Struggled with this for a while (especially with teaching Bitcoin design to students and/or new designers). The idea is cool (would maybe rework calling them “world class” even if they are because it can be either intimidating or create hierarchy that isn’t useful in an equalizing field). Reasons it could work: access to seasoned designers with insights on product and interaction design, visual identity and typography typically improves drastically, many gain mentorship and the option to collaborate with designers who’ve built successful products and services used by millions. Issues I’ve observed: scheduling- it is extremely difficult to help designers, globally, with set office hours or weekly schedules that are suitable for let’s say someone in SF or NY, connectivity- often folks who need help with FOSS projects don’t have the resources to begin with so providing talent from the west doesn’t yield better results without efficient infrastructure (though it doesn’t hurt to try!), specificity- there’s so much to know about Bitcoin and designing for Bitcoin products, very few designers have enough knowledge to provide use case specific feedback that improves not just UX but fits the technical framework (how many people have you worked with that could honestly explain statechains etc.?), privacy- some of the best designers I know don’t understand nyms, principles of internet freedom, or basic safety to protect designers and developers building FOSS in countries where Bitcoin and building for Bitcoin could be dangerous and have very real physical consequences. Ultimately, it is a fun experiment but it isn’t enough to be an excellent designer who’s willing to help; understanding Bitcoin, the global community, and privacy best practices matters more.
Struggled with this for a while (especially with teaching Bitcoin design to students and/or new designers). The idea is cool (would maybe rework calling them “world class” even if they are because it can be either intimidating or create hierarchy that isn’t useful in an equalizing field). Reasons it could work: access to seasoned designers with insights on product and interaction design, visual identity and typography typically improves drastically, many gain mentorship and the option to collaborate with designers who’ve built successful products and services used by millions. Issues I’ve observed: scheduling- it is extremely difficult to help designers, globally, with set office hours or weekly schedules that are suitable for let’s say someone in SF or NY, connectivity- often folks who need help with FOSS projects don’t have the resources to begin with so providing talent from the west doesn’t yield better results without efficient infrastructure (though it doesn’t hurt to try!), specificity- there’s so much to know about Bitcoin and designing for Bitcoin products, very few designers have enough knowledge to provide use case specific feedback that improves not just UX but fits the technical framework (how many people have you worked with that could honestly explain statechains etc.?), privacy- some of the best designers I know don’t understand nyms, principles of internet freedom, or basic safety to protect designers and developers building FOSS in countries where Bitcoin and building for Bitcoin could be dangerous and have very real physical consequences. Ultimately, it is a fun experiment but it isn’t enough to be an excellent designer who’s willing to help; understanding Bitcoin, the global community, and privacy best practices matters more.
Laziness if I had to guess? Or apps made in Europe. Seems like a trend in Ireland.
Unfortunately whoever it is has been very successful in getting rid of core devs as of late :(. Seems state driven tbh.
🤣 taking no prisoners. Kind of in love with this privacy energy.
