In the ever-evolving world of app design, leading UX design for impactful platforms like the Gospel Living and Area Book Planner Apps was both a challenge and a privilege to be a part of. These apps serve a diverse global audience, from youth engaged with the Gospel Living App to full-time volunteer missionaries around the world using the Area Book Planner App (ABPA).

In this post, I’ll share an inside look at my role as a UX Design Lead for both iOS and Android native applications and the strategies and responsibilities involved in creating an engaging accessible user experience.

1. Collaborating with Product Teams

Role Overview: A significant part of my role involves partnering with product owners, managers, and stakeholders to define problems and goals. This collaboration is essential for crafting solutions that resonate with our diverse user base.

What It Involves:

• Defining Problems: Identifying specific needs and challenges faced by users.
• Setting Goals: Establishing clear, achievable objectives for the design process.
• Prototyping Solutions: Creating and iterating on prototypes using tools like Figma to visualize and test design concepts.
• Best Practices: Applying UX best practices to ensure that solutions are user-centered and effective.

2. Designing for a Global Audience

Role Overview: Our apps service users in over 70 languages worldwide and support more than 51,000 full-time volunteer missionaries who operate in over 160 countries and speak 178 languages so our designs must be versatile and culturally sensitive.

What It Involves:

• Localized Content: Preparing designs and content that are functional and respectful of different languages and cultures.
• Consistency: Ensuring a consistent user experience across various language settings

3. Leading Key Features

Role Overview: Leading the creation and execution of significant features is a major part of my role. For example, the new Nurturing feature in the ABPA supports missionaries in contacting people they have stopped teaching.

What It Involves:

• Feature Development: Overseeing the design and implementation of key features like Nurturing.
• User Testing: Ensuring that the feature is intuitive and effective for its intended users.

4. Enhancing Communication Tools

Role Overview: Updating and maintaining communication features within the Gospel Living App is vital for ensuring safe and secure interactions among youth.

What It Involves:

• Design Updates: Regularly updating the design to improve usability and security.
• User Feedback: Incorporating feedback to enhance the communication experience.

5. Conducting UX Design Reviews

Role Overview: Regular UX design reviews are conducted for the Gospel Living Team and other stakeholders to ensure that designs meet the highest standards.

What It Involves:

• Review Sessions: Facilitating design review meetings to evaluate and refine UX designs.
• Feedback Integration: Implementing feedback to continuously improve the user experience.

6. Advising on Best Practices

Role Overview: As an advisor to other UX professionals, I provide guidance on best practices for native mobile designs, helping to elevate the overall quality of our design work.

What It Involves:

• Mentorship: Sharing insights and expertise with fellow UX professionals.
• Guidance: Offering recommendations on effective design strategies and practices.

7. Maintaining Design Guides

Role Overview: Updating and maintaining the Gospel Living Design Guide and the Area Book Planner Design Guide is essential for ensuring consistency and quality across all design elements.

What It Involves:

• Guide Updates: Keeping design guides current with the latest standards and practices.
• Consistency: Ensuring all design elements align with guide standards.

8. Maintaining Design Guides

Role Overview: I manage and assign work to my co-designer, ensuring that our team operates efficiently and effectively.

What It Involves:

• Task Management: Delegating tasks and overseeing project progress.
• Collaboration: Working closely with my co-designer to ensure cohesive design efforts.

9. Researching and Testing

Role Overview: Researching new projects and conducting usability testing are crucial for understanding user needs and improving design effectiveness.

What It Involves:

• Project Research: Investigating new project opportunities and trends in UX design.
• Usability Testing: Conducting tests to gather insights and refine designs based on real user feedback.

10. Designing for Accessibility

Role Overview: Designing for accessibility ensures that our apps are usable by people with disabilities, aligning with inclusive design principles.

What It Involves:

• Accessibility Tools: Utilizing tools and techniques to make the apps accessible to all users.
• Compliance: Ensuring designs meet accessibility standards and guidelines.

Being a UX Design Lead for both the Gospel Living and Area Book Planner Apps involves a multifaceted role that combines collaboration, creativity, and technical expertise. From working with diverse teams and designing global features to maintaining accessibility and usability, each aspect of my job contributes to creating valuable and inclusive user experiences. It’s a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I’m excited to continue making a positive impact through thoughtful and innovative design.

I would love to help you!

Let’s work together to create outstanding user experiences that resonate with your audience!