The Over-Reliance on Tools
When the essence of the job remains the same: solving user problems
At the risk of being called an “old designer” (which is true), I am writing this article, but I’ll do it anyway.
When I started working in UX back in 2007, the term "UX" wasn't as common as it is today. Things were very different back then. We didn't have the same tools we use now, like Figma. We relied on software like Photoshop and Illustrator to design user interfaces. There was no separate UX research discipline or dedicated team for it; instead, we relied on marketing research.
Communication was a world away from today's instant messaging platforms. Email was the primary means of communication, and while we did have some chat apps, they weren't used extensively. Synchronous video calls were virtually unheard of. In 2007, I'd use VoIP calls occasionally, but mostly for one-on-one discussions, not work-related meetings.
Emails were our go-to method for conveying information. People were exceptionally skilled at crafting emails that succinctly covered all the necessary details, aligning team members effectively. Who would’ve thought we could write long, efficient and complete emails (and not one liners, mind you). Our tools were basic, but we made them work.
Fast forward to today, and UX design has gone through a significant transformation. Figma has become a standard tool, and collaboration platforms like Slack and video calls are ubiquitous. Tech companies rely on these tools to enhance efficiency and teamwork. As a result, today's designers must be proficient in using these new technologies to excel in their work.
Before Figma took the design world by storm, there were several other notable tools in the UX design arsenal, such as Sketch, InVision, and Zeplin. These tools were the pioneers of their time, and for many designers who began their careers before Figma's dominance, they were integral to the design process. They played key roles in shaping the field of UX design, and it's worth taking a moment to remember their significance.
Sketch, for instance, was highly popular for its vector-based design capabilities, making it a favorite choice for creating user interfaces. InVision offered a platform for interactive prototyping, allowing designers to bring their creations to life with clickable prototypes. Zeplin, on the other hand, became an essential bridge between designers and developers, facilitating seamless collaboration by generating style guides and assets.
Today, newer generations of designers who entered the field post-pandemic may not have even heard of these earlier tools. With Figma's rise to prominence, it has become the go-to choice for many designers. However, it's important to recognize and appreciate the tools that paved the way for Figma's success. These predecessors played a crucial role in building the foundations of modern UX design, and they shouldn't be forgotten. It's easy to take these tools for granted, but they contributed significantly to the evolution of the field and helped create the design landscape we know today.
The rise of these tools also, in my opinion, sometimes give a false idea of what product design is all about: problem-solving.
Yes, we have the benefits of using these tools like…
Efficiency and Speed: Improved design tools make the job of designers easier and faster. They offer features that streamline the design process, allowing designers to work more productively.
Enhanced Collaboration: Modern design tools foster better collaboration with other teams, such as developers and project managers. Real-time editing and sharing features make it easier to communicate and work together, resulting in smoother project execution.
Lower Barrier to Entry: The availability of user-friendly design tools like Figma and Sketch has lowered the barrier of entry into UX design. Beginners can learn these tools relatively quickly, enabling a broader and more diverse pool of individuals to pursue a career in design.
But it comes with a cost:
Overreliance on Tools: There's a risk of designers becoming overly reliant on these tools. While they can simplify the design process, it's essential to maintain a strong foundation in design principles, as relying solely on tools may hinder creative thinking and problem-solving.
Tool-Centric Focus: Some introductory design resources and courses often emphasize tool proficiency over actual design principles. This can lead to designers who can operate the software but lack a deep understanding of design theory and best practices.
Skill Disparities and Bias: Designers who cannot use the preferred tools proficiently may face challenges in the industry. This can lead to biases against those who are less adept at using a specific tool, potentially hindering career opportunities and growth.
Balancing the advantages and disadvantages of improved design tools is crucial for the evolving field of design. While these tools can significantly enhance the design process, it's essential for designers to maintain a strong foundation in design principles and creativity, fostering a holistic approach to UX design that doesn't solely rely on the tools at hand.
Ultimately, it's not about the specific tools we use but how effectively we use them to enhance user experiences. The mission of designers, then and now, remains the same, and our ability to embrace change is the key to our success as UX designers in an ever-evolving landscape.
My only advice to new designers in 2023 is this: it’s not always about the tooling.