Comments for Aaron Michael Irizarry - Experience Designer, Foodie, Heavy Metal Enthusiast

Comment on Designing Your Design Workspace by Robert Williams

Robert Williams — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:32:24 +0000

She’s not pretty but she’s true…

http://distilleryimage2.instagram.com/04771e3243e011e19896123138142014_7.jpg

Comment on Workspace Fun by ArleyM

ArleyM — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:04:27 +0000

I love looking at office spaces! I don’t have a fisheye lens, and I’m right against the wall, otherwise I’d submit one.

Comment on Finding a Path to Achievement by Eric

Eric — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:08:07 +0000

@Jason – I find that levity usually works. If I have a series of tough questions that I need answered, I acknowledge it up front: “I know these questions are going to make your brain hurt — I’m really sorry! Do the best you can. It will help us a lot!” You’ll always have clients who are set in their ways, but the good ones will objectively weigh the pros and cons. Sometimes they ask for a particularly technology just to sound informed, or because they’re accustomed to it, without being aware of the other options.

Comment on Using User Interface Design Pattern Libraries by Peter Winchester

Peter Winchester — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:33:51 +0000

This page was really useful for me today, thanks for putting it together, great collection of resources.

Comment on Finding a Path to Achievement by Jason

Jason — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:58:46 +0000

Couldn’t have said it better myself Aaron! I’m always dealing with this. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’m faced with clients saying “we need to use (X).” I find myself turning it back around asking questions and then saying “Well I’d rather find out what the goals are and then choose the technology. Let’s have the goals dictate the technology, not the other way around”

This comes often when there’s a “set way” in their minds, like you say about that’s how they’ve always done it, or that their role has had success (or failure) doing it that way.

What I find a challenge in is I will try to not come across as confrontational or not willing to listen by asking more and more questions. Some people will take it that way and that’s a hard aspect to either start the project off, or land a potential client, when you can’t connect because you are just trying to understand the needs. How do you present yourself in that manner so that they understand that you aren’t trying to be a pain?

Comment on Finding a Path to Achievement by Steve W

Steve W — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 02:19:23 +0000

Brilliant. It really is sad how much great talent becomes corporate garage clutter because the talent can’t figure out a way to articulate or out-argue upper management. We tech guys aren’t trained in business arguing and tend to back down and become apathetic.

You’re fortunate to have design skills, as this gives you the ability to take the goals and needs of the business (as your mentioned) and literally design out a story that includes little callouts identifying the goals and the paths to get there. I’m left trying to argue my way with analytics samples and sweet talk.

I’m bookmarking this one Aaron, it’s super awesome!

Comment on IA Summit: Art of Critique Podcast Live by Aaron Irizarry

Aaron Irizarry — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:51:06 +0000

Haha, thanks Brian!

Comment on IA Summit: Art of Critique Podcast Live by Brian Tsang

Brian Tsang — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:31:19 +0000

Hey Aaron,
Thanks for sharing. Really great and interesting stuff. Love the content, except for the fact that you’re a Dodger fan.

Brian

Comment on Web 2.0 Expo 2011 New York by Jonny Mack

Jonny Mack — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:50:27 +0000

Psyched for you homey

Comment on Friday Vidcast 10-30-09 by 7Maximes-news for designers and Web developers

7Maximes-news for designers and Web developers — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:23:53 +0000

[...] of the things Aaron Irizarry said in a recent videocast stuck out. He advised us to mind the skill gap between us and clients and to bridge these [...]