Hi, I'm Vilkku!

Get To Know Me

Currently, my role is very broad and diverse, and I am involved in both the design and implementation aspects of software development projects. The human-computer interaction has always fascinated me, and in my future career, I want to focus more fully on human-centered design.

As a designer with expertise in software development and accessibility, I have a keen interest in designing for everyone. I am naturally curious and have a strong empathy for all the users.

I have learned to appreciate the value of the "fail fast" philosophy. Failing is a natural part of the process, and it should be used as an opportunity to learn and improve. I think everything should be tested early and the customer should be involved in all the phases of the design process.

My Design Thinking Process

The structure of my design thinking process depends on the project model and my role on the project. But the key steps are the following:

1. 

   1. Gathering information

   • Who are the people?
   • Interviews and discussions with different stakeholders
   • Understanding the data
   • Research & Benchmarking
   • Insights
2. 

   2. Defining the problem

   • Reframing the problem
   • Understanding the user's needs and goals
   • Defining success criteria
   • Understanding the stakeholders
   • Evaluation based on feedback
3. 

   3. Ideation

   • Brainstorming & Encouraging creativity
   • Involve people from different backgrounds
   • Sketching & Exploring
4. 

   4. Prototyping

   • The data in the prototypes should seem real
   • Mock-ups, wireframes, design layouts, paper prototypes, html-prototypes
   • Intuitiveness of interaction
5. 

   5. Testing

   • User testing: Pay attention to different user groups
   • Involve stakeholders in testing
   • Heuristic and expert reviews
   • Refining & Quality evaluation

User Research

My experience in UX research includes conducting surveys, user interviews, and usability testing. While my current role involves less research and communication with end users, my previous studies were heavily focused on user interaction.

I have also contributed to a research article titled "Preconceptions towards gamifying work: A thematic analysis of responses of a maritime logistics organization".

Information Architecture

I've had the opportunity to work on various projects with diverse information architecture goals. Among them, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems have been particularly challenging: They involve complex business processes, various user roles, vast amounts of data, and often changing business logic. With them, it is also crucial to consider factors such as system performance, clear navigation structure, and intuitive functions, since the success of an ERP system project plays a critical role in ensuring a customer company's financial success.

In my opinion, regardless of the project type, utilizing use cases is essential for creating a system that enables users to complete their tasks efficiently.

Interaction Design

My involvement in all phases of projects has given me a holistic perspective on design. Often, I have been in contact with customers long before their actual purchase decision.

In recent years, I have mainly focused on using HTML prototypes to demonstrate functionality. This approach is particularly logical for me, as I also work as a programmer. My usual approach in designing digital products is to create interactive prototypes with a focus on mobile-first and responsive design principles. I believe it is crucial nowadays to ensure that websites and applications work well on mobile devices.

Visual Design

Collaboration

I have extensive experience working with cross-functional teams, including software developers, graphic designers, product managers, and other stakeholders.

Additionally, I have worked in brand design, marketing, HR, recruiting, onboarding, teaching, and research, further strengthening my ability to communicate and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds. Especially tasks related to team leadership and onboarding new employees have provided valuable perspective also into my design work.