Andrew Cadle

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.

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.

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.

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/

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.

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

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.

My second entry also relates to my time with the hockey club at Kansas where in my senior year when I was President, our arena sold sponsorship rights to a local bar for our annual rivalry game versus Mizzou without our permission. As a collegiate team/organization, like many teams/clubs/organizations at colleges across the United States, we have very strict rules when it comes to associating with drugs and alcohol. A handful of years before I began at KU, our club got in trouble by hazing underage players with alcohol and we were removed from campus for a period of time, so when I found out that our home arena, who we’re in constant contact with throughout any given season, sold title sponsorship rights to a local bar without our permission, I was forced to withdraw our team from the game and find a new arena to host the game. It took weeks, many passionate conversations with the opposing team’s coaches and staff over the eventual outcome so that both sides were pleased, we settled on a home and home rivalry series with each team hosting the other at their campus instead of just a single event in Kansas City. The event proved to be very beneficial to both clubs both from a PR and financial standpoint. I was very proud of my staff for working tirelessly to help find a new venue, work out solutions, and still create a can’t miss event at a much less desirable arena.

Both of my entries for this week’s visual diary are going to be from when I was in undergrad at the University of Kansas. While at KU, I volunteered with the club hockey team designing merchandise and uniforms. Before I got to KU and joined the growing staff, no one had spearheaded selling merchandise. I was willing to reach out to vendors and build a website if needed to get our fans merchandise, knowing it could be our primary source of revenue each season given we didn’t charge for admission and concession stand revenue went to the arena, not us. My first year I was able to get stores set up with numerous vendors for a variety of items and we were consistently selling 100s of items each season, then COVID-19 gripped the world and canceled a season and a half of ours, and many other teams around the nation. We, like many, didn’t know how we’d turn a profit and be able to play the following season if we didn’t make money to support our operating costs due to not having a season. So although the pandemic was awful in many ways for so many people all over, it forced my team and I to find new ways to market and sell to our current fans, and reach new ones all over the country. After my four years at KU, we sold over $45,000 worth of merchandise, more than quadrupling the amount of money the University aids us with each season. Upon graduation, our coaching staff and university representatives told my team and I that without the massive amounts of sales over the years, especially during the off-seasons from COVID-19, the future of the club was seriously in doubt.

The Nest Thermostat is a shining example of innovation in the field of home automation and a testament to enhancing user experience through intuitive design. At its core, the Nest Thermostat's innovation lies in its ability to learn and adapt to user preferences, optimizing energy consumption and comfort seamlessly. One of its key features is the ability to learn users' schedules and temperature preferences. Over time, it creates a customized heating and cooling schedule that maximizes energy efficiency while ensuring a comfortable living environment. This learning capability not only reduces energy bills but also simplifies the user's interaction with the thermostat. The device's user interface is another highlight. It boasts a sleek, minimalist design with a vibrant display that provides real-time feedback on temperature settings and energy usage. Its compatibility with smartphones and voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa further enhances user convenience, allowing remote control and voice commands. The Nest Thermostat integrates with a wide range of HVAC systems and smart home devices, making it a central hub for home climate control. This interoperability contributes to a holistic and interconnected smart home experience.

The Tesla Model S is a pinnacle of automotive innovation and an exemplar of user-centric design in the electric vehicle industry. Innovation is woven into every aspect of its existence, offering a transformative driving experience and setting new benchmarks. At the heart of the Model S's innovation lies its electric powertrain. The car's all-electric architecture eliminates tailpipe emissions and reduces the carbon footprint. With cutting-edge lithium-ion batteries and advanced energy management systems, it boasts an impressive range, redefining EV capabilities and addressing range anxiety. The Model S also leads in autonomous driving technology. Tesla's Autopilot features offer adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and even self-parking capabilities, pushing the envelope of self-driving possibilities. The vehicle's interior is a testament to user experience design. The minimalist dashboard features a massive touchscreen interface that controls nearly every aspect of the car, from climate control to entertainment. This not only reduces clutter but also allows for over-the-air software updates, ensuring continuous improvements and new features. The car's sleek and aerodynamic design enhances both aesthetics and efficiency, offering a low drag coefficient and industry-leading performance. The Ludicrous Mode option allows the Model S to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 2 seconds, redefining the perception of electric vehicle performance.

I wasn’t sure what was meant by an abstract design leadership tool so after reading the course materials and doing some research online, I figured that some abstract design leadership tools I can expand on in my daily life would be to lead with compassion and enthusiasm. I tend to think I already exude those qualities, but not to the level I believe they need to be to effectively use them to lead a team of creatives, which is good because I don’t lead a team quite yet. Something I came across in reading was the idea of empathy marketing, which is the idea that if companies can look through their clients’ eyes and understand their desires, they will be better able to tailor their offerings and gain a competitive advantage. The same can be said for product designers, like myself, when creating products with the users goals in mind. A great example of this would be if you open Spotify or Apple Music and want to sing along to a song, you can click the lyrics icon and know exactly what words come next in every single song. In this example, these streaming services empathized, or had compassion, for their users wanting to use their app for karaoke nights, singing in the car, or any other situation where some vocal guidance was required!

Being able to expand the view of the camera lens and add subjects and events to photos without having to go back into the field and recapturing the moments you want to create is a huge asset to me and many designers. Of course, there are drawbacks to using AI, considering it’s not your original work, your manipulating a scene, etc. for professional or personal gain, but so far, with what I’ve used it for, I find it’s a valuable tool that many young designers and photographers can use to help get their ideas out of their head and onto the screen!

Sneed, A. (2022, February 8). I’m Addicted to My Phone. How Can I Cut Back? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/08/well/live/smartphone-addiction-tips.html

I found just talking about the situation, not incriminating or accusing anyone of being addicted to a device or devices, and backing up my questions and their concerns with facts and some of the preliminary research I’ve come across the past few weeks.

The second example I came up with for this visual diary entry is volunteer firefighters. In many rural areas, volunteer firefighters often serve as equals, working in their community day-to-day with their peers and when the time comes, as a firefighter to protect their community. These individuals undergo training and dedicate their time voluntarily to the fire department, creating a cooperative environment where they both work in and protect their community.