Evan Kapros

I Research, Analyse, and Synthesise Strategic UX Design for complex systems. I understand Strategic UX not primarily as UX that makes the users conform to a business case, but mostly as a strategy for business change according to user needs and "big picture" systemic challenges. I am influenced* by the Helsinki Design Lab and their Design Studio model for strategic design for systemic change.

My key objectives when I run a Design Studio:

• Bring clarity and focus to the project;
• Distill the purpose of the project;
• Systematically synthesise the needs of all stakeholders;
• Translate needs into a concept, product, system, or change design;
• Stay focused and poised while facing uncertainty.

Clients and colleagues consider this focus and poise my "design superpower":

"Evan [...] is an excellent designer with deep knowledge and skills. He is a strong communicator who is able to express his knowledge or opinion in a thoughtful, respectful manner. He is also extremely creative [...], looking from angles that everyone else has overlooked and able to grasp complex concepts and create something that people will just ‘get’. On top of that, he works very hard, is well able to prioritise his work, and gets things done. Evan is simply a delight to work with."

Mirjam Neelen — Head of Global Learning Design in Novartis, ex Accenture, Google

Concerning the tools I use to run a Design Studio, I have some favourites but I am flexible. Usually the needs of the project dictate what to use, when, and why. For some projects I even had to learn new tools, which makes work more fun!

Some of the tools I use to analyse and syntehsise results:

• Systems design (stakeholder mapping, UML, etc.);
• Workshop facilitation methods (e.g., from Hyper Island Toolbox);
• User research methods (interviews, observation, etc.);
• Qualitative analysis (Narrative Inquiry, theme coding, etc.);
• Usability evaluations (SUS, SUPR-Q, Heuristic evaluations, etc.);
• Data analysis (regression, clustering, etc.);
• Desk studies (state-of-the-art/market);
• Data visualisation (static, descriptive);
• User interface design (wireframes, information architecture, user flows, etc.);
• Impact assessments for algorithmic auditing;
• Others depending on the project's needs.

I have applied these tools for around 20 years in projects for industry, academia, partnerships between the two, and non-profits alike. A Design Studio takes longer than a Design Sprint, and needs more preparation. Therefore initially it may seem like a waste of time and effort. However, the return on the investment is multiple, as the result is not just an artefact (app, MVP, UI), but a longer term systemic approach on how to solve a problem. And yes, this might include artefacts such as apps, chatbots, UIs, etc.

Ready to talk to me? Find me at: Endurae — LinkedIn — email

* Literally just influenced by the Helsinki Design Lab—I did not adopt its methods uncritically. I have my critique of their model and try to implement it better, but in my experience and humble opinion it strikes a useful and practical balance between the old, slow waterfall models and how hastily much of "Design Thinking" is being applied nowadays even for complex systems.

I have worked on 40+ industry-academia PPPs including with companies such as Google, Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, and others, and universities such as Trinity College Dublin, Universitat de Barcelona, Aalto University, and others. These projects have forged my consulting skills over the decades.

I typically work with:

• Multiple Projects — I have routinely led the design of multiple projects (3 to 8) simultaneously.
• Multidisciplinary Teams — All projects were accomplished with the collaboration of domain experts and technologists.
• Diverse Stakeholders — Communications with industry partners and other stakeholders has been key.

I also have a permanent agreement as Strategic Advisor with Project Arc concerning consulting on project preparation, execution, and sustainability. Proposal writing coordination, project planning, facilitating workshops and trainings, and evaluations are part of my specialties.

Finally, my Teaching and student Mentoring experience has seen me design or teach courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and supervising students projects and theses at Trinity College Dublin, Istituto Europeo di Design—Escola Superior, the Interaction Design Foundation, EU Business School, OpenClassrooms, the University of the Aegean, and elsewhere.

Ready to talk to me? Find me at: Endurae — LinkedIn — email