Devbridge Design Principles

Designers are delivering value to our clients. But it often times feels as if we're isolated from one another. We lack a vision or sense of broader community aside from our PD standup and critique groups. As more associate level product designers join our team, setting up clear expectations will set them for success.

We define "ready" and "done" in development. But we don't define what "good" looks like within our design teams.

By creating a framework for what "good" means, we can:

Create a common language on the team
Enable teams to make better, more consistent, design decisions
Help onboard new designers to our organization

People come first.

Your subject matter expert, your QA engineer, your product sponsor, the person who uses your product - they are all humans with various experiences and challenges. They have identities and histories. Don't reduce them to just "users." They are your north star. While data and analytics provide information - never allow numbers to override the human experience. People come first.

Understand before you act.

Listen. Wait. Gather insights. Zoom in, zoom out. Understand the situation before jumping in.

Design for outcomes.

We are in the business of achieving outcomes for our clients. Prioritizing the outcome objectifies the decision. If we focus more on the outcome something is driving, then we're less inclined to get into arguments regarding aesthetics. Frame your conversations around how this will help drive adoption or how this will reduce the number of steps and therefore save them money. Anchor your decisions around the outcome they desire.

Pride in Craftsmanship

Take the time needed to do your best. Speak out against poor product decisions. The design process is not a linear output - it's fluid and we must champion that process. Regardless of if it's a rounded corner on a button or a user journey map, take pride in what you do.

Be the connector

You are the connection between the business and our team. You connect product management and engineering. You connect the business with their outcome.