This series aims at quickly summarizing UX books you know of and some you may not have read. We will outline 5 main takeaways from each book, how long it takes to read the book and share balanced reviews on the book. Today’s UX book is Tom Greever’s Articulating Design Decisions,Communicate with Stakeholders, Keep Your Sanity, and Deliver the Best User Experience. If you find the insights valuable then you can consider buying the book and diving deeper into its material.

Articulating Design Decisions – Quick Summary

The purpose of this book is to help designers become better communicators—to expertly explain their design decisions to the people who have influence over their project. Articulating design decisions is about creating an environment in which stakeholders can clearly see the expertise and thought process of the designers so that they want to support them. It’s about creating trust, demonstrating effectiveness, and doing so in a way that’s compelling and convincing.This practical guide focuses on principles, tactics, and actionable methods for presenting your designs.

Book Reading Time: 6.6 Hours
Amazon Rating: 4.7 / 5

About the author

Tom Greever has been designing interfaces and leading design teams for 20 years. His experience as a UX designer, executive design leader, and consultant has given him a broad perspective on how better communication yields great design. He has coached and mentored teams on design practices and communication at both large enterprises and small start-ups all over the world.

5 Main takeaways from Articulating Design Decisions

1. Frame Your Design Decisions in Context

Greever emphasizes the importance of framing design decisions within the context of business goals, user needs, and technical constraints.

Implementation:

• Understand the Business Goals: Always align your design decisions with the overarching business objectives. Show how your design supports these goals.
• Empathize with Users: Clearly explain how your design choices meet user needs and improve their experience. Use user research and personas to back up your points.
• Acknowledge Constraints: Be upfront about technical limitations and other constraints that influence your design. This shows a realistic understanding of the project environment.

2. Use the Language of Your Audience

Effective communication involves using language that resonates with your audience, whether they are executives, developers, or other stakeholders.

Implementation:

• Tailor Your Message: Adapt your language and level of detail based on who you are speaking to. For executives, focus on high-level business impacts; for developers, delve into technical specifics.
• Avoid Jargon: Use clear and simple language to ensure everyone understands your points. Avoid design jargon that might confuse non-designers.
• Visual Aids: Use visuals like sketches, wireframes, and prototypes to illustrate your points. Visuals can help bridge communication gaps and make abstract concepts more concrete.

3. Tell a Compelling Story

The book advocates for storytelling as a powerful tool to convey design decisions. Stories make your design rationale more relatable and memorable.

Implementation:

• Create User Scenarios: Develop narratives that show how users interact with your design. Highlight the problems users face and how your design solves them.
• Highlight Key Moments: Focus on critical interactions and decision points in the user journey. Use these moments to illustrate the value of your design.
• Engage Emotionally: Use emotional appeal to connect with your audience. Explain how your design improves the user experience in a way that stakeholders can empathize with.

4. Anticipate Objections and Prepare Responses

Greever suggests anticipating potential objections and preparing well-thought-out responses to address stakeholder concerns.

Implementation:

• Identify Common Objections: Think about the typical concerns stakeholders might have, such as cost, feasibility, or user impact.
• Prepare Evidence: Gather data, user feedback, and examples to support your design decisions. Use this evidence to counter objections effectively.
• Practice Your Responses: Rehearse your responses to common objections. Being prepared helps you remain calm and confident during discussions.

5. Build Consensus Through Collaboration

Building consensus among stakeholders is crucial for successful design implementation. Greever emphasizes the need for collaboration and ongoing communication.

Implementation:

• Engage Stakeholders Early: Involve stakeholders in the design process from the beginning. Regular updates and feedback sessions can help align everyone’s expectations.
• Facilitate Workshops: Use workshops and collaborative sessions to gather input, discuss ideas, and reach a consensus. Interactive sessions can help stakeholders feel more invested in the design.
• Follow Up: After presenting your design decisions, follow up with stakeholders to address any lingering concerns and keep the communication channels open.

Balanced Reviews on Articulating Design Decisions

“There’s definitely a lot of useful information here that I’ll be sure to implement in future.
If you are new to the design industry especially, this is an indispensable read/listen. My main criticism is that, if you already have some experience, and you are generally good at your job, much of this stuff is already second-nature to you. There’s also a lot of extra padding and waffle — for example, a section on how to get the best technical setup for a video call.
All that said, there’s nothing wrong with brushing up on a few reminders, and there are certainly plenty of good hints and nuggets to be found, so I would still recommend it.” – Amazon Review

“I was always told that my skill for communicating with stakeholders was a valuable soft skill that I should teach to others. Typically a soft skill is something that is developed over time and dependent on personality. Some say “a skill you can’t teach”. However, I was asked to teach those skills to those that I supervise. I struggled to put the thoughts together in the best way to teach something that came as second nature to myself. This book helps to organize the concepts behind all of the skills that make up the larger soft skill that is in such demand. It provides tools and structure for those trying to learn this skill to be able to measure their success throughout the development. Making it a valuable book for the new designer. I learned a lot of these concepts working with executives in my career, where most newer designers wouldn’t have had that opportunity. So get the book! Mark it up, keep it as a reference, use the tools and you will soon find your habits second nature. You will have more success with your stakeholders as a result.” – M Black

“As a product designer, I constantly have to present work, receive feedback and discuss several topics with different stakeholders. It can be a very tough and draining job sometimes. I was looking for new practices/frameworks to make my life easier. I am very grateful that I found this book, it is very easy to read and has tons of useful advice and best practices. I could not recommend it highly enough.” – Daniela Santos

“As someone who has walked the path of design leadership, this book became a beacon of guidance during my early career days. The author’s insights on providing feedback, collaborating with designers, and managing internal stakeholders struck a chord with me. What sets this book apart is its ability to translate abstract leadership concepts into actionable strategies. It’s not just a theoretical treatise on design leadership; it’s a practical handbook for design leaders.

One of the book’s most outstanding qualities is its advice on delivering feedback. Constructive criticism can be a tricky terrain to navigate, especially in the creative field, but this book equips you with the tools to do so effectively. Whether you’re a seasoned design leader or someone in search of design leadership mentorship, you’ll find invaluable takeaways here.

What truly sets this book apart is its immediacy. The advice it imparts is not buried in academic jargon or management theory but is readily applicable to real-world scenarios. I’ve often found myself implementing its principles in my day-to-day work, and the results have been remarkable. The book’s practicality is one of its greatest strengths.” – Deesha Misra