As a recruiter here at Bluewolf, I can say with confidence that we only hire people who have passion. The pack members that thrive here are innovative, intelligent, and share their knowledge in ways that extend beyond their standard job function. When I'm on the phone with potential candidates, I typically tell them that if they're only interested in coming into the office, putting their head down into their laptop for eight hours and then heading home when the clock strikes -- this might not be the company for them. We're a culture of collaboration and an incubator of creativity. 

Creative freedom is nurtured here, and I get to see an example of that firsthand every week here in our New York City headquarters. Shalyn Oswald, our talented UX/UI Designer, hosts an event called, "Design Fridays" where she clears a chunk of time on her schedule to sit down and help anyone with their design questions. This includes questions on website layouts, as well as how to make documents or presentations more clear with color, spacing, font, or an intuitive information hierarchy.

I chatted with Shalyn to learn more about the inspiration behind Design Fridays for the second installment of our Tales from the Pack blog series. 

Leanne: What does your typical day-to-day look like as a UX/UI Designer?

Shalyn: It entirely depends on the types of initiatives i'm supporting. When I have client projects, I am typically gathering requirements, talking to the client, user, or engagement manager, ideating, sending out surveys, making suggestions, and designing mockups. When I don't have projects, I am usually spending my time scoping, designing small items, teaching UX/UI, and helping people understand the value of good user experiences and the steps it takes to properly design them.

Leanne: I love seeing you in the kitchen on Friday mornings, chatting with pack members from all kinds of departments. How did you come up with the idea for "Design Friday?"

Shalyn: I love doing it! It was a suggestion of a fellow UX designer, as well as something that IBM Design has done successfully in different ways. I started to realize that there wasn't a lot of connection between myself as a designer and the projects that could use design, either because they didn't know I was there to do that job or because their projects just didn't have the bandwidth; I wanted to make sure to be available, no matter what, for at least an hour. I want to encourage design in everything that we do!

During this hour, I help them look at things from a different perspective. One of the mantras of UI/UX design is that "you are not the user." And even if you are the user, you have a unique perspective from other users so you have to consider all the different ways that people think. For example, every week I'll have four different fonts or several style icons and proactively ask which ones people prefer because sometimes the one I like is the least favorite.

Leanne: What types of projects have you been able to help out with?

Shalyn: I've helped out on internal dev projects that didn't scope for design. For example, one client was trying to create a way for people to download, install, and setup licenses instead of salespeople going in and doing it themselves. Previous to my involvement, there was a lot of jargon and a process that was built by stakeholders that were not familiar with the task. I conducted interviews with the users and showed the client how to built it more for the actual user. It's been really helpful to both parties, as I see where there is disconnect and can work to start bridging that gap.

Leanne: Have you gotten to see any of your design advice come to life on projects yet? 

Shalyn: I've been put onto several projects after they've realized that my help could actually lower the scope of their project, which is typically the case.

Leanne: Is it hard to find time to carve out for Design Friday, and is your manager cool with it? 

Shalyn: I look at it as a needed implementation and my manager agrees that there is a lot of value in it for the folks here in New York. 

Design Thinking is a way of thinking--not a process. Clients will want a lot of things, but it all comes down to talking to the user and seeing how they actually use technology, what their pain points are, how they think and feel; you really discover who they are in order to create a more efficient product that doesn't take much training. In the end, it makes them more successful.

I can't control the design of everything that we create, but I can encourage people to adjust the way that they look at a problem in a way that helps them in their job, interact with clients, and create great products. Even if it isn't me, I think it's important to make sure you're running your work by someone with an objective eye.

Leanne: I totally agree. Do you feel that those projects help you grow in a way that translates to your clients' projects?

Shalyn: All experience lends to my work at Bluewolf. Through teaching UX/UI in classes, I've learned a lot of things that have helped me communicate with my co-workers, help them understand my role, as well design. Through practicing drawing, I am learning to better be able to translate what is in my head to paper, to help people see my vision. Through writing, I see what words work where and why, and can create copy and copywriter material fairly easily, which is an added bonus to clients. 

Leanne: Thanks so much for your time today Shalyn! What are you up to after work tonight, anything exciting? 

Shalyn: Thanks for having me! Tonight is a Barcade night, probably! Who doesn't love to spend $12 on 2 minutes of Contra and Lunar Lander?!

Interested in working somewhere that celebrates and facilitates the personal growth of employees? Meet more of our pack members and view our open positions.