how ux design solves the pain points of adhd
When initially diagnosed with ADHD in late 2020 I was skeptical. I don’t often fidget, or talk too much, or seem overly-caffeinated. But I decided to approach the diagnosis with curiosity, and an open mind.
The medication immediately improved my life. It was like my brain evolved from a swirling, abstract space I couldn’t escape, to different rooms, with doors, and locks for which I finally had the keys.
Medication gassed up the car, but I needed to learn how to drive. That’s when I accepted the fact that I would have to put in some real work. I began incorporating breathing exercises and mindfulness, but another way I sought self-improvement was education. At the tail-end of 2020 I attended a program at The University of Denver, for User Experience and User Interface Design.
an Academic adventure
My first day in class I met the sidekick who has made me the Superhero I am today: The Sticky Note. Watching my teammates choose their favorite colors, adorn their “Stickies” with creative ideas, and place them carefully on our boards made me feel as though this class had been designed just for me. I felt heard, seen, and accommodated in ways I’d never experienced.
During my time in the bootcamp I worked on various projects with multiple teams. I got to complete two of my favorite projects with a team of two wonderful designers. Those designers also happen to have adult ADHD. The creativity, compassion, and infectious spirit of that team is one I’ll never forget.
Mind and body improvement
The UX Design Process is a way to structure time, priorities, and goals, and not just something to recite during job interviews. I learned how to choose my focus, and how to remain faithful to that focus. I learned that design isn’t about being edgy, or different, or new. UX Design is about accommodating users in this rapidly advancing world of technology, where it is so easy to feel left behind.
The strategies I use as a designer, and the strategies I use in my daily life are one and the same. I must be empathetic. I must listen to learn - not to reply. I must possess eagerness to try again. I must believe in my ability to create beautiful and useful experiences, viewing accessibility as a goal, and not a hinderance.
I’m excited to keep designing, and I feel lucky to have discovered an industry that not only celebrates creative solutions, but improves my life.