storytelling and the art of getting the design job

May 31st, 2016

UX & Storytelling The art of getting the design job

Conference Survey: http://www.uxpa2016.org/survey www.uxpa2016.org#UXPA2016

Sharon Carmichael, Senior Interaction Design Manager

http://www.uxpa2016.org/survey

Presentation

3

Agenda

How to use UX & Storytelling to sell yourself as a designer

Research

1

Portfolio

2

Intuit Confidential and Proprietary02 www.uxpa2016.org

Some examples


Introduction

The TurboTax XD interaction design team

TBH


Introduction

Hiring Statistics1 job posting

23 - 30 resumes

5 - 8 phone screens

2 - 3 onsite interviews

1 hire (top 25% talent)

Research (know thy self)


UX, Storytelling, and the art of getting the design job


Research

Research YOU

The first step in any design project is doing some research. In this case, the research needs to be about YOU. Answers to the questions will help you craft your story.


Research

Questions to askHow do you compare to others in the market?

What skills do you have that make you stand out? What are you passionate about in terms of design?

What are your values?

What type of job are you interested in?

An in-house corporate position, a job at a start-up, or a consulting position?


Research

What is your T shape?

Motion Design

Visual Design

Prototyping

Information Architecture

Design Thinking

Empathy

Mobile First

Research

Strategy

Lean UX

Leadership

Influence

Technology

Systems Thinking


Research

What type of environment do you thrive in?

The Online Portfolio (your foot in the studio door)





Design your portfolio as well as the projects

Curate to show only the best

Focus on the future

37 pieces of flare



Research the companies you are interested in so

you know what matters to them.

Consider linking an employer to a specific

project within your website and explain why that

project is relevant.

Relevance matters



Standard narrative arc

Exposition

Rising Action

Falling Action

Resolution

Climax



Standard story structure for XD

Going broad Sketches

Paper prototypes Guerilla testing User validation

Creation

Narrowing down Detailed design

High level prototype Specs

Usability testing

Implementation

Style guides Asset libraries

Business results Customer results

Results

Problem

Concepting

Implementation

Launch

Detailed Design

Customer problem Personas

Research/insights Principles

Customer benefit

Discovery



• Set context

• Visually show your process

• Explain your specific role

• Explain your design decisions

• Clearly show the “do-for”/customer benefit

• Proofread everything!

The devil in the details

The Presentation (your best self)




Presentation

The show don’t tell principle

The portfolio presentation is your chance to

showcase the best 2-3 projects in your

portfolio and to describe in detail (ideally

visually) your thought process around your

work.


Presentation

Story arcs

Personal Story Project 1 Project 2 Conclusion


Presentation

No excuses

NDA’s and client confidentiality are no

excuse for not having quality work to show

in person or via video conference in a

confidential setting.


Presentation

Tell your design story

• Come up with a cohesive narrative

• Follow the same story arcs as your portfolio

• Show the right work

• Make it personal with customer stories

• Admit mistakes

• Be clear on “I” verses “We”

• Bookend your story


Presentation

Communication & influence

• Show your personality • Don’t over share • Be authentic • Show enthusiasm/passion for both design & role • Demonstrate poise & confidence • Show persistence & resilience


Presentation

Design Rationale

Recommendation

Pain, Want, Need

Customer Benefit

Differentiation

Competition

Being able to provide quick context for your work, both in terms of customers and business will build your credibility and help focus the session


Presentation

Feedback

At the end of an interview, ask what you can do

better. That shows determination and openness to

coaching, traits that are really valuable.

Examples (Good & Bad)



The Good



http://aaronporter.co/project/thrive/

http://melaniedaveid.com/

The Bad



http://nerval.ch/index.php

http://www.nicolastarier.com/

http://nerval.ch/index.php

http://www.nicolastarier.com/

Thank You

Session Survey: www.uxpa2016.org/sessionsurvey?

sessionid=228

Conference Survey: http://www.uxpa2016.org/survey


http://www.uxpa2016.org/sessionsurvey?sessionid=228

http://www.uxpa2016.org/survey