My inspiration for today was the article by David Brooks “The New Humanism” in the NY Times in which he discusses the emergence of a new understanding and appreciation of human nature. It is a very short article but full of food for thought, particularly when considering the discussion of what makes a good UX Designer. This question has been answered in both broad and specific ways. On 52 Weeks of UX, Joshua Porter answered it by stating “The big difference between someone who is a UX professional and someone who isn’t comes back to that word: responsibility.”

While I agree with this answer, I think it’s important to recognize that the qualities described in David Brook’s article can also differentiate a great designer from a mediocre one. Designers create products and experiences, not solely for ourselves, but for the community at large. Because of that, practicing and honing the following skills should also be the focus of any UX professional: Attunement

The ability to enter other minds and learn what they have to offer. Equipoise

The ability to serenely monitor the movements of one’s own mind and correct for biases and shortcomings. Metis

The ability to see patterns in the world and derive a gist from complex situations. Sympathy

The ability to fall into a rhythm with those around you and thrive in groups. Limerence

This isn’t a talent as much as a motivation. The conscious mind hungers for money and success, but the unconscious mind hungers for those moments of transcendence when the skull line falls away and we are lost in love for another, the challenge of a task or the love of God. Some people seem to experience this drive more powerfully than others.

Many of these skills are now being taught in many of the newer design programs as part of incorporating design research processes into traditional design curriculum. I’ve noticed that many (not all) designers naturally tend to have these qualities. We inherently strive to understand of other points of view so that our work connects with people, moves, inspires or improves their lives. So I feel that nurturing these tendencies can only be a good thing but as with anything it should be done with a focus on moderation along with practicing the ability to distill meaningful observations that can be applied to project at hand. Without that ability, what we see through those lenses gets lost in translation.