Modernizing

Of of the biggest challenges a web designer is faced with is cross-browser compatability. The latest versions of the popular browsers can do some great things which older browsers can't. When I first joined Broadridge we had both challenges - older applications and a significant number of clients using only IE7 and IE8.

Solution: add "modernizr.js" and polyfills such as html5shiv*. Modernizr.js makes it easy to deliver tiered experiences: make use of the latest and greatest features in browsers which support them, allowing users of older browsers to have a more contemporary experience. A "polyfill" is additional code which provides technology that isn't natively built into a web browser.

*In IE versions prior to 9, unknown HTML elements like <section> and <nav> would be parsed as empty elements, breaking the page's nesting structure and making those elements impossible to style using CSS. One of the most widely used polyfills, html5shiv exploits another quirk of IE to work around this bug: calling document.createElement("tagname") for each of the new HTML5 elements, which causes IE to parse them correctly. It also includes basic default styling for those HTML5 elements.

UX Conistency

Another significant challenge was the need to create UX consistency throughout several applicaitons that had previously been developed in silos which resulted in a lack of UI/UX consistency throughout. This effort led me to develop the first "Design and Development Guide" (aka "DDG") to maintain a consistentcy in current and future project. This was later used as the style guide and design approach for the ICS Portal project's design and development plan.

From 1 to 10

Almost immediately after I joined, I was the single UI resource for ICSOL applications. I was quickly able to prove the value of having an internal UI resource. This led to increased project work and subsequently increased resources.

Over the next few years, the UI team grew in response to increased UI engagement by all product application groups. As important as increasing the number of resources, it was equally or more important to find the right candidates. This took considerable effort in creating job descriptions; working with HR and approved staffing vendors; carefully interviewing and selecting candidates, each time we were approved to open a new slot on the team.

Half of my team were local and half the team was located in Hyderabad, India. This presented its own set of challenges such as the 10.5 hour time zone difference; language and culture differences; and additional effort regarding effective and timely communication of all requirement changes, stakeholder commentary and other elements that occur throughout the day locally.

Managing multiple resources and projects

While the growth was necessary and exciting, it created a new set of challenges. I have been managing a large group of resources and projects (often large and/or complex) manually. One of the requests I've been strongly making is the need for a UI-specific project management tool. After careful research and dialogue with vendors reps, I selected "Workfront" as my top pick. Shortly thereafter, I learned that our marketing department had recently licensed the same software for their team (we don't work with marketing for our application development). Workfront is currently working with our marketing department to verify if we can use a sub-instance of their license to create a "proof of concept" (POC) specifically for my team.

Rapid Prototyping approaches and tools

Like many of my colleagues, I am always in search of better approaches and tools for my prototyping process. This includes every part of the process ... from sketching to low-fidelity wireframing to high-fidelity wireframing to working HTML prototypes.

I've tried several approaches and tools. Currently, we use Balsamiq for sketching/lofi wireframing. We stopped using Photoshop as a "hifi" wireframing tool as it took too long to make changes, but recently Adobe added "artboards" which are very promising with regard to filling this role again.

Even more exciting was the release of Adobe XD, made for fast and fluid UX design with innovative tools that eliminate speed bumps and deliver breakthrough performance. Switch from design to prototype in a single click. Quickly create wireframes and visual designs, preview changes in real time, and share prototypes with your team for instant feedback.

Adobe Max and Adobe XD

I've been fortunate to attend this incredible event the past 2 years. I'm anxiously looking forward to joining approximately 10,000 professional peers at Adobe Max 2016 later this year in San Diego, CA. I've found that watching and speaking to other attendees to be as interesting and informative as the numerous sessions offered. I am particularly interested in learning about upcoming updates to Adobe XD.

Adobe XD (previously named "Comet") was released recently, initially for Mac only, is made for fast, fluid UX design with innovative tools that eliminate speed bumps and deliver breakthrough performance. Switch from design to prototype in a single click. Quickly create wireframes and visual designs, preview changes in real time, and share prototypes with your team for instant feedback. PC release is expected later in 2016.

Liferay: Enterprise CMS Portal

Last year we started working with and implementing a portal for several of the "bank and broker" applications. We all learned quite a bit from this experience. For the UI team in particular, we were challenged with designing a UI/UX that allows users to see a cross-cut of information (from across multiple applications) on a single dashboard and other data "mashup" pages.

Certifications

Broadridge has provided me with the ability to participate in external certification training in both Responsive Web Design and Responsive HTML Email Design. These courses were developed and taught by Noble Desktop staff at their NYC location. I found the instructor I had for both courses extremely knowledgeable and capable of effectively communicating course concepts. The classes were filled with professional peers that provided additional insight to various approaches and ideas I would not have been exposed to otherwise.

7 Habits of Highly Successful People

Broadridge also invests in on-site instruction of Stephen Covey's course by a certified instructor, Bruce Barnett. Bruce also happens to be a retired ADP/Broadridge sales executive. Bruce is clearly very passionate in his belief of this program as well as his desire to positively impact the attendees.