Innovative Design Labs

☂️ Designing For Edge Cases and Exceptions. Practical design guidelines to prevent dead-ends, lock-outs and other UX failures ↓ 🚫 People are never edge cases; “average” users don’t exist. ✅ Exceptions will occur eventually, it’s just a matter of time. ✅ To prevent failure, we need to explore unhappy paths early. ✅ Design full UI stack: blank, loading, partial, error, ideal states. ✅ Design defaults deliberately to prevent slips and mistakes. ✅ Start by designing the core flow, then scrutinize every part of it. ✅ Allow users to override validators, or add an option manually. ✅ Design for incompatibility: contradicting filters, prefs, settings. 🚫 Avoid generic error messages: they are often main blockers. ✅ Suggest presets, templates, starter kits for quick recovery. ✅ Design extreme scales: extra long/short, wide/tall, offline/slow. ✅ Design irreversible actions, e.g. Delete, Forget, Cancel, Exit. ✅ Allow users to undo critical actions for some period of time. ✅ Design a recovery UX due to delays, lock-outs, missing data. ✅ Accessibility is a reliable way to ensure design resilience. Good design paves happy paths for everyone, but also casts a wide safety net when things go sideways. I love to explore unhappy paths by setting up a dedicated design review to discover exceptions proactively. It can be helpful to also ask AI tooling to come up with alternate scenarios. Once we start discussing exceptions, we start thinking outside of the box. We have to actively challenge generic expectations, stereotypes and assumptions that we as designers typically embed in our work, often unconsciously. And to me, that’s one of the most valuable assets of such discussions. And: whenever possible, flag any mentions of average users in your design discussions. Such people don’t exist, and often it’s merely an aggregated average of assumptions and hunches. Nothing stress tests your UX better then testing it in realistic conditions with realistic data sets with real people. Useful resources: How To Fix A Bad User Interface, by Scott Hurff https://lnkd.in/ecj6PGPU How To Design Edge Cases, by Tanner Christensen https://lnkd.in/ecs3kr8z How To Find Edge Cases In UX, by Edward Chechique https://lnkd.in/e2pfqqen Just About Everyone Is an Edge Case, by Kevin Ferris https://lnkd.in/eDdUVHyj Edge Cases In UX, by Krisztina Szerovay https://lnkd.in/eM2Xynba Recommended books: – Design For Real Life, by Sara Wachter-Boettcher, Eric Meyer – The End of Average, by Todd Rose – Think Like a UX Researcher, by David Travis, Philip Hodgson – Mismatch: How Inclusion Shapes Design, by Kat Holmes #ux #design

#AI used to just follow instructions. Now it’s learning to read the room.   The latest piece from Capgemini AI Robotics and Experiences Lab and Cambridge Consultants, “#Machine Precision, Human Intuition: A New Era in Human‑Machine Understanding”, explores how Human‑Machine Understanding (HMU) is transforming AI from task-doer to thought partner.   #HMU is the next leap in intelligence: AI that senses tone, behaviour, and intent in real time, understands why people do what they do, and offers support before you even have to ask.   Across sectors, from healthcare and manufacturing to retail, it's set to unlock new value: empathetic decision support, safer human‑robot collaboration, personalized customer experiences, and more. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/eKNdcj9H

Wow. I just built 3 mini-apps for PMs in under 10 minutes: an empathy mapper, a journey analyzer, and a competitive analysis tool with Opal (Google Labs). No PRD. No Figma. No tickets. Just an idea → an experience. Instead of debating documents, I’m now sharing working mini-apps with my team ask them "react to this, let’s refine it” I used Opal to prototype the vibe with an: -Empathy Mapper -User Journey Analyzer -Competitive Landscape Tool Each one took minutes. Each one was immediately shareable. Each one changed the conversation. Use Opal when: -You want to validate an idea before writing a PRD -You need a quick tool for a workshop or meeting -You want to make research or concepts visible -You want to better empathize about your user Think of Opal as your 10-minute lab. If it takes longer than that, move it to a full prototype — that’s where other AI prototyping tools come in. Tips for PMs adopting this workflow -Start tiny. Your first Opal app should take under ten minutes. That constraint keeps you focused on intent, not polish. -Think in verbs, not nouns. Prompts like “summarize feedback” or “visualize trends” produce far better prototypes than static descriptions. -Collaborate live. Invite designers, engineers, and stakeholders into the session. Watching the prototype evolve creates alignment faster than any meeting. -Reflect. After every prototype, note what worked. Each build sharpens your prompting instincts and your product intuition. 🔗 Guides + masterclass in the comments 👇

I love this. This is rmy real focus: not just Humans + AI as AI augmenting human capabilities in tasks, but designing interactions to give humans greater skills and capabilities that endure and grow over time. The outcome is smarter people. "We introduce a novel conceptual framework for human-AI interaction: extraheric AI. We define “extraherics” as a mechanism that fosters users’ higher-order thinking skills during the course of task completion. Extraheric is based on the Latin word “extraho” (to draw forth or pull out), and we use this term to suggest that AI can draw forth people’s higher order thinking skills and thus promote their cognitive potential. Rather than replacing or augmenting human cognitive abilities, extraheric AI encourages users to engage in higher-order thinkingduring task completion." The interaction strategies to evoke higher-order thinking skills suggested in the paper include: 💡 Suggesting & Recommending: The AI proposes ideas, viewpoints, or solutions, prompting users to evaluate and choose from multiple suggestions. 📝 Explaining: The AI provides detailed explanations, focusing on the 'why' and 'how' to help users deepen their understanding of the task, rather than providing direct solutions. 🎯 Nudging: The AI subtly influences user behavior by presenting additional information or perspectives indirectly, encouraging exploration without overtly recommending a specific path. 🗣️ Debating & Discussing: Users engage in debates or discussions with AI agents, which present different opinions and arguments, encouraging users to explore diverse perspectives and think critically. ❓ Questioning: The AI asks open-ended, thought-provoking questions to stimulate cognitive engagement, expanding users’ thinking by challenging their assumptions or viewpoints. 🛠️ Scaffolding: The AI offers temporary support or guidance through complex tasks, allowing users to focus on specific aspects while gradually removing the assistance as users become more competent. 🎮 Simulating: The AI simulates different scenarios or perspectives, helping users practice skills or experience situations from a different point of view, such as role-playing or rehearsing responses. 👀 Demonstrating: The AI acts as a model, showcasing behavior or task completion, allowing users to observe and learn implicitly through vicarious learning by watching the AI perform. I look forward to many others building on this work and integrating these concepts into enterprise software.

Why 2025 will redefine collaboration as we know it: We've seen it all this year: coffee shops partnering with influencers to create Instagrammable matchas and beauty brands whisking their communities away on brand trips. Exciting to see progress; but there's still a long way to go. The case in point: Some major beauty brands (which reaaaaaally should know better by now (*cough YSL cough*) have faced backlash for creating and gifting products to black influencers that simply don’t work for black skin tones. Tone deaf, irresponsible and lazy. Looking ahead my prediction is that brands will (and absolutely should) harness the power of co-creating with their communities to develop progressive solutions that actually put customer needs at the center of decisions. A good example? KiKi World. KiKi is a Web3-based cosmetics brand that empowers its community by allowing members to vote on products before they’re made. Members can even submit their own co-created ideas, which then go into production if they're chosen. As a reward, voters earn points toward free products and digital tokens in the company. So, how can you apply this to your own projects? ✨ Host creative ideation sessions with your community ✨Invite them to share their feedback on your ideas ✨Collect their input—and actually implement it ✨Allow them to submit their own ideas and reward their innovation ✨Hold creative lab sessions to foster deeper collaboration This goes beyond product development. It’s about creating a space where people feel heard, valued, and connected—where their ideas have a real impact.

Zero-in on the future of takeout... Takeaway packaging—it's part of the daily rhythm for many of us. We grab coffee, order a quick lunch, or opt for delivery dinner after a busy day. But while it's convenient, the environmental impact is undeniable. Over 269,000 tons of waste from takeout containers and utensils end up in landfills, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions—it's clear we need to rethink takeout packaging, and businesses are starting to take notice. One of the main hurdles they face is finding packaging solutions that balances convenience with sustainability. Alternatives need to be practical, scalable, and truly eco-friendly. Compostable materials, like those made from bagasse, offer an option that biodegrades within a few months. However, the challenge lies in ensuring these materials are disposed of correctly. Without the right infrastructure, even compostable packaging can end up contributing to the same waste issues it's designed to prevent. That's why we need innovators and designers to push harder for sustainable solutions. A great example of forward-thinking design is PriestmanGoode's packaging solution. "Zero" reimagines takeaway containers with a circular design approach, prioritizing reusability, durability, and visual appeal. It's a bold step toward creating packaging that not only looks good but actually works in the long-term to reduce waste. Made from cocoa bioplastic and topped with lids crafted from Piñatex, these containers are built to last, and the materials are sourced from waste products like cocoa bean shells and pineapple leaves. Designed to enhance the dining experience, both visually and functionally, with a focus on sustainability from start to finish. But let's get real—scaling this solution is no small feat. While Zero's design is impressive, the real challenge is widespread adoption. Can production meet demand? Will restaurants and consumers embrace this shift? And more importantly, can it be made affordable for everyone? E-commerce could be the key to bridging this gap. As more of our lives shift online, platforms have the potential to introduce innovations like Zero to a much broader audience. This could be the key to turning niche products into the new norm. The demand for takeout isn't going away, and neither is the need for better packaging. The path forward is long, but with designs like Zero and the reach of e-commerce, we're getting closer to a future where convenience doesn't have to cost the Earth. Are digital platforms the key to scaling sustainable packaging solutions? 📷PriestmanGoode

Discovering the Intersection of Design and Reality: Prototyping with Vision Pro and Figma. The realms of digital design and physical reality are often seen as parallel universes, seldom intersecting. However, emerging applications are blurring these boundaries, creating a sandbox where designers can play and innovate. One such marvel is a nifty application by @alexwidua known as Vision Pro. Harnessing the powers of Vision Pro with the intricate design capabilities of Figma, this app enables you to pluck frames straight out of Figma and position them in a 3D space. Imagine the possibilities - as you tweak and tune your designs in Figma, they morph and evolve in the 3D spatial scene in real-time. The seamlessness of this integration is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The magic lies in the live linkage between Figma and the 3D spatial realm. Every stroke, and every color adjustment in Figma, reflects instantaneously in the 3D scene. This live update feature turns the prototyping experience into an almost surreal endeavor. It's not just about viewing static designs; it's about witnessing your creations breathe and thrive in a 3D space. What sets this apart is the ease and the immediacy of the feedback loop. The instant gratification of seeing your designs take shape in a 3D environment accelerates the design process, nurturing a fertile ground for rapid iteration and innovation. As the digital and physical worlds inch closer, tools like Vision Pro are paving the way for a new era of design, where imagination is the only boundary. It's a glimpse into the future where design transcends screen boundaries, stepping into the spatial dimension. The fusion of Vision Pro and Figma is a testament to the boundless potential at the crossroads of design and technology. It's not merely a step forward; it's a giant leap toward uncharted territories, beckoning designers to explore, experiment, and excel. #DesignInnovation #3DPrototyping #VisionPro #SpatialDesign #EmergingTech #augmentedrealiy

While #GenerativeAI model innovations are critical and deserve high doses of attention, most of the adopters are missing one of the biggest opportunities right now: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗜-𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗨𝗜𝘀. 🧠 Think about this: We have worked with command-line and window-based interfaces for decades... and in less than 3 years, we are seeing all sorts of innovations: 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 that simplify user interactions and access to information, flexible LLM-enabled 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸-𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 and 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘀 (e.g. Operator's CUA) solving manual and complex tasks, amazing 𝗨𝗜 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 getting doped with useful AI capabilities (one of the best examples is NotebookLM) and interactions with the 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, and the upcoming wave of highly 𝗱𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀. From a #SaaS perspective, getting this right will be very important to continue evolving your products and to differentiate from your current and future competitors. Time is now. Forget about the hype, focus on your #AI strategy, and work to start "doping" your product-led innovations.

Turning apple waste into furniture? Material innovation is being redefined with a groundbreaking vegan-certified leather alternative crafted from upcycled agricultural waste. This innovative material offers a premium, bio-based option that seamlessly blends environmental responsibility with practical versatility. Manufactured on wide rolls, it provides a luxurious, durable alternative to traditional leather while addressing the urgent need for eco-friendly solutions. By utilising by-products of agricultural processes, this innovation exemplifies how waste can become a cornerstone for transformative design, challenging industry norms and fostering a more circular economy. Recently, this material has been introduced in the furniture sector, demonstrating its versatility and effectiveness in reducing carbon footprints. For example, when used in furniture, it achieves significant reductions in carbon emissions compared to traditional materials. This measurable impact highlights the potential of sustainable materials to advance both environmental and business objectives. Key Features of Bio-Based Materials →Transformative Origins: Converts agricultural by-products into high-quality materials. →Cross-Industry Applications: Ideal for furniture, fashion, and automotive sectors. →Design Customisation: Supports diverse finishes and textures, meeting unique design needs. →Supply Chain Transparency: Offers full traceability, ensuring ethical production and enhancing storytelling. Business Impact and ROI →Sustainability Leadership: Collaborating with material innovators demonstrates a commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. →Cost Optimisation: By utilising waste-based inputs, businesses can reduce dependence on costly, resource-intensive materials. →Market Differentiation: Offering products made with innovative materials positions companies as leaders in sustainability, appealing to a conscientious consumer base. →Carbon Reduction: Bio-based materials deliver tangible emissions savings, supporting corporate decarbonisation objectives. This innovation exemplifies how rethinking waste can drive sustainability and profitability, empowering businesses to lead in the era of bio-based innovation. Link for more info: https://lnkd.in/dmtMrnP3 #sustainability #esg #biomaterials #decarbonisation #wasteupcycling #innovation #bioeconomy #climateaction #circularity #greendesign

Multimodal interfaces open a new stage in human–technology communication, where voice, touch, and gestures converge into a coherent and adaptive experience that makes digital interaction more natural and expressive. When users can speak, touch, or gesture simultaneously, the interface begins to mirror the complexity of real human communication. This shift requires advanced systems capable of processing diverse inputs in real time, but it also brings a level of fluidity that enhances accessibility and inclusion. Recent studies show that multimodal systems can increase user engagement and reduce interaction errors by over 30 percent in some contexts. These results suggest that the effort to design adaptive, context-aware systems has tangible value for both efficiency and user satisfaction. I believe that bridging human and computer languages through multimodal interaction will open new opportunities for creativity and collaboration. Technology should learn to speak our language, not the other way around. #DigitalTransformation #UserExperience #AI #Innovation