Known Unknowns
Embracing Uncertainty in Design
Did you know the average design project involves juggling over 50 different variables? Many of these variables are completely unknown until the project is well underway. That’s pretty mind-blowing. This level of complexity presents a huge challenge for designers. They have to navigate a sea of uncertainties to deliver successful outcomes.
The situation gets even trickier with legacy systems or within large organisations. Designers have to manage stakeholders and collaborate with cross-functional teams. Each additional person or system introduces new layers of complexity. Navigating through the unknowns is essential. It’s like juggling, but it’s part of the job.
Designers constantly juggle chaos and order. Eduardo Hernandez gets it. In his article “Designing Against Complexity,” he talks about just that. He’s a seasoned product designer at American Specialty Health. For him, simplicity isn’t just nice to have. It’s crucial. Solutions need to be clear and uncluttered.
Complexity and interdependencies bring unpredictability and volatility. Trying to make something complex do what you want is often far too difficult and unreliable over time.
Designing against complexity means that your first line of defense against solving complex problems is working to avoid…
