You've certainly heard this before. I am sure I am stating the obvious
and boring you with common sense statements. However, it appears it is
not that common sense. Let me explain: for the last three years I've
worked for a user centered design consultancy and quite often clients
would come to us at the final stages of their design asking for and
seeking some user centred approach to their beleaguered projects. We
would do our best and in some cases do exceedingly well in redirecting
focus and helping deliver a final product designed around the user
needs. However, I've always been frustrated with being involved at the
later stages of a project rather than being there at its infancy where
I could make more significant contributions and help save time and
money + deliver a user centred product. I was convinced that the only
way, or rather, the most obvious way is to work directly for the
client, be part of their team, so I can influence the project from its
early day. So, I updated my CV and got a job at one of the best digital
agencies around. Well if there is anywhere I can influence direction it
will be here where all big builds come to exist.
Wrong? I honestly
do not know yet, but I somehow have the feeling that I will face the
same struggles as an insider as I did as an outsider. I still have t
look for a few answer: where does the power lies? is it the creatives,
technologists or UEs that lead? If it is not the UEs, how can I then
upset the staus quo? how can I make sure they all know that leaving the
user on the sidelines amounts to designing and delivering projects
purely for own indulgence, some sort of creative masturbation?
Well we'll see....