/120287132/unicorn-headband-party-pack-set-of-10.jpg by jumbojibbles (Etsy)

http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/185/5/4/jedi_narwhal_by_erionix-d560txe.jpg

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharynmorrow/3005665319 by sharyn morrow (flickr)

www.flickr.com/photos/dalboz17/3670105671 by Matt DeTurck (flickr)

www.flickr.com/photos/pheezy/90137842 by Evan P. Cordes (flickr)

www.flickr.com/photos/interpunct/3179146274 by Jennifer (flickr)

www.flickr.com/photos/waldopepper/4912903775 by waldopepper (flickr)

Image Credits

Thank you!Thank You!@RainbowliciousD @MandaLaceyS