Every company is different. Every team is different. Every situation is different. AI has changed everything.
The key to success isn't a rigid process, it's adaptability.
Get clarity and define the intent
What do we think is the problem we are solving? Is it really the core problem? The 5 whys.
Align on the timeframe that deliverables are needed.
Review the qualitative and quantitative data. Talk to product management, sales engineers, channel partners, and sales reps. Distill down to the real problem.
Prompt with intent
Utilize AI but use judgement and be selective to uphold creative integrity. It makes mistakes, hallucinates, and can double down even when wrong.
Summarize the pain points and desired outcomes. Ensure the outcomes align with the business objectives.
Task-flow mapping and validation with stakeholders. Align with the team on feature scope.
Strategize on an approach: tactical vs conceptual.
Prototype and communicate
Build buy-in with storytelling and turn conviction into momentum.
Develop prototypes and use them to clearly communicate ideas.
Determine what parts of the design can be modularized and reused in other parts of the product so that teams can gain velocity.
Progress comes from deep and careful thought.
Deliver
Create engineering-ready figma screens with annotations on behavior and interactions.
Also, create clickable prototypes and video walkthroughs for clarity.
Provide support during development handoff and QA to ensure the right experience gets built.