Published on | Prototyping: From UX to Front End — Medium Jack Strachan

and here’s why it’s not a portfolio…

As an Industrial Design student, currently out on placement interning for Bosch Power Tools in Germany, i’m taking every opportunity for experience there is possible before returning to university to finish my degree. My current position is as an intern for user experience but don’t be mistaken, this role involves creating solutions for products, experiences and services alike.

I aspire to work with people who share my passion for creating meaningful and beautiful design solutions. I believe my internship at Bosch is just the start.

This is why I started blogging, to express myself on a level that will enhance my ability to write and start conversations within the design community. This is also why i’m sharing my approach towards design thinking, user experience and execution of work in a project i’m calling “Snippets”.

“Snippets” is not a portfolio. Well, i’m not really sure what to call it at the moment. It’s still taking shape. I guess i’m aiming to create a curated collection of thoughts and work in a small packet to share with others in a way that works against a traditional portfolio of work.What I have figured out is:

The core value of Snippets will tell a story
I will use a mixed project approach where I will reference different projects but not use the whole story of a single approach
Snippets will be an attempt to capture my thoughts on design as of now for myself, others and maybe most importantly employers to read
Snippets will be a reflection of my progress from the start of my design course to my current position as an intern.

Not me but Bish holding our finished injection molded coffee spoon from the mould halves we designed and manufactured ourselves.

Many traditional portfolios are criticised for not telling a story, they are examples of finished projects and fine tuned product renders but never the rough end of the design approach. Snippets is my attempt to express my approach at a closer level. To expand the user centred approach I am learning and articulate it.

Not only will Snippets be an expression of the design approach I am learning but it will give employers the opportunity to see how I think rather than the projects I have completed. Why? Because at the end of the day, who wants to employ someone who does not share the same values as them?

“When thinking of User Experience, we often think of a simple, beautiful, and easy to use feature-set of a product. But as a matter of fact, features are merely a small fragile part of the product”

Snippets will share my links between understanding, identifying and executing design challenges and I am excited to share it with you all.

If any of this resonated with you, or if you have anything else to add or comment then feel free to get in touch!

I’m creating something a little different was originally published in Prototypr on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

I’m creating something a little different

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