Hi everyone! Today I want to share a review of a book that has made a huge impression on me and helped me make better design decisions. I'm talking about "Articulating Design Decisions: Communicate with Stakeholders, Keep Your Sanity, and Deliver the Best User Experience". This is a must-have for every UX/UI designer. Why? Let me explain.

The Value of the Book

The first thing that caught my attention is the sheer number of interesting organizational ideas. The author presents a practical approach to organizing a designer's work, which allows for better documentation systematization and more effective communication with clients. The book is written in an accessible way, making it beneficial even for those new to the field of UX/UI.

If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it! You'll find a lot of inspiration to improve your daily work.

Communication with Clients

One of the most important topics discussed in the book is client communication. The author places a strong emphasis on developing soft skills, which are crucial for any designer. However, I think the author overdoes it by taking all the responsibility for communication on himself. In my experience, both the designer and the client must collaborate to achieve the best results.

I've had various experiences with clients – from those who constantly looked for my mistakes to those I miss because of our great collaboration. It is important that both parties are engaged and responsible for the smooth running of meetings and communication.

Remember, communication is a two-way street. Strive to understand your client's needs but also clearly communicate your requirements.

The Role of the Designer

The book emphasizes that the designer does not decide on the flow or the final project but recommends how something should be designed. I fully agree with this. Our job is to think about the tastes of our clients' clients and tailor projects to their needs.

Examples? If my client sells children's toys, the site will be cheerful and colorful. When I design interfaces for professionals, I go for minimalism. It is important that every design decision is well thought out and adapted to the end user.

Always remember who you are designing for. Understanding the audience is key to a successful project.

Usability vs. Aesthetics

Sometimes a project cannot be in line with current trends because usability and functionality are the most important aspects when designing an application. In such cases, I rely on good practices, gather feedback from the team, and use heuristics. The design should be aesthetic but not necessarily have a 'wow' effect.

Focus on the usability of your projects. Aesthetics are important, but the most important thing is that users can easily use your products.

Chapter 11 – Inspiration

Chapter 11 of this book was particularly inspiring for me. The author describes how to fill communication gaps and improve collaboration with designers. It's a real goldmine of knowledge! This material could be turned into a separate training session.

Here are some key points:

• Establishing clear and transparent communication.
• Tips on how to work with designers.
• A checklist of questions to ask before starting any project.

Read this chapter carefully. It can really improve your collaboration with clients and the team.

"Articulating Design Decisions: Communicate with Stakeholders, Keep Your Sanity, and Deliver the Best User Experience" is a book that helped me organize my design process and define the next stages of my work. If you are looking for support, you can also take advantage of the Google UX Design training, which complements the knowledge gained.

Invest in your education. This book and training sessions can significantly boost your skills and efficiency in design work.

Thanks for reading my review! I hope I encouraged you to reach for this inspiring position. If you have any questions or would like to share your experiences, feel free to write in the comments. Until next time!