Going Remote: Design

Key takeaways

Prioritize asynchronous communication to adapt to remote work environments, especially when team members have varied personal circumstances.
Limit large group video calls; keep meetings small and focused, and use presentations for larger groups to facilitate effective remote collaboration.
Use simple tools and shared assets for design workflows, avoiding unnecessary complexity like version control systems for design files.
Clear project scoping and defined responsibilities reduce the need for frequent meetings and streamline approval processes.
Develop relevant technical skills, such as basic coding, for design team members to enhance collaboration and productivity.

Summary

Adapting to Remote Design Collaboration

Jonas Dowdy discusses the impact of remote work on design teams, emphasizing the importance of asynchronous communication and reduced real-time interaction due to the current global situation. He highlights strategies for effective remote collaboration, such as limiting video calls to small groups, using online tools for whiteboarding instead of traditional in-person methods, and maintaining a flexible approach to design workflows. The focus is on managing communication efficiently to adapt to the challenges of remote work while preserving productivity.

Tools and Workflow for Remote Design and Development

The episode delves into the practical aspects of remote design collaborations at Basecamp. Jonas explains their preference for asynchronous communication via Basecamp comments, screenshots, and GitHub for sharing code and design assets. They utilize tools like Reflector for whiteboard-like sessions and manage design versions through shared assets and a design handbook, avoiding complex version control systems. This approach emphasizes simplicity and flexibility, reducing dependency on heavy software to keep workflows smooth.

Remote Communication, Feedback, and Project Management Practices

Jonas addresses how Basecamp maintains an efficient, meeting-free environment for reviewing and approving designs. Clear project scoping and well-defined responsibilities minimize the need for frequent meetings, with decisions often made by the product owner, Jason Fried. The team relies on thoughtful project planning, detailed task descriptions, and selective real-time conversations only when needed. Additionally, design and engineering teams use a mix of tools and in-browser work, supported by basic coding knowledge for designers to streamline collaboration. The episode underscores the importance of independent decision-making and effective communication channels in a remote setting.

Show notes

We're starting a new series of bonus episodes called Going Remote. We'll have different Basecampers answer questions about how they do their work remotely. In this first episode, design lead Jonas Downey talks about how he and his team collaborate with each other, give feedback, and communicate with their developer colleagues. These episodes are adapted from an ongoing series of livestreamed Q&As, which you can find in their entirety on Basecamp's YouTube channel.

Show Notes

Video of Jonas' Q&A | YouTube playlist of all Q&As - 00:33

Jonas Downey on Twitter - 00:39

Question #1: I’m planning on doing design thinking sessions for groups. How should I channel the team aspect in a virtual call with 20 to 30 people? - 4:25

Question #2: What tools do you use to replace whiteboarding and Post-It sessions? - 6:33

Reflector app - 7:31

Question #3: It seems like most communication you do runs through Basecamp. How do you communicate the intricacies of designs to engineers, and what’s your workflow? - 8:51

Basecamp co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson's live walkthrough of the company's Basecamp account - 8:54

Question #4: Do you use version control tools like Abstract? - 12:46

Question #5: In the meeting-averse culture of Basecamp, how does design work get reviewed and approved? - 16:23

Question #6: Do you use any design tools, or do you design in the browser? - 17:44

Question #7: Is it required at Basecamp for a designer to know how to code? - 18:48

Question #8: How many designers do you have at Basecamp? - 20:21

Question #9: I'm interested in the dynamic between designers and product managers. Do you do project management yourself using tools like Jira or Trello? - 21:07

Question #10: How do you balance between designer and manager roles? - 23:00

Basecamp on Twitter - 25:35