In a world of plentiful options for hardware and software, a product that is “just good enough” will not suffice. Technical barriers to entry are so low, and the number of providers are so high, that users expect more than just functionality — they are drawn to demand excellent product design. In this multi-platform era, users are the ultimate arbiter of quality. As users try and adopt new services, their expectations of design and overall quality are elevated, both in professional and personal use.
I don’t restrict my definition of design to the visible user interface; I include the end-to-end design of products from the interface, to the database, to the API, and even how that product connects with other products. The social design decisions about how to enable graphs (e.g., the degree of anonymity, game mechanics, default settings around privacy, the symmetry/asymmetry divide, etc.) are fundamental decisions that can determine whether or not a product works. Design drives the optimization of experiences for specific devices/mediums/interactions. Different types of media (web, app, SMS, email, PC, tablet, phone) demand targeted design experiences, not generic reprints. End-to-end, human centered, design is a discipline, a process, and a function that this new world demands.
