Michael Lahens
UX Designer & Strategist
Hello. I design experiences and shape strategy using research.
How?
The primary objective for a designer is to understand and communicate the needs of their users. This requires a respect and understanding of where users are in their journey, what they want to accomplish, and how to make them feel like superheroes when they try.
Shared Understanding
The next objective of any designer is to build shared understanding with the people implementing a design. This is accomplished with inclusive design tools, such as collaborative sketching sessions, group critiques, and any other tool that allows team members to visualize their ideas.
Design Curation
When working collaboratively with a team, it becomes important to cultivate design language and thinking with designers and non-designers alike. One of the best ways to do this is to take on the persona of a design curator, rather than a capital “D” Designer. This involves coaching people on what it means when we make certain design decisions, and empowering them to make changes based on the data. It means acting as a guide through the problem, and not a warden for the solution.
Right-Sizing
In a fast-paced environment, running through a one-size-fits-all design process simply does not scale. For every problem, it then becomes an exercise in selecting the lightest weight tool relative to the size of the problem. If it’s a $2 problem, don’t spend $50 on a solution. If a sketch is all you need to build shared understanding, then do a sketch.
But Why?
I believe that problems are solved when people are engaged, empowered, and informed. The role of the designer is to cultivate this space, shepherding the entire team through the design process, not just the design itself.
I believe that delivering value is more important than delivering design. When people use our products and find value, it provides us with the ultimate touch-point: the moment when we make our work part of their story.
I believe in the power of people, working together, aligned in purpose and conviction, to make great things.
Let’s go build something cool.
My Work
Document Collection Links
It was hard for our customers to collect documents from their customers. We made it easier.
Customer Journey
Prototyping
Roadmapping
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Deal Making Platform
What was first an exploration into a new line of business, grew into a re-imagining of our flagship product.
Research
Figma
Strategy
Closing a Deal
Using service blueprints, customer journey maps, and storyboards to validate, replace, and upgrade the off-boarding experience for our customers as a means of increasing repeat business and reducing production costs.
Research
Service Design
Storyboarding