Mom, am I a good designer?

Designer (n.) A job title that always gets asked to do things for free, saying it is just a "small favor". Of course the definition is just a pun right? Right?

In February 2023, with a thought of failing on being independent after living by myself for more than ten years, I decided to move back to my Mom house. Ever since there are a lot of things happening and one of the things is the topic of this article.

Don't worry, it is one of the articles that talks a little bit about design. You're on the right track.

My Mom was born in 1955. Which makes her age 68 years old on 2023. Just like any other mothers that were born around her years, they grew up without technology, right?

Even in the year when mobile phones finally come to my country. Mom already stated she can't follow with technology, she might give up on it someday.

Since I am most likely growing with technology and working closely with those. Also I’m used to creating visuals as a communication tool, so I am willing to understand universal visual language. I didn’t mean to brag, but I know I’m cool.

Mom usually asks something regardless of all the applications that she's installed on her phone. That's when I question my worth as a designer.

One simple story is that Mom once wanted to watch a video on her YouTube. However, her YouTube is sometimes used by my nephew, either he searches for his school studies or his favourite rapper artist.

Mom somewhat raises her tone of voice while frustrated she can't minimise the YouTube video, which plays the previous video that my nephew played. Since I was triggered by her frustration. I told her to sit near me so I could teach her what to do.

Well, when I thought Mom had learned. But the next day, the same episode of her frustration happened again. It made me ask her fundamental question, Mom did you know what this icon means? while pointing at the minimise icon, then the question follows to other icons such as search, play and volume.

I’m shocked she didn’t answer well. Like my whole worth as a visual designer shaken by the fact that, even in my understanding of universal icons, my Mom doesn’t.

Then I told her, Mom, you know that I sometimes also make icons, right? Now it feels like my work is not functional at all. Mom laughed then made an excuse so I didn't feel down.

Ok, maybe she's old and given up on technology. But the theory of user experience might also be questionable for Mom. She struggles to learn what we as a designer call, easy to use by users. lol.

Anyway, this story perhaps only happened to Mom. And if you read this and happen to be a designer like me, you might think there should be different ways for an elderly friendly App.

In fact, you should know there is a granny in Japan, Masako Wakamiya. She’s starting to learn coding at 80. She created a game for fellow elders about Japanese traditional games, Doll festivals. She simplified the game by not using swipe and slides, just tapping and it is successfully played by a large number of elders in Japan. Now she joins the big tech Apple, since their goal is to make the IPhone more user friendly for elders.

See my point?

Youngsters cannot create something for elders, because we don't have any experience to be an elder yet!

Anyway, it brings me to another thought, what if that current invention is just our ego, to forcefully create an experience they are uncomfortable with?

LOL

Did I just sound like someone who confuses everyone while talking on Ted Talk?

That’s, story for today folks. Thank you for reading!

Originally I posted this article in my newsletter. Then one night, when it was 33°C, the mosquitoes attacked me, which made it hard for me to sleep. I thought, oh, I think this story will be good enough to be posted on Medium as well. So, I open my Google Docs and start making things happen. Haha

But somehow I missed writing on Medium. LOL

Anyway, feel free to drop a comment, poke me on Instagram about the article. Also, if you are interested follow my newsletter, I mostly write about funny stories about moving back with Mom. Nah, actually I will be happy if I gain subscribers. Hehehe

Okay then! Till next time!