Olga Sanchez-Howard — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:48:59 GMT

Thanks for your comments everyone!

Keith: Your idea that the title of the article should read “Designing WITH Nonprofits” makes sense.

Daniel: Thank you so much for sharing your map! You’re exactly right that if we were to analyze and map how whole areas of our society work we would better understand where the problems and benefits lie. Most importantly, we would understand where we need to make changes. Also, your comment– “Every challenge you mentioned is magnified in the small non profit because instead of farming out the work to paid contractors, we have to farm it out to volunteers.”– is not addressed here because all of the nonprofits I worked with were large national organizations. There is so much more that can be written on this subject.

Alexandra: This is perfectly stated–”...it’s so vital to always keep in mind the mindset of the outside audience visiting for the site for the first time with the intent to donate or volunteer.”

Avi: I’m so glad you included number three in your list–”3) Unfortunately, not-for-profits can be as competitive as for-profits. Within a sector, they compete for donors, resources, members, etc. So finding a platform for sharing can be hard. Typically it seems to work for organizations of the same type that serve different geographies. Again, IAs and the like can help the organizations find who they can best serve and share with.”–as it is important to note that nonprofits are competing for dollars from the same audience.

BC: It’s great to hear from you. Thanks for your kind thoughts.

Olga Sanchez-Howard — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:50:35 GMT

Thanks for your comments everyone!

Holger: Thank you for sharing the report for IAs for Germany. It’s important to note that my article was compiled from an event/workshop in Washington D.C. and that there will be differences in each region.

Megan: Your comment–”I’ve also experienced the issues semantics can cause when trying to staff and work together as a team.”–is important to point out. Given the challenge of following UX labels from one year to the next, it’s important for the UX team to define and be clear about the responsibilities for each role within their team. Also, to your question on whether the individuals representing the different types of employers share similar views on the topic. It’s interesting that in the context of the event/workshop none of the employers were interested in the words we use to describe ourselves. They were more interested in understanding your story–what you do, what you like, how you might fit into the UX team culture. The difference in views came from a direct connection with the type of clients, responsibilities, and leadership roles the employers were looking to hire for.

Terry: Qualifying as “older person” is contextual to the UX team you’re looking to work with. For example, if I’m fifty and looking to work with recent college graduates who tend to be in their early to mid twenties, they might think of me as an older person. You make a good point about my statement that “some older people are set in their ways”. I was pointing out an issue that came up in the event/workshop as a journalist might. And your right, it could be as simple as a myth.

Mary: Thanks for sharing! The recommended resume format in the article might be helpful in telling your story. In your high-level summary–where you see yourself as a UX professional, what you like to do–you might focus on your abilities as an individual contributor. Anything that helps potential employers see you for who you are rather than who they think you are will be helpful.

Boxes and Arrows: Comments by Olga Sanchez-Howard