Design Principles

What is a design principle?

Design Principles are a tool for creating a better, more consistent experience for your users. They are high level principles that guide the detailed design decisions you make as you're working on a project. At this stage in the project, the principles below are flagged as draft and will continue to be updated as additional user research is conducted.

For more information - http://www.designprinciplesftw.com/

Strive for accuracy

All the actors in bidding need accurate data on positions and bidders' qualifications. Total accuracy is difficult to come by in a system with so many actors and individuals making decisions...but that doesn't mean we shouldn't aim for it. This means improving position update processes as well as making sure data is clean. Where a necessary piece of data is potentially inaccurate, we make that clear.

Open the black box

Most people will see their expectations disappointed at some point in their careers. Perhaps a desired post doesn't have any positions open. Perhaps a desired position just isn't realistically within reach. Perhaps someone else gets the handshake on an open, realistically achievable position. Based on research with bidders, it seems clear that telling people about disappointing results sooner rather than later helps them manage their expectations and move forward to the next opportunity. Some part of the process will likely remain a black box, but decrease the amount of time people spend waiting for it to open.

Assume a global workforce

The State Department stations employees all over the world, and some posts have faster and more consistent access to the Internet than others. Nevertheless, all users must be able to access key TalentMAP features in a way that works for them. This means everything from responsive web design, to fast-loading pages, to dynamic content that stays accurate even when timezones differ.

General rules

Make the user feel important

Changes in the interface derive their energy from user actions. The user is the first consideration and sites are designed with the needs of the user in mind.

Create common user patterns

Common design patterns will familiarize the user with elements which they already understand. Reduces the amount of learning they need to do, and enables them to get closer to achieving their goal.