Wearable Product System
This process shares my initial 4-months as the sole Design Lead at a Noise at an early stage startup for a growing wearable brand. It details how I juggled multiple projects in a new industry, developed processes, and applied technical UI skills to tackle real-world challenges.
Noise
Design Team
2020
Design Lead
4 Months
Challenge
As the Design Lead, I found myself simultaneously working on multiple projects and areas:
Page Structure, Positioning, Content Strategy, Graphics/Visuals and Animations.
Each project had its own challenges, stakeholders, and tight deadlines. The pressure was on to deliver top-notch work across the board while getting up to speed with the ins and outs of the commercial hardware product company.
Solution
Realising I needed a game plan to stay sane and productive, I turned to the 70-20-10 Rule to prioritise my efforts:
70% on the highest priority (Product page guidelines and positioning and content)
20% on the second priority (Graphics and Visuals)
10% on the third priority (Animations)
This wasn't a rigid rule but gave me a solid framework to manage my time and energy effectively and collaborate effectively with designers. developers and stake holders.
The 70-20-10 Rule
Breakdown
I organised my days around 'deep work' sessions. While surprises did pop up, I made sure to reserve at least two blocks for high-priority tasks. The rest of the day was more flexible, adapting to what each project threw at me.
Deep work on high-priority tasks: Understanding the positioning of the product with stakeholders first and UX writers and creating product page layout.
Work on second priority: Discussing the graphics and visuals with designers.
Tertiary tasks: Looking and getting inspired by market trends for the animations and implementing them if there are resources and time.
Reality
No week ever went exactly as planned. Here's how I handled the curveballs:
Urgent Requests: I built in a buffer for any urgent issues. If something couldn't wait, it got slotted in here.
Shifting Priorities: If a project needed more attention, I'd adjust my 70-20-10 split and keep stakeholders in the loop.
Energy Levels: I'd tackle high-energy tasks (like creative design work) when I was at my peak and saved less demanding tasks for when I needed a breather.
This system wasn't perfect, but it helped me keep all the plates spinning without losing focus. Flexibility within a structured framework was key.
Strategy
I zeroed in on the small yet impactful aspects of the enhance the process by working effective with stakeholders in respective areas to ensure effective data visualisation. These tweaks might seem minor, but they significantly enhance the performance and speed by making data clearer and easier to interpret.
Positioning of the Product
Before embarking on any project, I initiate a collaborative process with stakeholders from various categories (e.g., audio, wearables). A key aspect of this initial phase involves understanding the product's positioning within the market. Determining whether the product falls into the premium, lifestyle, or basic category provides valuable insights that inform the project timeline and the optimal structure for the product page.
Defining Content
We'll be planning the product's identity and presentation by working with UX writers to create the name and tagline. This planning phase also includes defining key features (with a focus on what makes the product unique) and designing the product page layout.
Page Layout
Now that I have a solid understanding of the product's positioning and all the content, I can begin the layout. Defining the product's structure, category, and position is crucial for determining the timeline and workload. This also directly influences the design: premium products justify the added effort of animations and a premium look, while basic products require a more straightforward approach.
Graphics & Visuals
With the layout complete, I move on to crafting the product visuals in Illustrator and Photoshop, establishing the desired look and feel. Aesthetically pleasing visuals are essential for grabbing user attention, so I work closely with a 3D artist to perfect the angles and lighting, ensuring the product is presented in the most compelling way within the established layout.
Developing Magic
The final step is collaborating with the developers to translate the design into reality. This involves explaining the design, layout, and animations, and being available to troubleshoot any issues that arise. My support is critical for their efficiency.
Structure
Hero
Product Technology
Charging Specifications
Pairing Technology
Smart Experience
Warranty
