#mpdc5043

[akcadle]

The ESPN+ interface has garnered its fair share of criticism, as reflected in numerous negative reviews. Users frequently express frustration with the platform's navigation, citing issues with intuitiveness and ease of use. Some complain about a cluttered layout, finding it challenging to locate specific content or features. Additionally, buffering and streaming glitches have been recurrent problems, hindering the overall viewing experience for subscribers. Complaints also extend to the user interface's responsiveness and the lack of customization options, leaving some users dissatisfied with the overall design and functionality. While ESPN+ offers an extensive array of sports content, the user interface appears to be a sticking point for many, with negative reviews emphasizing the need for improvements to enhance user satisfaction and streamline the overall viewing process.

[akcadle]

One standout design solution in transportation that emerged within the last five years is the widespread adoption of electric scooters in urban environments. Companies like Lime and Bird have introduced dockless electric scooters as a convenient and eco-friendly last-mile transportation option. These scooters are easily accessible through smartphone apps, allowing users to locate, unlock, and ride them for short distances within cities. The design addresses the challenges of urban congestion and provides a sustainable alternative to traditional gas-powered vehicles for short trips. With a focus on user-friendly interfaces and seamless integration with existing urban infrastructure, electric scooters offer a practical solution to the "last-mile problem," reducing reliance on cars and promoting greener commuting options. This innovative design has not only transformed the way people navigate urban spaces but has also contributed to more sustainable and efficient transportation ecosystems in cities around the world.

[akcadle]

Global apparel brands like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour have demonstrated a commitment to responsibility in design leadership by addressing the materials used in the manufacturing of their products. Nike, for instance, has made strides in sustainable materials and manufacturing processes, with initiatives like the "Move to Zero" campaign aiming for zero carbon and waste. Adidas has committed to using only recycled polyester in its products by 2024 and has initiatives like "Futurecraft Loop" promoting a circular economy in footwear. Under Armour has also taken steps to reduce environmental impact through sustainable material choices. These companies showcase a growing understanding that ethical and sustainable practices are integral to long-term success. As a design leader, these examples influence a commitment to incorporating environmentally friendly materials, ensuring fair labor practices, and contributing positively to the communities where products are manufactured. Balancing financial success with societal and environmental responsibility becomes a guiding principle in design decisions, aiming for a more sustainable and socially conscious approach to the apparel industry.

[akcadle]

Tech giants like Apple, Google, and Microsoft have made notable strides in practicing responsibility in design leadership by addressing financial, societal, and environmental considerations. Apple, for instance, has committed to using 100% renewable energy in its facilities and has made design choices that prioritize product longevity and recyclability. Google has been actively investing in renewable energy projects and is dedicated to carbon neutrality. Microsoft, under the leadership of Satya Nadella, has set ambitious sustainability goals, aiming to be carbon negative by 2030. These companies showcase a commitment to environmental responsibility alongside financial success. As a design leader, these examples inspire a comprehensive approach to product development, considering the societal impacts of technology and prioritizing environmentally sustainable practices.

[akcadle]

The Problematic Stake in the Ground example I’m using this week is the Southwest Transit Light Rail System that will connect Minneapolis, MN to Eden Prairie, MN, a suburb about 30 minutes west of the Twin Cities. The photo is a section of the light rail in Eden Prairie that narrowly passes by a residential apartment and condominium. This project began in 2019 and at the time was projected to be finished and transporting passengers this year. Since then, the project timeline has been pushed back to 2027 and the budget for it has been overrun from the original $2.20 billion to $2.74 billion to include more stops and renovate current stops along the line. The council in charge of the project and other committee members are steadfast in their beliefs of the project, but the public opinion, especially in the suburbs that the line travels through, have been declining from the onset of the project. The Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) audited the project in 2022 and found that the Met Council “was not fully transparent about project costs and delays” and found that the project will cost about 38% over budget (Strate, 2023).

References

Strate, J. (2023, May 3). The $2.74 billion LRT project. Eden Prairie Local News. https://www.eplocalnews.org/2023/05/03/the-2-74-billion-lrt-project/

[akcadle]

Although the photo above is the top search result when Googling this, this photo was taken by one of my former co-workers during our media day with the new uniforms prior to unveiling. When the Minnesota Twins first unveiled their new brand and uniforms about a year ago, some of the new marks, primarily what is known as the “M Star”, was met with heavy criticism, saying it looks too much like the Miami Marlins, and copies the Minnesota United Loons, Timberwolves, Lynx, and Wild’s North Star icon in their logos. Forget about the Marlins comparison for a second here, the point of the Twins creating a mark that had a North Star in it, like the other professional Minnesota sports teams, was to include a unifying mark across all of our teams (except the Vikings). It took a lot of marketing, advertising, positioning, storytelling, etc. to help fans understand the meaning behind this alternate mark and as the season went on, I personally heard and saw more and more fans warming up to it through conversations and the attire they bought and wore.

[akcadle]

My two stake in the ground examples this week are from my personal work over the last year or so. My first example was inspired by my time volunteering with the University of Kansas Hockey Club during undergrad.

Over the last four years, one of the biggest issues we've had within the KU Hockey Club was communication between the coaches, team, and staff. The team has their own GroupMe chat, the staff has their own Slack channel, and the coaches have their own iMessage group, but no one is willing to choose one platform and make a group chat with everyone. We also have issues with players not knowing when practice or game times are because those reminders get lost in the constant feed of messages. As a solution, I designed a mobile app where all coaches, players, and staff have access to the team side using their KU ID login credentials. On this app, members can check scores, upcoming and past games and scores, schedule, roster, stats, standings, shop for merchandise, and converse with other members either in groups or direct messages.

Fans can also download this app and sign in with their own credentials and have access to the same pages members do, except instead of messaging other members, they can fill out a contact form that goes directly to the staff, rather than waiting hours or days for a response on social media.

The link to view the whole project, description, and features can be read on my website at this link.

[akcadle]

Cultural parameters can encompass a wide range of aspects, including language, customs, traditions, religious beliefs, social norms, etc. and it's important to understand and respect cultural parameters in various contexts, such as when interacting with people from different cultures, working in diverse teams, or conducting business internationally. I think there are some instances where parameters can be broken, and of course times where they absolutely should not be and it all depends on the situation.

In many situations, it is essential to honor cultural parameters out of respect for the people and the culture in question. Understanding and respecting these parameters can help build positive relationships and avoid unintentional cultural insensitivity or offense. While cultural parameters should be respected, there are legal and ethical boundaries that should never be crossed. For example, certain practices, such as discrimination, human rights abuses, or harmful customs, should never be excused or condoned simply because they are part of a culture.

In some cases, there may be a need to adapt to or work within certain cultural parameters, especially in a business or diplomatic context. This might involve modifying certain practices or behaviors to navigate cultural differences successfully. There may be situations where it is ethically necessary to challenge or break certain cultural parameters, especially when they perpetuate harmful practices, such as discrimination, violence, or other forms of injustice. In such cases, individuals and organizations may need to take a stand against these norms.

Balancing individual rights and cultural parameters can be challenging. Sometimes, an individual's rights should take precedence over cultural norms, particularly when those norms infringe on fundamental human rights. Promoting cultural education and awareness is essential in addressing these complex issues. It can help individuals and groups better understand when and how to navigate cultural parameters.