Innovation, Automation and Iteration

The Golden Triad of UX Solutions.

Over the last 20+ years of my career in product design, the industry has been in a constant state of change (i.e. chaos). Process has changed, methods have transformed and outcomes have progressed. There is one thing that has remained consistent throughout that time — how we approach design solutions. There are three ways to design solutions: Innovation, Automation and Iteration. I call this, The Golden Triad. Once you understand that concept, divergent thinking becomes less ambiguous, which leads to a more efficient approach to designing solutions for the end user.

“There are three ways to design solutions: Innovation, Automation and Iteration.”

Innovation

Innovation is the mother of all solutions and the one we all strive to achieve — a fundamental change in paradigms that greatly improves the experience as a result. Wikipedia says, “ An innovation is something original and more effective and, as a consequence, new, that “breaks into” the market or society.” Accompanying innovation is a change in user’s psychology and their mental models associated with a process. Essentially, you are reimagining the way something is done, which is a vast improvement from what was done before.