Becoming better designer contributors

Transcript

1. WELCOME Becoming better designer contributors to social impact Abhishek Sharma Eriol Fox SPEAKERS
2. If you’re here, you want to design for Open Source! LET’S TALK ABOUT YOU FIRST
3. Are already contributing to open source?
4. Are already contributing to open source? Have faced challenges with contributing?
5. Are already contributing to open source? What does design in OSS look like? How does it work? Have faced challenges with contributing?
6. Are already contributing to open source? Do you have specific questions for this talk? Have faced challenges with contributing? What does design in OSS look like? How does it work?
7. TEAM senior designer Abhishek Sharma @abhi1203 abhishek@superbloom.design Hi, I’m Abhishek. He/Him pronouns. 8+ years in digital product design and UX. 3 years in open source software (OSS). 0.5 years at Superbloom. Multi-disciplinary product designer experienced in UI/UX, branding, product management, mentoring designers
8. TEAM senior designer and researcher Eriol Fox @erioldoesdesign eriol@superbloom.design Hi, I’m Eriol. (Ehh-roll). They/Them pronouns. 12+ years in digital product design and UX. 5-6 years in open source software (OSS). 1.5 years at Superbloom. PhD (@Newcastle) researching how design is done and how designers are involved in Humanitarian & Human Rights OSS.
9. Superbloom is committed to changing who technology serves by leveraging design to shift power. You may know us as Simply Secure, our former name.
10. Sticky Design Problems … high-risk communities in remote, hard-to-reach, poorly connected regions to safely give user feedback on the OSS tools they use? … onboarding non-coder users into decentralized and OSS applications and software? … funders best support sustainable critical digital infrastructure that support OSS? How do we design for … … how does open design and open source design become normalised in tool creation, improvement and growth?
11. Resources to start and find your why: https://designerup.co/blog/contributing-to-open-source-for-designers/ https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/how-to-contribute-to-open-source-proje cts-beginners-guide/ https://opensource.guide/how-to-contribute/
12. So, how can we become better contributors to open source Here’s a few things you don’t find in the resources above.
13. Think about the users Overview and key takeaways Think about the developers 1 2 Consider user security, privacy, diversity, inclusion Think about the assets 3 Key people who will use your work Not just about handoff They will implement your ideas Documentation, clean & proper Figma file This is how you will get your ideas across
14. Think about other designers Think about the product & business 4 5 How can they pick after you have left. Sustainability! Think about the community 6 Treat people how you want to be treated Dedicate to a project and domain that you want to commit for long term Your ideas achieve a goal Create resources that others can use Seeing beyond yourself Overview and key takeaways
15. Even though it’s all about them. For OSS, it’s not easy to interact with users beyond ‘support issues’. Users All users are important users of OSS, whether Contributor of code or people that use the tools. Use forums and comms channels to learn about the user perspectives on your OSS tools. Learning about users means making decisions about your OSS that makes sense to the users so features and commands will be more regularly used and contributed to. Resource to help: https://simplysecure.github.io/devs-guide-to/
17. They are in a critical position because they will implement your vision. Developers Collaboration and respect is critical in building OSS that is useful for the world. In many cases you may not be able to interact directly with the devs so explain your ideas well, your assumptions and user considerations. You can learn a lot from them too if they have worked with a lot of other designers. Tools like Penpot and Figma have made collaboration very easier than ever before. Resource to help: https://user-project.superbloom.design/about/zines/
20. This includes documentation, your Penpot or Figma file—how you set it up, design system. Assets and Design Documentation Design needs to be documented too and can help the overall clarity of your OSS project Invest time in doing it properly even though it’s just about getting developers to build it. It is a good documentation and open design process. Should be easy to read and navigate by anyone. There’s usability to your assets too! Resource to help: Example of a design system and labels explainer
23. Set up assets, design file in a way that any other designer can easily use it and promote openness. Other designers (your OSS design team!) Everyone you interact with is infact your user! You may not contribute to the project forever. This will make your project sustainable at least from a design perspective. Help to onboard other designers and be welcoming even if you aren't a designer yourself. The best mentors can be not the job that you identify as. Resource to help: Video about onboarding designers
25. It’s not just about screens, you’re helping someone achieve their goals. Product and business Understanding what is feasible to build and how is a critical part of OSS and design helps! Our research shows that designers not spending time in learning about the product and its domain is a big challenge in OSS design contribution. Consider which project you want to work on long term so example messaging apps, productivity app or healthtech etc… For a start, just start anywhere! Resource to help: Feasibility Review Template and Open Roadmaps
27. This is a cherry on the topping since you’re probably thinking about learning and growing yourself personally and professionally in the early days. Community Community and building together is at the heart of OSS - not just for coders :) However, it’s never too early to think about the community. Participate in community events. Network. Exchange ideas. Learn. Resource to help: https://opensourcedesign.net/
29. TEAM Sustaining Open Source Design Podcast sosdesign.sustainoss.org → Making sure that designers have a space to talk about their experiences in OSS and beyond. Designers in OSS have varied backgrounds and context and are often the only designer working on a given OSS project or specific piece of work in a project - they often feel isolated and as well as needing the support from the Open Source Design community sharing their experiences, ideas and processes in conversation with other designers in OSS has helped both Designers and other function around software development understand each other better.
31. In conclusion Think about the users Think about the developers Think about the assets Think about the other designers Think about the product and business Think about the community
32. Looking Ahead - Superbloom in 2023 1 Challenges for designers in creating GDPR-compliant cookie banners Defining Transparency Build Your Own Tech Policy Design Lab Policy Design 2 Building secure usability, design, content strategy. Secure, Usability, Design, OSS Design and Processes Trusted Design Norms Coaching and supporting OSS teams with user centered design. Look at our coaching here! Building more resources for OSS tool developers to design for themselves.
33. Q&A Q & A Ask us anything!
34. Thank you Get in touch @superbloom contact@superbloom.design superbloom.design