PPP3 // STUDIO VISIT // PARALLAX

On the 5th of December, I visited Parallax. Based in Leeds and London, Parallax is an award winning digital agency based in Leeds & London specialising in SEO content marketing & web development, working with national & global brands. I got in contact with Parallax through email -- you can see the email conversation below. Dario, one of the directors of the company was the guy I met with and who showed me around the studio. He introduced me to people around the company showing me where people sat and how much they encourage a relax working environment with flexible working times and with "Coffee and beer on tap".

I presented current projects that I had been working on at the time to Dario (Hungry House and Related Game). Dario was also a UX designer, so It was clear he was the right person to receive feedback from. The feedback was constructive and honest but in some areas very blunt. The constructive criticism was very welcomed and appreciated. Somethings he brought up I agreed with and some I didn't. I defended my design decision and explain my reasons to the fullest. He felt as if the 'Related Game' need to be extremely simple and obvious for the user to play. But if this is the case then the cognitive challenge and the addictive nature for the user to keep coming back is lost as the game becomes too easy.

Even though I explained to him that I'm a Graphic Design student who is only producing UI and visual designs at the moment he still viewed me as if I was already established UX designer, telling me that I should already be coding up prototypes and going through the who UX journey... which is impossible as I don't have the experience or the time effectively carry out the whole process. It was very overwhelming for me and a shock to my design ability... but maybe my ego took a bruising on some level as I normally receive feedback from people who just shake their heads up and down and say "I love it". This feedback was from a UX professional who knew how to effectively break down my work.

One of the negative aspects of my time at Parallax was when I presented my Hungry House app. Dario simply stated that I couldn't do it unless I have an iWatch to view it on; instead, focus my time improving existing products whilst keeping clear of creating innovative ideas. With another director who sits next to him arrogantly announcing that it "Looks pretty, though." Yeah, thanks for that piece of inspiration Lawrence! Dario, in a nutshell, was very uninspiring with a pompous attitude and for a student who is still exploring the industry of UX and will be progressing into an MSc within UX, it's very disheartening to witness.  As a student, I have the flexibility to experiment and to explore different innovative ideas before I enter the industry. I see myself as an innovator who one day wants to create a product to help people no matter how big or small, no matter how many people try to restrict my creative instinct.

I made sure to take all constructive criticism on board as this was still all welcomed. The whole process wasn't a complete shame as Dario sent me across the UX process the company follows. I'll give the UX process and go to see if it's something I can undertake on my own. Look for that in Extended practice! By the end of the discussion, Dario actually offered to give me a short placement, in which I am still undecided whether or not I want to spend two weeks shadowing someone who emits a pessimistic wet blanket over innovation.