Visions and Goals 2024
- Merry Rosalie (Unlicensed)
This document outlines the visions and goals we want to achieve this year. Reading this will ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals
Table of Content
Visions and Goals
Deliver consistent brand experiences
Some projects all currently have wildly different designs with each other and are not consistent. It doesn’t give the impression that all of these projects were all built by DevSoc so ultimately, the goal is to change that.
With different projects having to work with similar components, it only makes sense to have a standardised component library that they can use. This has been implemented, but there was a problem with high coupling between implementation and design.
How are we going to achieve this?
Create and complete the design system left out by last year’s UI/UX (i.e it is left without dark mode, mobile states, etc).
Foster cross-functional collaboration between UI/UX and projects to ensure alignment on brand messaging, values, and visual identity, facilitating a unified and cohesive brand experience for users.
Decoupling design and implementation with a streamlined component library
With different projects having to work with similar components, it only makes sense to have a standardised component library that they can use. This has been implemented, but there was a problem with high coupling between implementation and design.
How are we going to achieve this?
Expand and refactor the current UI components library from a npm package to a simple component library similar to Shadcn UI.
Empowering more user-centered design
There was a lack of understanding of user/project needs and preferences, which resulted in designs that did not properly address the requirements from the project and deliver the ideal user experiences.
How are we going to achieve this?
Conduct extensive user research, such as surveys, interviews, and usability testing, to get an understanding of user behaviours, pain points, and motivations.
Prioritise projects' feedbacks and incorporate it into the design process through co-creation sessions, usability testing, and feedback loops to ensure that designs are consistent with project’s expectations and preferences.
Fostering cross-functional collaboration
There were issues about UI/UX schedules not being clear to every other projects.
A lot of project directors weren’t too sure about what they want, which leads to vague requirements and are likely to give more feedbacks later on.
Flows/interactions are not communicated well to programmers.
How are we going to achieve this?
Consistent documentation of every task.
Ensure that the project scope, deliverables, and issues are identified early on in the design process.
Implement announcement/notice board, as well as sharing kanban board across all projects for any updates, or project timelines.
Implement a Google Form system to simplify meeting arrangement with other projects.
Create prototype with flows/interaction implemented, otherwise comments are provided.
Continuous learning and improvement
More workshops, additional teaching and sharing more resources with each other will undoubtedly benefit all members of the team.
How are we going to achieve this?
Set up workshops relevant to UI/UX.
Set up peer reviews, and meetings or retrospectives for the team, where members may offer constructive comments, and exchange ideas.
Setup a channel where members can share relevant and helpful resources.
Cultivate a positive team culture
When team dynamics aren't great, trust is lacking, and communication falls flat, it can really mess with collaboration & creativity (which is very important for UI/UX!), and can leave team members feeling disengaged and burnt out.
How are we going to achieve this?
Holding frequent bonding and team events (at least once every term).
Encourage open communication, transparency, and mutual respect among all team members to create a safe and welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.
Recognize and celebrate individual and team achievements.
Promote a healthy work-life balance and prioritise the well-being of all team members (including subcommittees, and directors).
Projects Features/Tasks
For this year, we are aiming to do a huge revamp on two projects to ensure that they are in line with the design system that has been implemented.
We are also willing to design minor or major features that other projects will release this year (e.g Unilectives wrapped from Unilectives, etc).
Refactoring the current ui npm library into a simple component library, similar to shadcn ui. This is because one of the disadvantages of packaging components in a npm package is that the design is coupled to the implementation. And design should be separate from implementation.
We are open to suggestions!
Achieve by end of the following Term | Goal |
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Goals for Leading Subcommittee
What kind of team dynamic do we want to build?
We aim to create a team dynamic that fosters communication, collaboration, and creativity (which is extremely important to UI/UX!) and they thrives on several key ingredients :
Openness and respect: Team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, concerns, and feedback without fear of judgment .
Transparency and communication: Team members are kept informed about progress, challenges, and decisions, fostering trust and engagement .
Regular feedback: Feedback is open, constructive, and focused on improvement, helping everyone learn and grow .
Positive and encouraging environment: Humor, playfulness, and celebration of successes motivate and energize the team .
Healthy work life balance: Prioritizes efficiency, avoids overtime, and encourages task delegation when feasible .
Bonding! We aim to create an environment that is both productive, but we still want it to be enjoyable and memorable. So, definitely there will be bonding (at least once every term)! Feel free to give us any ideas for bonding anytime btw .
How often will we hold meetings? In-person or online? What will go on in these meetings?
Weekly or fortnight (fortnite) meetings! We also aim for more in-person meetings over online meetings. But, the matter remains up for discussion! Because we always want to find a solution that works for everyone (taking into consideration things like exams, etc).
How often will we check up on you (subcoms)?
We will undertake personal check-ups on you whenever we believe it is necessary to assess how you are doing and to resolve any issues you may be experiencing! Aside from that, we will always try to check in on everyone during our regular meetings.
To sum up, we hope you enjoy yourself. As long as it respects both your and our boundaries, please never hesitate to get in touch with us. Once more, welcome to UI/UX! We really hope that your time here will be memorable!