The Heartache of Design at Scale, Ep. 3
Users do not care about design systems. We, as graphic designers, can build blogs, websites, and digital content through multiple design systems such as this one, WordPress. The users are not looking at what system we used to create a website, but more looking at the actual website. The users are using, so why would they care how it’s made. That’s what graphic designers need to consider, how it’s made.
A pilot in consideration of a show is known as the first episode. The first introduction to characters, the scenery, and the plot. Graphic designers can use the same term “pilot” for creating content. It is a test to see if users will enjoy the experience and if all the components are functioning right. The word pilot revolving shows and design have the same value.
“The point of a pilot is just to test out a concept.” – Dan Mall
The Heartache of Design at Scale, Ep. 3 (1:28 – 1:31)
What I would consider a pilot is my work in Figma. Currently during assignment 01, creating Mercado, my group and I went straight into wireframes and style tiles in Figma. We then further adapted color and components into our application. Using these raw prototypes, I tested the flow with my friends and roommates. For some it was no problem running through the app while with others there was a few confusing points. It is testing to see if the app works and is engaging with users. Testing the first iterations of Mercado would be considered a pilot.
#1 Common Use
Common use in Mercado would be headers and footers.
#2 Highly Valued
Highly valued in Mercado would be Doordash/Grubhub widgets.
#3 Technical Feasability
Technical Feasability in Mercado would be using Figma and Github.
#4 Available Champion
Available champion in Mercado would be out spokes person/leader.
#5 Scope
Scope in Mercado is time spent on wireframes while meeting a deadline.
#6 Technical Independence
Technical independence in Mercado would be relying on Sublime to code.
#7 Marketing Potential
Marketing potential in Mercado would be inpiration for another project.
With these seven factors, they all make up a pilot. I can relate each one to a step of our process in building Mercado. Using style guides is also another helpful tool in connecting with a team to all visually create working components and feeling within the application.