Learn how our team at GitHub works, and how we think about design.
Designing with GitHub
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Hi, I’m Steve@orderedlist
How our Designers Work
Who are we?28 designers, many disciplines
HTML/CSSFront-end designers, developers
Native ApplicationsDesktop, iOS, Android
IllustrationOctocats, animations, branding
Print MaterialMarketing, business ops
VideoMarketing, education, events
ResearchUser studies, product research
Our Tool BeltWhat we use to do what we do
WordsYes, words
In order to communicate visuallyto your users, you must be able tocommunicate verbally toyour team.
PhotoshopDem PSDs
SketchThe software, and the book
IllustratorVector Victor
Web BrowsersInspectors man…
Text EditorsAtom, Sublime, Emacs, etc.
Text ChatCampfire, Hubot
Video ChatGoogle Hangouts, BlueJeans
GitHubUse GitHub to design GitHub
How we CollaborateDesign better together
Serendipitous InteractionsGreat ideas from unexpected places
Annual SummitEveryone in one place
Team Mini-summitsStrategy and planning
Face to Face ContactUnderstand tone and personality
Remote Working~70% of GitHub is remote
But Why?Isn’t it easier to work in an office?
Good People are EverywhereLimiting to geography is, well, limiting
243 GitHubbers103 cities, as of 9pm yesterday
Freedom to TravelExperience the world, while staying productive
Family LifeAllows for family freedom
Personal HappinessSome people don’t want to live where you do, and that’s ok
But How?How do you ensure productivity?
Remote First MindsetAssume remote in most situations
CommunicationUse your words
Asynchronous WorkflowsDon’t assume people are available whenever you need
Text is the BestSearchable, transcripts, notifications, etc.
Give People Time to RespondPatience is a virtue, and all that
Chat RoomsWe have a lot of them
Everyone Uses ChatEven if you’re in the office
/virtual office meVideo chat for that in-office experience
GitHub TeamOur Internal Status App
Don’t Email PeopleNo history, terrible threading, it’s just bad
And of Course, GitHubCommunication with results
How we use GitHubIdeas and workflows
TeamsPermissions, mentions, notifications
Design-specific ReposRepos aren’t just for code
Assets, sometimesNot always, but it can be great
IssuesFor problems, not solutions
Design Documents and ProjectsKeep an up-to-date record of current efforts
Markdown FilesText with benefits
HistorySee changes to project direction over time
DiscussionSee the thoughts that lead to conclusions
Pull RequestsA workflow for proposing changes
Woah, Woah, WoahI don’t want to use Git
Deal with it, it’s not difficult
Let Me Show Yougithub.com/orderedlist/design-example-repo
Questions?
How Design Works
GitHub ZenFinding your design center
Features are ExpensiveCreation, maintenance, complexity, real estate
Approachable is BetterThan SimpleSimple ideas don’t mean simple execution
Mind Your WordsThey are important
Communicate ConciselyYour customers deserve it
Communicate ThoughtfullyYour colleagues deserve it
Put Effort Into Your WordsThey are more important than your designs
Speak Like a HumanPlease
Non-blocking is BetterThan BlockingDon’t get in people’s way
Block by InterruptionConfirmation, popups, dialogs
Block by OverstimulationOver-design, too many options, distractions
Block by ComplicationRequiring too much from the user
Favor Focus Over FeaturesSay no to things
Perfection is achieved, not whenthere is nothing more to add, butwhen there is nothing left totake away.Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Anything Added DilutesEverything ElseBe careful about additions
When many good ideas presentthemselves, it's easy to becomedistracted. Don't let good ideasget in the way of great execution.
Starting is Easy, Finishing is HardThe process of shipping is incredibly difficult
Wrapping UpA Few Key Points
Communication is ImportantFor your designs and your colleagues
Design Happens AnywhereNot just your office
Backup Your Designs with WordsKeep those words meaningful and documented
Design Better TogetherIt’s better than designing alone
Thank you!
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