As a product design mentor, I get asked variations of the same questions time and times again. Of course, my exact answers will depend on the individual’s unique circumstances, but some advice will be relevant for most aspiring designers. — Whether you are looking to improve your UX skills, catch the recruiters’ eyes with a shiny CV and portfolio or land your first (or second, or third) design gig, here are my answers to some of the most frequently asked design mentoring questions.

Questions to consider when designing inclusive digital experiences. — Inclusivity is at the heart of user-centric design approach, which considers not just the average user, but all users. The alternative is best summarised in the words of accessibility engineer Billy Gregory, who famously tweeted: That said, inclusivity isn’t an on/off switch you can magically flip in an instance…

Having a mentor can be invaluable in helping you grow and progress in your career, and a little reflection and preparation can go a long way. Here are seven simple tips for getting the most out of mentoring. — The best examples of mentor-mentee relationships represent the most beautiful aspects of human nature: curiosity, humility and yearning for improvement from a mentee seeking guidance, and wisdom, patience and dedication from a mentor who volunteers their time to pass on the knowledge. …

Identity verifications are part of many application journeys. From internet banking to online dating, they make virtual interactions safer for all by ensuring there are real humans behind digital profiles. — There are many reasons why digital ID checks cause friction: they interrupt the workflow; require elaborate setup, equipment, and skills; force us to reveal our unedited faces on the internet, and make us feel like suspects in a criminal investigation.

Address forms are incredibly common on the Internet, yet very few sites do them right. Here are some things to consider when designing an address form. — Whether you were buying a pair of trainers or registering to vote in a local election, chances are, you came across an online address form before. They can range from single input field to multipage questionnaires, but all share the same usability principles.

You may have heard of a user experience (UX) audit and wondered if this is something your company should look into. Or you may have noticed that your website isn’t performing as well as it should and are considering if an audit could help you to locate and fix the problem. Here are my answers to the most common UX Audit questions asked by clients. — This post was originally written for and published on the Make it Clear blog.

This is a short post reflecting on some of the recent changes in the way I present my UX design work. — I remember the time I discovered design mockups — these handy and oftentimes free assets that allow you to drop your designs into a simple template and see it instantly come to life. …

Five time-tested methods that help me stay on track with personal goals, build new habits and enjoy myself in the process. — For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in strategic approaches to personal development. …

As a UX designer and an avid runner, I took on a personal challenge to enhance the digital experience of Parkrun events. — Parkrun is an organised series of free weekly sporting events taking place on a Saturday morning in more than 2,000 locations around the world. The grassroots organisation brings together runners and walkers of all abilities and relies on volunteers for most of its operations. …