Hello, I'm back with a new instalment of Design Talks. On this occasion, I bring you a selection of resources for UX/UI designers I have encountered in the last few days.

We will explore issues such as influence of AI on creative toolsWe will be looking at innovative methodologies for product design, the importance of writing in design and the application of philosophical principles to creativity. See what you think 😉.

Drams: Framer components inspired by Dieter Rams' design principles

Drams is a wonderful website built with Framer, a bunch of free-to-use components made with a lot of love and dedication.

The technical workmanship is incredible, they have sound, and they perfectly reflect the spirit of the Braun brand that has marked part of the history of modern product design.

You can't miss it, it's very addictive.

David Hoang "How AI will influence creative tools: A conversation with Replit's David Hoang" - Figma Blog

In this Figma blog interview, David Hoang explores the future of creative tools under the impact of artificial intelligence.

This article not only delves into how AI is beginning to influence design but also how it can amplify the creativity and efficiency of designers.

A must-read if you are interested in this cool moment we are living in of total hybridisation between technology and design.

Rethinking the startup MVP: Building a competitive product - Linear Blog.

The Linear team offers a different and fresh perspective on how to approach minimum viable product (MVP) development in startups.

In the article " Rethinking the startup MVP: Building a competitive product "They argue the importance of moving beyond the traditional approach to create products that not only meet the minimum requirements but are truly competitive from launch.

A reflection for entrepreneurs and product designers that seeks to review the classic concept of "fail fast, fail cheap" and transform the vision that Eric Ries provided in 2011 in his best-seller "The Lean Startup". Super interesting.

Writing is design - PJ Onori

PJ Onori reminds us that writing is not just a form of communication, but a powerful design tool. This post delves into how writing and design interact, impacting usability, accessibility and the overall user experience.

Onori takes an easy-to-understand look at the importance of words in designing memorable experiences. So you can't stop reading it 😉.

A small reflection...

And finally, Ralph Ammer invites us to reflect on the Aristotle's principles to live a good life and how these can be applied to the world of design and creativity.

It is not only a reflective pause on our values and goals but also offers insights into how philosophical principles can influence our approach to design and life in general.

Raúl Marín, Director of the Bootcamp in UX/UI Design of IMMUNE.

The universal design emerges as a beacon of inclusion in a diverse world, proposing spaces and tools that can be used by all, without exception. This approach goes beyond mere accessibility, advocating for an full integration that welcomes all people, regardless of their abilities or limitations.

What is universal design?

The concept of universal design refers to the creation of products and environments that are accessible and comprehensible for people with a wide range of abilities, ensuring usability and understanding in an intuitive way. It is an inclusive practice that seeks to remove barriers faced by those with disabilities and promotes equal opportunities for all.

Characteristics of universal design

Universal design is characterised by its holistic approach and its ability to adapt to users' needs. Its key features include:

• Universalitysuitable for use by anyone, without the need for adaptations or specialised designs.
• Simplicityeasy to understand and use, regardless of the user's experience or prior knowledge.
• IntuitivenessThe ability to be understood effortlessly, providing a smooth and pleasant user experience.
• Securityminimises risks and consequences of unintentional or accidental errors.
• Economy of effortDesigned to be used efficiently and comfortably, reducing fatigue.
• Adequate spacespace allowance: consideration of the space necessary for appropriate use by any person, including those with assistive devices.

These characteristics are the basis for the creation of environments and products that can be enjoyed by all, reflecting the diversity of the population and their needs.

Principles of universal design

The principle of design universal sets out seven guidelines that help designers to consider all people during the creative process. They are as follows:

1. Fair in useThe design is useful and marketable for people of diverse abilities.
2. Flexibility in useThe design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
3. Simple and intuitive to useThe use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills or current level of concentration.
4. Perceptible informationThe design communicates the necessary information to the user in an effective way, regardless of environmental conditions or the user's sensory capabilities.
5. Tolerance for errordesign minimises hazards and adverse consequences of unintended or accidental actions.
6. Low physical effortThe design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.
7. Size and space for approach and useAppropriate size and space are provided for approach, reach, manipulation and use, regardless of the user's size, posture or mobility.

Inclusive design: beyond theory

The inclusive design extends beyond theoretical concepts to tangible practices that transform our interaction with the world. Let's see how this approach materialises in different domains, with examples that illustrate its depth and scope:

Accessible web design: an open door to information

The accessible web design goes beyond simple navigability. It includes the development of interfaces that allow visually impaired users to customise colours and text size, as well as the structuring of content in such a way that screen readers can interpret and convey information in a coherent way. In addition, aspects such as responsive design, which ensures that websites adapt and are functional on a variety of devices and screen sizes, are considered.

Everyday products: ergonomics in the service of diversity

In the field of everyday productsFor example, we find kitchen utensils with adapted grips that benefit people with motor difficulties as well as those with arthritis. Mobile phones with simplified user interfaces and integrated voice assistants are another example of technology adapting to users of all ages and abilities.

Architecture and public spaces: building accessibility

The architecture and public spaces embrace inclusive design by incorporating audible and tactile signage, tactile paving that guides people with visual impairments, and adapted street furniture such as benches with variable heights for easy sitting and standing. Inclusive playgrounds with soft surfaces and adaptive equipment invite children of all abilities to play and explore together.

Universal design in education: barrier-free learning

The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) revolutionises the education by promoting accessible learning materials, such as textbooks with audio options and interactive digital content that accommodates different learning styles. Classrooms are designed to be flexible spaces, allowing for different configurations that adapt to students' activities and needs, such as the incorporation of assistive technologies and adjustable furniture.

Adaptive technology: user-centred innovation

Adaptive technology is a pillar of universal design, offering solutions such as voice recognition software for computer navigation and customisable video game controls that enable the participation of users with motor limitations.

These examples highlight how inclusive and universal design can be implemented in diverse industries and sectors, from technology to architecture to education.

Universal Design: training professionals at IMMUNE's UX/UI Design Bootcamp

In the context of web design, inclusivity becomes an imperative rather than a mere option. This is where the UX/UI Design Bootcamp IMMUNE's programme becomes relevant by training designers who understand and apply inclusive web design as a fundamental principle. This intensive programme focuses on text readability, intuitive navigability and the creation of responsive interfaces that ensure an optimal user experience on any device. The bootcamp equips students with the necessary skills to design with an approach that goes beyond basic accessibility, encouraging the creation of websites for all through a hands-on 100% training.

Find out more about our Design courses through the following form!

The world of web design is constantly evolving, and to keep up, professionals are always looking for tools and methods that allow them to work in a more efficient and coherent way. In this context, the Design Systems have become a key part of optimising the design process and improving the look and feel of the user experience.

The Design Systems are not simply a passing trend in the world of web designThey are one of the most effective solutions to the most common problems faced by design teams.

By adopting a systemic approachIn this way, designers can save a great deal of time, avoid unnecessary repetition and ensure that each element contributes to creating a unique and unique consistent user experience. In addition, facilitate collaboration between designers and developersThe first is that they all work on the basis of a shared set of rules and components.

But do you really know What are Design Systems?? Here we explain what Design tokens are for, how they work and their application in the design of digital products. We will also take you through the steps to create your own Design System using tools such as Adobe XD and Figma.

What are Design Systems?

The Design Systems or design systems are coherent sets of rules, principles and patterns that guide the design process of a digital product. They include not only visual elements, such as colours, fonts and icons, but also broader aspects such as information structure, interface architecture and user interactions.

It could therefore be said that it is a guide to unified which ensures that all elements of the design remain aligned with the visual brand identity and comply with the usability standards.

How do Design tokens work?

The Design tokens play a key role, as they provide a common language between designers and developers within an Design system. By representing specific values such as colours, fonts and spacing, they facilitate the consistent application of different styles throughout the system.

Its modular nature allows for a inherent design flexibilityThe design tokens can be combined and reused efficiently. This not only streamlines the design process, but also ensures that any updates to the design tokens are reflected uniformly across all instances, ensuring that the user experience maintains a certain cohesion.

Thus, the tokens Design are the basis for the visual and functional consistency of a Design System, contributing to the efficiency and success of digital product development.

What applications do they have in digital product design?

The Design Systems and the Design tokens can be applied in a wide variety of contexts within the design of high quality digital products. From creating consistent user interfaces to streamlining the development process.

Brand consistency and user experience

One of the main benefits of the Design systems is the ability to maintain visual consistency across applications and platforms. This is especially important for large companies with many products, where brand consistency is essential for user perception.

A Design System ensures that every interaction, from the home page to the most specific functions, reflects the visual brand identity cohesively. In this way, it strengthens the emotional connection with users and a more robust and memorable user experience.

Development efficiency

Design tokens play a key role in development efficiency by allowing developers to rapidly deploy consistent styles throughout the application. They reduce the need to write custom code for each visual element, significantly accelerating the development process.

In this way, not only saves time, but also ensures that design changes are reflected in a uniform manner across the platform, avoiding potential inconsistencies and improving the overall quality of the digital product.

How to create effective Design tokens?

The Design token creation involves carefully identifying and defining the key elements of style that will be used throughout the project. For example, establishing colour palettes, defining text styles and determining standard spacing. Once these elements have been conceptualised, they are converted to Design tokens that can be applied consistently across all user interfaces.

How to create a Design System in Adobe XD

Creating a Design System from scratch may seem like a complex task, but the truth is that, thanks to tools such as Adobe XDThis process is much simpler and more efficient. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Define design principles: Before starting with the visual elements, establish the fundamental principles that will guide your design. For example, simplicity, consistency, accessibility, etc.
2. Create reusable components: identify elements that will be repeated in your design and turn them into reusable components. This includes buttons, cards and other common elements.
3. Organise your system: To organise your Design System efficiently, use shared libraries and styles in Adobe XD. This will facilitate collaboration and constant updating.

How to create a Design System in Figma

This is another popular tool for digital product design. The creation of a token in Figma follows similar principles:

1. Identify key elements: As in Adobe XD, identify the key elements that will be part of your Design System. This may include colours, fonts and spacing.
2. Create shared styles: use shared styles to define your design tokens. This way, changes to one style will automatically be reflected in all related elements.
3. Documenting your Design System: Make sure to document your Design System in Figma so that the rules and components you set up can be easily accessed by the whole team.

Get trained in Design Systems through IMMUNE's UX/UI Design Bootcamp.

As we have seen throughout this article, Design Systems and Design tokens are fundamental tools for maintaining a certain coherence in the design of a brand. Thanks to this, designers can simplify the process of creating and managing Design Systems, ensuring a more efficient workflow and higher quality results.

A professional profile that is currently in high demand in the market. UX/UI Design Bootcamp allows you to acquire the necessary knowledge to master applications such as Figma and Adobe XD. In addition, you will be able to delve into all the essential aspects of UX, from the design process to its implementation in web/app development. Providing the necessary tools to stand out in the job market.

Find out more about our courses using the form below!